Sermon Notes
Ephesians 6:10–17 NIV
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 2:8–9 NIV
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Matthew 16:15–19 NASB
15 He said to them, “But who do you yourselves say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Romans 5:17 NIV
For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
1 John 4:17 KJV
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
Eph 1:3 — Blessed
Eph 1:4 — Chosen
Eph 1:5 — Adopted
Eph 1:7 — Redeemed and forgiven
Eph 1:13 — Sealed with the Holy Spirit
Eph 2:4 — Loved
Eph 2:8–9 — Saved through grace
Eph 2:10 — His workmanship
Eph 2:19 — Fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household
Eph 3:6 — Fellow heirs and partakers of the promise of Jesus Christ
Discussion Igniters
1. Read Matthew 16:13-19. How does knowing who Jesus is provide a solid foundation for who we are?
2. Read Ephesians 2:11-22. What is the identity that God gives us through Jesus?
3. What can you do to be ready to live in a way that takes ground with the gospel?
4. How does community help us stand firm in our identity and the gospel?
5. What do you need to do to plug into community so you are able to stand firm in your identity and faith?