Ephesians

Self study on Identity through Ephesians 

"Who do you think you are" by Mark Driscoll


Chapter 1

- Paul is in prison, but the beginning of his letter, the most important key point right away: In Christ
- we are blessed (ever felt cursed?)
- sometimes we are blind to blessings
  we want something so badly that we miss out on recognizing our blessings

I am in Christ

- Adam, Jesus
- what happens to us explain us, but not define us
- Am I in Adam or am I in Christ???
- born in Adam, but alive or born again in Christ

1 Cor. 15:21-22
- we inherit sin from Adam
- Paul wrote 216 times ''in Christ''
- what does it mean to be in Christ???
- I am one of the branches
- Jesus's life should overflow in mine in order to produce fruit; must be humble for this


Who is...
- Who is God? Bible.
- Who am I? Bible.
- worst place to start: myself
- 2nd worst place: others (psychology tests, character tests, etc,)

Identity vs. Activity
- if I put someone in the center, I would crush them by making them God, they would not be able to withstand the pressure of being a God, they would one day disappoint me, discourage me, and destroy me
- working for vs. from identity

Fasting

January 12, 2015

During one of our annual fasts...

Why fast?

1- opens up spiritual eyes
2- sets us in God's presence
3- brings God's encouragement
4- brings God's answers

Daniel 10
- tasty foods: only things that are precious to him, different for everyone
- ate things he didn't like

Acts 13:1-3
- Before: teacher, prophets
- After: apostles (14:14)

Acts 14:21
- Before: disciples
- After: churches (14:23)
     *We are the fruits/by-products of this

I fast because God loves me.  Fasting is a response.

Before a battle, fast.


During this times, I realized what my true cravings were...
- tofu
- eggplant
- beer
- sushi
- croissants
- rice
- noodles
- cake
- bread



AFTER FASTING

Reboot (Jeremiah 6:16)

Redemptive gift

Demon/Devil- accuser of brothers/sisters, don't compare churches

True Church DNA

Intimacy with God (Luke 7:36)

GO

From April 26, 2015

Solomon's Porch

-GO-

Missions.  Missionary.  Being missional.  As you go...as you live...as you ______...

1 Corinthians 9:16-23
"For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."

Ethnos: people group
     * when the Gospel have been preached to every single people group, then the end will come
     * Matthew 24:14 (first preach Gospel, then the end will come)
     * Mark 13:10 (preached to all nations)
     * largest least-reached people group, 120 million people, is Japanese

Go, therefore: present tense imperative (as you're going...make disciples)

Why?  Love.

Love constrains.

If the love of Christ and love for Christ is not set...
     * when trials come
     * when temptations arise
     * no other reason will be enough to face the trials and tests

Need a sense of urgency.

Missional thoughts/concerns/ideas/side notes
     - ICAN interview, first encounter, first time realizing missional heart as a teacher
     - P Sophia's farewell, was asked about missional lifestyle
     - today's message



Applications 

- Am I making myself available?

- Is this a part of my lifestyle yet?

- Am I a full time minister who God disguised as a _________ ?

- Why has God brought me to Hong Kong at such a time as this?????

- Have I been approaching from a like/dislike attitude?

- What is my motive?



the big guy was saying...
"Ingrid, go to Japan and love the locals. Share the Gospel. Use your outgoing personality and joyfully share. Don't worry, I'll give you the intelligence and skills, I'll provide."

~GO~

Reference: http://www.solomonsporchhk.com/2015/go/