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Sermon Notes

Date of Sermon:    February 8, 2026

Title: Our Unalterable Destiny​

​Main Idea: In Christ, we are unshakably accepted by the Father.
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Primary Passage:  Ephesians 1:3-6
 
Sermon Outline:

• Struggles of the Adopted:
  • Fear of Second Abandonment
  • Identity Confusion
  • Chronic Sense of Loss
• The Father has Blessed us in Christ…
  • Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)
• In that He Chose us for righteousness…
  • Ephesians 1:4 (ESV)
  • Psalm 103:9-14 (ESV)
• Predestined us for adoption…
  • Ephesians 1:4b-5 (ESV)
  • Psalm 33:11 (ESV)
• And Lavished us with favor.
  • ​Ephesians 1:6 (ESV)​

 

• For next week’s message: Read and reflect on Ephesians 1:7-14.

Things to Consider: (Feel free to read Scripture passages that God brings to mind as you work through these questions)

1. What about the sermon challenged, encouraged, or confused you? What, if anything, would you like further clarification on?
2. Which of the following “adoption struggles” do you relate to most?
   1. Fear of Performance-Based Rejection: Failure to break free from a works-based faith and the anxiety of feeling like one is one major mistake from God rejecting them, leading to feeling distant from God, His people, and the abundant life.
   2. Identity Confusion: Failure to reconcile one’s "old self" with their new identity in Christ, feeling like an imposter, and struggling to transition from finding identity in worldly habits or achievements to identity in Christ.
   3. Chronic Sense of Loss: Failure to  "lose" one’s old life and lament what was left behind in order to walk in the new life; unable to navigate the "brokenness" of their past, feels a "nagging sense of shame," compounded when the church expects immediate, painless "gratitude" without acknowledging the cost of the transition.
3. What life-experiences have aided in perpetuating that struggle?
4. How do you sense the Father is encouraging to take the next step in your faith-walk of grasping in experience how much He loves you?
5. How might your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ encourage you in that journey?

As always, feel free to contact Charles if you have questions or concerns regarding the message; its content, meaning, or application to your life. The easiest way to do that is by submitting a Bridge Card at steamboatbiblechurch.com/bridgecard. 
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