Enriched in Him • 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 • Sunday, January 18, 2026

Enriched by Grace: Understanding Your Identity in Christ

Have you ever stopped to consider why you're a Christian? Not just the surface answer, but the deeper truth beneath it all? It's a question worth pondering because the answer reveals something profound about who we are and whose we are.

The truth is, our faith isn't primarily about our choices, our decisions, or what we've done to bring ourselves into relationship with God. Rather, it's everything that God has called us and chosen us to be in Him. We don't choose God first—He chooses us. We don't find Him—He finds us. This fundamental truth changes everything about how we understand our spiritual lives.

Called and Chosen

The Apostle Paul wrote to a struggling congregation in Corinth—a group of believers who had plenty of issues. They fought with each other, questioned their leaders, misused spiritual gifts, and struggled with their beliefs and behaviors. They were, in many ways, problem children. Yet Paul's opening words to them weren't condemnation but thanksgiving.

He reminded them of something crucial: they were called by God, sanctified in Christ Jesus, and part of a vast family of saints. This wasn't just about the Corinthians. It's about every believer "in every place" who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Think about that for a moment. Right now, as you read these words, countless other believers around the world are worshiping, praying, and hearing God's Word. In churches down the street and across oceans, in different denominations and traditions, there's one united family called by the same God. We're not alone in our faith journey—we're part of something magnificently larger than ourselves.

Grace and Peace

When Paul wrote "grace to you and peace," he wasn't just offering a polite greeting. These words carry profound weight. Grace represents the fullness of everything God has done for us in Jesus Christ—the complete package of undeserved love and kindness. Peace means we're no longer at odds with God; we've been made right with Him through Christ.

The Corinthians desperately needed grace. With all their problems and failures, they needed forgiveness. And here's the beautiful truth: so do we. Every single one of us needs grace because we all need forgiveness of sins. We need that best gift of all from God.

Should we feel guilty about needing grace? Should we be embarrassed that we keep returning to the well of God's mercy? Absolutely not. The question "Should we keep on sinning so that grace may abound?" misses the point entirely. Grace isn't a license to sin—it's the power to live differently, knowing we're loved unconditionally.

Enriched in Every Way

Here's where things get really interesting. Paul tells the Corinthians they were "enriched" in Christ in every way. Think about that word—enriched. When flour is enriched, nutrients are added to it. When bread is enriched, it's infused with vitamins. When we are enriched by God, He's pouring something into us.

God doesn't call us and then leave us empty. He fills us with the best stuff—the gifts that came through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. He enriches us through His Word, through baptism, and through communion. He pours His speech and knowledge into us, not so we can feel superior, but so we can know who we are and live accordingly.

This enrichment is confirmed in the simplest way: through belief. Do you believe in Jesus? Then it's confirmed. God's Word is doing something in your life. We often make faith far too complicated. Sometimes it really is that simple.

Living Out Our Identity

But knowing who we are isn't enough—we need to live like it. We need to act out our identity as children of God. In our divided world, where sin separates communities, families, and even congregations, we need to remember what unites us. Sin divides. It always has. It divided the Corinthians, it's divided the church throughout history, and it divides us today.

Yet God gives us spiritual gifts to remember who we are and to live accordingly. Here's an astonishing truth: we lack no spiritual gift. God has given us everything we need, often before we even realize we need it. He works in ways we don't always recognize, protecting us, guiding us, and sustaining us through circumstances we might not even notice.

Have you ever forgotten something, turned back to get it, and later realized that small delay kept you from danger or difficulty? That's God enriching your life in ways you don't even realize. His presence, power, and love work constantly on our behalf.

Sustained to the End

God promises to sustain us to the end, guiltless on the day of Christ. Now, that doesn't mean we won't feel guilt—we will. But here's the critical distinction: when we feel guilty about sins already forgiven, that guilt isn't from God. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sins—not some, not most, but all.

When the devil throws forgiven sins back in our faces, trying to weigh us down with shame, we must remember the truth: God is faithful. He doesn't stop loving us. He doesn't back off or walk away. We've been called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, and that calling stands firm.

The Bottom Line

So here's what matters most: You are enriched by Jesus. Your identity, your worth, your purpose—all of it flows from Him. You are who you are because of Jesus. Not because of your achievements, your failures, your good days, or your bad days. Because of Jesus.

As you move through your day, remember this one word: enriched. You are enriched by Christ. Everything good in your spiritual life comes from Him. And that changes everything about how you see yourself, how you treat others, and how you face whatever comes next.
You are called. You are chosen. You are enriched. You are sustained. You are loved.

And that's not just good news—it's the best news of all.

(Content generated by PulpitAI from sermon transcript)