One Hope Series

One Hope

Ephesians 4:4

Introduction

Derek Prince wrote, “In my opinion hopelessness is one of the saddest conditions in human experience—and uncounted millions in our world today are hopeless people. But thanks be to God—you and I do not have to be hopeless.”

What do you think about when you think about hope? 

- Wishful thinking - a desire for a future outcome without certainty

- Mental attitude of positive hope; reaching goals; achievements

- Biblical hope - God’s promises are sure and we can count on them. It is an expectation with certainty!

It is a biblical hope we find in our text: “you were called to one hope when you were called”.

- When discouraging and depressing news threatens to flood the nation, the church, and the soul, we need God's help to lift up our heads, hearts, and hands. We need hope!

-As people face discouraging situations that bring about disappointment, hurt, fear, discouragement, depression - hope is needed!

- The Bible mentions hope almost 200 times and demonstrates it countless times.

- Ephesians 4:4 "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called…"

Paul’s message of hope in Ephesians keeps in mind the struggle of their day. They are to be united in one body by one spirit. Now they are reminded that Jew or Gentile they have one hope. That’s true for us today - we have one hope … and that hope will give us the strength we need to make it through each day.

1. Hope In Ephesians. Paul talks about hope 4 times in Ephesians.

Hope is found in Christ Alone (Ephesians 1:11-13)

Ephesians 1:11-13, NIV

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal,the promised Holy Spirit…

The Jews were the “first to put their hope in Christ” but all are welcome when they hear the “message of truth, the gospel of your salvation.” This brings hope to everyone - all who will believe. God’s predetermined plan: all believers would be one and share in one body, one spirit, one hope! When we put our hope in Christ we are following the plan of God that brings praise to God! We are finding hope where there was no hope.

Hope is found in the call of Christ (Ephesians 1:17-19)

Ephesians 1:17-19 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.  18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. …

Paul “keeps praying” and we should be praying always! The hope to which we have been called

-Know God - Hope comes from knowing Abba!

-See God’s Will - Hope comes from listening to God.

-Receive a glorious inheritance - Hope looks forward!

-Live in the power of God - Hope brings mighty strength!

-When we were called to Christ we were called to hope!

Hope is the great need of our world (Ephesians 2:11-13)

Ephesians 2:11-13 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Hope moves believers from …

*Separation to Union - with each other and God!

*Excluded to Included - no longer outsiders!

*Foreigners to citizens - We have a new King!

*Without hope to full hope by the blood of Christ

Like the lost world around us, they were Christless, Godless, Hopeless. They can only be drawn near to God by the blood of Christ and that is the hope that God offers! Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness!

Ephesians 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called

You are being called into the one body and one Spirit people today … offered one hope!