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!
2. Four Ways Hope Transforms Our Lives
Hope lightens our dark days. Hope does not deny nor remove the reality of dark and painful experiences in life.
By definition, depression is a sense of hopelessness. Hope is a huge step towards healing. It shines bright light into the valleys and points to the sunrise at the end of them.
Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Hope motivates action!
1 Thessalonians 1:3 “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Endurance” (ongoing, steadfast work) is driven by hope in Christ—not by obligation or fear. True hope fuels perseverance in serving God, even amid difficulty.
-When hope prevails, we are more mindful of serving others.
-We search for the lost to share the great news with them!
-We are mindful to be the people God has called us to be.
Hope is focused on the Future Coming of Christ.
Titus 2:12 Paul describes the Christian life “while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…”
1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you
when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.”
Derek Prince called the 2nd Coming “…the greatest single motivator in the New Testament.”
We wait with hope - through trials, struggles, and blessings.
Hope exists because of promised eternal life.
1 Peter 1:3-4 “… In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you…
Titus 3:7 “…having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
Conclusion
One body, one spirit, one hope. If you are without hope, you can have hope in Christ today!
Lamentations 3:25-26 “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord”
“What is that hope? It is expressed hundreds of times throughout the Scriptures. Perhaps the briefest expression of it can be found in Colossians, “Christ in you, the hope of glory,” {Col 1:27b RSV}.” —Ray Stedman
We can experience hope even at the time of our death. David said in Psalm 17:15, “As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.” That’s the kind of certain hope Jesus can give us. That’s the kind of hope you can have today.
If you’ve lost hope, or never had it in Christ—today, you’re being called to the one hope that will never fade. Christ in you… the hope of glory.
If you’d like to experience that kind of hope, talk to me after services or you can come forward during the invitation song!
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Discussion Questions
1. What is the difference between optimism and biblical hope?
2. How does your faith affect the way you handle uncertain or painful circumstances? Can you share a time when hope through faith helped you keep going?
3. In what ways do you think faith and hope fuel each other?
4. What does Paul mean when he says there is “one hope”? How does this relate to the unity of the body? (Eph 4:4)
5. In Ephesians 2:12–13, Paul says the Gentiles were “without hope.” What does that teach us about the source and foundation of true hope?
6. Why is Christ the only true and lasting source of hope? (Eph 1:12-13, Rom 15:13)
7. How can biblical hope strengthen us in times of discouragement, fear, or uncertainty? (Hebrews 10:23 and
Romans 15:13)
8. Why does Paul link hope with unity in Ephesians? What lessons can we draw for our church community today?
9. How does hope in Christ affect our ability to forgive, serve, or love those we disagree with?
10. Titus 2:13 and 1 Peter 1:13 both point to the return of Christ as our “blessed hope.” How does this future focus impact your life today?
