“That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” Ephesians 2:12
1. Without Christ
2. Without God
3. Without hope
THE COMMENCEMENT OF HOPE
1. Hope commences with faith
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,” Ephesians 1:13
2. The blessing is ours
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” Ephesians 1:3
3. Faith and hope go together
THE THEORY OF HOPE
“That you may know what is the hope of His calling,” Ephesians 1:19
1. Discovering and knowing this theory of hope
a. Through prayer (Ephesians 1:15)
b. Through the Spirit of God (Ephesians 1:17)
c. Enlightenment (Ephesians 1:18)
2. The theory of our hope
a. God creates this sense of hope further
b. Through His calling
i. Called to salvation
ii. Called to service
c. Only in theory
“That you may know…”
THE REALISATION OF HOPE
1. In time, this hope will be realised
2. Hope does not disappoint
“Now hope does not disappoint,” Romans 5:5
a. Through challenges
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3, 4
i. Tribulation
ii. Perseverance
iii. Character
iv. Hope
b. Through the love of God
“Because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5
i. Love is poured out to our hearts that we may have hope
ii. By the Holy Spirit, we can experience the wonderful love of God
3. One hope
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:4
a. There is one hope in our calling
b. Hope of having oneness
c. Oneness found in all things …One body, One Spirit, One God…
d. Expressions of oneness
i. Walking worthy of the calling (Ephesians 4:1)
ii. Keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3)