ONE HOPE

It has been said that 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 being certain?

- 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!  No doubt about it!

In Ephesians 4:1-6 we find a hope that is a Biblical hope. 

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all

and through all and in all.

If we listen to – or watch news on TV today, what do we most often hear?

Almost overwhelmingly we will hear news reports that are discouraging and depressing. This depressing news threatens to flood the nation, and flow into our personal lives and into our souls.  

We need God's help to lift up our heads, hearts, and hands in the midst of all of this discouragement and depression.

We need hope! 

All these dark, depressive, and often downright evil news stories that are in our faces can cause discouragement, and discouragement brings about disappointment, and hurt, and fear ----- and Hope is needed.

The Bible mentions hope almost 200 times and we find countless other times when the act of hope is demonstrated.

- 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 the Christians in the church in Ephesus in their day.

Paul encourages them to be united in one body and by one spirit. Whether they are Gentile or Jew --- they have one hope.

And that is true for us today. We have one hope. And that one hope will give us the strength we need to make it through each and every day.

In this letter to the church at Ephesus Paul talks about hope four (4) times.

FIRST – Paul reminds the church at Ephesus that 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, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 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 God’s plan that brings praise to God! We are finding hope where there is 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.  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, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. …

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

-We can: Know God - Hope comes from knowing Abba! Father!

-We can: See and Hear God’s Will - Hope comes from listening to God.

-We can receive a glorious inheritance - Hope looks forward!

-We can 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)

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 Unity - unity with each other and with God!      

Hope moves us from being *Excluded to Included” – we are no longer outsiders!

 Excluded by the world - Included by Christ.

We move from being Foreigners to Citizens - We have a new King!

We move from being without hope to having full hope by the blood of Christ.

The lost world around us:  they are Christless, Godless, Hopeless.

They can only be drawn near to God by the blood of Christ and that is the hope that God offers!

The old hymn says:

“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!

Let’s look at some 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.

Hope, in a sense, is the opposite of depression.

By definition, depression is a sense of hopelessness.

Hope is a huge step towards healing.

Hope 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” (defined as 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.

-When hope prevails, we search for the lost to share the great news with them!

-When hope prevails, 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 with these words:  “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 – even through all the trials, struggles, and blessings we are called on to endure.

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,” (Colossians 1:27b)

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.