(Ephesians 4:4)

 

  1. Definition of the word “Hope.” … (a) Elpis—to look down the corridors of time with the confident assurance of future good. (b) Not a shadow of doubt or uncertainty as we would use the word today.
  2. Relationship: there is a relationship between our “testimony” and “our hope” (1 Pet. 3:15).
  3. Salvation: Our salvation is in the sphere of hope (Rom. 8:24-25).
  4. One Hope: This One Hope is the subject of the Pauline Gospel (Col. 1:23).
  5. Location: This One Hope is located in Heaven (Col. 1:5; cf., 2 Tim. 4:18). This is often referred to as a “Heavenly Hope” (cf., Eph. 1:3; 2:5-7).
  6. The Basis for this One Hope is “Christ in you” (Col. 1:27; 1 Tim. 1:1; 1 Thess. 1:3). There is NO hope without Christ (Eph. 2:12).
  7. Association: This one hope is uniquely associated with the Mystery or the Dispensation of Grace (Eph. 1:18). This verse must be understood in view of the “mystery of His will” (vss. 9-19). Hence, “The hope of its (The Mystery) calling (cf., Eph. 1:4-6).
  8. The Contents of our One Hope:

¨ The Hope of Eternal Life (Titus 2:1; 3:7).

¨ The Hope of Resurrection’s Transformation (Rom. 8:23-25; cf., 1 Cor. 15:51-58; Phil. 3:20).

¨ The Hope of the Rapture (1 Thess. 5:8-9; 4:13-18; cf., 1 Thess. 1:10; 2 Thess. 2:13-14).

¨ The Hope of Righteousness (Gal. 5:5).

¨ The Hope of Glory: (1) Glory of Christ (Titus 2:13); (2) Glory of God (Rom. 5:2); (3) Glory of believers (Col. 1:27; cf., Rom. 8:17-21).

  1. Contrast: This One Hope of the Church Age is in contrast to:
  2. The hope of Israel (Rom. 4:18-22).

(1) All of God’s dealings with Israel on the basis of the Abrahamic

Covenant (Gen. 12:1-3)

(2) This Hope of Israel is eternal and earthly in nature (Heb. 11:8-

16; 13:14; cf., Rev. 21; Isa. 60). Peter called it a “living hope”

(1 Pet. 1:3-6).

(3) This Hope of Israel is built upon the person and work of the

Messiah (Ps. 2). At this point, the Hope of Israel and the Church

the Body of Christ, are one and the same (Acts 26:6; 28:20).

  1. The NO HOPE of the unbeliever (Eph. 2:12).

(1) The future of earthly prospects of the unbeliever (Mt. 24:21- 22, 29).

– the Seal Judgments (Rev. 6)

– the Trumpet Judgments (Rev. 8)

– The Bowl Judgments (Rev. 16)

(2) The future eternal prospects of the unbeliever (Rev. 20:11-15).

 

Conclusion:

The believer need not be troubled by these terrible punishments of God upon the unbeliever because, for us, we have the ONE HOPE which is:

A “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13);

A “comforting hope” (1 Thess. 4:18);

A “sanctifying hope” (Titus 2:12);

A “good hope” (2 Thess. 2:16);

A “sure hope” (Rom. 5:5; Heb. 6:18-19).

 

Beloved, we may be living in the closing moments of the Age of Grace. How did you live today? Would you have cause to be ashamed of your actions if Christ returned right now?

 

Remember, “Life with Christ is an endless hope;

Without Him, it is a hopeless end!”