February 4, 2024
Series: Ephesians
Teacher: Mike Laughrun
Ephesians 1:15-23
[15] For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, [16] I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, [17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, [18] having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, [19] and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might [20] that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, [21] far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. [22] And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, [23] which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
BIG TRUTH:
Jesus Followers are Called
to find their Hope in Him
“… having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints…” (Ephesians 1:18)
Big Ideas:
Big Idea: Christ is our hope because of His calling.
… having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you… – Ephesians 1:18
Ephesians 1:4-5
[4] even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love [5] he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
Ephesians 1:13
[13] In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
Ephesians 1:9-10
[9] making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ [10] as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Big Idea: Christ is our hope because we belong to Him.
[18] having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, – Ephesians 1:18
1 Peter 2:9
[9] But you are a chosen race, A royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Big Idea: Christ is our hope because of His great power toward us who believe.
[19] and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might [20] that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, – Ephesians 1:19-20
Big Idea: Christ is our hope because He has all authority.
[20] that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, [21] far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. – Ephesians 1:20-21
Big Idea: Christ is our hope because He is the head and we are His body.
[22] And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, [23] which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. – Ephesians 1:22-23
Additional References
Ephesians 1:3
[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places
Ephesians 1:7
[7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14
[6] to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved… [12] so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory… [14] who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:15-18
[15] For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, [16] I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, [17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, [18] having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you,
John 16:12-13
[12] “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. [13] When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
1 Corinthians 2:12
[12] Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.
Ephesians 1:18
[18] having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
In Christ, our hope is God. We are called according to His purpose. Meditate on the calling of Ephesians 1:3-14.
All authority is the Lord’s. Consider the areas of your life where you need to grow in submission to Him. Seek to grow in knowing, trusting, and obeying God more.
Feel hopeful, not in your own strength or power, but in God’s. There is immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe. Stand in awe.
Long for our hearts to be enlightened to our hope. Pray this for your brothers and sisters in Christ.