Living in the Hope of Christ's Resurrection
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we delved into Ephesians 1:15-23, focusing on the profound hope we have in Christ Jesus. Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians is that they may know the hope to which they are called, a hope that is not just theoretical but deeply experiential. This hope is rooted in the resurrection of Christ and the promise of our own resurrection. It is a hope that should consume our thoughts, actions, and affections, transforming the way we live in this world.
We discussed the importance of motivation in our lives, drawing from the humorous story of Bob Kuchenberg, who chose college over becoming a human cannonball after a family accident. Similarly, our motivation as Christians should be anchored in the hope we have in Christ. This hope is not a vague wish but a confident expectation based on God’s past actions and promises.
Paul outlines three key aspects of hope in Ephesians 1. First, we cannot live without hope. It is essential for our spiritual survival. Second, the substance of our hope is found in the riches of God’s glorious inheritance in His holy people, the Church. We are God’s inheritance, and this truth should change how we view ourselves and our purpose. Third, we must activate this hope by recognizing Christ’s authority over all things and understanding that everything He does is for the Church.
We also touched on the importance of prayer, discipleship, and evangelism in our church. Prayer is the foundation of our effectiveness, and we have several opportunities for communal prayer. Discipleship involves not just learning but also teaching others, passing on the faith. Evangelism is crucial, and we must be intentional about inviting others to church and sharing the gospel.
As we move into the fall, let’s commit to being a church that prays, makes disciples, and evangelizes. Let’s hold onto the hope we have in Christ and let it shape our actions and decisions, bringing light and salt to a world in desperate need of hope.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Necessity of Hope: Hope is not optional for the Christian life; it is essential. Without hope, we cannot endure the trials and tribulations of this world. Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:18 emphasizes that we must know this hope deeply, not just intellectually but experientially, allowing it to transform our lives and perspectives. [26:30]
2. The Substance of Hope: Our hope is grounded in the riches of God’s glorious inheritance, which is His holy people, the Church. This means that we, as believers, are God’s treasured possession. Understanding this truth changes how we view ourselves and our purpose in the world. We are not insignificant; we are God’s glorious inheritance. [33:31]
3. Activating Hope: To activate this hope, we must recognize Christ’s authority over all things and understand that everything He does is for the Church. This knowledge empowers us to live courageously and purposefully, knowing that God is at work in all circumstances for our good. [43:26]
4. The Role of Prayer: Prayer is the secret sauce to the effectiveness of the Church and our individual lives. It is through prayer that we call upon the power of God to move in our midst. Our church is committed to becoming a praying church, with multiple opportunities for communal prayer. [49:18]
5. Discipleship and Evangelism: We are called to be disciples who make disciples. This involves not just learning but also teaching others and passing on the faith. Evangelism is crucial, and we must be intentional about inviting others to church and sharing the gospel. Our goal is to reach a lost and dying world with the hope of Christ. [56:39]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:08] - Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23
[02:19] - Opening Prayer
[20:28] - Dismissing Kids to Kids' Church
[22:45] - The Importance of Motivation
[23:44] - Bob Kuchenberg's Story
[24:36] - Struggles and Hope
[26:30] - The Necessity of Hope
[28:14] - Old Testament Words for Hope
[30:45] - New Testament Hope: Elpis
[32:10] - Christ as Our Hope
[33:31] - The Substance of Hope
[36:05] - Christ's Joy and Our Hope
[37:23] - Living as God's Inheritance
[40:53] - Motivated by Hope
[43:26] - Activating Hope
[45:28] - Preparing for Action
[49:18] - The Role of Prayer
[51:56] - Discipleship and Evangelism
[56:39] - Evangelism Training and Events
[01:03:22] - Inviting Others to Church
[01:09:09] - Closing Announcements and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 1:15-23
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three key aspects of hope that Paul outlines in Ephesians 1:18? ([26:30])
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of being called God's glorious inheritance? ([33:31])
3. How does Paul describe the power that is available to believers in Ephesians 1:19-20? ([01:08])
4. What role does prayer play in activating the hope we have in Christ, according to the sermon? ([49:18])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it essential for Christians to not only know about hope but to experience it deeply? How does this experiential knowledge transform our lives? ([26:30])
2. How does understanding that we are God's glorious inheritance change our perspective on our identity and purpose? ([33:31])
3. What does it mean to recognize Christ's authority over all things, and how does this knowledge empower us to live courageously? ([43:26])
4. How can communal prayer enhance the effectiveness of the Church and individual believers? ([49:18])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt hopeless. How can the hope described in Ephesians 1:18 help you in similar situations in the future? ([26:30])
2. How does knowing that you are God's glorious inheritance affect the way you view yourself and your role in the Church? ([33:31])
3. In what ways can you actively recognize and submit to Christ's authority in your daily life? ([43:26])
4. What steps can you take to make prayer a more central part of your life and the life of your small group? ([49:18])
5. Identify one person you can disciple or share the gospel with this week. How will you approach this task intentionally? ([56:39])
6. How can you contribute to making your church a place that prays, makes disciples, and evangelizes effectively? ([49:18])
7. Think about a specific area in your life where you need to activate the hope you have in Christ. What practical steps will you take to do this? ([43:26])
Devotional
Day 1: The Necessity of Hope
Hope is not optional for the Christian life; it is essential. Without hope, we cannot endure the trials and tribulations of this world. Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:18 emphasizes that we must know this hope deeply, not just intellectually but experientially, allowing it to transform our lives and perspectives. This hope is rooted in the resurrection of Christ and the promise of our own resurrection. It is a hope that should consume our thoughts, actions, and affections, transforming the way we live in this world.
Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians is that they may know the hope to which they are called, a hope that is not just theoretical but deeply experiential. This hope is rooted in the resurrection of Christ and the promise of our own resurrection. It is a hope that should consume our thoughts, actions, and affections, transforming the way we live in this world. [26:30]
Romans 15:13 (ESV): "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."
Reflection: Think about a recent challenge you faced. How did your hope in Christ influence your response? How can you let this hope transform your perspective in future trials?
Day 2: The Substance of Hope
Our hope is grounded in the riches of God’s glorious inheritance, which is His holy people, the Church. This means that we, as believers, are God’s treasured possession. Understanding this truth changes how we view ourselves and our purpose in the world. We are not insignificant; we are God’s glorious inheritance.
This hope is not a vague wish but a confident expectation based on God’s past actions and promises. Paul outlines that the substance of our hope is found in the riches of God’s glorious inheritance in His holy people, the Church. We are God’s inheritance, and this truth should change how we view ourselves and our purpose. [33:31]
1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."
Reflection: How does knowing that you are God’s treasured possession change the way you see yourself and your purpose? What steps can you take today to live out this truth?
Day 3: Activating Hope
To activate this hope, we must recognize Christ’s authority over all things and understand that everything He does is for the Church. This knowledge empowers us to live courageously and purposefully, knowing that God is at work in all circumstances for our good.
Paul emphasizes that we must activate this hope by recognizing Christ’s authority over all things and understanding that everything He does is for the Church. This knowledge empowers us to live courageously and purposefully, knowing that God is at work in all circumstances for our good. [43:26]
Ephesians 1:22-23 (ESV): "And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to recognize Christ’s authority more fully? How can you live more courageously and purposefully knowing that He is at work for your good?
Day 4: The Role of Prayer
Prayer is the secret sauce to the effectiveness of the Church and our individual lives. It is through prayer that we call upon the power of God to move in our midst. Our church is committed to becoming a praying church, with multiple opportunities for communal prayer.
Prayer is the foundation of our effectiveness, and we have several opportunities for communal prayer. It is through prayer that we call upon the power of God to move in our midst. Our church is committed to becoming a praying church, with multiple opportunities for communal prayer. [49:18]
Colossians 4:2 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
Reflection: How can you incorporate more prayer into your daily routine? What specific prayer needs can you bring before God today, both for yourself and for your church community?
Day 5: Discipleship and Evangelism
We are called to be disciples who make disciples. This involves not just learning but also teaching others and passing on the faith. Evangelism is crucial, and we must be intentional about inviting others to church and sharing the gospel. Our goal is to reach a lost and dying world with the hope of Christ.
Discipleship involves not just learning but also teaching others, passing on the faith. Evangelism is crucial, and we must be intentional about inviting others to church and sharing the gospel. Our goal is to reach a lost and dying world with the hope of Christ. [56:39]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can disciple or share the gospel with? What steps can you take this week to be more intentional about evangelism and discipleship?
Quotes
1. "You know, we all need proper motivation. And this morning, I want to encourage us and give us proper motivation for how do we continue on. In this world in which we live in. I mean, the world is filled with violence and hatred and all kinds of uncertainties and trials and struggles. And it's enough to make any one of us want to give up. Want to go ahead and raise the white flag and throw in the towel and say, I surrender. I'm done. And check out. Can I get an amen?" [23:44] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "To know hope is not just to know about hope. It's not just to hear a definition. It's not just to hear about someone else's hope. It is to experience this hope, to embody this hope that it consumes. Who I am, what I think about, my affections, my actions, everything is consumed by this hope that I have. It changes the way I look at the world. That's the picture here that Paul is trying to give us in Ephesians one, is that you can know this hope to which God has called you." [26:30] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Hope in Scripture. Is based on a person. And who is that hope? Jesus. And the picture we have here that you may know this hope is the picture that Paul recognizes that Christ was raised from the dead. And that God's promise is that He will raise us from the dead too. And that we will have an eternity with Him. Right? Reconciled to a holy God through what Christ did on the cross." [32:10] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you live with this future hope in mind. And with the picture of the reality of who you are. It'll change your view of the world. It'll change your view of how you live. I want you to look at your neighbor and I want you to say, You are God's glorious inheritance. That's the picture. But here's the thing. Satan would want you to believe that you're not. He would want you to believe that you're not worth it. That you're a big fat loser. Right? And he's going to remind you continually of your sin." [33:31] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You see, this hope that we have is a personal hope. It's a very real hope that we have that is in Christ Jesus. That we are God's inheritance. We are His children. It's not some pie in the sky, hopeful ideal. But it is reality. That we get to live in today. Does that motivate you? Knowing that you are living in this world as His child? Representing Him on this earth?" [42:27] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "How do we motivate? How do we activate this faith that we have? This hope that we have? It's in knowing that Christ is head over everything. And everything He does is for His church. His people. And understanding. As Romans reminds us that it is God who is at work in all things. For the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose. You mean even in hard circumstances. Yeah. God is at work in those for our good." [44:20] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Here's why the church is struggling in the world today. Because we've lost sight of that hope. Because we're renewing our minds daily in social media. In the news. In popular opinion. And I don't know about you, but if I look at it long enough. I get depressed. I get beat up. And I start to think there's no hope. But when we renew our minds and our hearts and our wills daily. In God. And in His promises. And in this hope. That we know that God is at work in all things." [46:44] (67 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "And so while the world around us panics. And goes into depression. And raises the white flag. And throws in the towel and gives up. And says there is no hope. God reminds us. In Ephesians 1. He has called us to this hope. That we may know this hope. That we may spread this hope to the world." [48:04] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "You have been given this time. And this life. To steward well for God's glory. Not for your comfort. God is calling you to something more. He wants you to experience the fullness. Of him living in you. The fullness of this hope. That we have that's in Christ Jesus. Not just for your glory. For God's glory. That shines in this world. That the world may know this hope." [55:07] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "The church is losing the battle. Because we're more concerned. About our comfort and convenience. In church programming. And how we do church. Than we are about. How do we reach a lost. Dying hopeless world. With the gospel of Jesus Christ." [56:39] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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