Key Verse: Ephesians 1:18 “…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,…”
Teaching:
I asked my Facebook friends this question – In 5
words or less, what do you HOPE for? I received many answers ranging from
salvation for family and friends, spiritual revival, that their children would
be happy, spiritual and world peace, be kind, good health, financial stability,
and that Christians would be anti-racist, start speaking like Christ and stop
promoting division in the church. As a cancer survivor, I hope for a cure.
In the Old Testament, one of the words for hope
is “yakhal”. It means “to wait.” After 40 days and nights of rain, Noah and his
family had to “yakhal” while the waters receded. (Gen 8:12) Job, after Satan
had taken away his family, his possessions, and his health states, “Though he slay me, I will “yakhal” in him; yet I
will argue my ways to his face…” (Job 13:15) In the book of Psalms, David
and the other writers expound on “yakhal.” (Psalm 31, 33, 38, 42, 43, 69, 71,
119, 130, 131, 147) They wait for the Lord.
The prophet Micah, inspired by God, foretells the
people of Israel of the coming of the great Shepherd. (Micah 5:1-5) In the
final chapter of Micah, the prophet is complaining that there is no comfort to
be found in family or friends. This need for comfort sends Micah to the only
One who can provide that comfort. In Micah 7:7, he looks to the Lord and “yakhal”
for the “God of my salvation.” Micah truly found his hope in the Lord.
As the New Testament begins, we find the
Israelites still longing for deliverance; only this time from the Roman
government. They remember that God saved them in the past, like their ancestors
who were delivered through the Red Sea from the hands of the Egyptians.
Biblical hope is about looking forward by first looking back. (Psalm 39:7)
As Paul is writing to the Christians in Ephesus,
he is under house arrest in Rome and chained to a member of the Praetorian
Guard. (Acts 28:30) At the time, this would seem like a hopeless situation. But
Paul’s hope is not based on his situation.
He knows the Christians at Ephesus. He spent 3 years with them. (Acts
19-21) He is writing to encourage them in their walk -- just like he is
encouraging us.
The Greek word for hope in verse 18 is “elpis.”
It means a future hope, as in the return of Christ. Paul has already written
about their faith and love (v. 15). Interesting that Paul wrote one of the most
memorable verses about faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13) while in
Ephesus. Paul had also written to the Christians in Rome while in Ephesus and points
out (Romans 8:24) that our “elpis” is Jesus Christ alone and to wait patiently
for His return. (Romans 8:25) That is the “elpis” that he reminds the faithful
at Ephesus of in v.18.
Paul also mentions in verse 18 that only the Holy
Spirit can “open and enlighten” our hearts so we can understand the full
blessings of God and that it is only by His grace that one can partake in the
eternal riches of “his glorious inheritance” both here on earth and in heaven.
If Paul wrote hymns, he could have written this
timeless one, “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less/Solid Rock.” Here is the first
verse: “My hope (elpis) is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and
righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’
name.”
My
Moment: With all that is going on in the world, what are
you putting your hope (elpis) in today?
Comment: I must admit, some days my hope fails. As a cancer survivor,
it is often hard to look towards the future. You daily live with so much
uncertainty. However, I look forward to seeing my Savior and walking the
streets of gold with a cancer-free body. But for now, it is my responsibility
to share that future hope (elpis) with my family, friends, and neighbors. Every
day.
More
Moments About Ephesians 1:15-23:
Throughout the New Testament, Paul conveys
through his letters that he is always giving thanks for his readers and he is remembering
them in his prayers. (v. 16) He is giving us a model to use today. First, he
gives thanks to God and it probably wasn’t a quick three word prayer. He was
thankful:
·
for their faith
·
for their love for the
saints.
·
for their spiritual
gifts
·
for their partnership
in the gospel
·
for their mutual
affection.
We, too, when heads are bowed should be thanking
God for our church leaders and those who are in ministry locally, regionally,
and globally.
The second part of verse 16 admonishes us to
“remember” to pray for others. And how does Paul suggest that we pray?
·
with joy (Philippians
1:3-6)
·
not to be anxious
(Philippians 4:6-7)
And what does Paul suggest that we pray for?
·
for full understanding
(Philemon 5-7)
·
to abound in grace
(Philippians 4:23)
·
that love would
increase and overflow (1 Thess 3:13)
·
to be watchful
(Colossians 4:24)
·
to fearlessly make know
the mystery of the gospel (Ephesians 6:19-20)
These are just a few of the ways Paul teaches us
what to pray for and how to pray because in verse 17, he wants the Spirit to
reveal the deeper things of God.
Major
Moment: Ephesians 1:15-23 – Paul prays and gives thanks
