Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Called to Hope: Living Confidently in a Hopeless World

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 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, 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, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might. Ephesians 1:15-19

1.  The callings of God: Our hope now and into eternity

a.  To Himself: Romans 1:1-7, 1 Cor. 1:1-2, 1 Cor. 1:18-30

b.  To His likeness: Romans 8:28-30, 2 Tim. 1:8-9

c.  To His fellowship: 1 Cor. 1:9, 1 Thess. 2:12, Heb. 3:1, 1 Peter 2:21, Phil. 3:10

2.  The Present Power of Future Hope

a.  It enables us to live beyond the seen and felt: Rom. 5:1-5, Rom. 8:18-24, Acts 23:6, 2 Cor. 4:16-18

b.  It strengthens the reality of our fellowship with Christ: 1 Peter 1:3-5, 1 Peter 1:13, 1 John 3:1-3

c.  It weans us from the world: Titus 2:11-14