Lecture Notes: Ephesians Confident Hope Series

Introduction

• Series: Ephesians Confident Hope
• Focus: Understanding the truth of Jesus, unity, and holiness
• Context: Addressing conflict and tension in today's society
• Book of Ephesians written by Apostle Paul to strengthen faith, promote unity, and exhort holiness

Structure of Ephesians

• Chapters 1-3: Theological foundations for confident hope
  • Strengthened faith
  • Unity
  • Holiness
• Chapters 4-6: Application of theological truths in life

Ephesians 1:15-23

• Paul gives thanks for the faith of believers in Ephesus
• Prays for wisdom and revelation through the Holy Spirit
• Desires believers to understand:
  • Hope of calling
  • Riches of glorious inheritance
  • Greatness of God's power

Hope Problem

• Acknowledgment of having a 'hope problem'
• Examples:
  • Relying on material things to mask dissatisfaction
  • Conditional and feelings-based hope

Societal Hope Problems

• Conditional Hope: Trust dependent on specific outcomes
• Feelings-based Hope: Hope swayed by emotions and circumstances

Biblical Hope Solution

• Rooted in Jesus and eternal promises
• God's power and authority over all things
• Walking in confident hope requires understanding of:
  • Hope of calling
  • Richness of inheritance
  • Greatness of God's power

Application

• We are part of the Church, Christ's body
• Hope is to be expressed in community and mission
• Need for ongoing filling of the Holy Spirit

Call to Action

• Move from receivers to 'hope dealers'
• Share and express hope in everyday life
• Respond to Gospel: Trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior

Closing

• Prayer for those seeking to place their hope in Jesus
• Encouragement to live out confident hope in community
• Worship as an expression of faith and hope