IDENTITY – ONE HOPE
Ephesians 4:3-6 NLT, “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.”
“Cords” that Bind us together:
* a common Community – “one Body”;
* a common Communion – “one Spirit”
* a common Confidence – “one Hope”
1. We have a Calling.
Ephesians 4:1-3, “As a prisoner of the Lord, I beg you to live in a way that is worthy of the people God has chosen to be his own. Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other. Try your best to let God's Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace.”
Romans 11:29, “For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.”
2. We have a Hope.
Ephesians 1:18, “My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and you will understand the hope given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all God's people.”
Romans 4:14, "If Abraham and his descendants were given this promise because they had obeyed a law, then faith would mean nothing, and the promise would be worthless."
Hebrews 12:2, “We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right side of God's throne!”
2 Corinthians 4:8-12, “We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don't know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again. We face death every day because of Jesus. Our bodies show what his death was like, so his life can also be seen in us. This means that death is working in us, but life is working in you."
3. We will see, experience, and share Glory.
Romans 5:1-2, "By faith we have been made acceptable to God. And now, thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ, we have peace with God. Christ has also introduced us to God's gift of undeserved grace on which we now take our stand. So we are happy, as we look forward to sharing in the glory of God."
Ephesians 1:18, “I pray that the eyes of your heart will be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”
Colossians 1:27, “God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Titus 2:13, “Looking forward to the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
