A Season of Hope

Believers need to remember that we were once in a hopeless position ()

Explanation: Paul has just finished telling the Ephesian believers the importance of grace as it relates to salvation. He has been teaching the truth that no one can earn salvation through good works, but that it is a gift that is given through the grace of God.

Because of the nature of salvation (grace-based), these believers need to be reminded of some other truths (this is what the therefore in v. 11 is for). Paul is calling the Ephesians to remember their condition before Christ saved them. Paul is reminding them that as Gentiles, they were outside the commonwealth of Israel, aliens to the covenant, and without hope in the world. Evidently, some of them were thinking they were better people in and of themselves, that they were superior to non-Christians. They had forgotten, or were in danger of forgetting where they came from

Illustrate: Estimators at CNSYD. The longer an estimator was away from the actual work, the shorter time allotment he gave for a job. working in an office had a tendency, over time, to make a man forgetful of what he used to do

Argument: The same principle can be found in Christians who have been saved for long periods of time (it doesn’t always happen, but it can). We can forget how hopeless our lives were before Christ. This can be especially challenging for believers who were saved at an early age and never went down a dark path. It can be easier to think that we are better than nonbelievers. We ARE Not better than others; we are simply those who have received God’s Grace.

Application: This truth should humble us, not puff us up. Every believer needs to remember that he or she was in very bad shape - hopeless in fact. Remembering our life before Jesus can be very helpful in our Christian walk.

They were in bad shape - they were being held captive in the slave pit of sin

Believers can Reflect on the Peace that Christ brought to our lives ()

Explanation: Paul did not want the Ephesian believers to focus solely on their hopeless past; he also encouraged them to reflect on the Provision of Christ. Paul contrasts their previous hopeless state with their peaceful present at the beginning of v. 13 with the small but powerful phrase But Now in Christ Jesus. The person of Jesus had made the difference. Paul reminds them that although they once were far off (past tense) have been brought near by the blood of Christ (present tense). Paul tells them that Jesus Himself is the One who brings peace - faith in the finished work of Christ removes hostility and alienation and makes a lasting peace.

Argument: The presence of Peace is a wonderful reality. We live in the midst of a world that lacks peace, and its absence affects all of us at one level or another. The statistics for world peace are not comforting: according to a NY Times report, the world has been at peace only 8% of the time over the past 3,400 years. While that particular statistic can be debated, the general consensus is that this world is not a very peaceful place.

The only true remedy for this condition is on the terms that the Prince of Peace offers. Jesus is the Only One who can bring peace to our individual troubled lives, and He is the Only One who can bring and sustain lasting world peace. We who are privileged to be in relation with Him now should celebrate and enjoy this truth. We have something the world does not have and does not understand. The forces of evil can take many things from us, but they cannot take our peace ()

Application: Reflect on your position in Christ. You did nothing to get in Christ, so there is nothing you can do to get out of Christ. You are secure in Christ. Jesus Himself is our peace () and believers are promised that through prayer, our hearts & minds will be guarded by the peace of God that surpasses all understanding (). Do not let the stress of the holidays steal your peace - rest in Christ.

By Remembering and Reflecting, believers can be motivated to share the Hope of Christ with others (; )

Explanation: In v. 17 Paul tells them how Jesus as the God-man came to earth to share the Good News with all people, not just the nation of Israel. Following that general statement, he begins to dig deeper in salvation history. Paul shares more of how the mystery of the Gospel is being revealed to Gentiles. He tells them of how in times past the covenant was basically restricted to the Jewish nation, but how that in Christ the Gospel is being spread to the nations.

After Paul explains this formerly hidden truth, he makes application in Chapter 3, verses 8 & 9. Paul tells these believers that one result of his personal grace encounter, was his desire to share the Gospel. He tells them that although he was an unworthy sinner, God’s grace empowered him to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ and to bring to light that which was in darkness.

Argument: Jesus came to give hope and peace to those without it. Paul followed in the steps of Jesus by taking the light of the Gospel into the darkness. This mission remains ours to engage. We are commissioned as Ambassadors for Christ (), so let’s pray and choose to be good ones.

Application: The Season of Advent is a wonderful time of the year to experience and enjoy the gift of family and faith. The joy and excitement and connectedness of the season has positive impacts in many ways. Contrary to popular belief, the holidays are not the time of the majority of suicides. Even though many articles still link a high suicide rate with the holidays, the data shows this is not the case. December is the month with the least number of suicides, followed by November and January. The months with the highest number of suicides are May and July.

So what’s the point? The point is that the outreach done during the holidays makes a positive impact in the area of hopelessness and depression. That means it is a great opportunity to reach out to people with the Gospel and get them connected to a church year round. BUT, the goal is not just to get them involved so they don’t give in to despair later in the year, but that they meet Jesus - the One who can Redeem them and give them a place in the Kingdom