The Hope That Holds You

Knowing the Hope, Inheritance, and Power that are Yours in Christ

In Ephesians 1:15–23, Paul prays for the church in Ephesus. But his prayer may not be what we expect. He does not simply pray that their problems would go away. He prays that they would know what is already theirs in Christ. He wants them to truly grasp that the realities of Ephesians 1:3-14 are true of them. He prays that the eyes of their hearts would be enlightened so they would understand the hope, inheritance, and power God has given to His people. That is a prayer we still need.

Faith and Love Are Evidence of God’s Grace

Paul thanks God because he has heard of the Ephesians’ faith in the Lord Jesus and their love for all the saints. Their faith and love showed that God’s grace was truly at work in them.

Faith in Christ is an essential mark of a true believer. We are saved through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9), and we continue to live by faith in Him. But Paul also points to love for other believers. A person who belongs to Christ should love the people of Christ (1 John 3:14-18).

That love is not merely a feeling. It is action. It is sacrifice. It is caring for brothers and sisters in Christ in deed and truth.

We Need God to Open Our Eyes

Paul prays that God would give the Ephesians wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. They already had the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9, 11), but they still needed God to help them know Him more deeply.

We can know many things, but the greatest knowledge we can have is the knowledge of God. C.H. Spurgeon says: "The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father." A.W. Tozer says: "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." What we believe about God shapes our thoughts, desires, worship, obedience, and hope.

So Paul prays that God would open the eyes of their hearts. We cannot see spiritual truth by our own ability. We need the Holy Spirit to help us know God, understand His Word, and live in light of what is true (1 Corinthians 2:9-16, 2 Corinthians 4:1-6).

The Hope That Holds Us

Paul wants believers to know “the hope to which he has called you.” Christian hope is not wishful thinking. It is not the same as saying, “I hope everything works out.” The hope God gives His people is certain because it rests on what He has promised in Christ.

We may hope for health, freedom, financial stability, or relief from suffering. Those things matter, but they are not ultimate. If they are taken away, our hope is still in Christ.

Believers have the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). We will be made like Christ (1 John 3:1-3). We will be with Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). We will be presented as His guiltless and spotless Bride (Ephesians 1:4, 5:25-27; Jude 24; Colossians 1:22; 1 Corinthians 1:8), unable to sin again. We will be revealed as sons of God in great glory (Romans 8:18-19), given our eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1:11-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5), and reign with Him (1 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 20:4, 6), enjoying eternity in our resurrected existence with God in the new heavens and new earth (1 Corinthians 15, Revelation 21). Our hope is sure because God has given it to us by His grace in Christ.

The Inheritance That Is Ours in Christ

Paul also prays that believers would know “the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” This reminds us that we have an inheritance in Christ. We have eternal life, forgiveness, joy, peace, strength, and the promise of forever with God.

But it also reminds us of something amazing: God’s people are His inheritance (Deuteronomy 32:8-9, Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:9). Christ redeemed us and made us His own. Unworthy sinners are called God’s people, not because we earned it, but because Christ gave Himself for us, forgave our sin, and clothed us in His righteousness, all through our repentance of sin and faith in Christ. That truth should give us security and joy. We belong to Him.

The Power Already Working for Us

Paul then prays that believers would know “the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe.”

This is the same power God worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him above every rule, authority, power, and dominion. Paul does not pray that the Ephesians would receive this power as though they did not already have it. He prays that they would know the power already working toward them in Christ.

Our power runs out. God’s power does not.

His resurrection power saves us (Colossians 2:12-14), strengthens us, gives us victory over worry, doubt, and temptation, helps us fight sin and live in newness of life (Romans 6:4), gives us boldness to serve, and keeps us faithful to the end. The power that raised and exalted Jesus will bring God’s people safely home, raised and exalted to be like Jesus, glorifying us in His presence forever. Glory to God!

Living from Victory, Not Defeat

Because Christ has been raised and exalted, believers do not have to live from a place of defeat. Sin, fear, temptation, worry, and suffering may still come, but they do not get the final word.

Christ is Head over all things, and He has been given to the church. We are His body, His people. We are inseparably joined to Him. Because He has conquered death and has been exalted, by the power that so accomplished that for Him, we will share in His resurrection and glorification. He who fills all in all, who has been given all dominion/authority forever over all things, will exercise His controlling power to care for us, conquer anything that opposes us, exalt us to reign with Him forever, and carry out His eternal plan for us. We are His inheritance, and though we suffer now, He will lovingly care for us by His immeasurably great power and brought safely to Him forever. 

So do not live as though your struggles are stronger than His grace. Do not live as though your fear is stronger than His power. Live from the hope, inheritance, and power that are already yours in Christ.

Key Takeaways

• Paul prayed that believers would know what was already theirs in Christ.
• Faith in Jesus and love for other believers are marks of true salvation.
• Christian hope is certain because it rests on God’s promise in Christ.
• Believers have an eternal inheritance, and they belong to God.
• The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is working toward those who believe.
• Because Christ has won the victory, believers can live from victory rather than defeat.
  
  

Gospel Connection

The hope that holds us is not based on our strength, goodness, or ability to remain faithful on our own. We were sinners who deserved God’s judgment. But God sent His Son to redeem His chosen people through His blood. The glorious realities of Ephesians 1:3-14 are true of every believer.

Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead so that all who repent and believe in Him can be forgiven, declared righteous, adopted into God’s family, and sealed with the Holy Spirit.

Our hope is sure because Christ has accomplished our salvation. Our inheritance is secure because Christ purchased us. Our future is certain because the power that raised Jesus from the dead will also bring us safely home.

Questions for Reflection

1. What temporary hopes are you most tempted to build your life around?
2. Do you desire to know God more deeply, even when His truth challenges you?
3. Are you living from a place of defeat, or from the victory Christ has already won?
   
   

Watch the Full Sermon

This post is based on Pastor Ken’s sermon, “No Power Outages,” from Ephesians 1:15–23. Watch the full sermon above, or join us this Sunday at Beulah Baptist Church as we continue to grow in God’s Word together.