I have been searching for a key verse that exemplifies the life of a Hope Broker – an agent of hope to those who are searching for truth and I was reminded of Ephesians 1:18.
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
Ephesians 1:18 (NLT)
Below are some observations and applications to disciple-making:
- Paul says that he prays, asking the Lord that the hearts of those to whom he is ministering would be flooded by light (the truth of God’s Word). Disciple-makers pray that the Lord will illuminate the hearts of men and women in order to discover His truth.
- God’s truth is abundant (not lacking) and is required to understand the hope we have in Christ. Disciple-makers rely on the abundance of the Holy Spirit to reveal the real Jesus as they study the Word together.
- God has called His holy people to live out and share this confident hope. His confidence and holiness are both granted (not earned). Disciple-makers obediently share the grace that God has granted to them.
- We are God’s rich and glorious inheritance – Disciple-makers glorify God by bringing others into the Kingdom and share in this rich and glorious inheritance.