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Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:14-19

Filled with all the Fullness of God

Intro.

1.  Eph 3:19 - “...that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

2.  Filled, full (pleroo):

  a.  “to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full...to render full, i.e. to complete.”

  b.  “to fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim.”

  c.  From pleres:

     1) full, i.e. filled up (as opposed to empty)

         1a) of hollow vessels

         1b) of a surface, covered in every part

         1c) of the soul, thoroughly permeated with

     2) full, i.e. complete; lacking nothing, perfect

3.  In Christ we are complete (full), Col 2:10.

4.  Christ expects to find our works full (complete), Rev 3:2; Phil 2:12.

5.  We ought to be both “full” and “empty” of certain things.

 

                   FULL                                                        EMPTY

1.  Knowledge of God’s will             1.   Doctrines and will of man

        (Col 1:9; 4:12)                                    (Matt 15:7-9; Prov 3:5)

    · 1 Tim 2:3-4: Cannot be saved without knowing truth.

    · Jno 8:31-32: Know truth -- Set free from sin.

    · Rom 15:14: Filled with knowledge; able to admonish one another.

    · Col 3:17: Cannot act in the name of Christ without knowledge.

 

2.  Wisdom and grace, Lk 2:40.        2.  Earthly wisdom, Jas 3:13-16.

    · Col 1:9: Spiritual understanding.

    · Jas 3:13, 17: Conduct which conforms to knowledge -- Wisdom.

    · 2 Pet 3:18: Grow in grace and knowledge (avoid falling, v. 17).

 

3.  Obedience, 2 Cor 10:6; 7:4          3.  Disobedience, Eph 5:6

    · 2 Cor 7:4: We fill others with comfort and joy when we obey.

    · Heb 5:9: Those who obey are saved.

    · Eph 5:6: Do not be deceived:

      --Men of repute can and do disobey, Gal 2:11-14.

      --“Grace-unity”: ‘Nobody is perfect!’  (No, but Rom 6:1-2, ff)

      --“Works-oriented” religion (Jas 2:21-24, 26; Lk 17:10).

 

4.  Holy Spirit, Eph 5:18                    4.  Satan, Jno 13:2, 27 (Jas 4:7)

    · Acts 13:52: Filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

    · Eph 5:18: Not intoxicants…Riot (1 Pet 4:1-4; Prov 23:31-32).

    · Gal 5:16, 22-25: Live under the Spirit’s direction of truth.

    · 1 Pet 5:8: Requires soberness, not senses dulled by strong drink.

 

5.  Righteousness                              5.  Unrighteousness

     (Phil 1:11; Matt 3:15)                        (Rom 1:29; Matt 23:32)

    · Phil 1:11: “integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting”.

    · Tit 2:11-12: Comply with all of God’s precepts.

    · Rom 1:28-29: Moral collapse of those who refuse God.

 

6.  Joy, peace, hope, Rom 15:13       6.  Sorrow, conflict, doubt, Jno 14:1

    · Rom 15:13: In believing these blessings are found and made full.

      --Believe in God’s Son, Jno 3:29.

      --Believe in and obey Christ’s words, Jno 15:9-11; 17:13.

      --Believe in the power of prayer, Jno 16:24.

      --Fellowship with God and His people, 1 Jno 1:3-4.

 

7.  Ministry, 2 Tim 4:5; Col 4:17        7.  Selfishness, Gal 2:20; Lk 12:21

    · Matt 20:28: Serve as He has served us!

    · Gal 2:20: This is the life of faith.

 

8.  This region with the gospel        8.  Darkness of sin and error

      (Acts 5:28; Rom 15:19)                     (2 Cor 4:3-4)

    · Col 1:23: Preach it to “every creature” we can.

    · Acts 17:6: Turn this place upside down with the truth of the gospel.

 

9.  God’s law: Love others                9.  World’s law: Love yourself

      (Rom 13:8; Gal 5:14)                         (Matt 5:43)

    · 1 Cor 13:1-3: Without love we are nothing.

    · Matt 5:46: Even love those who do not love us.

 

Conclusion

   God will supply all we need in order to be full in Him, Phil 4:19.