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Ephesians 3:19

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 - plhrow (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. Col. 2:10 - In Christ we are complete (full)!
4. Rev. 3:2 - Christ expects to find our works full (complete)! Phil. 2:12.
5. Study what we ought to be filled with & what we must be empty of.

            FULL                                                                         EMPTY
1. Knowledge of God’s will                                                    1. Doctrines & will of man
    (Col. 1:9; 4:12)                                                                (Matt. 15:7-9; Prov. 3:5)

• 1 Tim. 2:3-4 - Cannot be saved w/o knowing truth.

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

• Rom. 15:14 - Able to admonish one another.

• Col. 3:17 - Cannot act in the name of Christ w/o knowledge!

2. Wisdom & grace                                                              2. Earthly wisdom
    (Luke 2:40)                                                                       (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 & knowledge (avoid falling, v. 17).

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

• 2 Cor. 7:4 - We fill others w/ comfort & joy when we obey!

• Heb. 5:9 - Those who obey are saved.

• Eph. 5:6 - Do not be deceived:

  • -Men of renown can & 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                                                                     4. Satan
    (Eph. 5:18)                                                                      (Jno. 13:2, 27)

• Acts 13:52 - Filled with joy & 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 -- 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 - Degeneration of those who refuse God.

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

• Rom. 15:13 - In believing these blessings are found & made full

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

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

  • -Believe in power of prayer - Jno. 16:24.

  • -Fellowship with God & His people - 1 Jno. 1:3-4.

7. Ministry                                                                       7. Selfishness
   (2 Tim. 4:5; Col. 4:17)                                                       (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 & 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 gospel truth!

9. God’s law: Love others                                                  9. World’s law: Love self
   (Rom. 13:8; Gal. 5:14)                                                      (Matt. 5:43)

• 1 Cor. 13:1-3 - W/o love, we are nothing!

• Matt. 5:46 - Love those who do not love us!

Conclusion

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