SIH’s Think On These Things: Ephesians 3:19b

“Reflections Of His Grace”

“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”

 

The Gracious Equipping For Service: Ephesians 3:14-21

 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,  Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,  Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. 

 

In this text, Paul is requesting through prayer, that the Lord would equip the Ephesian saints with the necessary tools to be faithful in their service to Him.

A very basic outline of this section of Scripture which is Paul’s prayer for the Lord’s equipping of the saints:
I.        Paul’s prayerful/submissive attitude in prayer – 14
II.        Paul’s recognition of The Father’s authority over His family – 15
III.        Paul’s request for spiritual strength in the inner man – 16
IV.        Paul’s request for Christ inhabiting their hearts – 17a
V.        Paul’s request for love to be their foundation – 17b
VI.        Paul’s request for their comprehension of the love of Christ – 18-19a
VII.        Paul’s request for spiritual filling – 19b
VIII. Paul’s acknowledgment of His great abilities – 20

IX.        Paul’s desire for the Lord to be glorified – 21
X.        The enabling of Paul to minister this mystery in the midst of persecutions – 12-13

EXPOSITION:

 

Paul’s prayer continues …
(Ephesians 3:19b) that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Now Paul’s request is for the Ephesian believers to experience Godly control of all areas of their lives.

 

that ye might be filled
When Paul speaks of being “filled” he is describing the condition when EVERY area of a Christian’s life is submitted to His control.  Paul describes this filling in more detail later in this same book…

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”   (Ephesians 5:18-21)

Based upon Eph 5:18-21, we can understand that this filling involves:
1.  Every area of our life being controlled by God (in the person of the Holy Spirit)
2.  Experiencing great spiritual joy knowing that we are allowing His will to be done in every area of our lives.
3.  Recognizing and appreciating His many workings in our lives.
4.  Giving of ourselves to meet the needs of our spiritual brethren
5.  Motivated by a recognition of God’s authority over us and His chastening hand on the disobedient.

In Galatians 5:22-25, we have explained the fruits that are borne by those who are led by the Spirit.  These fruits will be on display in every area of a Christian’s life if they are filled with His Spirit….

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”  (Galatians 5:22-25)

 

 

with all the fulness of God.

Paul describes the controlling presence of God in the life of a Christian as being filled with “all the fullness of God”.

The idea behind the word translated “fullness” is “completeness” or “totality”.

Paul desired for every section of the Ephesians’ lives to be controlled by “God in His totality”.  He desired for EVERY attribute of God to be at work in all areas of their lives.  Everything from His wisdom, knowledge and understanding to His strength, presence and authority should be active in their lives of service for Him.  When we are filled (controlled in all areas) by His Spirit, we will be blessed with all His graces (as needed) in each area of living.

APPLICATION:

Paul’s desire was for Christians to submit every area of their lives to the control of the indwelling Spirit.  In doing so, they are allowing the Lord to intervene in His fullness and bless them with all the blessings of obedience and service to Him.  What a wonderful act of God’s grace as He grants us an attitude of submission to His will and ways.

May we all get a clearer picture of our Lord and Savior, and the great grace He has shown to us. Let us be always watchful to keep His great acts of grace on our behalf in the center of our attention… In doing so, may we be motivated to LOVE Him more, APPRECIATE Him more and SERVE Him more! 

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org
SIH Text Blog: https://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/
SIH Video Blog: http://youtube.com/settledinheaven/
SIH Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com