that you may be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:16-19)
“... built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the foundation stone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit” (Ephesians 2: 19-22 ESV).
Let’s look at other verses that support the idea that the purpose of the church is to be filled to the fullness of God. We will see Paul build upon this idea throughout Ephesians. In Ephesians chapter 2 he begins to speak about the growth of the body and its foundation. Jesus is the “foundation stone” on whom we are “built up”. So Paul uses the same analogies of growth like a plant, we “grow” in him like as Jesus said he is the Vine in which we abide to bear fruit. Paul uses the idea of being built up like a house, growth like a plant, and that of a body growing up into maturity. Jesus told the parable of soils that speaks of a plant and the importance of growing roots and he talked about those who keep his words have built their house upon the rock, not sand, these have a firm foundation (Matthew 13: 1–9, Matthew 18–23; Matthew 7:24-27). This is an important concept of foundation and growth in Christ the head, which Paul establishes further.
“Through the church, the manifold wisdom of God is being made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realm according to the eternal purpose which he made in christ Jesus our Lord…” (Ephesians 3:8-10)
Paul writes this administration of the mystery hidden in God for ages now being revealed he was tasked to make known. He writes there is an eternal purpose God accomplished in Christ, one that was hidden before the ages past now revealed. We can relate this to Ephesians 1:3-4, where God "chose us in him before he created the world to be holy, blameless in his presence in love” and to Romans 8:28-30, where God is working out all things for our good, those called according to this eternal purpose. What is that purpose? We were predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ thus those he chose he predestined for adoption and he sent Christ so that this purpose is fulfilled, the predestined are called, justified, and glorified. The glory is that we are being conformed to the image of Christ. Which we relate to what Jesus said, the Father is glorified that we become his disciples and bear much fruit. This brings us back to the idea of growth as a plant, it grows its roots deep in faith and love and through the power of the Holy Spirit were the reality of growth is in Christ the head. Jesus only is where growth will be found.
“ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to grow strong with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and founded in love, may have the strength to lay hold with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, both to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:16-19)
Here we see again the idea of being filled to the fullness of God. Jesus was made head of the church to fill, all in all, and this is being made known through the church to all the principalities and powers. Paul writes not to be discouraged because of his suffering (and he suffered a lot) because it is for our glory. The suffering brought a closer relationship, fellowship in Christ as he was being conformed to His death so also to experience His life. In suffering came great revelation and joy and glory. There is in no other way we will come to a fullness of God, but in the head Christ, all other attempts are futile and religion that teaches otherwise is false, if not the reality is in Christ. Paul prays again, that a series of things happen so that we might be filled to the fullness of God. Paul gives us two different types of images of how this fullness is being accomplished. First, it is like the growth of a plant, and second like constructing a building, laying a foundation, and building upon it.
Here we see again the idea of being filled to the fullness of God. Jesus was made head of the church to fill, all in all, and this is being made known through the church to all the principalities and powers. Paul writes not to be discouraged because of his suffering (and he suffered a lot) because it is for our glory. The suffering brought a closer relationship, fellowship in Christ as he was being conformed to His death so also to experience His life. In suffering came great revelation and joy and glory. There is in no other way we will come to a fullness of God, but in the head Christ, all other attempts are futile and religion that teaches otherwise is false, if not the reality is in Christ. Paul prays again, that a series of things happen so that we might be filled to the fullness of God. Paul gives us two different types of images of how this fullness is being accomplished. First, it is like the growth of a plant, and second like constructing a building, laying a foundation, and building upon it.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, (Ephesians 3:20).
Jesus said without having deep roots the plant will not endure and grow up to bear fruit. Bearing fruit in plant terminology is fullness, like a grapevine being filled to the fullness of ripeness. The idea is also like living water that overflows. What we are being told is that bearing fruit and the overflow of abundant life comes through a growth process, a building up into the head who is Christ. We grow strong through the Spirit in our inner being and Christ dwelling in our hearts through faith, rooted and founded in love. First, this must take place. So we come back to that which I am putting forth, that the purpose of the church is that we are filled up to all the fullness of God. This is not some far-reaching thing, it is accomplished through God's power working in us, Christ dwelling in our hearts through faith, rooted and founded in love so to know the deep love of Christ. This will bring fullness. Growth happens in Christ, to this Paul adds God can do "far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us." This is what Paul means the reality is in Christ, it will be accomplished in him, and by no other means.
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you" (John 15:16).
Jesus also said, "if you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done to you" (John 15:7). He did not say I will give it to you but it will be done to you, or it will come into existence, be created so that you bear fruit. Your earthly prosperity is not what he is talking about nor does such weight of earthly thinhs compare to glory, it is about what God wants to give you; fullness. And this verse in context were he. hose us to bear fruit, is about abiding in Him, the Vine, if you abide in me, and my words abide in you, your faith will increase and you will bear fruit. If you abide in Him, the truth, you also abide in His love (John 15:9). So you are "rooted and built up in him and established in the faith" (Colossians 2:7), and Christ dwells in your heart through faith, being rooted and founded in love (Ephesians 3:17). There is a growth, rooting and founding, and being built up in Christ.
"He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds, and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ..." (Ephesians 4:10-12)
He ascended on high to fill all. God placed him above all, making him head of the church to fill all in all. In the church which is his body the manifold wisdom of God is being made known, and it is purposed to fill all in the fullness of God. This filling is through growth or being built up, this is why Christ ascended on high and gives gifts for the work of ministry to equip the saints for the "building up the body of Christ." Sure there is evangelism that brings in the lost sheep but as Paul goes on to explain, that the work of ministry is the building up so that we reach fullness in Christ, "until we all reach a unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God [Christ dwelling in our hearts through faith] to mature adulthood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12-13). The purpose of the Church is to bring us into the fullness of God and it is being accomplished by teaching Christ, when Christ is made head. Without Christ being the reality we are not accomplishing the eternal purpose that God put forth in Christ. If the purpose of the church is not fullness in Christ, then what happens but that the church will stay children?
"so that we are no longer tossed to and fro and blown about in every wind of doctrine in human cunning in craftiness with deceitful scheming..." (Ephesians 4:14)
All the fullness of God's deity dwells in Christ (Colossians 2:9). We are going to look at Colossians more to gather more support of what Paul is saying here. We grow up or are built up into the image of Christ, into the fullness of God, through truth and love (Ephesians 4:14). The words of Jesus are truth, he is the word of God, thus faith will increase in his words, in Jesus. But if I have all the faith that moves mountains but have not love I have nothing. We are strengthened by faith working through love, or we will grow up in the head, truth in love, Christ dwelling in our hearts through faith, rooted and founded in love so that we have the strength to grasp, to lay hold of the deeper love of Christ, to be filled to the fullness of God. It is breadth, width, height, and depth which words also we can relate to a foundation of a house. This is how we will grow up into the head who is Christ, a firm foundation first, being built up in him. The idea of fullness then is that of maturity in which a plant grows into maturity, into fullness bearing fruit. Thus our good works is a fruit of being filled to the fullness of God.
"Therefore like as receiving Christ Jesus our Lord live in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith just as you were taught" (Colossians 2:6)
We are to be taught, as Jesus gives gifts to men to equip the saints for the work of ministry to build up the body so that we come into existence into fullness in him. "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells and you exist in fullness in him, who is the head of all leaders and authorities" (Colossians 2:9-10). Christ is the head Paul writes again as in Ephesians he was placed above all to fill all so that we come into fullness in Him. Now, in the context of the same verses in Colossians, we will see Paul mention again as in Ephesians and Galatians of what prevents this growth, and he speaks elsewhere of doctrines of demons being taught in the church, a false religious system established that will not have Christ as the head building up the church in fullness of him but will be working to some other purpose.
"see that no one takes you captive through means of philosophy and empty deceit, according to traditions of men, according to elemental principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells and you exist in fullness in him, who is the head..." (Colossians 2:8-9)
There will be false religion that will not have the purpose set forth by God in Christ, that the church comes into fullness in Christ. As Paul stated in Ephesians 4 in such system they will stay children tossed to and fro in deceitful scheming. In Colossians he mentions they will be taught to follow rules and regulations, traditions of men, they will worship angels, and have a false pretense of piety and false humility and will teach harsh treatment of the body as if trying to flog sin out of the body. The certificate of debt and its legal demands that were hostile to us that Christ nailed to the cross, they will go back to (Colossians 2:13-15). Baptism to them will be meaningless, no crucifixion and participation in his death, and no circumcision in Christ that puts off the body of flesh. They will go back to the Mosaic Law and justification through works of laws and principles like the Galatians who severed themselves from Christ and fell from grace.
"Let no one rob you of your prize insisting on self-abasement of the flesh and the worship of angels who have visions puffed up, empty notions under his earthly mind, also this person is not holding fast to the head, from whom he whole body is nourished and held together through its joints and ligaments grows, the growth from God" (Colossians 2:16-19).
When Christ is not the head and the purpose of the Church is not fullness in Him, it is a false religious system, no matter what you call it. Paul gives us a clear picture of this. Teachings based on traditions of men, the elemental principles of the world, handwritings, they are all "based on human commands and teachings, that such words indeed have the appearance of wisdom in religious piety, and false humility and harsh control over the body but no value against the gratification of the flesh" (Colossians 2:16-23).
Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to religious festivals, new moon, or a Sabbath day. These existed a shadow of the things to come, now the reality of; Christ (Colossians 2:16-17).
The old covenant, it was veiled in glory, it was, but now, Jesus is the reality. He is Lord of the Sabbath because he created all things and the fullness of the deity of God dwells in him. Why worship a shadow when Christ is the reality that has now come? Why worship angels or people when Christ is the reality? When Christ is not the reality, growth will not happen. Some of the Corinthians Paul writes forfeited grace and in many of their children, a root of bitterness will exist defiling them (Hebrews 12:15–16). Provoking their children to wrath trying to produce obedience through harsh punishment. And as the writer of Hebrews tells us this fullness in God, which is also the idea of perfection or maturity, was not accomplish through the Mosaic Law nor through service in the priestly duties in the temple, of sacrifices and offering.* As ghe writers says this applies to us today, serving, giving, religious activity will not bring us into maturity. Only when we teach Christ as the reality, only when he is head will we grow up into the fullness of God. The idea of fullness again is that of a plant becoming mature, it bears fruit. Thus focusing on growth in Christ as head will produce fruit. The other way focuses on works, neglects growth, and puts children to work to serve the self-interests of men, which will not bring the children into a fullness in Christ, they will be tossed about in deceitful scheming of human cunning and craftiness.
"For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells and you exist in fullness in him, who is the head of all..." (Colossians 2:9-10)
There is a fullness of God that we can be filled to. It will only come through Christ who is the reality. All other forms of religious activity that do not have this purpose in mind is empty deceit and deceitful scheming to lead the church away or keep its children tossed to and fro so it does not grow up into the head who is Christ. So we seek the eternal purpose set forth in Christ, the manifold wisdom God intended to be made known through the church, that we are brought into the fullness of God. I believe there can be nothing more important for the church to grasp. Let us make Christ the reality thus we echo Paul's prayer that God from the riches of His glory grants the church, you and me God's children, to grow strong in power through the Holy Spirit, Christ dwelling in our hearts through faith, rooted and founded in love so that we have the strength to attain together with all the saints this foundation in Christ's love in order that we are filled to the fullness of God. Amen.
Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to religious festivals, new moon, or a Sabbath day. These existed a shadow of the things to come, now the reality of; Christ (Colossians 2:16-17).
The old covenant, it was veiled in glory, it was, but now, Jesus is the reality. He is Lord of the Sabbath because he created all things and the fullness of the deity of God dwells in him. Why worship a shadow when Christ is the reality that has now come? Why worship angels or people when Christ is the reality? When Christ is not the reality, growth will not happen. Some of the Corinthians Paul writes forfeited grace and in many of their children, a root of bitterness will exist defiling them (Hebrews 12:15–16). Provoking their children to wrath trying to produce obedience through harsh punishment. And as the writer of Hebrews tells us this fullness in God, which is also the idea of perfection or maturity, was not accomplish through the Mosaic Law nor through service in the priestly duties in the temple, of sacrifices and offering.* As ghe writers says this applies to us today, serving, giving, religious activity will not bring us into maturity. Only when we teach Christ as the reality, only when he is head will we grow up into the fullness of God. The idea of fullness again is that of a plant becoming mature, it bears fruit. Thus focusing on growth in Christ as head will produce fruit. The other way focuses on works, neglects growth, and puts children to work to serve the self-interests of men, which will not bring the children into a fullness in Christ, they will be tossed about in deceitful scheming of human cunning and craftiness.
"For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells and you exist in fullness in him, who is the head of all..." (Colossians 2:9-10)
There is a fullness of God that we can be filled to. It will only come through Christ who is the reality. All other forms of religious activity that do not have this purpose in mind is empty deceit and deceitful scheming to lead the church away or keep its children tossed to and fro so it does not grow up into the head who is Christ. So we seek the eternal purpose set forth in Christ, the manifold wisdom God intended to be made known through the church, that we are brought into the fullness of God. I believe there can be nothing more important for the church to grasp. Let us make Christ the reality thus we echo Paul's prayer that God from the riches of His glory grants the church, you and me God's children, to grow strong in power through the Holy Spirit, Christ dwelling in our hearts through faith, rooted and founded in love so that we have the strength to attain together with all the saints this foundation in Christ's love in order that we are filled to the fullness of God. Amen.