Experiencing the Fullness of God's Love in Christ
Summary
In Ephesians 3:19, Paul prays for the Ephesians to be filled with the fullness of God, a profound spiritual journey likened to Jacob's ladder reaching heaven. This journey begins with being strengthened in the inner man by the Spirit, enabling Christ to dwell in our hearts by faith. This indwelling of Christ is not a temporary visit but a permanent residence, transforming us into living temples. As Christ dwells within, we become rooted and grounded in love, no longer swayed by doubts or false doctrines. This stability allows us to comprehend the vast dimensions of Christ's love, which surpasses all knowledge.
Knowing Christ's love is not merely intellectual but experiential, akin to living with someone and knowing them intimately. This knowledge fills us with the fullness of God, a state where self is banished, and every part of our being is satisfied. The love of Christ is like a precious fragrance that permeates our entire being, filling us with joy and contentment. It equips us for every circumstance, whether adversity or prosperity, and prepares us to meet and benefit others.
Being filled with the fullness of God means being ready for every situation, whether it be a trial or a blessing. It means having the courage to confess His name and the patience to endure suffering. It means being a source of blessing to others, overflowing with the love and grace of Christ. This fullness is not just for our benefit but for the glory of God, as we overflow to those around us, sharing the love and knowledge of Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. Strengthened for Christ's Indwelling: Before Christ can dwell in our hearts, we must be strengthened spiritually. This strengthening is necessary to host the divine presence of Christ, requiring a robust spiritual foundation. Without this, we cannot fully experience or comprehend His love. [02:34]
2. Rooted and Grounded in Love: When Christ dwells in us, we become rooted and grounded in love, providing stability against doubts and false doctrines. This foundation in love is essential for spiritual maturity and resilience. [09:26]
3. Experiential Knowledge of Christ's Love: Knowing Christ's love goes beyond intellectual understanding; it is an experiential knowledge gained through His indwelling presence. This intimate knowledge transforms our relationship with Him, making it personal and profound. [19:15]
4. Filled with the Fullness of God: Being filled with the fullness of God means every part of our being is satisfied and content in Christ. This fullness equips us for every circumstance, whether trials or blessings, and enables us to overflow with His love to others. [25:12]
5. Overflowing to Bless Others: The fullness of God in us is not just for our benefit but to bless others. As we are filled with His love and grace, we naturally overflow, impacting those around us with the love and knowledge of Christ. [39:29]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Paul's Prayer
- [00:49] - The Ladder of Spiritual Growth
- [01:17] - Strengthened by the Spirit
- [02:19] - Christ Dwelling in Our Hearts
- [03:32] - Elevated Spiritual Perception
- [06:17] - Inhabited by Christ
- [09:10] - Rooted and Grounded in Love
- [12:23] - Comprehending Divine Love
- [16:58] - Filled with the Fullness of God
- [19:15] - Experiential Knowledge of Christ
- [25:12] - The Filling Knowledge of Christ's Love
- [31:20] - Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory
- [34:56] - Overflowing with God's Fullness
- [39:29] - Prepared for Every Circumstance
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 3:19
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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he prays for the Ephesians to be "filled with all the fullness of God"? How does this relate to the concept of Jacob's ladder mentioned in the sermon? [00:37]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of being "strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man"? How does this prepare us for Christ's indwelling? [02:19]
3. How does the sermon describe the process of becoming "rooted and grounded in love"? What role does this play in our spiritual stability? [09:10]
4. What is the difference between intellectual knowledge and experiential knowledge of Christ's love as explained in the sermon? [19:15]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does being "filled with the fullness of God" equip believers for both trials and blessings, according to the sermon? [38:43]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that knowing Christ's love is akin to living with someone and knowing them intimately? How does this deepen our relationship with Christ? [19:00]
3. What does the sermon imply about the impact of being "rooted and grounded in love" on our ability to resist doubts and false doctrines? [09:26]
4. How does the sermon describe the overflow of God's fullness in us as a blessing to others? What practical examples are given? [39:29]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually strengthened. How did this prepare you for a deeper relationship with Christ? What steps can you take to seek this strengthening regularly? [02:34]
2. Consider your current spiritual foundation. Are there areas where you feel unstable or swayed by doubts? How can you become more "rooted and grounded in love"? [09:26]
3. Think about your personal experience of Christ's love. How can you move from an intellectual understanding to a more experiential knowledge of His love? What practical steps can you take this week? [19:15]
4. In what ways can you allow the fullness of God to equip you for both trials and blessings in your life? Identify a specific situation where you can apply this fullness. [38:43]
5. How can you be a source of blessing to others by overflowing with the love and grace of Christ? Identify one person you can impact this week and how you plan to do so. [39:29]
6. Reflect on a recent challenge or success. How did your spiritual state affect your response? How can being filled with God's fullness prepare you for future circumstances? [38:43]
7. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel empty or lacking. How can you invite Christ to fill this space with His love and presence? What changes might you need to make to allow this to happen? [34:56]
Devotional
Day 1: Strengthened for Christ's Indwelling
Before Christ can dwell in our hearts, we must be spiritually strengthened. This strengthening is essential to host the divine presence of Christ, requiring a robust spiritual foundation. Without this, we cannot fully experience or comprehend His love. The process begins with the Spirit fortifying our inner being, preparing us to become living temples for Christ. This transformation is not a temporary change but a permanent indwelling that reshapes our entire existence. As we are strengthened, we become more receptive to His presence, allowing us to grow in faith and understanding. [02:34]
Ephesians 3:16-17 (ESV): "that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,"
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to invite the Holy Spirit to strengthen your inner being for Christ's indwelling?
Day 2: Rooted and Grounded in Love
When Christ dwells in us, we become rooted and grounded in love, providing stability against doubts and false doctrines. This foundation in love is essential for spiritual maturity and resilience. As we grow in love, we find ourselves less swayed by external influences and more anchored in the truth of Christ's teachings. This stability allows us to navigate life's challenges with confidence, knowing that our foundation is secure. Being rooted in love also means that we are able to extend grace and compassion to others, reflecting the love of Christ in our interactions. [09:26]
Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your roots in Christ's love today, especially when faced with doubts or challenges?
Day 3: Experiential Knowledge of Christ's Love
Knowing Christ's love goes beyond intellectual understanding; it is an experiential knowledge gained through His indwelling presence. This intimate knowledge transforms our relationship with Him, making it personal and profound. Living with Christ means experiencing His love in every aspect of our lives, from the mundane to the extraordinary. This experiential knowledge is akin to living with someone and knowing them intimately, beyond mere facts or information. It is through this deep, personal relationship that we come to understand the vastness of His love, which surpasses all knowledge. [19:15]
1 John 4:16 (ESV): "So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."
Reflection: How can you intentionally create moments today to experience and recognize Christ's love in your daily life?
Day 4: Filled with the Fullness of God
Being filled with the fullness of God means every part of our being is satisfied and content in Christ. This fullness equips us for every circumstance, whether trials or blessings, and enables us to overflow with His love to others. When we are filled with God's fullness, self is banished, and we find joy and contentment in His presence. This state of being allows us to face life's challenges with courage and grace, knowing that we are equipped for whatever comes our way. It also means that we are prepared to be a source of blessing to others, sharing the love and grace of Christ in all situations. [25:12]
Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to seek God's fullness to find contentment and satisfaction?
Day 5: Overflowing to Bless Others
The fullness of God in us is not just for our benefit but to bless others. As we are filled with His love and grace, we naturally overflow, impacting those around us with the love and knowledge of Christ. This overflow is a testament to the transformative power of His presence in our lives. It means being ready to share His love in every situation, whether it be a trial or a blessing. By living in this state of overflow, we become conduits of His grace, bringing hope and encouragement to those we encounter. [39:29]
2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: Who in your life can you intentionally bless today with the overflow of God's love and grace in you?
Quotes
Before the Lord can dwell in us, we must be strengthened mentally and spiritually, strengthened to entertain the high and holy One, to receive into our soul the indwelling Christ. It is necessary that the temple be strengthened, that there be more power put into every pillar and into every stone of the edifice. [00:02:37]
When you are strengthened and when Jesus dwells in your heart, then you are no longer carried about with every wind of doctrine, but you are rooted like a cedar in Lebanon, which receives but wrecks not of the stormy wind. You are no longer upset by doubts and fears. [00:09:26]
You come to know him by personal acquaintance, by having Christ dwelling in you so that you see him, hear him, feel his touch, and enjoy his blessed company. This kind of knowledge is the most precious of all knowledge, be the subject what it may. [00:19:36]
If the love of Christ is really known in the soul, it is like a precious box of rarest aromatics. It diffuses itself till it fills our entire being. I do not wander to find my text saying, and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. [00:25:12]
When you live in the full enjoyment of the Lord's presence and abide under a sense of his love, you feel more happy than tongue can tell. Your heart is too full to hold; it is like a vessel wanting vent. It possesses a joy unspeakable and full of glory. [00:31:20]
If you go forth filled with God, you are provided for every emergency. Come calamity or prosperity, whatever shape the temptation may assume, if the love of Christ has filled you with the fullness of God, you are ready for it. [00:39:29]
When the love of Christ enters the heart, it is swiftly filled with a perfect satisfaction. A certain divine not a thousand miles away, who has no very great love for the gospel, says that he can influence and enlighten most people except those who hold the views of a certain notorious individual. [00:28:56]
If you are filled with all the fullness of God, if the Lord should make you as rich as Solomon, you would not grow worldly. If you are filled with all the fullness of God, you are as ready for prosperity as you are for adversity, and whatever happens to you in the future, you will be prepared for it. [00:38:48]
When Jesus comes to dwell in the heart, he brings with him such furniture, such provision, that our entire nature is equipped, furnished, provided for in a word, filled with all the fullness of God. Christ does not long dwell in an unfurnished house. [00:32:00]
When you are full of praise, then you praise indeed. It is a blessed thing for our heart to get full towards God, for then we worship him with a full soul. It may be only full of regrets and repentances and desires, but yet if it be full, it is a blessed fullness. [00:36:48]
If you are so full of spiritual life that you cannot help running over, you will by the Holy Spirit's power pour out the right expressions when they're needed, and thirsty souls will receive of the living water. If we are quite full, we may move about among ungodly men, and our presence will be a benediction to them. [00:42:00]
If the love of Jesus Christ be in us, so that we are filled with all the fullness of God, how ready we shall be to meet common folk that are not the Lord's people as yet. We shall have a word on wheels for all who cross our path. [00:41:52]
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