Filling the Void: The Danger of an Empty Life

Summary

### Summary

Good afternoon, everyone. Today, we delved into the parable of the peril of an empty life, focusing on the theme "Running on Empty." We began by reflecting on what it means to be a good person and live a good life. While many strive for goodness and a fulfilling life, the world remains far from perfect. Jesus' parable in Matthew 12:43-45 illustrates that merely being good or clean is not enough. When an unclean spirit leaves a person, it wanders and eventually returns with seven more spirits, leaving the person worse off than before. This story serves as a warning about the dangers of an empty life.

We explored the concept of an unclean spirit, which can signify demonic possession or a life filled with sin and impurity. Cleansing, both physical and spiritual, is a recurring theme in the Bible. However, the parable shows that simply removing evil is insufficient; the void must be filled with something meaningful and godly. The author of Ecclesiastes also grappled with this emptiness, finding that work, wisdom, pleasure, and wealth all left him feeling unfulfilled.

Aristotle's principle that nature abhors a vacuum applies to our spiritual lives as well. When we try to rid ourselves of sin without filling the void with God's presence, we create a vacuum that other vices can easily fill. Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians to be filled with the fullness of God underscores the importance of filling our lives with Christ's love.

We also discussed how this principle applies to those recovering from addiction. Without something meaningful to fill the void, they often fall into another addiction. This is true for many church members who, while avoiding overt sin, lack joy and love in their lives. Despite the material comforts many Americans enjoy, happiness has declined, and depression has risen. This paradox highlights that a good life without God remains empty.

Jesus offers a solution in John 10:10, promising a life that is not just good but full and overflowing. The only permanent solution to the problem of sin is to replace it with the love of Jesus, which fills the empty space in our lives. As we fill ourselves with His love, there is less room for unclean things.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Danger of an Empty Life: Jesus' parable in Matthew 12:43-45 warns that merely being good or clean is not enough. An empty life, devoid of meaningful and godly content, is vulnerable to being filled with even greater evils. This highlights the importance of not just removing sin but filling our lives with God's presence. [07:31]

2. The Insufficiency of Earthly Pursuits: The author of Ecclesiastes found that work, wisdom, pleasure, and wealth all left him feeling empty. This teaches us that earthly pursuits, no matter how fulfilling they seem, cannot satisfy our deepest needs. True fulfillment comes from a relationship with God. [13:37]

3. Nature Abhors a Vacuum: Aristotle's principle that nature abhors a vacuum applies to our spiritual lives. When we try to rid ourselves of sin without filling the void with God's presence, we create a vacuum that other vices can easily fill. This underscores the importance of being filled with the fullness of God. [15:16]

4. The Importance of Filling the Void: Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians to be filled with the fullness of God highlights the necessity of filling our lives with Christ's love. Without this, our efforts to improve ourselves are destined to fail, as the void left by sin will be filled by other vices. [16:25]

5. The Promise of a Full Life: Jesus promises a life that is not just good but full and overflowing in John 10:10. The only permanent solution to the problem of sin is to replace it with the love of Jesus, which fills the empty space in our lives. As we fill ourselves with His love, there is less room for unclean things. [19:20]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[02:09] - Opening Hymn: Wonderful Words of Life
[03:36] - Introduction: Running on Empty
[05:23] - The Desire for Goodness
[07:31] - The Parable of the Unclean Spirit
[08:18] - Understanding Unclean Spirits
[10:02] - Cleansing and Spiritual Renewal
[11:09] - The Danger of an Empty Life
[13:11] - What Makes a Life Empty?
[13:37] - The Insufficiency of Earthly Pursuits
[14:53] - Nature Abhors a Vacuum
[16:25] - The Importance of Filling the Void
[19:20] - The Promise of a Full Life
[21:52] - Prayer Concerns and Joys
[27:49] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
[29:21] - Closing Hymn and Farewell

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Running on Empty

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 12:43-45: "When an unclean spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."
2. John 10:10: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
3. Ecclesiastes 2:10-11: "I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus' parable in Matthew 12:43-45 warn us about the state of an empty life? [07:31]
2. According to Ecclesiastes 2:10-11, what did the author find after pursuing work, wisdom, pleasure, and wealth? [13:37]
3. How does John 10:10 describe the life that Jesus offers compared to the life without Him? [19:20]
4. What does Aristotle's principle that "nature abhors a vacuum" imply about our spiritual lives? [15:16]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it not enough to simply remove sin from our lives without filling the void with something meaningful and godly? [07:31]
2. How does the experience of the author of Ecclesiastes reflect the insufficiency of earthly pursuits in providing true fulfillment? [13:37]
3. In what ways does the principle that "nature abhors a vacuum" apply to our efforts to improve ourselves spiritually? [15:16]
4. How does Jesus' promise in John 10:10 of a full and overflowing life contrast with the emptiness described in the parable of the unclean spirit? [19:20]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you tried to remove a bad habit or sin from your life. Did you replace it with something positive and godly? How did that affect the outcome? [07:31]
2. The author of Ecclesiastes found that work, wisdom, pleasure, and wealth left him feeling empty. Are there pursuits in your life that you have found to be ultimately unfulfilling? How can you shift your focus to find true fulfillment in God? [13:37]
3. Aristotle's principle that "nature abhors a vacuum" suggests that empty spaces will be filled. What are some practical ways you can fill your life with God's presence to prevent other vices from taking hold? [15:16]
4. Jesus promises a life that is full and overflowing. What steps can you take this week to experience more of this fullness in your daily life? [19:20]
5. Think about someone you know who is recovering from an addiction or a difficult situation. How can you support them in filling the void with meaningful and godly activities? [17:10]
6. Many people live good lives but still feel empty. How can you help others in your community find true joy and fulfillment in a relationship with God? [17:33]
7. Reflect on your own spiritual practices. Are there areas where you feel empty or unfulfilled? What specific changes can you make to invite more of God's love and presence into those areas? [19:20]

Devotional

Day 1: The Danger of an Empty Life
An empty life, devoid of meaningful and godly content, is vulnerable to being filled with even greater evils. Jesus' parable in Matthew 12:43-45 warns that merely being good or clean is not enough. When an unclean spirit leaves a person, it wanders and eventually returns with seven more spirits, leaving the person worse off than before. This story serves as a warning about the dangers of an empty life. It highlights the importance of not just removing sin but filling our lives with God's presence.

The principle here is that an empty life is a dangerous life. Without something meaningful and godly to fill the void, we are susceptible to even greater evils. This is a call to not just avoid sin but to actively seek and fill our lives with God's love and presence. [07:31]

Ephesians 5:18-20 (ESV): "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Reflection: Think about an area of your life where you feel empty or unfulfilled. How can you invite God's presence into that space today?

Day 2: The Insufficiency of Earthly Pursuits
The author of Ecclesiastes found that work, wisdom, pleasure, and wealth all left him feeling empty. This teaches us that earthly pursuits, no matter how fulfilling they seem, cannot satisfy our deepest needs. True fulfillment comes from a relationship with God. The world offers many things that promise happiness and fulfillment, but they often leave us feeling empty and wanting more.

This is a reminder that our deepest needs and desires can only be met through a relationship with God. Earthly pursuits may provide temporary satisfaction, but they cannot fill the void in our hearts that only God can fill. [13:37]

Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 (ESV): "And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent pursuit or goal you have been chasing. Has it brought you true fulfillment? How can you seek fulfillment in your relationship with God instead?

Day 3: Nature Abhors a Vacuum
Aristotle's principle that nature abhors a vacuum applies to our spiritual lives. When we try to rid ourselves of sin without filling the void with God's presence, we create a vacuum that other vices can easily fill. This underscores the importance of being filled with the fullness of God.

The idea is that if we do not fill our lives with something good and godly, something else will take its place. This is why it is crucial to actively seek and fill our lives with God's love and presence. [15:16]

Matthew 12:43-45 (ESV): "When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation."

Reflection: Identify a habit or sin you have recently tried to eliminate. What positive, godly practice can you replace it with to ensure the void is filled with God's presence?

Day 4: The Importance of Filling the Void
Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians to be filled with the fullness of God highlights the necessity of filling our lives with Christ's love. Without this, our efforts to improve ourselves are destined to fail, as the void left by sin will be filled by other vices.

This is a call to not just avoid sin but to actively seek and fill our lives with God's love and presence. It is not enough to simply remove the bad; we must also fill our lives with the good. [16:25]

Ephesians 3:16-19 (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, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: Think about a time when you tried to improve yourself but felt like you failed. How can you invite Christ's love into that area of your life to ensure it is filled with His presence?

Day 5: The Promise of a Full Life
Jesus promises a life that is not just good but full and overflowing in John 10:10. The only permanent solution to the problem of sin is to replace it with the love of Jesus, which fills the empty space in our lives. As we fill ourselves with His love, there is less room for unclean things.

This is a promise of a life that is not just free from sin but full and overflowing with God's love and presence. It is a call to seek and fill our lives with the love of Jesus. [19:20]

John 10:10 (ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you feel empty or unfulfilled. How can you invite Jesus' love into that space to experience the fullness of life He promises?

Quotes

1. "Here at Christ Church we have a slogan it here for good and it had double meaning when we adapt adopted it one the meaning that we are here for now on we're here for good we're not going away and the the other meaning of it is that we are here for the benefit the people in our faith community but we're also here for the benefit of the community at large we are here for the good of the kingdom." [05:23] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The truth is everybody or almost everybody wants to be good there are some individuals who seek out evil or seek out bad they want to be bad and we call those sociopaths but most people wish not to be bad want to be good and most people desire a good life so if we accept that that most people want to do good and that most people want a good life why isn't the world better off than it is with so many wanting to be good why is it that life on this earth isn't tilted toward goodness and we all know that's not true well the truth is goodness is not enough." [05:23] (74 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "What makes your spirit feel full perhaps you experience fullness in your prayer time with god perhaps you experience fullness as you study his word and think about your life in respect to god and his word you feel full when you help someone else in need the filling has to come from outside ourselves is god's doing and god alone jesus kept directing people to a better way and in john 10 10 he said i have come that they might have life and have it to the full not just a clean life not just a good life but a full life one that overflows." [19:20] (91 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "When we live our lives by placing god at the center that is when our lives gain fullness without him nothing satisfies the writer of ecclesiastes said he tried work tried to find fulfillment in work he tried to find it in wisdom he tried to find it in pleasure and wealth but everything left him feeling empty everything was meaningless." [14:18] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We can reform making ourselves a little bit better we can discipline ourselves to the point where we become rather admirable but we can't fill ourselves we can occupy ourselves by keeping busy to the point of nervous exhaustion but we can't fill ourselves." [19:20] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "The only permanent solution to the problem of sin in our lives is to replace it with the love of Jesus, which fills the empty space. The more we are filled with his love, the less room there is for unclean things." [21:52] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Americans have a have good of a good life compared to a billion people worldwide who live on less than one dollar a day in spite of having homes clothing food transportation medical treatment educational opportunities they're reported happiness has been on the decline since the 1950s and depression has been on the rise never has there been a culture that has experienced such physical comfort combined with psychological misery we have found a good life but it doesn't satisfy us as we thought it would it defies logic." [19:20] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Something that makes us feel empty is when there isn't something meaningful in our life there isn't something purposeful and joyful when we live our lives by placing god at the center that is when our lives gain fullness without him nothing satisfies." [14:18] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "The idea of starting a self-improvement plan immediately comes to mind we put forth our best effort to defeat our worst habits but every attempt to get rid of unclean thoughts or unclean attitudes or unclean behaviors is destined to fail because getting rid of one creates a vacuum in our soul and as soon as we empty ourselves of one vice others move in to take its place and often we end up just as bad or worse than when we started." [15:42] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "We tend to think of evil conduct as being filthy and when we change our ways we are cleansed but the problem is for this man that as long as his life was empty there was a vacancy available for the unclean spirit to return to and the unclean spirit was so excited it recruited seven other spirits more evil than itself and they all moved into the man's life and as the story ends the man is inhabited by eight unclean spirits instead of the one he started with." [11:35] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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