In chapter 3 Ephesians, the focal point is knowing Christ and Christ dwelling in us (vv16-19). Paul first explains that God revealed Himself through revelation (vv9-10). The very purpose of God’s revelation to humanity is so that we may know Christ and that Christ may dwell in us. God’s revelation is designed and intended to elicit a response from us leading to belief in Christ, so that Christ may dwell in us.
This, then, is the role of the church (v10). God revealed Christ to us “in order that” this revelation may be made known to the world “through the church”. The grand purpose of the church is to continually make known to the world the revelation of God, namely, Christ.
This is the object of Paul’s argument in Romans 10:13-17, “‘WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’ How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, ‘HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!’ However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, ‘LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?’ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”
In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.‘Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
The grand purpose of the church is to proclaim Christ as He is revealed to us through Scripture. We said in the beginning that chapter 1, verse 22 is the key to understanding the book of Ephesians. We can see and understand subjection to Christ from that verse through the indwelling of Christ, yielding to Christ, being filled up with the fullness of God, and obedience to Christ in the church fulfilling its true purpose of proclaiming Christ.
When the church is faithfully proclaiming Christ, there will be an increase in belief and indwelling of Christ. The object or results of the church, then, must be believers who are faithfully and diligently imitating Christ and following His example. If this is not the outcome of a church, it is not being obedient to Scripture, and particularly Ephesians 3:9-10.
Paul opens chapter 3 raising the “mystery of Christ” in verse 4. While some will say that the deep things of God are mysterious, verses 9 and 10 plainly instruct us that these mysteries have been made known through Christ. Thus, there are now no more mysteries, for Christ has been revealed to us.
The grand object of believing on Christ and following Him is spelled out in verses 16 through 19:
1. To be strengthened with power through the Holy Spirit working in the inner person.
2. That Christ may dwell in our hearts.
3. That we may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
What is the “fullness of God”? It is “that ye may become a body wholly filled and flooded by God” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). The analogy in the Lexicon is that of a ship filled with sailors, rowers, and cargo. A ship filled with sailors and rowers working together reaches its destination safely to deliver the cargo the ship is carrying. There is a greater purpose and stewardship to the sailors and rowers.
Imagine for a moment a ship filled with pirates, wicked men, and evildoers. Could that same ship be used for evil purposes? Or could that ship be filled with people who individually are seeking their own purpose? Absolutely, but then there would be no stewardship nor delivery of cargo.
Likewise, we who are filled with unrighteousness and evil cannot accomplish anything for God and will only leave behind a trail of brokenness and destruction. On the other hand, having been filled with righteousness, every member of our body, including the heart and mind, is working together to accomplish the purposes of God.
We can only accomplish the purposes of God when we are strengthened through the power of the Holy Spirit and have Christ dwelling in us. Similar to the fullness of God, the indwelling of Christ must occupy our whole hearts. Christ seeks not to dwell in a small corner of the house of our heart. He seeks the entire house of our hearts in which to dwell. Then, we shall be filled up with the fullness of God.
Is this our heart’s desire? Are our churches teaching this?
Sitting under the teaching of Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., he brought up the state of our churches in which pastors are not faithfully proclaiming Christ. Seeking to get to the bottom of it, I asked a question about the cause of our pastors not being faithful. Without looking up from the podium, he replied, “That’s easy, the people in the church are not holding their pastors accountable.”
In other words, there is not an individual desire for the power of the Holy Spirit, the dwelling of Christ in our hearts, and to be filled with the fullness of God. If there was, we would say to our failing pastor, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” (John 12:21)
If our churches are failing, it is not the fault of the pastor. It is the fault of the church member who desires heaven but wishes not to pay the price which is the cost of discipleship. We would rather be told, even if it is deceitful, that we can enjoy heaven while living a half-hearted life down here on earth. Or we would rather be told that God will accept us into heaven even if we do not accept the authority of Christ. Deception is easier than to experience the cost of discipleship and live obediently unto Christ.
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