The Fullness of God in Creation | Ephesians

What is God’s purpose in creating a world other than Godself? Prof. Wright suggests that, at least in part, it is so that God can totally fill that creation with God’s own presence. This video reflects on Paul’s retrieval of the Old Testament theme of the fullness of God. Just as numerous passages point toward God’s intention to fill the temple with God’s presence, love, knowledge, and glory as a sign of the future, so too are we being filled as new temple people, a pointer to that future reality, which is even now breaking into the present.
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[@gracierondeau3003]

The way you deliver the Good News has opened my eyes and heart to see how much our God loves His creation! Thank you for being faithful to “go out and spread the Good News”! May our God continue to bless you abundantly!

[@NTWrightOnline]

Thank you for your kind words! We're grateful to hear that the Good News has touched your heart. May God continue to bless you abundantly as well! --NTW Online Team

[@thestraightroad305]

I so appreciate these devotional teachings with prayer. Much love to Dr. Wright and the team, we are indebted.

[@NTWrightOnline]

Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. We're honored to be on this journey with you! --NTW Online Team

[@mikeroutledge8879]

Your way of bringing scripture alive in an up to date and meaningful way is amazing. Thank you.

[@NTWrightOnline]

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're encouraged to hear that these efforts have meant so much to you. We're truly grateful! --NTW Online Team

[@StJosephChurchDanvillePA]

Thank you this helped at a difficult time.God bless.

[@johnanyaogu5654]

Dr NT Wright is a blessing to our generation. He is the CS Lewis of our time

[@NTWrightOnline]

Thank you for the kind words! We are grateful for your encouragement and support. --NTW Online Team

[@colleen412]

Thank you for the beautiful prayer!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🙏

[@salv1able]

Oh what a day it will be , come lord jesus!!! Come rescue us Believers!

[@LunchBreakBari]

Very much appreciate your prayer - that the promises of God may already flood our hearts through faith in Christ Jesus, and that the kingdom is alive in its infancy even now.

[@cerwelt]

Making room for Him. I must decrease and He must increase.

[@tobyroy336]

This was so beautiful. Dear Heavenly Father, fill my heart with the love of Christ. In His sweet blessed name. Amen 🙏🏾✝️

[@JohnDoukasPhotography]

Years ago a thought popped into my head that if eternity is eternal (ongoing), then eternity must also include now. That little thought hit me that it matters how we live now and not just when we die and go to heaven. Thank you Tom, for helping me over the years to understand that thought a little more and more.

[@berememberedfortheloveyoug244]

Hallelujah! Glory to God. This is quite on point , as the Apostle Paul previously stated at Romans 8:14 as many are led by the Spirit of God they are called the children of God. He lives in us to carry out His Kingdom purposes whilst we are here on earth as Ambassadors. The Kingdom of God is within us according to our Lord and Saviour Jesus spoken Words.

[@joebowers3636]

Great message! This is one of my favorite passages. The "fullness of God" phrase at the end of this passage reminds me of the passage in 1 Kings at the dedication of the temple, where it says that the temple was filled with the glory of God. Paul has eluded to the temple at the end of chapter 2. And here he says that we (the church) will be filled with God's fullness and glory, just like the temple. But I had never put this passage together with the forward-looking promise that God will one day fill all of creation with his fullness. Great promise and a great reminder of our responsibility as the church to be the temple where God's spirit dwells.

[@youngman44]

This has long been one of my favorite passages. So much to be said. It’s fascinating too to note the mention of the Father (v.14), the Spirit (v.16), and the Messiah (v.17-18) … and thus the fullness of God - Father, Son, and Spirit. I also love the phrase “to know the love that surpasses knowledge.” However much we know of Divine love, it is greater than what we will ever know. It seems to me that this message that we - and the whole of creation - are loved beyond what we can possibly know is the most vital message for the world. For it is the deceptive sense that we are not loved that produces violence, selfishness, and evil within us. The more we know we are loved eternally the more we are able to love sacrificially. Hence the centerpiece, essence, and ultimate revelation of trinitarian, divine love, the incarnate crucified God - Jesus. And when we participate in that love - because we know and experience that love - with one another, we contribute to that love being poured into the world.

[@NTWrightOnline]

Thanks so much for your reflections here-- good words for us to ponder! The notion of participation in love and our contribution, which you mentioned also signals our active belonging, acceptance, and value to God and one another.

[@carolineharrison9288]

Oh please let me be a signpost as I volunteer and pursue studies in psychology and trauma informed care so I can help Your hurting people God! I love when I get to shine Your love, light and hope though at times I feel I’m losing mine. Please Lord Jesus help me!

[@elmienthom9825]

Thank you so much, prof Wright. It was good to wake up this morning with this part of Scripture, seen through your eyes. Blessings to you and yours.

[@ricardocapulejr.2062]

Thank you so much!

[@maddym.r.7795]

Thank you... always so enlightening ❤❤❤❤

[@bettyh7586]

I love getting your thoughts on scripture. You touch on points I’ve never thought of. I love your voice. It’s comforting.

[@vegadog3053]

I need verse 20 as well. "Now to him who by power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can as or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever, Amen." There is too much I cannot do but He can by working within me and through me.

[@NTWrightOnline]

Yes! And an encouraging reminder of how we participate and share in the filling that overflows from us to the world.

[@jlheidbreder]

As I live & breathe, may all know the fullness of God. Thank you teacher🤟🙏🏻🕊💙

[@NTWrightOnline]

Amen and amen

[@megb3984]

Wonderful! So many nuggets! I always feel such a heavy beautiful presence of our Lord during these videos. Thank you and may God continue to bless you, NT Wright ❤

[@darinmarley3109]

I love the concept of the Church as Gods conduit for filling the earth with his glory! Just like Paul states in Roman’s … “For the creation eagerly waits for the revelation of the sons of God. …. in hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of decay into the glorious freedom of God's children. Thanks for such thoughtful teachings!

[@mayacrossthemiles]

I was just reading these verses on a Bible app and popped over here to further flesh out my understanding. This was so helpful, especially the context of chapters 4-6 that NT mentioned. This is for this life. I can know this infilling now. So helpful. Thank you

[@victorianealie6351]

Arohanui - I learn so much here bless you

[@johannamills5135]

I get that. On my prayer walk this morning along the beach I got filled generously and overflowing with God’s love. Not for me alone, but mainly that in can flow through, and despite of me, me to others.

[@NTWrightOnline]

Beautiful

[@StanMcBroom-qg3dv]

Reminds of the creation account, God made the heavens and filled them with stars and moons; God made the seas and filled them with fishes and whales; God made the land and filled it with plants and animals; God made the sky and filled it with birds; how happy to think of His complete redemption when He returns to fill all with the glory of His presence.

[@NTWrightOnline]

Great reflection--and one that is bookended in Rev 22 by the vision of God filling the new creation with continual light and the river of the water of life. Amen!

[@FireSong718]

His glory can fill you right now where you are. It's His pleasure to do so and that is how souls are won.

[@86beeman]

Thank you for these on going commentaries. They help me begin each day with the proper focus.

[@NTWrightOnline]

Glad you like them!

[@sinemelekot_bemeskot]

omg! I got new insight for my study on Ephesus . God bless you

[@NTWrightOnline]

So glad to hear it! Was there a particular 'a-ha' moment?

[@Jaunyus]

Subscribed

[@NTWrightOnline]

Welcome! We're glad you're here! --NTW Online Team

[@ericasommer]

That’s amazing! I am a worship leader at @calvarymiamibeach and I literally just shared on this very concept of God’s filling the earth with His glory… how it is and yet is coming, and also the knowledge of His glory! I wish I had been able to chew on your reflections prior but I believe this something The Holy Spirit is really emphasizing in The Bride of Christ in this season. Hallelujah that He speaks to us and leads us in such beautiful supernatural ways ❤ Thank you and may God continue bless you and through you ❤

[@NTWrightOnline]

Every blessing on your ministry.

[@London-Lad]

You, sir, are WONDERFUL

[@NTWrightOnline]

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're truly grateful for your support and encouragement

[@ainsleystevenson9198]

Before Paul was converted to the truth about Gods character he worshipped and served a God who punished and killed his enemies, hence Paul punished and killed Christian’s. After he saw the truth about Gods loving forgiving character, through the life and death of Jesus, he gave his life to save his enemies. We, like unconverted Paul, worship a God who doesn’t forgive his enemies and punishes them in pain, suffering, agony and torment throughout all eternity hence we behave in like manner, therefore, we too must be converted into believing Christ’s revelation concerning the character of God, so that we also will be filled with love and become living sacrifices for our enemies.

[@arkhangelskii]

I love this series. But in the playlist it says that eight unavailable videos are hidden. May I ask why they are unavailable and how or when will I be able to view them?

[@NTWrightOnline]

Likely in the queue for future release.

[@arkhangelskii]

@@NTWrightOnline Ok, thank you!

[@king.coleman]

Godself?

[@frankjanzow4981]

Question: if God’s presence is already filling creation in, with and under all that exists, what does it mean, then, that one day the fullness of God’s presence will fill the creation.

[@NTWrightOnline]

Great question! Does fullness signal fulfillment of promise, and/or perhaps all barriers will be removed--as in we shall see him face to face?

[@FireSong718]

Perhaps earthly bodies can only carry so much glory and still stay upright. Then one day our new bodies will carry the rest. However, if you believe you can carry quite a bit.