Today’s lesson is the final in our series on How Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil.
To start off our lesson let’s look at two questions and consider some scriptures that center around two key words: empty and full.
What are some things that promise fullness, but deliver only emptiness and ruin instead?
Ephesians 5: 5 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater —has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
There are a lot of empty things listed in that passage that many people turn to for fullness. The real fullness is found in the first two verses and the very end of verse four: imitating God as a child imitates his father, living a life of sacrificial love like Jesus did, and giving thanks in all things. These may not be popular, but they deliver on fullness. We must be careful what we try to fill our emptiness with. If we choose foolishly we will find ourselves in disobedience that leads to ruin and God’s wrath. God’s word tells us not to be partners with those who choose the emptiness of disobedience.
Here’s a second passage that is instructive in this:
1 Peter 1: 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
NIV translates the end of verse 18 as “the empty way of life.” NKJV calls it “aimless conduct.” NAS says: “futile way of life.” Empty, aimless, and futile… not very good ways to live.
I remember a Mayonnaise commercial where the guy gets up at night and goes to the fridge to gather all the goodies to make a big sandwich. He gets it all together, his mouth is watering, he’s all excited and then he picks up his favorite spread Kraft Mayonnaise. He opens the Mayonnaise jar, looks inside and his whole face falls. It’s… EMPTY! Noooooo! Oh, man, he is totally bummed out! So he sadly puts everything back and goes back to bed. The commentator says, “A sandwich without Kraft Mayo is just not a sandwich! “
Imagine living your life, gathering up all the goodies for the life you want to build. You go to the top schools, you hang with the in crowd, you buy all the cool toys and wear the right clothes, and you work really hard to put it all together just the way you think it has to go… but somehow it just doesn’t do it. Somehow, even though you set it up so well, so carefully, you’re still running on empty. Why?
That’s what Solomon experienced. Vanity of vanity, all is vanity and striving after the wind. That’s what the rich young ruler experienced. Only he got a up front and personal chance to have real life that is full and lasts. Only he couldn’t let go of his empty way of life. It was just too important, too hard to give up. Emptiness! That’s the ultimate reality of every human being who doesn’t let go and let Jesus.
Here’s the second question:
What fills your life today?
John 10:10 Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Colossians 2: 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through empty and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
Ephesians 3: 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
God is the ultimate fullness. There is no other. Every substitute for God leads only to emptiness. But it is also true that when God is in you He leaves no room for the empty things we may want to cling to. We have to make the choice.
When Saul became the first king over all Israel, God gave Saul of His own Spirit and fullness. Saul began well, leaning on Samuel for guidance and counsel. But then Saul began to turn away. He began to do things his own way instead of God’s will. He became filled with himself and was disobedient, so God took His presence and Spirit from Saul. 1 Samuel 16 tells how God sent Samuel to anoint David king and then the Spirit of God rested on David.
But look at verses 13-14. 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.
14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.
Do you see that? In place of God’s fullness and Spirit, God sent an evil spirit on Saul. Now it is hard to understand how the Lord could send an evil spirit upon Saul, but that is what it says. I looked up the word in Hebrew to make sure, and this is the word translated evil throughout the Old Testament.
Later in the passage of 1 Samuel 16, Saul’s officials tell him that he needs some soothing music to make this evil spirit leave. So, lo and behold, who is sent for to play the harp for Saul? Want to guess? David. And this is right after David was anointed by Samuel to be the next king and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him.
David witnessed first-hand what happens to someone with an evil spirit. He saw what Saul became when the Lord took His Holy Spirit away from him and sent an evil one in its place. It drove Saul to insanity.
Years later after David sinned with Bathsheba, and was convicted of his sin through Nathan the prophet, David wrote the 51st Psalm. In this Psalm David begs God not to take His Holy Spirit from him. David knows what happens when the fullness of God’s presence leaves and the emptiness of evil takes hold.
Jesus teaching in Matthew 12:43-45 is a prophecy for the generation that does not receive the fullness of God in Jesus Christ, but instead resists Him and seeks fullness from other sources.
Jesus, who is the life, has come to give us full and abundant life. He is the only way to freedom from the empty way of life.
