The fulness of Christ—received

‘And of his fulness have all we received.’ John 1:16

Suggested Further Reading: Colossians 2:1–10

The text informs us that there is a fulness in Christ. There is a fulness of essential Deity, ‘for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead.’ There is a fulness of perfect manhood, for in him ‘bodily’ that Godhead was revealed. Partaker of flesh and blood, made in all things like unto his brethren, there was nothing lacking that was necessary to the perfection of human kind in him. There is a fulness of atoning efficacy in his blood, for ‘the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.’ There is a fulness of justifying righteousness in his life, for ‘there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.’ There is a fulness of divine prevalence in his plea, for ‘he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.’ There is a fulness of victory in his death, for ‘through death’ he destroyed ‘him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.’ There is a fulness of efficacy in his resurrection from the dead, for by it we are begotten ‘again unto a lively hope.’ There is a fulness of triumph in his ascension, for ‘when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.’ There is a fulness of blessings unspeakable, unknown; a fulness of grace to pardon, of grace to regenerate, of grace to sanctify, of grace to preserve, and of grace to perfect. There is a fulness at all times, a fulness by day and a fulness by night; a fulness of comfort in affliction, a fulness of guidance in prosperity, a fulness of every divine attribute, of wisdom, of power, of love; a fulness which it were impossible to survey, much less to explore.

For meditation: Praise God that he did not keep his fulness to himself. The church is described as Christ’s body and fulness (Ephesians 1:23). We can actually receive of his fulness (John 1:16), be filled with it (Ephesians 3:19) and make progress towards it (Ephesians 4:13).

Sermon no. 415
24 October (Preached 20 October 1861)