John 1:16 And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. (cf. Colossians 1:19): — I. THERE IS A GLORIOUS FULNESS IN JESUS. Why, then, are we so weak, unfurnished, and unhappy? There is that in Jesus which — 1. Can enable us to rise to the highest degree of grace. (1) If sin is to be overcome the conquering power dwells in Him in its fulness. (2) If virtue is to be attained, sanctifying energy resides in Him to perfection. (3) Without Him we can do nothing, but we can do all things through Him. There are many barely Christians who have scarcely enough grace to float them into heaven, their keel grating all the way; and yet their privilege is to reach the deep waterer and have so much grace that they may sail like a gallant bark on the broad ocean, with a glorious cargo and all colours flying, so that there may be administered an abundant entrance. 2. Sufficient for the conquest of the world. (1) All the might for the conquest of heathenism. (2) All the strength for victory over vice and infidelity at home. (3) Every weapon required for the fight, Fulness for teaching, convincing, converting, sanctifying. II. THE FULNESS IS IN JESUS NOW. 1. The glory of the past depresses many Christians. Scarcely any Church realizes that it can do what its forefathers did. A people are in an evil ease when all their heroism is historical. But the fulness upon which Paul, Luther, Whitefield drew is unexhausted. 2. The mass of professors have their eyes on the future. Yet, if the texts are true, all that is to be done can be done now. Want of faith in Christ's fulness makes them dote on the Millennium. 3. Our Churches believe that there is fulness in Christ, and that sometimes they ought to enjoy it. But it is not the Lord's purpose that a fulness should reside in Jesus during revivals. He is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever, and that being the case, the highest state of revival should be the normal condition of the Church. III. THE POSITION OF THE FULNESS IS RICHLY ENCOURAGING TO US IN THE MATTER OF OBTAINING IT. In Christ: 1. Where we can receive it now. 2. In Him who loves to give it. 3. With Him who is Himself ours. If God, had put it in an angel we should not feel greatly drawn to Him; but He has placed it where we love to have it, where we feel at home, where we are glad to go often, where we would abide. IV. FROM THIS FULNESS MANY OF US HAVE RECEIVED. 1. This should encourage us to further exercises of faith, 2. What restrains us from receiving. (1) I cannot be a Christian of the highest type. Why not? If you have received life you can receive it more abundantly. (2) I cannot hope to be as useful as some. Why not? According to your faith it shall be done unto you. What you have received is a pledge of what you may receive. V. THE RECEIPTS WE HAVE ALREADY HAD ARE NOT TRIFLES. "He that spared not His own Son," etc. He has given to all such grace as they have capacity to receive. SO on to perfection. 1. Believe in great thing';. 2. Expect great things. 3. Attempt great things. 4. Don't talk about this but set about it. (C. H. Spurgeon.) I. The ONE GLORIOUS PERSON concerning whom this verse is written. 1. The Word or speech and revelation of God. "Wouldst thou have me see thee," said Socrates "then speak." Wouldst thou see God? Listen to Christ. 2. Lest Christ should be regarded as a mere utterance, John is careful to show that He is a Divine Person. 3. Christ was also man. 4. Lest others should come into comparison with Him they are all barred out. Angels, John, Moses. II. The TWO PRECIOUS DOCTRINES. 1. That all grace is treasured up in Christ Jesus. His is an immeasurable fulness of grace and truth. (1) Of grace — pardoning, justifying, and sanctifying. Of this He is always full. (2) Of truth. 2. All the saints have received all of grace out of the fulness of Christ. (1) All of them. (2) Very abundantly. III. THREE EXPERIENCES. 1. Our own emptiness. 2. A personal reception of Christ Jesus. 3. The discovery that all we receive comes to us by grace. IV. FOUR DUTIES. If we have received Christ then — 1. Let us praise Him. 2. Let us repair to Him again. 3. Try and obtain more. 4. Encourage others to receive Him. (C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. |
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