For in Him Dwells All the Fullness of the Godhead Bodily
The sermon emphasizes that all fullness and grace are found in Christ, urging believers to draw from Him abundantly through faith.
Octavius Winslow emphasizes the profound truth that in Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead, which brings joy and hope to believers. He explains that this fullness encompasses everything a fallen humanity needs for salvation, sanctification, and grace, highlighting Jesus as the source of all spiritual supply. Winslow encourages believers to draw from this inexhaustible well of grace and love, urging them to seek deeper intimacy with Christ and to glorify Him through their reliance on His abundant resources. He calls for a revival of fervent love and a deeper experience of Christ's indwelling grace, reminding the Church of the invitation to drink abundantly from the fullness of Christ. The message is a powerful reminder of the richness found in a relationship with Jesus, the second Adam.
Text
For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Col. 2:9.
WHAT a glorious declaration is this! How should our hearts leap for joy and our souls thrill with gladness at its very sound! All the "fullness of the Godhead bodily," all the fullness of the Church graciously, all the fullness of the sinner savingly, all the fullness of the Christian sanctifyingly--in a word, all that a poor, fallen, tried son of Adam needs, until he reaches heaven itself, where this fullness has come, is, by God's eternal love and wisdom, treasured up in the "second Adam, the Lord from heaven." God, the "Fountain of life," light, and grace, has ordained that the Lord Jesus Christ, his own beloved Son, should be the one source of supply from where all the salvation of the sinner, all the sanctity of the saint, and all the grace and truth of the Church, collectively and individually, should be derived--"of whose fullness all we have received, and grace for grace."
How precious ought Jesus to be to us, who has condescended to pour this heavenly treasure into our hearts, and to undertake its constant supply! In what way can we best prove our sense of His goodness, but by drawing largely from this fullness, and by glorifying Him in what we receive. Our resources are inexhaustible, because they are infinite. Nor can we come too frequently, nor draw too largely. Spring up, O well of grace and love, into our hearts! Oh, for more depth of indwelling grace! Oh, for more fervor of holy love! Oh, for richer supplies from the fullness of Christ! Oh, for a gracious revival in our souls! "Come down," blessed Jesus, "as rain upon the mown grass!" Breathe, O south wind of the Spirit, upon the garden of our souls, that the spices may flow out! Truly the well is deep, from where we have this living water; but faith can reach it, and in proportion to the strength of our faith, and the directness and simplicity with which it deals with Christ, will be the plenitude of our supply. "Drink, yes, drink abundantly, O beloved," is our Lord's gracious invitation to His Church.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to the fullness of the Godhead in Christ
- The significance of Christ as the source of all grace
- The implications for believers
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II
- Understanding the 'fullness' in relation to the Church
- The role of Christ in the life of the sinner
- The sanctifying work of Christ in the believer
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III
- The inexhaustible resources found in Christ
- The necessity of drawing from Christ's fullness
- The call to glorify Christ through our reception of grace
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IV
- The importance of faith in accessing Christ's fullness
- The invitation to drink abundantly from Christ
- The impact of the Holy Spirit in our lives
Key Quotes
“All that a poor, fallen, tried son of Adam needs... is, by God's eternal love and wisdom, treasured up in the 'second Adam, the Lord from heaven.'” — Octavius Winslow
“Our resources are inexhaustible, because they are infinite.” — Octavius Winslow
“Drink, yes, drink abundantly, O beloved, is our Lord's gracious invitation to His Church.” — Octavius Winslow
Application Points
- Reflect on the ways Christ fulfills your spiritual needs and draw from His fullness daily.
- Commit to glorifying Christ in your life by acknowledging His grace and provision.
- Seek a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit to experience the richness of Christ's love and grace.