The biblical concept of "emptying" is rooted in the idea of humility and selflessness, as exemplified in the life of Jesus Christ, who "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:7). This notion is further reinforced in Scripture, where believers are called to empty themselves of selfish desires and ambitions, instead being filled with the love and Spirit of God, as seen in Romans 8:28, where it is written that "all things work together for good" for those who are emptied of self and filled with God's purpose. In Psalms 51:17, the psalmist writes that "the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart," illustrating the importance of emptying oneself of pride and self-reliance in order to be filled with God's presence and guidance, much like the trusting sheep in Psalms 23:1, who follow the Shepherd's lead without resistance. Through this process of emptying, Christians are able to experience a deeper sense of intimacy with God and a greater manifestation of His power and love in their lives.
T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the profound truth that Christ, who descended and ascended, is destined to fill all things with His presence and character. He explores the necessity of emptying ourselves of self-fulness to make room for Christ's fullness, illustrating this through biblical figures like
Thomas Bradbury preaches about the all-encompassing grace of God, starting with the disputed point of who spoke the words in John 1:16, highlighting the ministry of John the Baptist and his humble acknowledgment of Christ's pre-eminence. The sermon delves into the vast subject of the fullness of Chr