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Tom Harding

All Fullness

Colossians 1:19
Tom Harding • January, 27 2013 • Audio
1 Article 2,209 Sermons
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Tom Harding
Tom Harding • January, 27 2013
1 articles 2,209 sermons
Col. 1:19
For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
What does the Bible say about the fullness of Christ?

The Bible teaches that all fullness dwells in Christ as it pleased the Father to place it there.

According to Colossians 1:19, it pleased the Father that in Christ should all fullness dwell. This fullness encompasses all attributes of God, including power, wisdom, and truth, which reside fully in the Lord Jesus Christ. Furthermore, this fullness also includes all aspects of salvation—everything that God demands of sinners is completely provided for through Christ's work. This is a profound theological truth that emphasizes the sufficiency of Christ for all spiritual needs.

Colossians 1:19, Colossians 2:9, 1 Corinthians 1:30

How do we know that Christ is sufficient for our salvation?

We know Christ is sufficient because all spiritual blessings and fullness are found in Him as per Scripture.

Scripture assures us in Colossians 2:10 that believers are complete in Christ, who is the embodiment of all fullness—both of God and of salvation. This means that everything we require for redemption and righteousness is met in Christ alone. As 1 Corinthians 1:30 states, He has made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. This sufficiency is a major aspect of sovereign grace theology, as it highlights that our standing before God does not depend on our works but solely on Christ's completed work.

Colossians 2:10, 1 Corinthians 1:30

Why is it important for Christians to understand the fullness in Christ?

Understanding the fullness in Christ is crucial as it emphasizes reliance on Him for all redemption and spiritual strength.

For Christians, the understanding of Christ's fullness serves as the foundation of faith and assurance in their salvation. When believers grasp that all spiritual blessings and redemption are found only in Christ, they recognize that they do not need to contribute anything to their salvation, which would only lead to uncertainty and fear of not measuring up. As emphasized in the sermon, being complete in Him means we stand holy and blameless before God, and this assurance fuels our worship and daily walk with the Lord. The recognition that it is God’s pleasure to give us all fullness in Christ cultivates gratitude and dependence on Him instead of our own efforts.

Colossians 1:19, Colossians 2:10, Ephesians 1:6

How does God's sovereignty relate to the fullness of Christ?

God's sovereignty is demonstrated in how He chose to place all fullness in Christ for our salvation.

The sovereignty of God is pivotal in understanding the fullness that dwells in Christ. It pleased the Father to place all fullness there, as stated in Colossians 1:19. God's sovereign will means that He orchestrates all things according to His purpose, including the redemption plan through Jesus Christ. This reflects a profound truth: salvation is entirely His work, removing any human merit or contribution. Thus, believers can find peace knowing that their redemption is grounded in God’s decision and pleasure, not their own actions, which illustrates the heart of sovereign grace theology—God gives grace to whom He wills, and in Christ, all spiritual blessings are freely given.

Colossians 1:19, Psalm 135:6, Ephesians 1:4-5

When does the fullness of Christ dwell in believers?

The fullness of Christ dwells in believers now and will always remain in Him.

The fullness of Christ is not a temporary state but an eternal truth. It dwells in Him continually—as stated in Colossians 2:9, which emphasizes that this fullness 'dwelleth' in Him. This signifies that every believer who has come to faith in Christ has access to this fullness right now. All who trust in Christ are filled with His grace, mercy, and truth, affirming that God's provision for salvation is constant and everlasting. This understanding instills an assurance that believers are never lacking in what they need for spiritual growth and sustenance, now and into eternity.

Colossians 2:9-10, Ephesians 1:3, John 1:16

Sermon Transcript

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Today, I would like you to turn
in your Bible to the book of Colossians, the book of Colossians,
and I'll be speaking to you from Colossians chapter one, verse
19. I want to back up this morning
and read from verse 12, Colossians chapter one, verse 12, giving
thanks unto the father who had made us meet. And the word can
be rendered fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints
in light or in Christ who had delivered us. from the power
of darkness and have translated us into the kingdom of God's
dear son, in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness
of sins, who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn
of every creature. For by him are all things created
that are in heaven, that are in the earth, visible, invisible,
whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers,
all things were created by him. by the Lord Jesus Christ and
for him. And he is before all things,
and by him all things consist. He is the head, Lord of the body,
Lord and head of the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn. first begotten from the dead,
that in all things he might have the preeminence. Now here's our
text this morning. For it pleased the Father that
in him should all fullness dwell, having made peace through the
blood of his cross by him to reconcile all things unto himself. By him, I say, whether they be
things in earth or things in heaven, in you that were sometimes
alienated, enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now he reconciled
in the body of his flesh through death, his death, to present
you holy, unblameable, and unreprovable in his sight." Now, every message
we prepare and every message and every sermon we deliver,
we should have one grand object, one major theme, and one certain
purpose. That is to glorify the Lord Jesus
Christ. Can't we say with David, Lord,
not unto us, not unto us, but unto thy name do we give glory
for thy mercy and for thy truth's sake. And certainly that is the
purpose of this radio broadcast, to glorify and honor the Lord
Jesus Christ. This text we have chosen this
morning does exactly that. And I pray God will enable me
to exalt Him, Christ, and give Him all the preeminence and glory,
for He is worthy of it. Now, Colossians chapter 1 verse
19 is my text. Let's read it again. For it has
pleased the Father, it pleased God, that in Christ should all
fullness dwell. Now, here's four things we see
in this text. We see the what, where, and why,
and when of the gospel. What dwells in Christ? All fullness. Where does it dwell? In him.
And we are told why it dwells in him. It pleased God to do
so. And when? It dwelleth. always
has and always will. Now let's look at those four
things, the what, where, why, and when of the gospel we see
in verse 19. What do we see in the Lord Jesus
Christ? It says here in this text, all
fullness, all fullness. Two mighty words are given to
us, fullness. all now we rejoice that all fullness
dwells in Christ this fullness here spoken of dwells nowhere
else we know that with men we read vanity of vanity all is
vanity for in us by nature is all emptiness for there is none
righteous no not one there is none that doeth good there's
none that seeketh after God our human nature is a desert empty
and void of righteousness, inhabited only by sin and sorrow. Our human
nature is a cesspool of iniquity. That's why Isaiah said, our righteousnesses
are as filthy racks. With the law we read, cursed
is everyone that continues not in all things, written in the
book of the law to do them. With men is emptiness. With the
law there's cursing and threatening. The types of the law, and the
shadows of the law may instruct us, but they cannot save us.
The law will only serve to condemn, not to heal, only to convict,
not to comfort. The law is only a shadow, a schoolmaster
to bring us unto Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ is not
shadow. He's substance. He is our sacrifice. He is our altar. He is our priest. He's the tabernacle. He's the
mercy seat. Christ is all. It says that in
Colossians chapter 3 verse 11. Look over there. He said there's
neither Jew nor Greek, barbarian nor Scythian, bond or free, but
Christ is all and in all. The law was given by Moses, but
grace and truth comes through the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, on
this first point we see two things. All the fullness of God dwells
in Him. The power, wisdom, truth, immutability,
all the attributes of God dwell in the Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians
2 verse 9, right across the page, tells us that. For in Him dwelleth
all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. We cannot begin to imagine
or comprehend the personal fullness of Jesus Christ as God. And that's who He is. He's God,
the very God of very God. All the fullness of God, all
the attributes of God dwell in the Lord Jesus Christ. The second
thing we see, all the fullness of salvation dwells in Him. Through
his sacrifice, through his righteousness, all that God has demanded of
the sinner is fully. Now listen, isn't this good news? Everything that God demands of
the sinner is fully and freely and eternally provided in the
Lord Jesus Christ. Listen to this scripture. 1 Corinthians
1.30, But of him are you in Christ, who of God is made unto us wisdom. righteousness, sanctification,
and redemption. And he that would glory, let
him glory in Christ alone. Now a limited amount of mercy
will only serve to mock us. A partial redemption will only
torment us. A halfway righteousness will
only condemn us. But in the Lord Jesus Christ
we have all fullness. All fullness dwells in Christ
and the believer is complete in him. Colossians 2 verse 10. Let's read verses 9 and 10. For
in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and you
are complete in Him. In John chapter 1 verse 16 we
read, Of His fullness have we all received grace, heaped upon
grace, grace for grace. We're not asked to contribute
anything, nor are we required to make up some deficiencies,
for there is nothing to contribute and no deficiencies to make up.
What a great comfort this gives the sinner. If we had something
to do to be accepted, we would always be in jeopardy of not
doing enough. But we read in Ephesians chapter
1 that we are accepted in the Beloved. We're accepted in His
fullness. We stand in Christ, holy, unblameable,
and unreprovable in His sight. All the fullness of salvation
dwells in Christ. Now, that we've already answered
our second question. Where does this fullness dwell?
Well, the text says it's in Him. In Him. Everything God has for
the sinner is in Christ, through Christ. Where else could fullness
be placed but in Him? Only deity, only God can contain
all fullness. How suitable is the Lord Jesus
Christ to be a storehouse of all mercy? The apostle put it
this way, bless God who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings
in the heavenlies in the Lord Jesus Christ. And again, he says
in 2 Corinthians 1 20, for all the promises of God in him are
yes, and in him unto the glory of God. Now, where does all the
fullness of God dwell? All the fullness of salvation
in Christ. He has not only the capacity
to contain, immutability to retain, the unchangeable must to retain
all fullness forever. He says, I'm the Lord, I change
not. Therefore, you sons of Jacob
are not consumed. He's the same yesterday, today,
and forever. He is a high priest forever after
the order of Melchizedek. He obtained eternal redemption
for us, eternal redemption for us. He is the author of eternal
Perhaps the sweetest thought is that he has all power and
wisdom to distribute this fullness to his elect, to his people,
to his chosen, that we may receive him. God placed this fullness
in the mediator who is a friend of publicans and sinners. You
remember the Pharisees asked the Lord that question that day
or asked the disciples the question, why does your master eat with
publicans and sinners? And our Lord overheard them and
said, I didn't come to call the righteous. Well, people don't
need a physician, it's the sick who need a doctor. I didn't come
to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. He's the friend
of publicans and sinners. The scriptures declare that he
died for the ungodly. You see, we have no ability to
come to him, but he gives us of his fullness to do so. Thy
people shall be willing in a day of his power. He said, no man
can come to me except the father, which sent me draw him. We have
no ability to come, but he gives us of his fullness to do so. We have no ability to repent,
but he was exalted. at God's right hand to grant
repentance unto His people. We have no ability to believe,
but He gives us faith to do so. He's the author and finisher
of our salvation. We believe according to the working
of His mighty power. All fullness dwells in Him, and
my friend, He loves to distribute and to show mercy. He's a storehouse
of mercy to His people. Where does fullness dwell? In
Him. Now, the third question is, why? Why? Well, the text answers that.
Simply, it pleased the Father. You see that? It pleased the
Father. Why does all fullness dwell in Him? It pleased God.
My friend, that's answer enough. Our God is sovereign who does
all things after His own will. Whatsoever the Lord pleased,
that did He, Psalm 135, in heaven and earth in the seas and all
deep places. It simply pleased God in His
infinite wisdom and purpose to do so. Ask the question, ask
the reason in the question for election, simply we can say it
pleased the Lord to do so. He's hid these things from the
wise and prudent and revealed them unto babes, even so, Father,
it seemed good in his sight." That one answer may apply to
10,000 questions. Why did the Lord do this or do
that? My friend, it simply pleased him to do so. Since it has pleased
God to place all fullness and all spiritual blessings in Christ,
Let us look to Him and worship Him and be pleased with the Lord
Jesus Christ. God is, He said, this is my beloved
Son in whom I'm well pleased. What pleases God pleases the
believer. We glory in Christ alone. Believers
are filled with delight that their salvation glorifies the
Redeemer and would not have it any other way. Aren't you glad
that salvation is by grace? And aren't you thankful that
salvation by grace glorifies God's justice and His mercy and
glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ? The unbeliever should quickly
come to Christ and be reconciled to such a Redeemer as this. The
Lord Jesus Christ is the only meeting place between the sinner
and his God in Christ. In Christ we have peace. God,
apart from the Lord Jesus Christ, where all fullness dwells, is
a consuming fire. It ought to please us to find
mercy where mercy can be found. And may God give us grace to
say with the Apostle Paul that we count all things but loss,
dung and rubbish, that we might win Christ and be found in Him. In Him all the fullness of salvation
dwells, in Him alone. Now in closing, fourthly, When? When does this fullness dwell
in Christ? Well, it dwells in Him. In Colossians 2 verse 9 it says,
For in Him dwelleth, dwelleth. It always has and it always will.
It has been there all the time in past, in eternity past. And right now in the present
and in the eternity future, all fullness of God dwells in Christ. All the fullness of salvation,
redemption, and mercy dwells in the Lord Jesus Christ. Every
sinner saved before Calvary has found salvation and fullness
and righteousness and justification in the Lord Jesus Christ alone.
Listen to Abraham. Listen to Abraham. Abraham, the
Lord said, rejoiced to see my day. He saw it and was glad. Every sinner saved before Calvary
found fullness in the Lord Jesus Christ. And every sinner saved
since Calvary by God's sovereign mercy has found fullness and
grace and mercy in the Lord Jesus Christ alone. Listen to Paul.
He said God saved us and God called us with a holy calling,
not according to our works, but according to God's own purpose
and grace. This fullness of grace and mercy
is never exhausted, never diminished, although multitudes have been
redeemed. It's a storehouse that's overflowing
throughout eternity. Dwelleth in him. All this fullness
always dwells in him. There is a permanent fullness
in the Lord Jesus Christ. The scriptures encourage us to
look to him, to believe him. He said, look unto me all ye
ends of the earth and be saved for I am God and there is none
other. My friend, I would encourage
you today from the word of God, with the authority of God's word,
look to him. In Him is all the fullness of
salvation. My friend, that's what we need,
and our need is met fully in the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, if
you'd like a copy of today's message, You write to me or call
me and I'll send it to you free of charge. My phone number is
631-9053, 631-9053. Or you can write to me at Zebulon Baptist
Church, 6088 Zebulon Highway, Pikeville, Kentucky, 41501.
Tom Harding
About Tom Harding
Tom Harding is pastor of Zebulon Grace Church located at 6088 Zebulon Highway, Pikeville, Kentucky 41501. You may also contact him by telephone at (606) 631-9053, or e-mail taharding@mikrotec.com. The website address is www.henrytmahan.com.
Broadcaster:
Henry T. Mahan / Zebulon Grace Church
Theology:
#Christology #Grace #Justification
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Same Scripture

Sermons on Colossians 1

Hearing The Word Of Truth Darvin Pruitt · Colossians 1:5
All Things Were Made By Him And For Him Neal Locke · Colossians 1:16
In Christ, Christ In You Paul Mahan · Colossians 1; Ephesians 1
Complete in Christ Rick Warta · Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:9-10
Ruin, Redemption, Regeneration Drew Dietz · Colossians 1:13-14

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What Do We Glory In? Mar 25, 2021 · 1 min read
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