The Sufficiency of Christ

John 1: 16-17

By: Pastor David F. Reagan

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Introduction: The demands of the Christian life are great. You are not sure if you can match up. The truth is, you cannot. We can only serve the Lord fully through His enabling grace and power. That is the message of this sermon.

I. WE RECEIVE HIS FULNESS (1:16)

A. The Fullness of the Son

1. He is full of grace and truth (1:14)

2. All fullness dwells in Him (Colossians 1:19)

3. In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9)

B. The Filling of the Saints

1. We are complete in Him (Colossians 2:10)

2. We are to be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19)

3. We are to grow unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13)

II. WE RECEIVE GRACE FOR GRACE (1:16)

A. Grace in the Place of Grace; New Grace to Replace Old Grace

1. This is the doctrinal or dispensational meaning

2. Old Testament Grace

(1) The emphasis is on grace being found

a) There are 28 references to grace being found in the Old Testament

b) There is only one reference to grace being found in the New Testament (Hebrews 4:16)

c) The picture is that of grace being found by those who seek it

(2) Examples of grace being found

a) Noah (Genesis 6:8)

b) Moses (Exodus 33:13, 17)

c) Gideon (Judges 6:16-17)

3. New Testament Grace

(1) The emphasis is on grace being given

a) There are 14 New Testament references to grace being given

b) There are only two Old Testament references to grace being given (Psalm 84:11; Proverbs 3:34, which is quoted in the New Testament)

(2) Examples: Romans 12:3, 6; 15:15; 1Corinthians 1:4; 3:10; Galatians 2:9; Ephesians 3:2, 7-8; 4:7; 2Timothy 1:9; James 4:6; 1Peter 5:5)

B. Grace on Top of Grace; Continual Gifts of Grace According to the Need

1. This is the practical or spiritual meaning

2. Salvation is by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:7)

3. Daily living for Christ is by grace

a. By the grace of God we are and we labor (1Corinthians 15:10)

b. By the grace of God we abound to every good work (2Corinthians 9:8)

c. By the sufficiency of God’s grace, His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2Corinthians 12:9)

(1) “My grace is sufficient for thee”

(2) “Our sufficiency is of God” (2Corinthians 3:5)

d. At the throne of grace, we can find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16)

III. WE RECEIVE GRACE AND TRUTH (1:17)

A. The Key Comparison is Between the Law and Christ

1. Both came from God

a. Law (Deuteronomy 30:10)

b. Christ (John 8:42)

2. Both were sent down to earth

a. Law (Deuteronomy 29:29)

b. Christ (John 1:10)

3. Both were empowered or written by the finger of God

a. Law (Exodus 31:18)

b. Christ (Luke 11:20)

c. The identity of the finger of God (Luke 11:20 with Matthew 12:28) is the Spirit of God

d. Applied to Christ (John 3:34)

4. Both are called the truth

a. Law (Psalm 119:142)

b. Christ (John 14:6)

5. Both are called light

a. Law (Proverbs 6:23)

b. Christ (John 8:12)

6. Both are called bread

a. Law (Deuteronomy 8:3)

b. Christ (John 6:48, 51)

7. Both were broken by the sins of the people

a. Law (Exodus 32:19)

b. Christ (Luke 22:19)

8. Both were resurrected by the power of God

a. Law (Exodus 34:1)

b. Christ (Acts 2:24)

9. As the two tables of stone represented one law, so Jesus Christ, being both God and man, is one person

10. As the two tables of stone were written within and without (Exodus 32:15), so Christ was totally pure within and without.

B. Grace and Truth Came by Jesus Christ

1. God, even in the Old Testament, is both truth and grace (Exodus 34:5-7)

2. The law that God sent down was truth (Psalm 119:142), but instead of being grace, it was full of judgment (Exodus 24:3)

3. It is in the New Testament in Christ Jesus that grace and truth are fully joined on earth (John 1:14, 17). Christ contained within Himself all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9). He could not show only a part of the nature of God, but must reveal the fullness of the nature of God (John 14:9). Therefore, in Christ, we see both truth and grace together in their fullest sense.

4. Colossians 1:5-6 brings the two concepts together

a. Our hope is based on “the word of the truth of the gospel” (v.5)

b. By this gospel we “knew the grace of God in truth” (v.6); this explains how Jesus Christ is full of grace and truth

Conclusion: God calls upon you to give your all to Him. But He does not leave you without resources. He gives you His very Son as your strength to serve. Will you trust in this strength?

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