Character of Jesus

Until Time is No More

Sherry Attributes of God, Character of Jesus, Christian Life, confession of sin, prayer, promises, salvation, Sovereignty of God, The Father Leave a comment

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell… – Colossians 1:19

While the expression “dwell” indicates perpetuity, does not it indicate constancy and accessibility? A man who dwells in a house is always to be found there, it is his home. The text seems to me to say that this fullness of grace is always to be found in Christ, ever abiding in Him. Knock at this door by prayer, and you shall find it at home. If a sinner anywhere is saying, “God be merciful to me!” mercy has not gone out on travel, it dwells in Christ both night and day; it is there now at this moment. There is life in a look at the crucified One, not at certain canonical hours, but at any hour, in any place, by any man who looks. “From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed,” and my prayer shall not be rejected. There is fullness of mercy in Christ to be had at any time, at any season, from any place. It pleased the Father that all fullness should permanently abide in Him as in a house whose door is never shut.

Above all, we see here immutability. All fullness dwells in Christ-that is to say, it is never exhausted nor diminished. On the last day wherein this world shall stand before it is given up to be devoured with fervent heat, there shall be found as much fullness in Christ as in the hour when the first sinner looked unto Him and was lightened…Till time shall be no more He will exercise the same infinite power to forgive, to renew, to deliver, to sanctify, to perfectly save souls. ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/0978.cfm

Our Salvation Glorifies Jesus

Sherry Attributes of God, Character of Jesus, Christian Life, promises, salvation, Sovereignty of God, The Father 5 Comments

And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight. – Colossians 1:21, 22

If I could save myself I would not; I would think salvation to be no salvation if it did not glorify Jesus. This is the very crown and glory of being saved, that our being saved will bring honor to Christ. It is delightful to think that Christ will have the glory of all God’s grace; it were shocking if it were not so. Who could bear to see Jesus robbed of His reward? We are indignant that any should usurp His place, and ashamed of ourselves that we do not glorify Him more. No joy ever visits my soul like that of knowing that Jesus is highly exalted, and that to Him “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” A sister in Christ, in her kindness and gratitude, used language to me the other day which brought a blush to my cheek, for I felt ashamed to be so undeserving of the praise. She said, “Your ministry profits me because you glorify Christ so much.” Ah, I thought, if you knew how I would glorify Him if I could, and how far I fall below what I fain would do for Him, you would not commend me. I could weep over the best sermons I have ever preached because I cannot extol my Lord enough, and my conceptions are so low, and my words so poor. Oh, if one could but attain really to honor Him, and put another crown upon His head, it were heaven indeed! We are in this agreed with the Father, for if it pleases Him to glorify His Son, we sincerely feel that it pleases us.

Ought not those who are yet unrenewed, to hasten to be reconciled to God by such a Redeemer? If it pleases the Father to put all grace in Christ, O sinner, does it not please you to come and receive it through Christ? Christ is the meeting-place for a sinner and his God. God is in Christ, and when you come to Christ, God meets you, and a treaty of peace is made between you and the Most High. ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/0978.cfm

God is the Source and Fountain of Eternal Love

Sherry Attributes of God, Character of Jesus, Christian Life, promises, salvation, Sovereignty of God, The Father 1 Comment

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. – Colossians 1:19,20

Justice saith there was no person in heaven or under heaven so meet to contain the fullness of grace as Jesus. None so meet to be glorified as the Savior, who “made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant, and being found in fashion as a man, humbled Himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross.” It is but justice that the grace which He has brought to us should be treasured up in Him. And while justice speaks, wisdom will not withhold her voice. Wise art Thou, O Jehovah, to treasure up grace in Christ, for to Him men can come; and to Him coming, as unto a living stone, chosen of God and precious, men find Him precious also to their souls. The Lord has laid our sins in the right place, for He has laid it upon one that is mighty, and who is as loving as He is mighty; as ready as He is able to save. Moreover, in the fitness of things the Father’s pleasure is the first point to be considered, for all things ought to be to the good pleasure of God. It is a great underlying rule of the universe that all things were created for God’s pleasure. God is the source and fountain of eternal love, and it is but meet that He should convey it to us by what channel He may elect. Bowing, therefore, in lowly worship at His throne, we are glad that in this matter the fullness dwells where it perpetually satisfies the decree of heaven. It is well that “it pleased the Father.”

Now, brethren, if it pleased the Father to place all grace in Christ, let us praise the elect Savior. What pleases God pleases us. Where would you desire to have grace placed, my brethren, but in the Well-beloved?  ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/0978.cfm

The Grand Storehouse

Sherry Attributes of God, Character of Jesus, Christian Life, promises, salvation, Sovereignty of God, The Father Leave a comment

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell – Colossians 1:19

“It pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell.” Where else could all fullness have been placed? There was wanted a vast capacity to contain “all fullness.” Where dwells there a being with nature capacious enough to compass within Himself all fullness? As well might we ask, “Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?” To Him only could it belong to contain “all fullness,” for He must be equal with God, the Infinite. How suitable was the Son of the Highest…to become the grand storehouse of all the treasures of wisdom, and knowledge and grace, and salvation. Moreover, there was wanted not only capacity to contain, but immutability to retain the fullness, for the text says, “It pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell” that is, abide, and remain, forever. Now if any kind of fullness could be put into us mutable creatures, yet by reason of our frailty we should prove but broken cisterns that can hold no water. The Redeemer is Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and forever: therefore, was it meet that all fullness should be placed in Him. “The Son abideth ever.” “He is a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” “Being made perfect He became the author of eternal salvation unto all they that obey Him.” His name shall endure forever: His name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in Him: all nations shall call Him blessed.

Jesus Christ while God is also man like ourselves, truly man, of a meek lowly spirit, and therefore easily approachable. They who know Him, delight in nearness to Him. Is it not sweet that all fullness should be treasured up in Him who was the friend of publicans and sinners: and who came into the world to seek and to save that which was lost? ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/0978.cfm

All Things Are Yours

Sherry Attributes of God, Character of Jesus, Christian Life, promises, salvation, Sovereignty of God, The Father Leave a comment

Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours…And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. – 1 Corinthians 3:21,23

O child of God, thou art now saved, but thy wants are not therefore removed. Are they not as continuous as thy heart beats? When are we not in want, my brethren? The more alive we are to God, the more are we aware of our spiritual necessities. He who is “blind and naked,” thinks himself to be “rich and increased in goods,” but let the mind be truly enlightened, and we feel that we are completely dependent upon the charity of God. Let us be glad, then, as we learn that there is no necessity in our spirit but what is abundantly provided for in the all fullness of Jesus Christ. You seek for a higher platform of spiritual attainments, you aim to conquer sin, you desire to be plentiful in finis unto His glory, you are longing to be useful, you are anxious to subdue the hearts of others unto Christ; behold the needful grace for all this. In the sacred armoury of the Son of David behold your battle-ax and your weapons of war; in the stores of Him who is greater than Aaron see the robes in which to fulfill your priesthood; in the wounds of Jesus behold the power with which you may become a living sacrifice. If you would glow like a seraph, and serve like an apostle, behold the grace awaiting you in Jesus. If you would go from strength to strength, climbing the loftiest summits of holiness, behold grace upon grace prepared for you if you are straitened, it will not be in Christ; if there be any bound to your holy attainments, it is set by yourself. The infinite God Himself gives Himself to you in the person of His dear Son, and He saith to you, “All things are yours.” “The Lord is the portion of your inheritance and of your cup.” Infinity is ours. He who gave us His own Son has in that very deed given us all things. Hath He not said, “I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt; open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it”? ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/0978.cfm

Safe Beyond All Hazard

Sherry Attributes of God, Character of Jesus, Christian Life, promises, salvation, The Holy Spirit Leave a comment

…to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. – Ephesians 1:6

What unspeakable consolations arise from this truth, for, dear brethren, if we had to render to God something by which we should be accepted, we should be always in jeopardy; but now since we are “accepted in the Beloved,” we are safe beyond all hazard…and we rejoice as we receive the witness of the Spirit, saying, “By the which will ye are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all,” for henceforth is it said, “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more forever.”

There is a fullness in Christ Jesus which the seeking sinner should behold with joyfulness. What dost thou want, sinner? Thou wantest all things, but Christ is all. Thou wantest power to believe in Him-He giveth power to the faint. Thou wantest repentance-He was exalted on high to give repentance as well as remission of sin. Thou wantest a new heart: the covenant runs thus, “A new heart also will I give them, and a right spirit will I put within them.” Thou wantest pardon-behold His streaming wounds- wash thou and be clean. Thou wantest healing: He is “the Lord that healeth thee.” Thou wantest clothing-His righteousness shall become thy dress. Thou wantest preservation-thou shalt be preserved in Him. Thou wantest life, and He has said, “Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee life.” He is come that we might have life. Thou wantest-but indeed, the catalogue were much too long for us to read it through at this present time yet be assured though thou pile up thy necessities till they rise like Alps before thee, yet the all-sufficient Savior can remove all thy needs. ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/0978.cfm

A Fullness Inconceivable and Inexhaustible

Sherry Attributes of God, Character of Jesus, Christian Life, promises, Sovereignty of God, The Father Leave a comment

For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. – Colossians 2:9,10

When John saw the Son of Man in Patmos, the marks of Deity were on Him. “His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow”-here was His eternity; “His eyes were as a flame of fire”-here was His omniscience; “Out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword”-here was the omnipotence of His word; “And His countenance was as the sun that shineth in his strength”-here was His unapproachable and infinite glory. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Hence nothing is too hard for Him. Power, wisdom, truth, immutability, and all the attributes of God are in Him, and constitute a fullness inconceivable and inexhaustible.

Fullness dwells in our Lord not only intrinsically from His nature, but as the result of His mediatorial world. He achieved by suffering as well as possessed by nature a wondrous fullness. He carried on His shoulders the load of our sin; He expiated by His death our guilt, and now He has merit with the Father, infinite, inconceivable, a fullness of desert. The Father has stored up in Christ Jesus, as in a reservoir, for the use of all His people, His eternal love and His unbounded grace, that it may come to us through Christ Jesus, and that we may glorify Him. All power is put into His hands, and life, and light, and grace, are to the full at His disposal. “He shutteth and no man openeth, He openeth and no man shutteth.” He has received gifts for men, yea, for the righteous also. Not only as the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, is He the possessor of heaven and earth, and therefore filled with all fullness, but seeing that, as the Mediator, He has finished our redemption, “He is made of God unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” Glory be to His name for this double fullness. ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/0978.cfm