FULLY EQUIPPED FOR THE JOURNEY
Text: Colossians 2:9,10 (READ)
Introduction:
The word fullness comes from the Greek word, pleroma (play-row-ma)
This is a picture word in the NT; in the Greek language.
ILLUSTRATION
We can illustrate it this way: a vessel is about to set sail on a journey
The captain of that ship is concerned about several things.
1. He wants to know if there is enough fuel on board.
2. They may encounter some dangers and delays on the high seas and he calls the engineer in and says, "Sir, what about the fuel?"
Now if the engineer were absolutely certain there was sufficient fuel aboard to meet any
demand and get them to their destination, and he were to answer his captain in 1 Greek
word, he would say, "pleroma, sir. We are rigged for the journey."
[FOOD SUPPLY ---- THE CHIEF COOK]
Now, Paul, by inspiration is saying, "in Christ dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily," and you're rigged for the journey.
You are filled up; you are made full in Him.
My sisters and brothers, in Christ, we are rigged for the journey.
I. RIGGED FOR THE SORROWS OF LIFE
A. I dare say that some of you here this morning have brought your heavy heart; I have mine (I'll not cry on your shoulder this morning, but I've got my problems, I have my heartbreaks, I've brought a little sorrow with me, maybe you have yours).
1. God has made provision for this.
2. See John 1:1,14,16
a. we have received His fullness
b. grace upon grace - one measure of grace upon another.
1. Just when the sorrowing, heart-broken child of God feels he can't go on;
2. Just when that burdened preacher feels he can't go on in the field where God has called him--he makes this amazing discovery:
THAT THERE IS AN INFINITE, INEXHAUSTIBLE
SUPPLY
OF GOD'S GRACE TO KEEP HIM GOING.
Brother, we are rigged for the journey!!!!
B. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9a This is beautifully illustrated for us here.
1 Verse 7 begins and ends with the same words.
Why 2 times? - Because the Spirit wants to impress upon us that this thorn in the flesh was given as a preventive so this servant of God would not think of himself more highly that he ought to think.
2. When we get into trouble - we have a prayer meeting; (v.8)
a. Lord, take this sorrow away. -----Get me out of this.
b. Lord, move me to a different place, -----my work here is done,
---I know it is, it's too hard, --move me to a different field, I can't bear anymore.
c. But -(v. 9a)
"Jesus Loves Me, this I know . . . I am weak but He is strong.
3. Paul learned he could lean upon the Lord and draw from an infinite, eternal, INEXHAUSTIBLE grace in his deepest sorrow.
Dearly beloved, we are rigged for the journey
II. RIGGED FOR THE SUSTENANCE OF LIFE (1 Corinthians 10:26,28)
A. Another repetition - The Holy Spirit does this for a reason.
B. The Lord will provide all we need
--The earth is His and everything that fills up the earth is His.
--He is the fullness of the Godhead bodily; we are filled up in Him.
C. Phil. 4:19 - This word shows up here but I don't think we get the force of it in English that it has in Greek.
1. v. 18a "I am full", Paul says. How did he get full?
Paul says they made it possible.
Because you sacrificed - v. 19 - MY God shall supply all YOUR need
2. v. 19 SUPPLY - from the same Greek root word as full.
"But my God shall make you full"
Give God your all and God will make you full --
YOU'RE RIGGED UNTIL YOU GET TO YOUR FINAL DESTINATION.
III. RIGGED FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE (Mark 6:34-44)
A. Jesus is MOVED with compassion v.34
B. Disciples said send them away
Jesus said YOU feed them.
They said, "How much is in the deacon's fund?"
v. 38 Jesus said, "How much do YOU have?"
C. Jesus multiplied what they had; the food they brought to Him, and they ate.
1. v. 42 "and were FILLED"
2. v. 43 they took up 12 BASKETS FULL
CLOSING
They were all rigged for the journey. We are rigged for the
journey.
You cannot empty the basket of God's grace.
There is enough to fill you and a multitude of others.
In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and ye
are complete in Him.
PRAYER
Oh God our Father, we bless Thee for Thy Holy Word;
this Word that is a light unto our feet and a lamp unto our pathway.
This Word, oh God, that is strength for our weaknesses;
light for our darkness;
food for our hunger;
water for our thirst;
courage for our cowardliness;
learning for our ignorance;
May we all leave here today renewed in strength and determination to serve Thee, who giveth and giveth again, grace upon grace; love beyond measure.
Give us a heart like our Savior’s; full of compassion, forgiveness, & love.
May sinners come to Jesus.
May saints return to the Shepherd of their souls.
May the Holy Spirit have His way in hearts this morning.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.