INTRODUCTION - THE GREATEST BOOK IN THE GREATEST LIBRARY IS THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

• This Gospel is written to meet man's greatest need - to be Born Again - to be filled with God
• In our present state of emptiness and spiritual woe - we have people trying strange ways
• Hidden in this book are the seeds for a purpose in life that is glorious, thrilling, worthwhile, and fulfilling - many Christians miss the filling of the Spirit - 

I. GOD OFFERS US THE FULLNESS OF HIS GRACE - John 1:16

We worry about the emptiness of the poor, racially deprived, genetically deprived, worse

WHAT GOD OFFERS US IS THE FULLNESS OF HIS GRACE, THE EMPHASIS IS ON HIS FULLNESS

• Jesus Christ is the fullness of God - Cf. Col 1:19, 2:9 and contrast John 1:14 God in flesh
• This fullness is regarding the virtue and excellence of God - wholesomeness of character
• We would want it to be the power, ability, authority - and in Christ it is!

THE APOSTLE PAUL PRAYED THAT WE MIGHT HAVE THIS FULLNESS AS IS FOUND IN CHRIST - Eph 3:19

• This passage prays that we might be filled with ALL the fullness of God - do you pray so?
• The way into this fullness suggested in first half of verse - to "know the love of Christ"
• The entire prayer centers on our need to be indwelt in Christ - Eph 3:16-19

THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH IS TO LEAD US INTO THIS FULLNESS IN UNITY WITH CHRIST - Eph 4:13

• When we measure ourselves beside what we ought to be, or beside Christ - we have failed
• The church is under terrible indictment today as failing - but in this is success
• When we see how deep the pit from which we are dug - I am amazed at our success!
• But we ought to give the more earnest heed to the Lord to seek HIS grace in our hearts

II. JESUS PLED FOR MEN TO HAVE THIS FULLNESS - John 6

• God gives it to us, Jesus came to show us this fullness - John 1:14, also tells us how!

HE TOLD MEN NOT TO LABOR FOR MEAT THAT PERISHETH - John 6:27

• So much of what we are laboring for is just for sinful pleasure - soap bubbles and feathers
• Sometimes the good that we do in this type of life is just for temporary values - shortsighted
• We need to seek the fruit of the Spirit - Gal 5:22,23 - Fruit of Spirit, not works of flesh

BUT THERE IS NO WAY TO HAVE THIS FULLNESS WITHOUT HAVING CHRIST, THE FULLNESS IS IN HIM - 6:53-56

• Jesus tried in His teaching to offer His fullness to the people - the radiance of Glory
• His Word points to what our communion service tries to teach - to partake of His fullness
• We have life, it must come from Christ - to have fullness, it also must be from HIM

STILL MANY OF THOSE WHO HEARD HIM WALKED NO LONGER WITH HIM FOR IT WAS A HARD TEACHING - 6:66

• Some of you are in church to show your fashions, because parents say so, friends come -
• Some of you go a little ways with God, then when it costs you something, you quit -
• My heart is continually broken - some refuse to grow in spirit, bitterness robs them -
• The fullness Jesus offers is available to all - grace for grace - but one step at a time

III. WHAT CAN WE DO TO HAVE THIS FULLNESS??

• John also tells us that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life - John 14:6

THE ONLY WAY TO REAL LIFE IS TO BE BORN AGAIN - THE SECOND BIRTH IS FROM ABOVE - John 3:3,5

• Many of us today are like Nicodemus - rich young rulers - wanting so much - more power
• If you aren't born again - you're on your way to hell as a child of wrath - and taking others
• This grace is offered only in Jesus - come and meet Him on the Cross - see Him lifted up!

THE ONLY WAY TO LIVE THIS REAL LIFE IS TO LET THE SPIRITUAL LIFE HAVE DOMINANCE IN YOU - 3:30

• John the Baptist saw two great principles at play in our realization of growth in grace
• "He must increase, but I must decrease" - you can't drive out personal desires, pleasures -
• But if you open your heart to Christ - love Him, study Him, submit to Him, be like Him - 

THE RESULTS OF PATIENT GROWTH IN GRACE IS SHOWN IN BEING ONE WITH HIM - John 17:11,21,23

• The unity is not with other men - organizational - but with Christ and so with all His people
• When you are close to Christ - you are close to all who are in Christ - no jealousy - or pride
• II Peter 1:3-9 lists the great steps into fullness - but make sure they are in Christ -
• How can we saturate ourselves with His person, His word, His Spirit - till we are all His?

CONCLUSION - THIS WONDERFUL FULLNESS COMES GRACE FOR GRACE - PERSONAL GROWTH ONE STEP AT A TIME

• You cannot become a spiritual giant without first being born again - do it now!
• Then every spiritual step must be taken in sequence - nothing left out - for His sake!
• Confession, Baptism, Church Membership, Stewardship of Service and Finances - Sacrifice in Christian Labor - all this must be in HIM.