Colossians 2:9
Cal Erickson emphasizes the fullness and unchanging deity of Jesus Christ as the source of completeness for believers.
In this expository sermon on Colossians 2:9, Cal Erickson explores the profound truth of Jesus Christ’s divine fullness and unchanging nature. He highlights how believers find their completeness in Christ, who is both fully God and fully man. Erickson encourages listeners to worship the exalted Savior and rest in the security of their identity hidden in Him. This message offers rich theological insight and practical assurance for the Christian life.
Full Transcript
Colossians chapter 2 please. Chapter 2 of Colossians verse 9. Some meditations over the last years about the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians chapter 2 and verse 9 says, In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and you are complete in Him.
We've heard excellent ministry this morning about the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul in prison in Rome filled with love for the saints prioritizes things as he views the Savior lifted high and exalted in heaven even at the right hand of the Father crowned with glory and honor. And in Him is the message and He has no contemporaries.
We could look through the Scriptures and find noble men and find noble women. We could find leaders. We could have the leaders of God.
But when it came to what the saints of God need in Colossae, what the saints of God need here in La Crosse, what the saints of God need in your home, in your heart, in your life is Jesus Christ. In Him, He has no contemporaries. We think about the wounds in His body.
We think about in heaven there's the exaltation of our Savior who is truly human and truly God. And in His body, there's no change. Because in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
The consistency of it. The strength of it. Our faith is in a person, thank God.
But He is there and there will never be a change. In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. We, being mortal, even though a divine person indwells us, cannot comprehend the fullness of Jesus Christ.
We cannot contemplate. We cannot assimilate. We cannot obtain the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Even though we know Him. Even though He is our Lord and Savior. But in Him dwelleth all.
There's no comprehension of it. Thinking of Colossians 3, Paul writes, Christ is our life and our life is hid in Him. But yet when He returns, we shall see Christ as He is.
Our life is hid in Christ. Think of that, brother and sister in the Lord. Think of our position that God has put us into.
In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. We can't understand because of our mortal shortcomings, the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. The fullness of the Godhead in Him dwelleth.
So then we think of the verse, in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And thank God there's no corruption. Because He has a body that's truly human, as mentioned.
And He showed Himself openly after His resurrection. And He ate and He drank with His disciples. A true human body in Heaven.
In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Oh, we're gathered to Him. We love Him.
What a privilege we have to worship in His name. What a privilege we have that Christ is our life. And we are found in the right place today.
In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him. What a God we have.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Supremacy of Christ
- Christ has no contemporaries or equals
- He is exalted at the right hand of the Father
- His person is the focus of the believer’s faith
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II. The Fullness of the Godhead in Christ
- All the fullness of deity dwells bodily in Jesus
- Christ is truly God and truly man
- His resurrection body confirms His humanity and divinity
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III. The Believer’s Completeness in Christ
- Believers are made complete in Him
- Our life is hidden in Christ
- We await the full revelation of Christ at His return
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IV. The Privilege of Worship and Assurance
- We worship the living Christ
- Our faith rests on an unchanging Savior
- We are blessed and secure in Him
Key Quotes
“In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and you are complete in Him.” — Cal Erickson
“Our faith is in a person, thank God, but He is there and there will never be a change.” — Cal Erickson
“Think of our position that God has put us into: our life is hid in Christ.” — Cal Erickson
Application Points
- Trust in the unchanging nature of Christ as the foundation of your faith.
- Remember that your spiritual completeness is found only in Jesus.
- Live with the hope and assurance that your life is hidden in Christ until His return.