The Fullness of God’s Love in Christ Jesused Sermon

Sermon Title: The Fullness of God’s Love in Christ Jesus

Key Scripture: Ephesians 3:19 "...to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Introduction: The Overflowing Love of God

Imagine for a moment standing by a river—a river so vast and deep that no one can see its beginning or its end. As you watch, it overflows its banks, spreading life to everything it touches. This river is unstoppable; its waters are pure, powerful, and life-giving. The love of God in Christ Jesus is like that river—endless, overwhelming, and transforming everything in its path.

But here’s the amazing truth: This river doesn’t just flow near you or around you. It is meant to flow into you, filling every corner of your being until you overflow with the fullness of God Himself. Paul captures this beautifully in Ephesians 3:19 when he prays that we might "know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

The love of God is not merely a concept to understand or a story to be told; it is a reality to be experienced. It is the fullness of His character, His purpose, and His presence poured into our lives through Jesus Christ. Today, we will journey through this love—a love so profound that it changes everything it touches.

Setting the Stage: Why This Message Matters

Many of us have heard about God’s love, sung about it in worship songs, and read about it in Scripture. Yet, how often do we live as though we are truly filled with the fullness of His love? Some feel unworthy of it; others are unsure how to grasp it. Some are stuck in their wounds and disappointments, doubting that such love could be real.

But here’s the truth: The love of God in Christ is not just enough—it is abundant, overflowing, and transformative. It is the foundation of our faith, the power behind our purpose, and the anchor for our souls. Without fully understanding and experiencing this love, we live as though we are spiritually impoverished, like someone dying of thirst while standing next to an ocean.

Illustration to Capture Attention

Let me share a story to help us grasp this reality. There’s a tale about a traveler who stumbled into a desert, desperate for water. As he searched, he came across a pump handle sticking out of the sand with a small bottle of water tied to it. The bottle had a note that read, “Use this water to prime the pump. If you trust, the pump will give you all the water you need. But if you drink this small bottle, that’s all you’ll have.”

This story illustrates the choice we face when it comes to God’s love. Do we settle for the tiny bottle—the small, finite things the world offers—or do we trust God’s promise to give us living water, an unending flow of His love that satisfies every longing?

Invitation to Journey

Today, we’re going to explore seven aspects of God’s love, drawing from Scripture and illustrations to help us not only understand but also experience His love in its fullness. My prayer for each of us is that we will walk out of here not just informed about God’s love but transformed by it, filled to overflowing with the fullness of God.

Let’s dive into this river of love together.

1. The Source of God's Love

Scripture: John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Illustration: A child once asked their mother, "Why do you love me?" The mother replied, "Because you are mine." The child pressed further, "But what if I misbehave or make mistakes?" The mother smiled and said, "My love for you doesn’t change. It’s not because of what you do; it’s because of who you are to me."

This simple exchange mirrors God’s love for us. His love doesn’t depend on our performance; it flows from His very nature as our Creator and Father (Jeremiah 31:3).

1 John 4:9: "This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him."

Jeremiah 31:3: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."

Ephesians 2:4-5: "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."

Illustration: A parent sacrificing for their child’s future, reflecting God’s heart in giving Jesus.

God’s love originates in His very nature (1 John 4:8). In Christ, the abstract becomes tangible: God’s love takes on flesh.

Application: Embrace the reality that this love is not earned; it is freely given.

2. The Unfathomable Depth of God's Love

Scripture: Romans 8:38-39 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life...nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Illustration: In 2018, the world watched as 12 boys and their soccer coach were trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand. The rescue effort was treacherous, requiring divers to risk their lives. Against all odds, every boy was brought to safety. One of the rescuers, however, lost his life during the mission.

This heroic act reminds us of the lengths God goes to reach us in the depths of our sin. Just as nothing could stop those rescuers from saving the boys, nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39).

Psalm 103:11: "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him."

Ephesians 3:18: "...to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ."

Isaiah 49:15-16: "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands."

Illustration: A deep ocean—impossible to measure or fully explore, much like the depth of God's love.

Nothing can separate us from God's love. His love pursues us even when we run away.

Application: Rest in the assurance that God's love is unshakeable.

3. The Transformative Power of God's Love

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

Illustration: There’s a true story of a man named Brian who was once a gang leader. His life was marked by violence, crime, and hatred. After being arrested, he encountered a prison chaplain who introduced him to the love of Christ. That encounter changed Brian’s life forever. Today, he works to bring young people out of gang life, sharing the love that transformed him.

This transformation reflects 2 Corinthians 5:17—when we experience God’s love, we become new creations, leaving behind our old ways.

Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Titus 3:5-6: "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit."

Colossians 3:10: "...and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."

Illustration: A caterpillar transforming into a butterfly—a complete metamorphosis symbolizing the effect of God's love.

God’s love transforms our identity and purpose. Through Christ, we are made new, reflecting His love to the world.

Application: Let God’s love redefine your life and purpose.

4. God's Love Demonstrated Through Christ's Sacrifice

Scripture: Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Illustration: A firefighter named Rick responded to a house fire where a child was trapped inside. Despite the raging flames, he ran into the building and saved the child but was severely burned in the process. When asked why he risked his life, Rick simply said, “I couldn’t stand by and do nothing when I had the power to save her.”

This act of sacrifice points us to Jesus, who willingly endured the cross to save us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).

1 John 3:16: "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters."

Isaiah 53:5: "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed."

Philippians 2:7-8: "...He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!"

Illustration: A soldier taking a bullet for their comrades—Christ willingly sacrificed Himself for humanity’s sake.

God's love is not just words but action. Jesus' sacrifice is the ultimate proof of this love.

Application: Respond to Christ’s sacrifice with gratitude and commitment.

5. God's Love Draws Us into Intimacy

Scripture: Revelation 3:20 "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."

Illustration: Think of the story of Billy Graham and his wife, Ruth. Despite his demanding ministry schedule, Billy always made time for personal moments with his family, writing love letters to Ruth while on the road. Their relationship reflected intentionality and closeness.

Similarly, God invites us into intimate fellowship with Him. He’s not distant or impersonal but desires to walk closely with us, as Revelation 3:20 shows.

James 4:8: "Come near to God and He will come near to you."

Psalm 27:4: "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life."

John 15:15: "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."

Illustration: A friend waiting outside your door, eager to come in and share a meal—a picture of Christ’s invitation to fellowship.

God desires closeness, not distance. His love brings us into a personal relationship.

Application: Open your heart to God’s presence daily.

6. God's Love Is the Foundation of Unity

Scripture: John 13:35 "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Illustration: During World War II, soldiers from different backgrounds fought side by side in the trenches. One story tells of a soldier who risked his life to pull a comrade to safety, saying afterward, “We don’t see rank or race in here—only brothers.”

This bond illustrates how God’s love unites believers. When we truly embrace His love, it overflows into our relationships, breaking down barriers and building unity (Colossians 3:14).

Colossians 3:14: "And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

Ephesians 4:2-3: "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

1 Peter 4:8: "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

Illustration: A tightly woven fabric where every thread supports the whole—God’s love binds His people together.

In Christ, God’s love enables us to love one another deeply. Unity in the church is a reflection of God’s love to the world.

Application: Love others with the same sacrificial love you’ve received.

7. God's Love Fills Us with Purpose and Power

Scripture: Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses..."

Illustration: In the early 1900s, a missionary named Amy Carmichael left her comfortable life in Ireland to serve orphans in India. She often said, “The love of Christ compels me.” Despite countless challenges, she built homes, schools, and churches, giving abandoned children a future filled with hope.

Her life demonstrates how God’s love not only fills us but also empowers us to live boldly for His purpose (Acts 1:8).

Isaiah 61:1: "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor."

2 Timothy 1:7: "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline."

Matthew 28:19-20: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."

Illustration: A lamp plugged into a power source—without connection, it cannot shine.

God's love empowers us to live boldly for Him. The fullness of God’s love compels us to share it with others.

Application: Be a vessel of His love, shining His light wherever you go.

Conclusion: Living in the Fullness of God’s Love

Let me share a real-life story to help us close this journey.

Several years ago, a young man named Daniel found himself at rock bottom. He had made mistakes that left him estranged from his family, broke, and homeless. One cold winter night, he sought shelter in a church where a small group was holding a Bible study. Feeling out of place, he sat in the back, trying to stay unnoticed.

During the discussion, one of the participants shared Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” For the first time, Daniel realized that God’s love wasn’t something he needed to earn. It was already his, despite his failures. He said later, “It was like someone turned on a light in the darkest part of my soul. I wasn’t just forgiven—I was loved.”

Daniel didn’t just hear about God’s love that night; he encountered it. That love began to transform him. He reconnected with his family, found a job, and eventually began volunteering to help others who were struggling. Today, Daniel shares his story to remind people that no one is too far gone for the love of God.

Connecting the Story to the Main Point

Daniel’s story illustrates the truth we’ve explored today: God’s love in Christ Jesus is not just an abstract concept—it’s a reality that changes everything. When we truly know this love, it doesn’t leave us the same. It fills us, transforms us, and overflows into every aspect of our lives.

This is what Paul meant when he prayed that we might "know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:19). It’s not just about understanding God’s love intellectually; it’s about experiencing it so deeply that it reshapes our identity, renews our purpose, and redefines how we live.

Call to Action

For the Believer: If you already know God’s love, are you living in its fullness? Are you allowing it to overflow into your relationships, your work, and your daily life? For the Seeker: If you’ve never experienced God’s love, know that it’s available to you today. Just like Daniel, you don’t have to clean yourself up or earn His favor. His love is a free gift, waiting for you to receive it.

Final Illustration

Let me end with one more image. Picture a sponge in a dry, cracked desert. If you pour a few drops of water on it, the sponge absorbs it, but it remains mostly dry. Now imagine plunging that sponge into a vast ocean. It becomes saturated, dripping, overflowing. That’s the kind of life God invites us into—completely immersed in the fullness of His love.

Closing Prayer

“Lord, we thank You for Your immeasurable love that was poured out for us through Jesus Christ. Let this love not just fill us but overflow into every area of our lives. Help us to live as people who are fully alive in You, carrying Your love into the world around us. Amen.”

This is how we can live in the fullness of God: knowing His love, walking in it, and sharing it with others. Let’s step into that fullness today.