“In Him is our full satisfaction. In Him is our completeness. In Him we have everything we need for a full life.” – Pastor Mensa Otabil.
Introduction
This message, part of an ongoing series on the person of Jesus, emphasized the importance of understanding Christ’s divine nature and the fullness available to believers through Him.
Pastor Otabil stressed that Christianity is not merely about miracles, breakthroughs, or answered prayers-though these are benefits-but fundamentally about faith in Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture. He urged believers to move beyond self-manufactured perceptions of Jesus and embrace the biblical revelation of His divinity and sufficiency.
The Testimony of John the Baptist
Pastor Otabil began by examining John 1:15-16, where John the Baptist testified about Jesus. He highlighted three key aspects of John’s declaration:
- Jesus Comes After Me (Natural Life) – John acknowledged that, in the natural order, Jesus was born after him and began His ministry later. However, this did not diminish Jesus’ supremacy.
- He Is Preferred Before Me (Mission) – Though John was older and started his ministry earlier, he recognized that Jesus’ mission was far greater.
- He Was Before Me (Existence) – The most profound statement, affirming Jesus’ pre-existence as God.
“John is saying, this cousin of mine actually is God. That’s a profound thing for you to say about a cousin. He’s God. He existed before me.”
This testimony underscores Jesus’ eternal nature-He is both the historical Messiah and the pre-existent Word (John 1:1).
Pastor Otabil then shifted focus to John 1:16: “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.” He explained that “fullness” refers to the totality of God’s nature and blessings found in Christ.
1. All Fullness Dwells in Christ
Referencing Colossians 1:19 and 2:9, Pastor Otabil emphasized that Jesus contains the complete essence of God:
“All fullness is in Christ. He’s the source of all fullness and everything needed. He has no lack. There is no scarcity in Him.”
Many seek fulfillment in wealth, status, or achievements, but true fullness is only found in Christ. Even King Solomon, with all his riches, declared life without God as meaningless (Ecclesiastes 1:2).
2. All Believers Receive from His Fullness
The phrase “we have all received” signifies that every believer—regardless of spiritual maturity, title, or background-has access to Christ’s fullness.
“Jesus does not discriminate in what He makes available to all believers. In Christ Jesus, all believers have access to all the fullness of God.”
Pastor Otabil challenged the traditional mindset that spiritual blessings must come through mediators (pastors, bishops, etc.). Instead, he affirmed that every Christian can receive directly from Christ.
Grace Upon Grace
The sermon concluded with an exploration of “grace for grace” (John 1:16), which means:
- Unmerited Favour – Everything we receive from God is by grace, not works.
- Multiplied Blessings – God’s grace is diverse and abundant, covering every area of life-salvation, healing, provision, joy, and more.
“When you receive of His fullness, you will receive dimensions and multiples of grace… There is no human being ever born who can say, I have received everything that is in Christ. It’s impossible because He’s infinite.”
Conclusion
Pastor Mensa Otabil’s message serves as a reminder that Christianity is centered on Christ-His divinity, His sufficiency, and His unending grace. Believers are called to move beyond superficial faith and embrace the fullness available in Him. As we reflect on this truth, let us seek a deeper relationship with Jesus, trusting that in Him, we lack nothing. His grace is sufficient, His love is boundless, and His fullness is ours to receive-today and always
Pastor Mensa Otabil is the General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Accra, Ghana.