Questions About MLJ's Sermon on "Of His Fullness Have All We Received"

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the main theme of John 1:16?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies that John 1:16 ("Of his fullness have all we received and grace upon grace") is a summary of the blessings that come to believers through Jesus Christ. This verse explains the purpose of Christ's incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and ascension—that believers "might receive of his fullness and grace upon grace." The sermon explores how this fullness in Christ becomes available to us and how we receive it.

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say that human philosophy has failed to provide true wisdom?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that human philosophy, despite its long history of seeking wisdom, has utterly failed because:

1. There's an irrational element in humans that is stronger than the mind
2. Humans have always sensed powers beyond themselves, but could only reach the concept of "the unknown God"
3. The world "by wisdom knew not God" as Paul states
4. Human philosophy cannot transcend human limitations
5. Even at its highest point (in Athens), philosophy could only erect a temple "to the unknown God"
6. The human condition is characterized by spiritual darkness and moral failure

He points to history as proof that even after 4,000 years of civilization before Christ, humans failed to find God through their own wisdom.

According to the sermon, why can't humans find God through their own efforts?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, humans cannot find God through their own efforts for several reasons:

1. The ineffable glory and nature of God makes Him inaccessible to humans - "No man hath seen God at any time"
2. Human finite character and limited brain capacity cannot comprehend the infinite
3. Humans lack essential spirituality - "No man can know the things of the spirit of God" without the spiritual capacity
4. Human sinfulness makes communion with God impossible - "What communion hath light with darkness?"
5. Sin has blinded human reasoning, creating a "horrible bias" that prevents true understanding

He summarizes that these limitations make it "utterly and completely impossible for man as he is, ever to arrive at this knowledge of God."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the uniqueness of Christ in revealing God?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes Christ as uniquely qualified to reveal God because:

1. "The only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him" (John 1:18)
2. Jesus alone has descended from heaven and can reveal heavenly things (John 3)
3. Christ is "the light of the world" who enables followers to "not walk in darkness"
4. Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life" and the only way to the Father
5. "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" - Christ is the expression of the Father
6. While "the world hath not known thee," Jesus says, "I have known thee"

The sermon emphasizes that Christ is the exclusive source of true knowledge of God, and therefore the only source of true wisdom.

What practical application does Dr. Lloyd-Jones make at the end of his sermon?

At the end of his sermon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones makes the personal application that receiving Christ's fullness enables us to know God as Father. He asks his listeners:

1. "Have you received of his fullness?"
2. "Do you know God? Do you know God as your father?"
3. "Do you go to him as a child? Do you pray with confidence?"

He concludes that "only the man who has received of his fullness, that knows God as his own personal father," encouraging his hearers to "receive of him" because "it is all in him and there is nothing apart from him." The practical application is to enter into a personal, Father-child relationship with God through Christ.