I. Introduction: The Assurance of the Saints
We live in an age of uncertainty. We say, "I hope so," or "maybe," or "if all goes well." But the Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Rome—a city he had never visited but longed to see—speaks with a divine confidence. He says, "And I am sure."
This is not the arrogance of a man who trusts in his own plans. This is the assurance of a servant who knows his Master’s supply. Paul knew that he was not bringing his own clever ideas, his own philosophy, or his own personality. He was a vessel carrying a specific treasure: the Gospel of Christ.
And because the Gospel is infinite, he knew that his arrival would not be empty. It would be marked by "fulness."
Proposition: The confidence of the Christian ministry lies not in the vessel, but in the surpassing value of the treasure it carries—the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
II. The Certainty of the Messenger ("And I am sure...")
Paul begins with a settled conviction. How could he be so sure? He had faced shipwrecks, beatings, and rejection. Yet, looking toward Rome, the capital of the world, he did not doubt.
* Confidence in the Source: Paul knew who sent him. He was "called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God" (Romans 1:1). When God sends a messenger, He supplies the message.
* Confidence in the Soil: Paul knew that there were believers in Rome whose faith was "spoken of throughout the whole world" (Romans 1:8). He knew that when the spark of the Gospel meets the fuel of faith, a fire is kindled.
* Confidence in the Spirit: He says earlier in verse 19 that "through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God," he had fully preached the gospel. His confidence was not in his itinerary, but in the Holy Ghost.
Application: Do we have this "blessed assurance"? When we go to church, when we open our Bibles, or when we speak to a friend about the Lord, are we sure that God will work? Or do we expect little? We serve a God of "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). Let us walk with holy confidence.
III. The Content of the Message ("...the fulness of the blessing...")
Notice the specific phrase Paul uses: "The fulness."
The Greek word here is pleroma—it means "that which fills up," a full measure, a complete sum.
* It is Not a Partial Gospel:
* Some preach a gospel of morality (be good).
* Some preach a gospel of prosperity (get rich).
* Some preach a gospel of ceremony (do rituals).
* But Paul preached the fulness. This means the whole counsel of God. It includes:
* Justification: Being declared righteous before God (Romans 5:1).
* Sanctification: Being made holy in our daily walk (Romans 6:22).
* Glorification: The hope of the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:23).
* It is a Satisfying Blessing:
The world offers cups that run dry. The "blessing of the gospel" is a well of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14). It satisfies the conscience, comforts the heart, and directs the will. It is "full" because it meets every need of the human soul.
* It Cannot Be Exhausted:
You can take the "fulness" of the ocean in a cup, but you cannot drain the ocean. Paul knew that no matter how much he gave to the Romans, there was always more of Christ to give.
IV. The Center of the Ministry ("...of the gospel of Christ.")
The blessing does not come from Paul’s eloquence. It comes explicitly from "the gospel of Christ."
* Christ is the Substance:
If you take Christ out of the sermon, you have removed the blessing. As Spurgeon once said, "A sermon without Christ in it is like a loaf of bread without any flour in it. No Christ in your sermon, sir? Then go home, and never preach again until you have something worth preaching."
The "fulness" is found only in Him, "for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:9).
* Christ is the Supplier:
Paul was coming to impart "some spiritual gift" (Romans 1:11), but he knew the Giver of the gift was Jesus. The Gospel is the good news of what He has done—His perfect life, His atoning death, His glorious resurrection.
Application: If we want the "fulness of the blessing" in our churches, we must keep Christ central. We do not need more entertainment or programs; we need more of Jesus.
V. Conclusion: The Unexpected Path to Fulness
There is a divine irony in this text. When Paul wrote, "I am sure that I shall come unto you," he likely envisioned arriving as a free man, perhaps on a ship paid for by the churches.
But that is not how he arrived.
Read Acts 28. Paul arrived in Rome years later—after a riot in Jerusalem, imprisonment in Caesarea, a terrible shipwreck on Malta, and a viper bite. He entered Rome in chains.
Did God fail? Was verse 29 a lie?
No.
Even in chains, Paul came in the "fulness of the blessing."
* While under house arrest in Rome, he wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.
* The Gospel spread to Caesar’s household (Philippians 4:22).
* His bonds in Christ became manifest in all the palace (Philippians 1:13).
The Lesson for Us:
You may have plans for how God will bless you. You think the "fulness" will come when you get that job, or when your health improves, or when the trouble stops.
But God often sends the "fulness of the blessing" wrapped in difficulties. Paul’s chains did not limit the Gospel; they amplified it.
Final Appeal:
Whatever your circumstance today—whether you are free or bound, healthy or sick—if you have Christ, you have the fulness. Do not look for a blessing outside of Him. Look to Him.
"And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace" (John 1:16).
Let us go forth, not hoping for a meager portion, but expecting the full measure of the blessing of Christ.
Closing Prayer
Almighty God, we thank Thee for the fulness that is in Thy Son, Jesus Christ. We confess that we often settle for empty cisterns that hold no water. Fill us again with the knowledge of Thy Gospel. Let us be sure, like Paul, that wherever Thou dost lead us, Thy blessing goes with us. We ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
