MORE THAN ENOUGH

Sermon Notes, June 7, 2015

Rev. Gary O’Shell

            Rev. O’Shell filled our pulpit Sunday as the Guizars were in Boston at their granddaughter’s graduation.  His message was titled, “More Than Enough,” and was based on Matthew 14:13-20, the story of Jesus feeding five thousand people with five loaves and two fish.

            We live in a culture that seems to think what we have is not enough: we want a little more.  Not enough time, not enough money, not enough room, etc.  But we have something.  What are our five loaves and two fish?  How can it be enough? How can it change?  How can we see with God’s eyes?

            In the story in Matthew, the Lord doesn’t suggest—he commands, “Bring them to me.”  What would happen if we really brought everything to Him?  All of it: our concerns, our families, our lives, our homes, our relationships.  What if we let things pass from our hands to His hands? And remove our hands.  Have we really brought it all to Him and left it there, hands off?  We often want to “help” God, but we need to trust God with “this” and believe He can take it, without our help.  He takes it, but only if you give it to Him.  Then He blesses it, as Jesus did with the bread and fish.  Then He breaks it.  Until we’re broken He can’t give us all He wants to give us.  When we’re broken, we’re dependent on Him.  Jesus will take what we give, bless it and break it, then He gives it out.  He doesn’t want to just bless our lives; He wants to bless others through us.

            Jesus wants people who give all so He, the Living Water, can flow through us.  Whose lives are being touched by the Living Water flowing through you?  He will ask us, “Did you love me?  Did you love others through me?”

God’s waiting for His church to wake up.  Show we believe by how we live.  He’s given us some promises: Philippians 4:19—“My God will meet all your needs according to His riches. . .”  How long will we put off going into the life He’s already given to us?  We are to trust all our need to His glorious riches.  Since we live in the midst of His riches, we don’t have to worry.  Live in His presence: there’s no worry, anxiety, or fear in His presence.  He is Light: dark cannot survive in the presence of light.

            Romans 8:32—“He who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all— how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”  He’s already given us His Son.  What else won’t He give you?”  Give him all of it—anger, bitterness, hurt.  Give all of yourself, and you’ll get all of Him.  God’s after YOU, not your stuff.

            He takes the very little and makes it very much.  We say, “Do it again, Lord.”