IT IS ENOUGH

Little is much when God is in it.
Have you ever utter the words, "It is enough." Maybe the children have continued to be argue and finally you said, "It is enough." Maybe you have repaired and repaired an appliance and finally you uttered, "It is enough." Maybe you have been hunting and you just have not had any luck, and you say, "It is enough." Maybe you have been working at the same job for some time and putting up with the same old boss, and you reach a point where you say, "It is enough."

Enough is only enough when God is in it.

I. John 19:30 IT IS FINISHED: this speaks of the SUFFICIENCY on which my faith is asked to LOOK

IT IS FINISHED- the ancient Greeks boasted of being able to say much in little - "to give a sea of matter in a drop of language’ was regarded as the perfection of oratory. What they sought her is found. IT IS FINISHED is but one word in the Greek, but in that one word is wrapped up the Gospel of God, in that word is contained the ground of the believers assurance.

IT IS FINISHED - it this is a divine declaration so glorious that, ever since Jesus spoke it, the devil has been busy trying to hide its real meaning frm the human race.

A. IT IS FINISHED is the WORDS OF COMPLETION

1. The fulfilled Word of God

When Jesus uttered these words, there was remained nothing more for the Savior to finish. It is true that there still remained prophecies to be fulfilled such as the piercing of His body with the spear, the preserving of His bones unbroken, and the placing of his body in the rich man’s grave, but nothing remained more for Him to finish.

2. The finished Work of God

The great task of the ages - the redemption of a lost world- had been fully accomplished. Every obstacle between God and man had been removed, every demand of the law satisfied, the sun question fully dealt with. All the types and shadows of the old covenant had been fulfilled in him. The work of God which he came to do was complete.

B. IT IS FINISHED is the WORDS OF CONQUEST

This is not the words of a victim, but of a victor. This is not the sob of a victim, but the shout of a victor. It is not I am finished but it is finished.

C. IT IS FINISHED is the WORDS OF CONFIDENCE

It is finished - Here my soul can rest!

1. The foolish way man can think

2. The finished work man must trust

Several years ago a Christian farmer was deeply concerned over an unsaved carpernter. The farmer sought to set before his neighbor the Gospel of God’s grace and to explain how that the finished work of Christ was sufficient for his soul to rest upon. However, the carpenter persisted in his belief that he must do something himself. One day the farmer asked the carpenter to make him a gate, and when the gate was ready he carried it away on his wagon. He arranged for the carpenter to call on him the next morning and see the gate as it hung in the field. At the appointed hour the carpenter arrived and was surprised to find the farmer standing by with a sharp axe in his hand. "What are you going to do?" questioned the carpenter.

"I am going to add a few cuts and strokes to your work," came the response.

"But there is no need for it. The gate is alright as it is. I did all that was necessary to it."

The farmer took no notice, but lifted his axe and slashed and hacked at the gate until it was completely spoiled

"Look what you have done!" cried the carpenter, "You have ruined my work!"

"Yes," replied the farmer, "and that is exactly what you are trying to do. You are seeking to nullify the finished work of Christ by your own miserable additons to it."

II. MATTHEW 4:4 - IT IS WRITTEN: this speaks of the SURETY on which my faith is asked to LEAN.

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,

Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word.

I’ll stand on His unchanging Word

Till soul and body sever,

For though all things should pass Away

His Word shall stand forever.

-Martin Luther

A. Lean upon it because your problems will need a solution

Psalm 119: 123 "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple."

The Word of God gives light, and light reveals dirt, disorder, and direction.

Psalm 119:105 "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." One of the most practical benefits of the Word of God is its guidance in the acts of daily life: it is not sent to astound us with its brilliance, but to guide us by its instruction. It is true the head needs illumination, but even more the feet need direction, else head and feet may both fall into a ditch. Happy is the man who personally appropriates God's word, and practically uses it as his comfort and counsellor, __ a lamp to his own feet.

1. When confused, go to the Word!

2. When consumed, go to the Word!

3. When in conflict, go to the Word !

B. Lean upon it because your prayers will need support

C. H. Spurgeon once said, "In prayer let us plead nothing but the word of God; for there is no plea like a promise, no argument like a word from our covenant God."

Someone has said that there are exactly 7,487 promises from God to man in the Bible. Plead the promises of God in prayer.

C. Lean upon it because your person will need strength

Psalm 119:28 "My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word." The word which creates can certainly sustain.

When we dissipated with weakness, God can make His word to be the bread of heaven to strengthen us.

III. Mark 6:45-50 - IT IS I: this speaks of the SERENITY with which my faith is asked to LABOR.

There was a great storm that confronted them, but there was a great sight which calmed them.

It may be in the valley

Where countless dangers hide

It may be in the sunshine

That I in peace abide.

But this one thing I know

If it be dark or fair,

If Jesus goes with me,

I’ll go any where.

Isaiah 41:10 "Fear thou not...."

God is with us.

A. He that is with us has all authority to govern.

Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, "All power...."

B. He that is with us has all ability to guide

1. We can trust His person

2. We can trust His plan

C. He that is with us has all mightiness to guard

Almighty One! I bend in dust before Thee;

Even so veiled cherubs bend;

In calm and still devotion I adore Thee,

All-wise, all present Friend. We can labor for God with a calmness because He is with us. See Mark 16:20.

Conclusion:

It is enough - only if God is in it.

It is finished – sufficiency enough for my faith to look. It is written - security enough for my faith to lean. It is I - serenity enough for my faith to labor.

Yours because HIS

Bro. Jimmy Chapman
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