When God Is Not Enough

Before our morning service we took the time to honor our senior pastor and his wife, Dr. Larry Crawford and Sister Terry Crawford.

Bro. Ryan Crawford then bought us the Sunday morning sermon entitled, "When God Is Not Enough."

We stood for the reading of God's Holy Word.

His lesson was from the book of 1Samuel, Chapter 8, with special emphasis on Verse 10: "And Samuel told all the words of the Lord unto the people that asked of him a king."

Then as a precursor to Chapter 8, Bro. Ryan provided some background. "Israel was God's chosen people, as the venue for exposing God to the world, because they were the people most exposed to God." They were not smarter, not prettier, nor the wealthiest. They were not even the largest of the nations of the world. So why Israel? Because God chose them, period. He is God, therefore He can do that. In Chapter 7:1-4, the Ark was now back in Israel. It had been returned! So in verses 5-6 Samuel tells them to put away there false gods, continue to serve God and stop following those other imposters. Then in verses 7-10 and 13-14, the children of Israel confessed their sins. Imploring God to stop their enemies and God does. And in verses 11-12 they set up a memorial of gratitude to to the one true God of the Universe and Creation. And just as God choose Israel, God chose you."

"In the beginning of Chapter 8 we find Samuel so old that he appoints his two sons judges over Israel. But they were not like him. So Israel came to Samuel, saying as he was now old and his sons were worthless, they wanted a change in plan. The idea was for Samuel to anoint them a king. God, His theocracy, was no longer enough for them. Samuel stood historically speaking, between the Judges and the Kings. And Samuel took the nation's proposal, very personally. He was not pleased."

"So what happens when God is not enough? Most churches today can't get anything from God, so they go looking for it in something else. But it's not in the economy, it's not who is the President, it's not even what jobs they have. You personally, may wonder why you can't sleep, have no joy, have no contentment. It is because, you are just like the nation of Israel and God is no longer enough. And church, you put God off the throne when He is not enough for, your marriage, your finances, your family. But God was enough when you were saved. Still, if God is no longer enough, you will quickly, forsake His ways, you will fantasize after the world, you will forget His works, and finally, you will forfeit His will in your life."

"When you Forsake His ways you will quickly Reject His authority, and you will rationalize your attitude."

"In verses 6-7, God explained to Samuel it was not he that Israel rejected, but Him. They rejected God's authority over them. Do you complain about how much God requires of you? Hello, people, when God is on the throne, I can't go where I want, talk like I want, dress like I want, be like I want; because that old sinful nature still wants to be in charge. But new creature that I am, I'm not going to let him."

"But God's ways, His designs, for your life, that will never change. He is holy, incapable of changing. So stop trying to rationalize your actions and your attitudes, just repent and be redeemed."

"Then there is fantasizing after the world. Verse 20 says Israel wanted to be like all the other nations surrounding them." They wanted a king too. (Dumb reason to want anything, because someone else has it. Unless we are talking about Salvation.) "They wanted a king, one to go to war for them, a king to protect them, and so forth."

"Sadly today's world is getting more churchy all the time; while the church is getting more worldly. By in large the so called "Christian" church is trying to make all that they like about the world "Christian" so they can participate and still be OK with God! Fads, fashion, dress, technology have changed, but God and His word will never change. Therefore people who don't fantasize over God, will eventually find themselves fantasizing over the world. Like Israel, when they remembered Egypt, fondly."

"When Israel forgot God's works, they sought a different way for their destiny. They conveniently, or not, forgot the oppression in Egypt; forgot the 10 plagues and that God kept them separated from; forgot the Red Sea parting and their safe passage and the drowning of the troops that dogged them; forgot the wilderness miracles -- manna, quail, water from the Rock -- clothes and shoes that did not wear out."

"And when you forget His works you too will quickly forget it was He who delivered you from your past, directed your progress, decorated you with provisions and you will dial up on your problems."

"God has delivered you from your past. When you feel God is just not enough...recall who saved you. And what He saved you from. When God is not enough the value of your salvation has depreciated in your mind. "In your mind, church! Salvation never depreciates."

"God has also directed your progress. He has personally guided you. He has brought you this far! He has guarded you. He has even fought for you."

"Then too, God has decorated you with provisions via blessings, benefits, backing you up! God is so good that way."

"Regarding dialing up your problems, God in His infinite goodness has loaded us up with goodies. But still, like Israel, we nag and harangue Him about how bad our lives are. More blessings than you can imagine will be yours, but not if you constantly complain about how horrible your existence is. But this is exactly what will happen...when God is not enough."

Finally, you forfeit His will when you short circuit, His plan for your life, by exercising your will, instead of following His perfect will.

Hosea 13:11 says, "I gave thee a king, in mine anger."

"Your king (whatever it is, whomever it may be) is going to put you in an unpleasant position. There goes your security. There goes your self-sufficiency. And then it will cost you an unthinkable price. Your thoughts were of, it was all good, until you got the bill. In old Israel you could literally loose your possessions, your kids, your family, to the king." There is an old Jewish prayer that goes something like this, "And if it please you Lord, do not make my daughters beautiful!"

"And today, church, when you walk away from God, when God is not enough, you will factually loose your kids. If you are not in church, they won't be either! Oh, they might be for a season...but soon they will be gone, just like their parents."

"When God was in charge He financed the government for Israel. With a king, the king will get his finances from the people."

"Every single spiritual problem on earth is because God is not enough! Call it whatever you want, getting tired, too much on plate, weak, but what you are saying is simply, God is not enough for me. Still, Job made it -- even said, 'though he slay me, yet will I serve Him. If I love everything I have been given, by Him, for me, you best believe He is enough for me.' But church...is He enough for you?"

Our church pantry is accepting food and sundry items every 3rd Sunday. See Kenny and Bobbi Bowers if you have any questions.

We offer infant care, nursery and children church through the third grade on Sunday mornings.

We also offer transportation for all church services, as needed, for all ages. Please call 417-223-4433 or 417-223-1070 to get on one of our four bus routes.

Our church library is available to all during all church services. See Mrs. Pat Anders for help.

Please tune in Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on 100.3 FM KURM for a message of love, inspiration, support, and duty, by our shepherd, Dr. Larry Crawford.