Our text says that the stuff they had was enough. Another translation says that they had more than enough. No matter the situation we may be in, God has given us enough to see it through. Some feel like what we have to offer has no value. The boy with the five barley loaves and two small fish must have thought he did not have anything to offer, but in the hands of Jesus, it was more than enough. The bible also says they had enough stuff to do the work, but in addition to that, they used their skills. We have enough for the job, but now it is time to use it for the kingdom of God. Just having the net does not catch fish. Just having the hammer, does not build the building. There must be workers who will put their hand to the plow and work for the kingdom of God. Coming with gifting and talent is fine, but it must be put to use to make a difference. The stuff we’ve got is sufficient, and we must use that stuff to use to further the kingdom of God.

Our text says that the stuff they had was enough. Another translation says that they had more than enough. No matter the situation we may be in, God has given us enough to see it through. Some feel like what we have to offer has no value. The boy with the five barley loaves and two small fish must have thought he did not have anything to offer, but in the hands of Jesus, it was more than enough. The bible also says they had enough stuff to do the work, but in addition to that, they used their skills. We have enough for the job, but now it is time to use it for the kingdom of God. Just having the net does not catch fish. Just having the hammer, does not build the building. There must be workers who will put their hand to the plow and work for the kingdom of God. Coming with gifting and talent is fine, but it must be put to use to make a difference. The stuff we’ve got is sufficient, and we must use that stuff to use to further the kingdom of God.

At first glance, our texts this morning seem to be disconnected. However, if we discover what the people in our text discovered, life would be forever changed. Each of these people had problems; something difficult in their lives to deal with: Empty nets, withered limbs, and even death itself. In all of these cases, their problems defined them. Their lives were greatly affected by what was wrong with them. In each of these cases, Jesus challenged their problems and issues. It is what he spoke to these people that changed their situations from what it was, to an overflowing abundance. The words indicate a beginning or starting point. No matter what had come before, they would experience a new day. With His words, each of these people received a new outlook on life. With His words, He moved them beyond past mistakes, past limitations, and even past death itself. He challenged them to change their way of thinking, acting, and living. For too many of us, we focus on what has been. We are held back by what we have known before. With His words, He moves past impossibility and hopelessness. He sets aside what has been, and opens what can be. In each of these situations, there were a thousand voices saying why it would not work, but there was one voice that was saying what could be! He challenged these people to question their doubts, fears, and limitations and have the courage to believe that, with God, nothing is impossible. Jesus wants to change our thinking. In most of these cases, the people offered a response about what did not work, or how they had failed. Jesus did not look back on what didn’t work but looked forward to a new reality. When God deals with us, He does not deal with us looking backward. When we look forward, we see a new us. He is trying to get us to see past the bed of misery we are laying in to see a vision of ourselves that is not held captive by that bed. God is more interested in what can be that what has been. Jesus does not want us to live a life of constantly looking back at mistakes, failures and shortcomings. Jesus wants to challenge us to change.

At first glance, our texts this morning seem to be disconnected. However, if we discover what the people in our text discovered, life would be forever changed. Each of these people had problems; something difficult in their lives to deal with: Empty nets, withered limbs, and even death itself. In all of these cases, their problems defined them. Their lives were greatly affected by what was wrong with them. In each of these cases, Jesus challenged their problems and issues. It is what he spoke to these people that changed their situations from what it was, to an overflowing abundance. The words indicate a beginning or starting point. No matter what had come before, they would experience a new day. With His words, each of these people received a new outlook on life. With His words, He moved them beyond past mistakes, past limitations, and even past death itself. He challenged them to change their way of thinking, acting, and living. For too many of us, we focus on what has been. We are held back by what we have known before. With His words, He moves past impossibility and hopelessness. He sets aside what has been, and opens what can be. In each of these situations, there were a thousand voices saying why it would not work, but there was one voice that was saying what could be! He challenged these people to question their doubts, fears, and limitations and have the courage to believe that, with God, nothing is impossible. Jesus wants to change our thinking. In most of these cases, the people offered a response about what did not work, or how they had failed. Jesus did not look back on what didn’t work but looked forward to a new reality. When God deals with us, He does not deal with us looking backward. When we look forward, we see a new us. He is trying to get us to see past the bed of misery we are laying in to see a vision of ourselves that is not held captive by that bed. God is more interested in what can be that what has been. Jesus does not want us to live a life of constantly looking back at mistakes, failures and shortcomings. Jesus wants to challenge us to change.

Verse 17 of our text says “My Father worketh hitherto.” That is present tense. God IS working in our lives. God is active. In the ancient Greek's view, Gods lived far away and were not concerned about the affairs of men. That is not the biblical view of our God. Our God is ever-present in times of trouble and will always work. He is both immanent and transcendent. He is everywhere, and He is right here. God is working even now. God knows exactly where we are and what we need. The Pharisees and Sadducees believed in a God who created the world in seven days and then rested. The problem is that they believed that He rested from everything. The truth is that His work continued. There are no holidays with God; He is constantly working. The devil is extremely busy, but even with all the efforts of him and his minions, they cannot outdo what God has orchestrated. He is here right now to help with our problems and address our needs. That is Life’s Great Assurance.

Verse 17 of our text says “My Father worketh hitherto.” That is present tense. God IS working in our lives. God is active. In the ancient Greek's view, Gods lived far away and were not concerned about the affairs of men. That is not the biblical view of our God. Our God is ever-present in times of trouble and will always work. He is both immanent and transcendent. He is everywhere, and He is right here. God is working even now. God knows exactly where we are and what we need. The Pharisees and Sadducees believed in a God who created the world in seven days and then rested. The problem is that they believed that He rested from everything. The truth is that His work continued. There are no holidays with God; He is constantly working. The devil is extremely busy, but even with all the efforts of him and his minions, they cannot outdo what God has orchestrated. He is here right now to help with our problems and address our needs. That is Life’s Great Assurance.

Dr. Hughes teaches from the story of Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well. As Jesus talks to this woman He knew about her background, but He treated her with respect and honor. Jesus tells her true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth. In order to worship in truth, we have to strive to be like Jesus. To do that, we have to understand the nature of Jesus. Only by being like Jesus can we be true worshipers.

Dr. Hughes teaches from the story of Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well. As Jesus talks to this woman He knew about her background, but He treated her with respect and honor. Jesus tells her true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth. In order to worship in truth, we have to strive to be like Jesus. To do that, we have to understand the nature of Jesus. Only by being like Jesus can we be true worshipers.

The lives of Israel was defined by the laws that God passed down during their passage from Egypt and their wanderings in the desert. One of the laws handed down dealt with land ownership. Land ownership was established by the placement of a physical landmark. These landmarks served as a reference point for the boundaries of the property, and therefore the ownership. These reference points could easily be moved by someone who was trying to be dishonest. At times during their journey, God commanded the Israelites to erect a landmark at places that He wanted them to remember. The placement and location of these memorials were important. Our text is plain that someone who moved a landmark was to be cursed. We live in a time when old, established landmarks are being torn down. We have seen a gradual erosion of principles of life that have resulted in a society in chaos. God intended for us to understand the importance and purpose of boundaries. God’s boundaries are protection, not a hindrance. God’s landmarks are unchanging. They are a point of reference. When we see a landmark, we must know that it is there for a reason. The bible is clear, that a landmark is important. Landmarks tell a story of victories won, deliverances given, and blessings bestowed. We live in a culture that is doing everything that it can to erase the landmarks that God has established. We must remember the value of a landmark.

The lives of Israel was defined by the laws that God passed down during their passage from Egypt and their wanderings in the desert. One of the laws handed down dealt with land ownership. Land ownership was established by the placement of a physical landmark. These landmarks served as a reference point for the boundaries of the property, and therefore the ownership. These reference points could easily be moved by someone who was trying to be dishonest. At times during their journey, God commanded the Israelites to erect a landmark at places that He wanted them to remember. The placement and location of these memorials were important. Our text is plain that someone who moved a landmark was to be cursed. We live in a time when old, established landmarks are being torn down. We have seen a gradual erosion of principles of life that have resulted in a society in chaos. God intended for us to understand the importance and purpose of boundaries. God’s boundaries are protection, not a hindrance. God’s landmarks are unchanging. They are a point of reference. When we see a landmark, we must know that it is there for a reason. The bible is clear, that a landmark is important. Landmarks tell a story of victories won, deliverances given, and blessings bestowed. We live in a culture that is doing everything that it can to erase the landmarks that God has established. We must remember the value of a landmark.