I am

For Further Reflection

One of the places where we can see these sentiments expressed is in the imagery of the New Earth as it is described by John in Revelation 22.  Looking at the portrait that is painted here from the perspective of our conversation about God being enough, see what surfaces for you as you read and reflect:

    1Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2down the middle of the great street of the city.

On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3No longer will there be any curse.

The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

5There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

And then there are these words from the apostle Paul, as he sits in a jail cell reflecting on his own life  in Philippians 4:11-13 (TNIV).  As you think about what he shares, what kind of a picture do you get of how Paul has come to terms with the issue of "enough"? 

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Enough.  It's somewhat of an elusive concept at times.  How do we know when "enough is really enough"?  Do we have a good feel for what is necessary and what is not?  What kinds of things  influence our  thinking about this?  And if our situation is such that we don't have all that we really need, can we still say that, even under those circumstances, that God actually is still enough?

Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life.

John 14:6

As you reflect on these other "I AM" sayings of Jesus,

what is that you hear being communicated

in and through them all?

I am the door to the sheepfold

I am the good shepherd

I am the bread of life

I am the living water

I am the resurrection and the life

I am the light of the world

I am the alpha and the omega

I am the first and the last

I am the living one

I am the true vine

How do these speak to the issue of enough?

Of course, it is one thing to think about how we might answer those questions, and sometimes another to think about whether or not the patterns of our lives actually reflect our answers to those questions.  What does the way we live say about our views of what is or is not enough?  And if for some reason the two don't match, what is that about?

These are some of the questions Pastor Jon explores in the sermon this week . . . or perhaps . . . questions that might emerge as you reflect on what he shares. If you would like to hear the sermon once again, or perhaps for the first time, you can click here to go to our sermon library.