Jesus is Enough When We Are Destitute Lu:7:11: And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Lu:7:12: Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. Lu:7:13: And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. Lu:7:14: And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. Lu:7:15: And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. Lu:7:16: And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.

Are we Destitute/Despair? Despair & Destitute? Despair – when you have some things but are needy, wanting, or hurting inside.Despair – when you have some things but are needy, wanting, or hurting inside. Destitute – when you feel you have nothing left to help you, all hope is gone, without Gods intervention, there is absolutely no hope of joy, peace, and survival. Feeling all alone.Destitute – when you feel you have nothing left to help you, all hope is gone, without Gods intervention, there is absolutely no hope of joy, peace, and survival. Feeling all alone.

When Jesus is Enough 1. No problem is too big for God In this case, losing her only son was a BIG CONCERN because it involved a huge amount of anxiety, worry, doubt, & fear BECAUSE the ones to whom you used to run to for advice, counsel, guidance, protection, and security are now gone! But knowing about how desperate this situation is makes the following words of Jesus so profound. Jesus says: In this case, losing her only son was a BIG CONCERN because it involved a huge amount of anxiety, worry, doubt, & fear BECAUSE the ones to whom you used to run to for advice, counsel, guidance, protection, and security are now gone! But knowing about how desperate this situation is makes the following words of Jesus so profound. Jesus says: Do not weep. (v.13) Do not weep. (v.13) weep = (KLY-oh) means to wail, lament in inarticulate or semi-articulate sounds. It denotes deep hurt & pain. In essence, Jesus says, I have (and will) conquer bigger things than this; so, you can lean on me in this destitute situation. weep = (KLY-oh) means to wail, lament in inarticulate or semi-articulate sounds. It denotes deep hurt & pain. In essence, Jesus says, I have (and will) conquer bigger things than this; so, you can lean on me in this destitute situation.

When Jesus is Enough 2. Jesus has compassion on you Luke 7:13a When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her… Luke 7:13a When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her… Unlike you & me who can only care for a person by expressing our mere sympathies for a person, the Lord BOTH cares AND is able to do something about your problems! This demonstration of the compassion of Christ is nothing new to followers of Christ: Unlike you & me who can only care for a person by expressing our mere sympathies for a person, the Lord BOTH cares AND is able to do something about your problems! This demonstration of the compassion of Christ is nothing new to followers of Christ: His compassion led to the Feeding of the 4000: His compassion led to the Feeding of the 4000: Mark 8:2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. Mark 8:2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. His compassion led to the Feeding of the 5000: His compassion led to the Feeding of the 5000: Mark 6:34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. Mark 6:34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. His compassion led Him to cleanse a leprous man: His compassion led Him to cleanse a leprous man: Mark 1:41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, I am willing; be cleansed. Mark 1:41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, I am willing; be cleansed. …and the examples go on & on. …and the examples go on & on. But notice how this compassion was expressed. Meaning, when Jesus expressed his compassion for the widow, He did it with all eyes watching Him and He instructed her, dont cry! But notice how this compassion was expressed. Meaning, when Jesus expressed his compassion for the widow, He did it with all eyes watching Him and He instructed her, dont cry! Because In 1st Century, the widow would had to have lead the funeral procession as they walked. She would have been front & center when Jesus stopped her and said dont cry. Because In 1st Century, the widow would had to have lead the funeral procession as they walked. She would have been front & center when Jesus stopped her and said dont cry. But Jesus goal was not to compound her pain nor make a spectacle out of her, but for all to see that you may not understand the comfort I am providing her now, but you will witness the evidence of my love for her in a few short moments. Jesus wanted all to see the mighty hand of God work through this womans destitute situation But Jesus goal was not to compound her pain nor make a spectacle out of her, but for all to see that you may not understand the comfort I am providing her now, but you will witness the evidence of my love for her in a few short moments. Jesus wanted all to see the mighty hand of God work through this womans destitute situation

When Jesus is Enough 3. Jesus will do what no one else can What should not be missed when reading the details of this miracle is that in his writing, Luke was trying to make this very powerful, theological or spiritual point as well! Luke was trying to point out that Jesus is not just caring but that He is indeed the Christ! That Jesus is more powerful than a mere prophet. That Jesus was GOD Himself – able to REVERSE despair Himself! That He held the power Himself! What should not be missed when reading the details of this miracle is that in his writing, Luke was trying to make this very powerful, theological or spiritual point as well! Luke was trying to point out that Jesus is not just caring but that He is indeed the Christ! That Jesus is more powerful than a mere prophet. That Jesus was GOD Himself – able to REVERSE despair Himself! That He held the power Himself! In the 1st Century, the most popular, written about, talked about prophet was Elijah. And there was (and still is today) a very popular story about Elijah in the Old Testament that testified of Elijahs belief in God to heal another widows son In the 1st Century, the most popular, written about, talked about prophet was Elijah. And there was (and still is today) a very popular story about Elijah in the Old Testament that testified of Elijahs belief in God to heal another widows son 1Ki:17:17: And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. 18: And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son? 19: And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. 20: And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? 21: And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again. 22: And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. 23: And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth. 24: And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.

When Jesus is Enough 3. Jesus will do what no one else can BUT IN LUKE 7, Jesus IS the Healer!! BUT IN LUKE 7, Jesus IS the Healer!! Youre not reading about some prophet Who has to ask God for a miracle – because He IS the miracle worker! Only Jesus can heal the broken hearted, the destitute, the down-trodden, the outcast, the repentant adulterer, the unemployed. Youre not reading about some prophet Who has to ask God for a miracle – because He IS the miracle worker! Only Jesus can heal the broken hearted, the destitute, the down-trodden, the outcast, the repentant adulterer, the unemployed. Only Jesus can take what is broken and put it together. Only He can mend what has been fractured…or discarded. I want nothing more than to have the ability to wipe the tears from the eyes of those I talk to each week who are hurting. But I cant…but HE can! Only Jesus can take what is broken and put it together. Only He can mend what has been fractured…or discarded. I want nothing more than to have the ability to wipe the tears from the eyes of those I talk to each week who are hurting. But I cant…but HE can! Christ and Christ alone has the power to fill up in your heart what has been lying destitute for years & has caused such weeping in your life. I cant…but HE can. HE & He alone is able to walk into the middle of a destitute situation and fill it with joy & gladness. Christ and Christ alone has the power to fill up in your heart what has been lying destitute for years & has caused such weeping in your life. I cant…but HE can. HE & He alone is able to walk into the middle of a destitute situation and fill it with joy & gladness. We can sympathize…but HE can empathize (identify with, understand, sympathize, have compassion). We console…but only HE can bring real peace. We can sympathize…but HE can empathize (identify with, understand, sympathize, have compassion). We console…but only HE can bring real peace. We can pray…but He is the One we pray to! We can pray…but He is the One we pray to! This pastor cant...your husband cant…your son cant…your job cant…your church cant…your money cant…not even your own efforts –they cant…but only HE can! This pastor cant...your husband cant…your son cant…your job cant…your church cant…your money cant…not even your own efforts –they cant…but only HE can! How do I know He Can? Because the same God who brought healing to this widows heart - the same God who can bring healing to your destitute spirit - will ONE DAY say these words: How do I know He Can? Because the same God who brought healing to this widows heart - the same God who can bring healing to your destitute spirit - will ONE DAY say these words: Re:1:8: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.Re:1:8: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. And He proved His care & power by raising this young man from the dead! And He proved His care & power by raising this young man from the dead! Lu:7:14: And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15: And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.Lu:7:14: And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15: And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

When Jesus is Enough 4. Jesus will use you to tell the world Lu:7:16: And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. 17: And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about. Lu:7:16: And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. 17: And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about. Dont think that your troubles serve no useful purpose! God can and will receive great glory from your life! Dont think that your troubles serve no useful purpose! God can and will receive great glory from your life! Joh:11:20: Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. 21: Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 22: But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.Joh:11:20: Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. 21: Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 22: But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Joh:11:37: And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?Joh:11:37: And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Joh:11:45: Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. 46: But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. 47: Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. 48: If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.Joh:11:45: Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. 46: But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. 47: Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. 48: If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

When Jesus is Enough 5. When we give our troubled heart to HIM Joh:14:1: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.Joh:14:1: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. God can forgive our sins 1 John 1:9 God can forgive our sins 1 John 1:9 God can cleanse our lives God can cleanse our lives God can give us eternal life Rom 6:23 God can give us eternal life Rom 6:23 God can redirect our lives from the punishment of hell and lake of fire and give us the hope of heaven Rev 21:8 God can redirect our lives from the punishment of hell and lake of fire and give us the hope of heaven Rev 21:8 All we need to do is pray and believe – Rom 10:9,10,13 All we need to do is pray and believe – Rom 10:9,10,13

When Jesus is Enough 6. Doubting Heart will be our greatest hurdle 1. You will doubt if you avoid an intimate relationship with God and His followers! Why does this cause doubt? Because the Body of Christ & the Holy spirit are Gods appointed, built-in encouragement & support system in a believers life. Notice that Thomas detached himself from the other disciples:Why does this cause doubt? Because the Body of Christ & the Holy spirit are Gods appointed, built-in encouragement & support system in a believers life. Notice that Thomas detached himself from the other disciples: Joh:20:24: But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. Joh:20:24: But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. Notice also a key word I used – Intimate. Notice I did NOT simply say exposure. Intimacy gets close so that others can help you and even read your emotions without you ever saying a word for the purpose of helping you when things get tough.Notice also a key word I used – Intimate. Notice I did NOT simply say exposure. Intimacy gets close so that others can help you and even read your emotions without you ever saying a word for the purpose of helping you when things get tough. 2. You will doubt if you dont trust the Word of God! Jesus said He would rise again & return to them! But, Thomas allowed His emotions to OVERRULE the Word of God, and in essence, that is exactly what doubters do every time we question God. Here, the disciples told Thomas that Jesus had indeed fulfilled His promise…but Thomas did not trust the promises of the Lord:Jesus said He would rise again & return to them! But, Thomas allowed His emotions to OVERRULE the Word of God, and in essence, that is exactly what doubters do every time we question God. Here, the disciples told Thomas that Jesus had indeed fulfilled His promise…but Thomas did not trust the promises of the Lord: Joh:20:25: The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. Joh:20:25: The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

How is Jesus Enough? 1. Jesus replaces doubt with peace! Joh:20:26: And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Joh:20:26: And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Now, even though Peace (or Shalom in Hebrew) was a common greeting in the first century and even today, we never want to overlook any word in the Bible because it is God-breathed and intentionally placed in scripture. I believe God had Matthew make note of this simple greeting to make a profound contrast. That is, left to our own power and judgment, mans heart will doubt & worry. But, when Jesus is brought into the room, He can bring peace. Now, even though Peace (or Shalom in Hebrew) was a common greeting in the first century and even today, we never want to overlook any word in the Bible because it is God-breathed and intentionally placed in scripture. I believe God had Matthew make note of this simple greeting to make a profound contrast. That is, left to our own power and judgment, mans heart will doubt & worry. But, when Jesus is brought into the room, He can bring peace. Notice too that the doors being shut means they were all in hiding & still living in fear because even a week later, they feared the Jews & soldiers may be out looking for them. So, the word PEACE is even more important in this context! Even in the most fearful times of your life, He can still bring you peace! Notice too that the doors being shut means they were all in hiding & still living in fear because even a week later, they feared the Jews & soldiers may be out looking for them. So, the word PEACE is even more important in this context! Even in the most fearful times of your life, He can still bring you peace!

How is Jesus Enough? 2. Jesus knows how you feel! Your worry never gets lost on God! Notice this very interesting observation here: Your worry never gets lost on God! Notice this very interesting observation here: Joh:20:27: Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.Joh:20:27: Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. One thing that is commonly overlooked in this passage is that when Jesus said these words Hey Thomas, go ahead & reach your finger into my hands and side, do what you said you wanted to do…, Jesus had not talked to ANYONE about the conversation that the rest of the Disciples had with Thomas. No one had told Jesus about Thomas saying that he wont believe unless he thrust his hand into his side, etc!! This demonstrates Gods Omniscience! And, thus, how God Knows exactly how you feel when you doubt! One thing that is commonly overlooked in this passage is that when Jesus said these words Hey Thomas, go ahead & reach your finger into my hands and side, do what you said you wanted to do…, Jesus had not talked to ANYONE about the conversation that the rest of the Disciples had with Thomas. No one had told Jesus about Thomas saying that he wont believe unless he thrust his hand into his side, etc!! This demonstrates Gods Omniscience! And, thus, how God Knows exactly how you feel when you doubt!

God is the ANSWER The truth is this... when we are destitute, God is our answer, God is our hope, and God will use what weve been through to lead others directly to Him. God will use what weve been through to lead others directly to Him. Today, God is your answer to the need of your soul. Joh:20:28: And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Joh:20:28: And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Joh:20:29: Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. Joh:20:29: Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.