More Than Enough

Within the world and the body of Christ lies a hidden barrier, a wall too high for some to climb, insurmountable and impassable, leaving many feeling they cannot go any further. This barrier prevents countless people from stepping into their God-given purpose and destiny. It’s a wall that robs individuals of their calling, their gifts, and the fullness found in Christ! Yet, this wall is nothing but a lie, it’s an illusion created by the enemy. It keeps God's best at bay. Completely stalled. This barrier has a name: It flies a flag proudly over people's heads called ‘Unworthy!’, ‘Not good enough!’

There’s a story of an elderly woman who needed to walk down to the river every morning to fetch water for drinking, cooking and cleaning. She carried two buckets with her, filled them up at the riverbank, and walked back with them to her rural home. One of the buckets was newer, perfectly sealed, and held its water flawlessly. But the second bucket was older and contained a few thin cracks that would leak water onto the ground as the woman walked. By the time she arrived home, typically about two-thirds of the water in the second bucket had leaked through its cracks.

One day, on the walk down to the river, the cracked bucket — who had always felt like it wasn’t as good as the other bucket – said to the woman, “I want you to know that I’ve been leaking water every morning for the past several years. I’m so sorry for being cracked and making your life more difficult. I understand if you need to replace me with a better bucket.”

The woman smiled. “Do you think I haven’t known about your cracks this whole time?” she asked. “Look at all the beautiful flowers that grow on the path from my cottage to the river. I planted their seeds, but every morning, it’s you who does the watering.”

Now listen; many people will see you as less than you are. But in the kingdom of God, you are a masterpiece, a unique, beautiful individual with potential and strength! Don’t let the world dictate who you are. They never created you! You are worthy in His eyes.

God isn’t about what you look like, where you have been, or what you have done. He searches the heart and has found you more than acceptable. He loves you more than you will ever know in this life.

Ok, let‘s get our foundations correct. It’s true that in one sense, we aren't worthy. We aren't good enough! In Romans 3:23, the Apostle Paul tells us

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins

So, if you have given your life to Jesus, you can choose to remain unworthy or respond to God's grace and accept that He has made you right and worthy in His sight!

In confessing our sin before God, we accept our unworthiness—not our worthlessness!

Marianne Meye Thompson

The problem is, even if you take what Christ has done for you and He finds you worthy, will you value the words of man over the word of God?

Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”

But the people said nothing.

If you are here this morning and have lived a life of feeling unworthy before God or man, with low self-esteem and a lack of confidence, you are not alone. Studies worldwide show that 85% of people suffer from low self-esteem. Australia has one of the highest rates in the world, with 66% of people saying they suffer from low self-esteem.

So, what God wants you to do today is to consider Christ and value His worth over you. You can go to Tony Robins's conference. You can try self-help. But there is only one who can renew your mind and restore your identity of who you were created to be. Turn with me to Luke 15: 11 - 24.

“A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living.

About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.” ’

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

How do we reject the lies of unworthiness that hinder us from stepping into our purpose?

1. Unexpected Acceptance

Luke 15:11-24

Maybe explore the parable of the Prodigal Son, particularly Luke 15:11-24, to demonstrate grace in action. Despite the son's feelings of unworthiness after squandering his inheritance, his father receives him with love and joy. This narrative could inspire listeners to embrace the truth that God welcomes us back, no matter how far we have strayed, illustrating grace surpassing unworthiness. Encouragement can be drawn from the father's celebration, pointing to God's boundless compassion.

Grace is more powerful than your insecurities

2. You are extraordinary.

Many people with low self-esteem or confidence consider themselves to be ordinary. But the only difference between ordinary and extraordinary is the extra bit. Something extra.

But if you are a Christian, you already have something extra.

Christ in us!

Sometimes, a few tweaks lead to giant peaks

Return Home

Oh my goodness, for some you have been working tirelessly to impress people. The burdens you put on your back and carry around with you. You trying to impress your Pastor, impress your friends, impress your boss at work. It’s exhausting.

BUt there is one place where you don’t need to impress anyone. Home.

A teenager once shared how he felt unnoticed and not good enough in a world filled with filters and highlight reels. One day, he stumbled upon a scripture that resonated deeply: Psalm 139:14—it reads, 'I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.' This became his anchor, a reminder that in a world of comparison, he is enough just as he is. The beauty of our existence comes not from perfection but from being created intricately by God Himself.

Consider the story of David, who was overlooked by his own family as the potential king of Israel. When Samuel came to anoint the next king, he didn’t even consider David, thinking he was too young and inexperienced. Yet God saw David’s heart (1 Samuel 16). This illustrates that our feelings of inadequacy can’t limit God’s plans for us. Amidst feeling 'not good enough,' we must remember that God’s perspective is infinitely greater than our own expectations of ourselves.

Cursed is the one who trusts in man,     who draws strength from mere flesh     and whose heart turns away from the Lord. 6 That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;     they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,     in a salt land where no one lives.

Individuals with low self-esteem may find it difficult to form and maintain healthy relationships, fearing rejection or criticism. 

Self-esteem is a child's overall sense of worth or personal value. It describes the way they feel about themselves. A child is not born with a high or low self-esteem — they have to learn how to feel good about themselves. It's important to help children develop healthy self-esteem.

You will only ever know who you really are when you know who He really is. You will only truly know you are worthy when you figure out He is worthy