J.D. Greear - Not God Enough: Why Your Small God Leads to Big Problems

ZONDERVAN

Not God Enough

Copyright 2018 by J. D. Greear

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

Epub Edition January 2018 9780310337867

ISBN 978-0-310-33786-7 (ebook)

Names: Greear, J. D., 1973-author.

Title: Not God enough : why your small God leads to big problems / J.D. Greear.

Description: Grand Rapids, Michigan : Zondervan, [2017]

Identifiers: LCCN 2017031818 | ISBN 9780310337775 (softcover)

Subjects: LCSH: God (Christianity) | God (Christianity)Knowableness.

Classification: LCC BT103 .G735 2017 | DDC 231dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017031818

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan. com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version). Copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version. Public domain.

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Published in association with Yates & Yates, www.yates2.com.

Art direction: Faceout Studio / Tim Green

Interior design: Denise Froehlich

First printing December 2017 / Printed in the United States of America

J. D. Greear has the rare ability to take profound truth and make it simple and readable. His writing is so straightforward and enjoyable you might not even realize how much youre learning as you read. I can confidently say that whether you are a new Christian or a seasoned disciple, you will not look at God the same after reading this book.

CLAYTON KING, teaching pastor, NewSpring Church, author of Stronger and Overcome

When J. D. Greears gift of plain-spokenness meets with the doctrine of God, the church is sure to be better for it. He offers a much-needed remedy for those prone to worship at the altar of introspection: God is bigger than you imagine, the most worthy and practical object of your contemplation, and the wellspring of your unshakeable joy.

JEN WILKIN, author and Bible teacher

In Not God Enough, J. D. Greear takes on what are perhaps the most weighty and important questions of our day. His insights and answers are both transformational and transferable. This is more than a book. Not God Enough is a resource you will use for years to come.

ANDY STANLEY, senior pastor, North Point Ministries

Too many Christians today are following a tepid, docile, half-baked version of God, who fits comfortably in their preconceived notions and Sunday morning schedules. My friend J. D. Greear has written a new book, Not God Enough, that is must-read for every Christian. Its a call to worship the true God of the Biblebigger, deeper, and more unpredictable than we can know. I highly recommend it.

GREG LAURIE, senior pastor, Harvest Ministries

In Not God Enough, J. D. Greear has given us an invaluable resource showing us how most of our spiritual dysfunctions go back to a view of God that is too small. If you want a faith that burns with white-hot intensity and that can endure the seasons of trial or temptation, this book will take you there.

DANIEL L. AKIN, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

My friend J. D. Greear understands both the gospel and the struggles of ordinary people. In Not God Enough, he shows us that no matter what our spiritual problem, there is one solutiona great, big God.

BRYAN LORITTS, lead pastor, Abundant Life Christian Fellowship, author of Saving the Saved

With extraordinary transparency, wit, and wisdom, J. D. shows us how the ordinary problems we facefear, insecurity, apathy, and doubtgo back to a faulty view of ourselves and our God. By helping us regain a larger view of God, he will show you the way to escape make-believe Christianity and grow into a more authentic and vibrant faith. Youll love this bookyoull not only be encouraged, but youll also be deeply challenged!

ELYSE M. FITZPATRICK, author of Finding the Love of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation

J. D. is my pastor. One thing is clear; he understands the power of God over the earth, even over troubling events of today. J. D. has helped shape my view of God in spite of the racial tension and divided Christian voice on current social issues. He has displayed boldness on issues that are routinely ignored by the church, due in part to his faith in the ultimate control of God. He believes great things about God and then leads us to attempt great things for God. This book will shape you to do the same.

TERRANCE RUTH, PhD, executive director of the North Carolina NAACP State Conference

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

MATTHEW 22:37 (ESV)

To my mother and father, Lynn and Carol Greear,

and my mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ann and

Ron McPeters, who taught Veronica and me from our

earliest years the reality of Gods presence, lived it out

before us, and never gave us any reason to doubt it.

T he brilliant Robert Dick Wilson was professor of Old Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary from 1900 to 1929. One of his students during that time was the famous preacher-to-be, Donald Grey Barnhouse.

Twelve years after he graduated from Princeton, Barnhouse was invited back to preach in chapel. As Barnhouse stood up to preach, he noticed his old teacher sitting down near the front of the pulpit. When chapel ended, Dr. Wilson approached his student, extended his hand, and said, If you come back again, I will not hear you preach. I only come once. I am glad that you are a big Godder. When my boys come back, I come to see if they are big Godders or little Godders, and then I know how their ministry will be.

Not sure he understood his teachers words, Barnhouse asked him to explain.

Well, said Dr. Wilson, Some men have a little God, and they are always in trouble with him. He cant do any miracles. He doesnt intervene on behalf of his people. They have a little God, and I call them little Godders. Then there are those who have a great God. He speaks and it is done. He commands and it stands fast. He knows how to show himself strong on behalf of those who fear him.