The Best Yes – Week 2
Pastor Kris Freeman
Revolution Church
Scripture: Matthew 5:33-37 (NLT)
Matthew 5:33-37 NLT
33 “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ 34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. 35 And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. 37 Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.
Matthew 5:37 NKJV
But let your yes be yes, and your no be no, for whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
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The Best Yes is a series inspired by the book of the same name by Lysa Terkeurst. This series and it’s visual materials are used by permission of Elevation Church resources in Charlotte, NC. Copies of the book are available for purchase in the welcome center.
Is it ever a loving answer to say no? You might need to say no, so you can better love what deserves a yes.
When we consider our priorities and decisions, it often feels like a bad thing when we have to say no. But no is not an UNLOVING answer.
“Shouldn’t I consider what’s most loving since God commands us to love Him and love others? Can’t love help me rise above a bankrupted emotional approach? This is where the ways and will of God must step in and guide us.” – Lysa Terkeurst
To say “yes” can be loving – to say “no” can be loving – but to say “I’m not sure” is often LUKEWARM. There are things in God’s word which we cannot afford to be lukewarm about.
In your decisions, you cannot be lukewarm about:
1. Wisdom on What to Do – “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” – Revelation 3:15-16
2. Worship – “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” – Philippians 4:8
3. Thankfulness – “I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you may grow in your knowledge of God.” – Ephesians 1:16-17
4. Grace – “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift of God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” – Ephesians 2:8-9
Whatever attitude I bring into the situation will ALWAYS be multiplied.
• If you are lukewarm on wisdom, you will act FOOLISHLY.
• If you are lukewarm on worship, you will act in IDOLATRY.
• If you are lukewarm on thankfulness, you will act SELFISHLY.
• If you are lukewarm on grace, you will abuse SIN.
Think of BIBLICAL leaders who could have been more firm in their decisions and saved themselves great heartache.
• Moses was lukewarm about his self-esteem.
• Jeremiah was lukewarm about God’s restoration.
• Jonah was lukewarm about his calling.
• David was lukewarm about his lust and pride.
• Peter was lukewarm about his loyalty.
• Thomas was lukewarm about his faith.
When we make a FIRM decision, we are ultimately showing our TRUST in God.
There is a RETURN ON INVESTMENT for every single decision we make.
• Moses return was fear and a lack of belief in himself.
• Jeremiah return was grief and sorrow.
• Jonah return was prejudice.
• David return was death and loss.
• Peter return was regret, needing forgiveness.
• Thomas return was doubt.
But there can be a better return!
Saying yes with the right wisdom is a step in the direction of BLESSING.
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. – James 1:5 NLT
God may give a delayed answer. He may give a loving answer. He may give a just answer. He may give a tough answer. But God will not give you a wishy-washy, lukewarm answer. It is in his nature to be true to himself as he answers you.
Three questions:
1. What needs a no in my life, right now? Why can’t I say no to it? Why am I lukewarm about it?
2. What are two things that need more of my time, and would saying no to THAT thing open me up to be more faithful to THESE things?
3. What needs to be chiseled out of my decision-making process so that I can make a more firm decision?
I will learn to be firm about my decisions and use God’s wisdom to make them. #TheBestYes
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