Jesus Says No!

JESUS SAYS NO!

Isaiah 53: 4~7

Radio conversation once heard at sea:

First Voice: “Change course 15 degrees to the north to avoid a collision.”

Second Voice: “Recommend you change course 15 degrees south to avoid collision”.

First Voice: “This is the Captain of a US Navy vessel. I repeat again, change your course.”

Second Voice: No, I repeat, you change your course”.

First Voice: “This is the Aircraft Carrier Enterprise, we are a large warship of the United States Navy. Change your course NOW.”

Second Voice: “This is a Lighthouse.”

1. Introduction:

Sometimes we just have to say no! However we so often feel to be a nice person always means having to say yes to everyone and everything. How often do we feel guilty when we say no to someone? But we have to think about why we find this so hard. Are we saying yes because:

· We just can’t say no!

· We want people to think well of us?

· We don’t want to let anyone down?

· Or we think being a Christian means saying yes?

Lets fix our eyes on Jesus and look at the times He actually said “No”!

2. Jesus Says “No” to the Enemy

In Matthew 4: 1~11 we see Jesus saying a very clear “No” to the enemy when He was being tempted in the desert.

· Jesus said “No” to turning stones into bread to feed His hunger.

· He said “No” to putting God to the test.

· He said “No” to gaining the world He so loved the easy way.

Jesus had been led by the Spirit into the desert to prepare for His purpose for mankind and had set out on a time of prayer and fasting. Satan knowing this tried to tempt Jesus into breaking up this time of purification. If you make a determined effort to follow the Lord taking new steps of commitment and discipleship don’t be surprised when the enemy tries to tempt you too. You are going to have to learn to say “No”!

Do you notice how Jesus said “No” using scriptures? If the enemy is tempting you scripture is a very powerful weapon to use in your defence. When you are in trouble learn to discern the word the Holy Sprit is quickening into your mind. You then need to respond by speaking the word given to you, preferably out loud. For example if you are feeling fearful, shout out “Perfect love drives out fear”. Feeling weak in a continual area of sin? Boldly claim, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength”.

When a friend was being attacked and felt oppressed by the enemy she rushed out to be alone in the utility room, opened the deep freezer and shouted into it for the enemy to go and leave in Jesus’ name. It was the only place she could go so no one would hear her! Learn to say “No” using scripture!

3. Jesus says “No” to Man’s Agenda and Timetable

Only God’s Mission and Timing. Jesus was not willing to follow man’s agenda and timetable. He was only on God’s mission and timing. John 6: 14~15 tells us that when the crowd saw the miracles He did, Jesus knew they intended to come and make Him King by force. Have people got plans for you, which are not what God wants for you? Wait on God for His perfect plan for your life ~ don’t just follow the crowd. You need to know how to say “No”.

“No” to Pleasing the Crowd. In Matthew 12:38~39 and 16: 1~4 Jesus said “No” to giving a miraculous sign to the disbelieving leaders saying “But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah”. He was not willing to perform for the crowds. Nor should we!

“No” to Pleasing His family. Jesus was not willing to stop His mission to please His family. Mark 3:21 indicates His family came to take charge of Him as they thought He was mad. When they arrived He didn’t respond to their plans for Him. He said “Whoever does God’s will is my brother, sister and mother”. It’s hard to say “No” to those who love us and think they know what’s best for us. We have to step out in faith and be obedient to God’s call on our lives.

Sadly, a friend who left a well-paid job with excellent career prospects to take a risky venture in full time ministry faced the most opposition from his immediate Christian family. Not for nothing did Jesus warn us that a man’s enemies are from his own household. No one is saying it’s easy. But we must follow Jesus.

My Time has not yet Come. Jesus says “No” to His mothers timetable telling her in John 2: 4 “My time has not yet come”. Yet He did help ~ abundantly! Turning gallons of water into wine. So maybe we have a “No” and a “Yes”!