When Jesus Says "Yes,” Nobody Can Say "No”

WHEN JESUS SAYS “YES,” NOBODY CAN SAY “NO”

Ps. 119:89; 2 Cor. 1:20

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. A woman went to a lawyer and said, “MY husband wants to divorce me.” The lawyer said, “What’s the problem? Does he have any grounds?” The woman said, “Yes, he has 10 acres.”

2. “No,” said the lawyer, “does he have a grudge?” “No,” she answered, “no garage, just a carport.” The lawyer shook his head and said, “Mam, does your husband beat you up?” She said, “No, I get up before him every morning.”

3. He said, “Then what’s the problem?” She said, “He says we can’t communicate.”

B. AMAZING STORY

1. Jonathan the giant tortoise (turtle) lives on the island of St. Helena, in the Atlantic Ocean. Big Deal? Did I forget to mention that Jonathan is 191 years old? He was gifted to the Governor of St. Helena in 1882, and he was 50 years old then! Jonathan lived through the Civil War, two World Wars, and he’s lived through 40 U.S. Presidents. He’s the oldest known living land animal, and Jonathan is still there on St. Helena!

2. Jonathan’s life keeps going and going! His longevity reminds us of the Word of God, which endures forever!

C. THESIS

1. Today we’re going to look at how God answers prayer. In the Bible, God gives us more than 8,810 promises (O.T. 7,706, N.T. 1,104) that we can claim. [Encyclopedia of Illustrations #4612].

2. Most people are either ignorant of God’s promises, didn’t think they’re good enough to get them, or think the promises don’t apply to them. So God’s promises go unclaimed. But God’s Word is like a job-posting – whoever shows up to claim the job will get it. But if we don’t claim it, we won’t get the benefits!

3. So we’re looking at the ways we limit God and why we should have faith in God’s promises. The title of this message: “When Jesus Says ‘Yes,’ Nobody can Say ‘No.’”

I. THREE WAYS WE LIMIT GOD

A. WE LIMIT GOD TO OUR EXPERIENCES

1. We have our preconceived ideas of what God will do; but God’s moving is often outside the scope of our conception:

a. Moses threw a stick into salty waters and made them sweet.

b. Jesus used spittle for mud to heal a man’s eyes.

c. Elisha used flour to remove poison from soup.

d. A man was told to dip 7X in a muddy river to heal leprosy.

e. We say, “I don’t think God moves that way!”

2. We need to take our hands off the HOW God’s going to do it and let God be a mystery! But trust Him!

B. WE LIMIT GOD BY MISPLACED TRUST. We put our trust in doctors, jobs, the government, science, bank accounts, & people, but we don’t trust in God.

C. WE LIMIT GOD BY SMALL VISION/FAITH. There are times we go through a bad situation & can’t see any way out. That’s when the devil tells us that God has failed us or He’s not taking care of us. Maybe...

1. Your KID has walked away from God and won’t listen to you. You’ve prayed and tried everything. The devil says, “He/she will never get saved!” You need to say back to him, “Get behind me, Satan! God has promised to save my household (Acts 16:31)! All things are possible with God!”

2. Or maybe there’s not enough MONEY in the bank. You overspent. The debt is piling up; the bills are not being paid. Your landlord and creditors are calling.

a. The devil says, “You’re going to be bankrupt! Your reputation will be ruined! Think what your friends will say!”

b. Say to him, “Get behind me satan! Don’t say God can’t! My God shall supply all my needs by His riches in Christ!”

3. For some of you, your HEALTH is impaired. Every year it gets a little worse.

a. The devil is whispering, “You’re not going to make it through this year! OR You’re going to be bedridden!”

b. You need to look your fear in the face and say, “Get behind me devil! God says I ‘SHALL NOT DIE, but live, and declare the works of the Lord!’” Ps. 118:17. “I will be healed because “with His stripes I am healed!”

4. God is able to take your most impossible situation and work an earth-shaking miracle for His glory!

II. GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES. WHY? IT’S HIS NATURE!

The nature of God is irrevocably bound up with His promises.

A. HE’S THE GOD OF TRUTH

1. God is called the “GOD OF TRUTH” Deut. 32:4, Ps. 31:5, Isa. 65:16, Rom 1:25 NKJV. He’s a God “who cannot lie” Titus 1:2. These speak of the utter truthfulness of God’s nature. It’s against His nature to tell a lie, in fact, it’s impossible!