Oakbrook Evangelical Free Church

Introduction:

Have you ever said or heard it said, “It is sometimes easier to get forgiven than to get permission.” ?

Have you noticed it easier to say or have someone say “no” or some form of “no” to others?

You’ve heard it said that when it comes to prayer God sometimes says “yes” sometimes “no” and sometimes “maybe”.

Is that really true?

Ok, place a percentage on each of these 3 possible answers.

Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”

Romans 8:32  “alla (but) uper (on behalf of ) hmwn pantwn (us all) parewken auton (delivered him) pws ouci kai (how not also) sun autw (with him) ta panta (all things) hmin capisetai (to us will he freely give)”   

Romans 8:32 “If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us?” The Message

I.          He Gave Us His Best

A.        He is My Redeemer

Luke 23:42-43 “And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” “And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” NASB95

Acts 4:12 ““And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”” NASB95\

Revelation 3:20 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” NIV

Do you see it?  His answer is “yes”.

B.        God is for us – the underlying truth!

Romans 8:31 “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” NIV

“for us”  wonderful words that bring unspeakable joy!

God is entirely for us.  He is never against us.

“None of our sickness is a judgment from God.

None of our broken cars or wind damaged homes is punishment

None of our relationship strife is a sign of God’s judgment

None of our lost jobs is a penalty

None of our wayward children is from a crack the whip God”

God is for us, not against us, in and through all things.

Do you believe that God is for you?

But there are those who are against us!

Who will bring a charge against us?

Who condemns us?

Shall trouble or hardship or persecution

We face death all day long

Considered sheep for the slaughter

No one can be successfully against us!

Through it all God is working to bring things about that

He does not spare us from challenges, sickness, adversity

But he designs good where other meant bad…

“You meant it to me for evil but meant to me for good.”  Gen 45:7

C.        God works all things together for good!

Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” NIV

II.        He Will Give Us the Rest

Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? ”

“Overflowing, never-ending generosity from God; and all this is based on the solid rock evidence that He gave us His beloved Son.”

Matthew 7:9-11 ““Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? “Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” NIV

A.        He is My Provider

Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ” NASB95

Matthew 6:31-34 ““Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ ““For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ““But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. ““So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” NASB95

Do you see it?  His answer is “yes”. 

B.        He is My Helper

Hebrews 13:5 “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” ” NASB95

Psalm 46:1-4 “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; “Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.  ”There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. ” NASB95

Is the roof caving in?

Is everything piling up?

Are you tired and fatigued and lack strength?

Do not panic!  Don’t freak out!  God is our refuge and strength!

To whom do you so quickly turn when in trouble? Why?

                        Why do you so easily freak out?  Really! 

Hebrews 4:14-16 “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” NIV

Do you see it?  His answer is “yes”.

C.        He is My Strength

Isaiah 40:28-31 “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” NIV

Philippians 4:11-13 “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” NIV

Do you see it?  His answer is “yes”.

D.        He is My Rescuer

Psalm 71:1-4 “In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. “Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; turn your ear to me and save me. “Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. “Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of evil and cruel men.” NIV

Do you see it?  His answer is “yes”.

E.        He is My Source of Wisdom

James 1:5-7 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. “That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;” NIV

Do you see it?  His answer is “yes”.

F.         He is My Source of Joy

Psalm 42:5-8 “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and “my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar. “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. “By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.” NIV

Psalm 16:11 “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” NIV

Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” NIV

Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” NIV

Do you see it?  His answer is “yes”.

A Few Practical Suggestions

1.         God’s “yes” is especially for his children

2.         Work at changing your thinking about God’s basic nature.

Say it with me, “God loves to say “yes”!

3.         Realize as soon as possible that you are trying to carry a

load you weren’t meant to carry.

4.         Denounce your personal, stubborn independence and

discontent as the sin that it is.

5.         Before and above all others, turn to the Lord to ask for help!

Turn self-talk into God talk!

The Meaning of Baptism (Baptism following message)

1.         I’m running into the arms of Jesus away from this wicked world.

2.         I’ve been cleansed.

3.         I’ve been united with Jesus in his death, burial and resurrection
and I want to live for him

4.         I’m taking my stand with Jesus.