7 Words to Change Your Life: Yes 30 May 21

We are predisposed to say NO:

• Time is a limited resource
• “NO” rewards us with safety

YES = FAITH

The Benefits of YES:

• We tell better stories
• We give better advice
• We make God happy

Saying A Better YES:

• We understand the will of God
  • Process of Transformation
• Make it a strong YES
• God said YES to you and He doesn’t waver

God’s Promises to Us:

• We are loved by God, John 3:16
• Nothing will separate us from that love, Romans 8:38
• We are chosen by God, John 15:16
• We are his adopted children, Ephesians 1:5
• We are free from condemnation, Romans 8:1
• We are forgiven of our sins, Colossians 1:14
• We are a new creation in Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:17

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Key Scripture:

Hebrews 11:1-6 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. 3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. 4 It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith. 5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him. For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Romans 12:1-2 And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

1 Kings 19:19-21 So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphat plowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away. 

20 Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah, and said to him, “First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!”Elijah replied, “Go on back, but think about what I have done to you.” 21 So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant.

Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.

• There are 5 types of adopters for products: innovators, early adopters, the early majority, the late majority, and laggards. Based on the phone in your pocket, the car you drive, and the way you pay your bills, in which category would you place yourself?

Start thinking. Ask a question to get your group thinking.

• ‘No’ rewards us with safety and ‘yes’ rewards us with adventure. Are you more likely to choose safety or adventure? Why?
• Read Hebrews 11:1-6. Why does faith please God?
• Troy said there is a strong parallel between ‘yes’ and faith. Have you ever regretted saying ‘yes’ to God? Have you ever regretted saying ‘no’? Explain.
• When you are trying to make a big decision in life, how do you determine the will of God?
• Read Romans 12:1-2.  According to these verses, how do we determine the will of God for our lives? How have you experienced this process of transformation in your life?
• Read Elisha’s calling in 1 Kings 19:19-21. How did Elisha respond with a strong ‘yes’? Are there some plows that need to be burned and oxen that need to be sacrificed in order for you to say yes to God?

Start sharing. Choose a question to create openness.

• Read a few of God’s promises mentioned in the sermon. How does meditating on God’s promises free us to say ‘yes’ to God?
  • We are loved by God, John 3:16
  • Nothing will separate us from that love, Romans 8:38
  • We are chosen by God, John 15:16
  • You are his adopted child, Ephesians 1:5
  • We are free from condemnation, Romans 8:1
  • We are forgiven of our sins, Colossians 1:14
  • We are a new creation in Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:17
• What part does faith play in believing God’s promises? Do you ever have problems fully embracing the truth of one or more of His promises? Explain. How can a lack of total faith in a promise affect your willingness to say ‘yes’? Ask God to grow your faith in Him, the unchanging Author of those promises.

Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.

• Commit some time this week to seek God for His will for your life and say ‘yes’ to Him. 

Start praying. Be bold and pray with power.

• God, thank you for your love for us and that you have a purpose for each of our lives. Help us to seek You, for what your will is for us, and that we would be willing to say yes to You. In Jesus Name – Amen.

Start digging. For further study.

• Read this Got Questions article, “How can I know God’s will for my life? What does the Bible say about knowing God’s will?”

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