Just SAY No!

Just say No – If it means being in God’s will!

St. Matthew 12:46-50 -While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.  48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?  49And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!  50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Jesus merely indicated that those that have made a decision to live for him – It is they WHO are his family.  The church represents the family of God – those that are daily saying NO to be in His will.

How often do we put  our spiritual family on the back burner while putting the carnal family before them?  It is as though we do not take the church family serious! It has not yet penetrated  with our souls that the church is God's family. 

SAYING NO TO BE IN GOD'S WILL - EMPOWERS US  FOR THE JOURNEY. 

Matthew 16: 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

1.  Deny yourself- Just say No

2.  Take up Your Cross- Carry your sacrifice (load).  Love can be a tremendous Load! 

3.  Follow Me - In order to follow Christ we will have to live a life of denial.

The more we become accustomed to saying NO to our worldly instincts and Yes to our Spiritual Person in the Lord--It is then that we will experience a Close walk with Jesus.

Acts 4:16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.  17But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.  18And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

The above scripture is speaking of the High Priests.  They did not want the POWER of God in Christ to be accepted or believed upon.  Acts 4:18 -And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

Acts 4:19-21   Vs. 19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

The Jewish leaders were not so quick to punish Peter and John for Preaching Jesus, because they feared the repercussion of the people that had observed the Miracle of Healing on an impotent man.

Just say No to Carnal thinking -

St. Matthew 26:39And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not as I will but at thou wilt.

Note – Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that 1. good, and 2.  acceptable, and 3. perfect will of God.

Hebrews 12:22 1.(GOOD) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him 2.(ACCEPTABLE) endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down 3. (PERFECT WILL) at the right hand of the throne of God

Jesus saw something beyond the barrier of Life that encouraged Him to give up his life for it. He saw Hope in the future that gave him a reason to surrender his life. He saw His family (The Body of Christ) standing at the entrance of Heaven's gate and this was His Joy.

Jesus Denied Himself - and suffered so that His Eternal Family would have that home and assurance of a place with His Father in Eternity.

Just say NO when you feel that PULL against what God is calling for you to do today. 

Ephehsian 6:10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

• We will have to be strong to Say NO.

Vs. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

• In many cases we are speaking to the devil when we say no! No to adultery, No to cursing, No to being on the outside of church. No to a silent life of a lack of prayer.

 Vs. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

 Vs. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

When we say NO to SELF, SATAN AND THE UNGODLINESS THAT IS IN THIS WORLD - We are saying YES to Christ.