A Willing man says yes to God

Intro:

I’d like to thank each of you for coming out this morning. I believe the message God placed on my heart is one we can all benefit from, the importance of saying “Yes” to God.

If you get on social media or turn on the news, it’s clear we’re living in a time where being a Christian isn’t always easy. We see attacks on churches, on families, on our children, and on godly men. Evil seems to be everywhere.

But here’s the truth — what the enemy is doing is nothing compared to what our God can do. Amen? I believe breakthrough is coming, and I believe God is calling men out of comfort and into the calling He’s placed on their lives.

The question is: Are you willing to say yes?

Through out the bible we many good examples of men who said yes from, King David with the battle of goliath, to Moses leading the Israelites out of captivity. But two in particular stand out to me. Although they had different stories they shared something in common, they both said YES when God called on them.

That is the Apostle Paul, a man on the wrong path, here he was breathing threats against Christians, But, one encounter with Jesus on his road to Damascus changed history for ever.

Then there is Joseph the earthly father of Jesus. He wasn't on a grand mission. He was an ordinary man living a normal life. But his YES matter just as much.

Sometimes saying YES to God isn’t always bold, loud or public like Paul’s, sometimes it’s quite and just being faithful in ordinary moments in life.

Today I want us to look into the story of Saul’s conversion. I believe this is a good example that shows the power in saying YES to God.

Point 1: Hearing God (Acts 9:1-8)

The New King James Version Chapter 9

1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.

4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”

Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”

Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.

8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Pray:

Possible story: Yes Man movie.(What more could God do in our life with our yes. Looking at Saul)

Info about text:

If we look at verses 4-6 what we see is that Saul didn’t just hear Jesus he responded, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Saul could have resisted or ignored what he heard, or just sat there in his blindness. But instead he chose to respond. The decision to not only hear but to obey was the start of his transformation.

And that’s where this speaks to us.

Many of us hear God, but we don’t always respond.

We’ve all had moments where we felt the sprit nudge us to do something, pray, read our bibles, speak to someone, and we will put if or say no.

But every “NO” to God is really a “YES” to something else.

Here’s the truth: In order to say YES to God, we first have to hear from Him thats the key.

( In John 10:27 Jesus says “My sheep hear My voice and I know them, and they follow me. )

Application:

Need to make time: (As men one of our greatest challenges is that we don’t slow down.)

Between work, family, friends, hobbies, and even ministry, our life can become so busy that we crowed out the voice of God. We must be careful we don’t allow life to get so busy we cannot hear from God.

The enemy doesn’t always try to lead us into sin — sometimes, he just tries to keep us busy. Because a busy life often means a quiet spirit.

Have you ever noticed the more time you spend on social media or watching TV the more stressed out you feel. Thats because we are being consumed with things of this world. This is why we must prioritize the time we spend with God. We have to be intentional about it.

Being Intentional: ( Personal time)

(Social media) Recently, I was recently reading a book called “Disciplines of a Godly Man” by Kent Hughes. And it was speaking about the time we spend on things other than God. And it really got me curious wondering how much time I spend on things that dont really matter, like my phone. And so I looked at my screen time and was blown away. If you haven’t looked at yours, I advise you to check it out.

But what I realized was that I was spending more time on pointless stuff like TikToks, instagram and youtube, than I was actually spending with God. After I seen this I chose to give up all of it.

This created more time for me to be in prayer, for studying the word. And something I noticed was that I was having less head aches, I wasn’t as stressed out, I was getting better sleep, it created more time for my family. And ultimately I felt closer to God than i did before. And it was because I wasn’t focusing on things of this world I was focusing on God.

The apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:8 Meditate on things that are from God.

The New King James Version Chapter 4

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report,

So it is important that we be intentional about the time we spend with God. The more time we spend with God brings correction in our life.

Gods Correction: (Hearing God brings direction in our life.)

I want us to Look back at the scripture, Saul was passionate, zealous man, and thought he was serving God, but he was actually fighting against Him. Because Saul wasn’t listening to God he wasn’t allowing gods correction. But looking at the scripture, I believe in his heart he knew he was wrong.

That’s why when Jesus stops him and says, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” And scripture says “He was trembling and astonished. I believe Paul was wrestling with this on the inside. Deep in his heart he knew he was wrong. HE WAS KICKING AGAINST THE GOADS.

A goad was a long, sharp stick used by shepherds to keep oxen moving in the right direction. If an animal resisted, it got poked — and the more it kicked, the more it hurt. That’s what Jesus meant when He said, “It’s hard for you to kick against the goads.” The more Saul resisted God’s direction, the more miserable he became.

I believe this is what Saul was feeling. The more Saul resisted, the more it stung. Deep down, I believe Paul knew something wasn’t right with what he was doing. His conscience was pricked, but he pushed it aside, until he couldn’t anymore.

If we want change in our life we must we be ready and willing to hear God. If we want to say YES to God we have to hear Him. Nothing is more important in our life than spending time with God.

When i first came to christ I didn’t think i was a bad person but the closer i got to christ I began to see how horrible of a person i actually was.

Every issue we have can be solved by hearing God.

But we should remember that hearing alone isn’t enough. Hearing from God requires action. It requires us to do our part. Looking at Paul, he didn’t just hear the Lords voice he obeyed it.

( Give story of him going and meeting Ananias) 10-18

Point 2: Saying yes Requires Action (Acts 9: 19-22)

The New King James Version Chapter 9

19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.

20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”

22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

Info About Text:

Paul immediately went to preaching , he didn’t wait until he was comfortable. He didn’t sit around trying to figure out what people would think or how it would all work out. He obeyed. The same man who once persecuted Christians was now preaching Christ with boldness.

When God gives us direction, He isn’t looking for comfort, He’s looking for obedience.

Too often, we want to know all the details before we say yes. We want to be sure it’s safe, that the timing makes sense, that we won’t have to give up too much. But that’s not how God works. God doesn’t always call us to what’s comfortable.

Obedience often starts where comfort ends.

Think about Paul, the moment he said yes, he walked straight into the same synagogues where the people who were expecting him to persecute Christians was and preached. That couldn’t have been easy, but he obeyed anyway. And it was through that obedience that his strength grew. (22 But Saul increased all the more in strength).

Even the pharisees couldn’t believe what they were seeing. The more we say YES to God, the more there will be a change in our life. We should be transforming where people of our past don’t recognize us or they are completely blown away with what God is doing through you.

When we step out in obedience, even when it’s uncomfortable, God meets us there. The strength doesn’t come from us, it comes from Him.

That’s why James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” It’s not enough to just hear God’s voice, we have to act on it. Hearing without doing is the same as saying “no”

Transition:

When we truly obey God, it’s going to cost us something. Obedience sounds good until it requires sacrifice. Paul didn’t just say yes with his words, he said yes with his life. His obedience led him straight into hardship, persecution, and suffering, yet he never turned back.

You see, saying yes to God doesn’t just require action, it requires sacrifice. Because every time we say yes to God, we’re also saying no to something else, no to our comfort, no to our plans, no to our own understanding.

That brings me to my last point today — Saying Yes Requires Sacrifice. (Obedience isn’t just about saying yes once — it’s about continuing to say yes, even when it costs you.)

Point 3: Saying yes Requires Sacrifice (2 Corinthians 11:22-28)ESV

Let’s look at what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28)

English Standard Version Chapter 11

23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.

24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one.

25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;

26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers;

27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.

Paul’s yes cost him everything, comfort, safety, reputation, and control. But it also gave him something far greater: purpose.

(Before I can to God i felt as if I had no purpose, But one thing is for sure, if you feel lost or stuck, seek God, be more obedient to God.) But..

Obedience will always come with a price, but the reward is always worth more than the cost. Paul could have lived a comfortable life as a respected Pharisee, but instead he chose the one that led him closer to Christ.

And here’s the truth: You can’t live a life of comfort and a life of calling at the same time. ( When I stepped into ministry i have become the most uncomfortable but more at peace than I have ever been,)

At some point, you have to choose which one matters most.

When we say yes to God, we may lose some things, friends, opportunities, maybe even security. But like Paul, we gain something the world can never give us, the peace that comes from walking in God’s will.

Following Jesus will cost you something, but not following Him will cost you everything.

That’s why it’s so important that we not only hear His voice, but obey it, and stay faithful to it, even when it hurts, even when it costs us, even when it’s uncomfortable. Because when we say yes to God, that yes doesn’t just change our story, it can change generations after us.

Closing:

When Hernán Cortés landed in Mexico in 1519, he gave his men an order that shocked everyone: “Burn the ships.” Why? Because he didn’t want his men to have a way to go back. The only direction was forward.

That’s the same kind of commitment God calls us to. When we say yes to Him, we don’t leave ourselves an escape route back to our old ways, our comfort, or our disobedience. We burn the ships — the excuses, the hesitation, the “maybe later.”

Saying yes to God means moving forward in faith, no matter the cost, trusting that obedience will always lead us closer to His purpose.