Becoming a 'Yes' People

This is transcribed from a message given at Hillside Church on April 2nd, 2017.

What would God do if we gave him an unqualified 'yes'? Not, 'Yes, God, but..." or, "Yes, God, if..." or, "Yes, God, when..." but simply, "Yes, God."

In Mark 10, the rich, young ruler asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus responds to follow the commandments, and after that, "go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” The rich, young ruler is grieved by this answer, too attached to his many possessions to give Jesus an unqualified yes. What might he have experienced had he said yes? What miracles would he have witnessed; what testimonies would he have?

CS Lewis said:

“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

Are we too willing to settle? Too caught up on things that don't matter that we miss what does? There is something inherent in us that longs for adventure, for a story. Hasn't God created us for so much more?

The disciples were tested often during the course of their time with Jesus, because it was important that they learn about faith. Jesus doesn't just multiply the food to feed thousands, he firsts asks the disciples to do so. Jesus repeatedly demonstrates to them what he wants to impart to them— the power and authority that comes from faith. After Jesus curses the fig tree and the disciples marvel at it's instant withering he tells them, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

God is looking for people of faith, for people to go on adventures with Him, for miraculous stories. The heroes of the Bible are normal people who were willing to say yes and be used by God.

The characteristics of a God adventure:

Does It Scare You?

It's not a God adventure unless it scares you a little bit. In order to create a significant testimony of His power, God calls us out of our comfort zones to rock our worlds. If something isn't a little bit crazy, maybe your expectation is too low and you're thinking too small. God doesn't think small.

Does It Glorify God?

Does it make people look at you and think, "Wow, they really love God. They really trust the Lord." If you look at the story of Job, Job was God's testimony. God pointed to him as blameless and righteous man, knowing that nothing would stand in the way of Job's love for God. His life glorified the Father at every turn.

Can You Do It Without God and Expect the Same Result?

If you don't need God to do it, is it a God adventure? The stories that make an impact are ones where there's no chance of success without divine intervention. God asks us to trust Him.

Can You Afford It?

God adventures cost us something; they may cost us everything. King David refused to give an offering that he didn't pay for, knowing that an offering has to cost us something. In Mark 10:29 Jesus says, “None who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life."

Does It Excite You?

Even if it's scary, crazy, expensive, it should also be exciting. It should be something you want to do. A lot of the desires in our hearts are there because God placed them there.

Does It Advance the Kingdom of God?

Will more people end up in heaven for eternity because of your adventure? Even just reaching out to a neighbor and inviting them to church could have an impact on the kingdom.

No matter where you're at in your walk with God, He has more for you, if you're willing to adventure with Him.

#faith