You can't live in the arena of uncertainty. You were made for a yes.

Chaos and conflict are calmed by a yes.

2 Corinthians 1:16-20 NIV

16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea. 17 Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”? 18 But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” 20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

Why do I need to hear a yes?

1. God's yes over me.

- The character of the Father.

2 Corinthians 1:19 NIV

19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.”

A history of God's yes!

Adam and Eve: "You are free to eat."

Abraham: "I will make you a great nation."

Moses: "I will be with you."

The church: "Same yesterday, today and forever.”

Do you think of God as having a yes in His heart for you or a no in His heart for you?

Our worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of His grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of His grace.

Why do I need to hear a yes?

2. God's yes in me.

- The person of Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:20a NIV

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.

Yes, we are forgiven by Christ.

Yes, we are found in Christ.

Yes, we have fulfillment in Christ.

Why do I need to hear a yes?

3. God's yes through me.

- The purpose of Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 1:20b NIV

And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

Why must say yes to God and His work through us? Because God loves those who are far from Him.

Genesis 50:20a NIV

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…

Genesis 50:20b NIV

…to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

You are God's one and only strategy for a broken world.

2 Samuel 12:7a (NLT) — 

Then Nathan said to David, "You are that man!"

2 Samuel 12:9-10 (NLT) — 

Why, then, have you despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife. From this time on, your family will live by the sword because you have despised me by taking Uriah’s wife to be your own.

Proverbs 3:12 (NLT) —

For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

Isaiah 57:15 (NLT) —

The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: "I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts."

Contrite (adj. | con-trite) — feeling of showing sorrow and remorse for a sin or shortcoming.

2 Samuel 12:13a (NLT) — 

Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”

Heading above Psalm 51 (NLT)

For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

Psalm 51:1 (NLT) —

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.
 

Psalm 51:2 (NLT) —

Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.

Psalm 51:3-4a (NLT) —

For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight.

Psalm 51:7 (NLT) —

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:8 (NLT) —

Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice.

Psalm 51:10-11 (NLT) —

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.

Psalm 51:12 (NLT) —

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.

Psalm 51:13 (NLT) —

Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you.

Psalm 51:15 (NLT) —

Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you.

Psalm 51 Pocket Points

• Appeal to God’s mercy.

• Acknowledge your sin.

• Avoid defending your sin.

• Look to Jesus.

• Ask God to heal you.

• Call for the comfort and power of Holy Spirit.

• Commit and resolve to obey him.

• Without shame, share your testimony.

• Worship him.

3 Redemption Observations from David

Humility

Repentance

Accountability

Power in David’s Repentance

Generosity

Priority

Finality

2 Sam. 19:28-30 (NLT) — Kindness to Mephibosheth Maintained

2 Sam. 19:38-39 (NLT) — Kindness to Barzillai

2 Samuel 15:25-26 (NLT) —

Then the king instructed Zadok to take the Ark of God back into the city. “If the Lord sees fit,” David said, “he will bring me back to see the Ark and the Tabernacle again. But if he is through with me, then let him do what seems best to him.

2 Samuel 20:3 (NLT) —

When David came to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to look after the palace and placed them in seclusion. Their needs were provided for, but he no longer slept with them. So each of them lived like a widow until she died.

2 Samuel 23:13-17 (NLT) —

Once during the harvest, when David was at the cave of Adullam, the Philistine army was camped in the valley of Rephaim. The Three (who were among the Thirty—an elite group among David’s fighting men) went down to meet him there. David was staying in the stronghold at the time, and a Philistine detachment had occupied the town of Bethlehem. David remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord. “The Lord forbid that I should drink this!” he exclaimed. “This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So David did not drink it. These are examples of the exploits of the Three.

1 Chronicles 29:26-28 (NLT) —

So David son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. He reigned over Israel for forty years, seven of them in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. He died at a ripe old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth, and honor. Then his son Solomon ruled in his place.

Psalm 32:1-2 (NLT) —

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

Because the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us, His example is my example for what I should expect.

I can't manage temptation, I have to eliminate it.

Colossians 2:6 NIV

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,”What decisions must we make to live in Christ?

Key Decisions: 1. Choose what you believe.

Colossians 3:1-4 NIV

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

V.3 We died in Christ - surrendered life.

V.1 We were raised with Christ - sanctified life.

V.3 We are hidden in Christ - secure life.

V.4 We live in Christ - significant life.

Key Decisions: 2. Choose how you will behave.

Colossians 3:5-10 NIV

"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."

V.5 Get real - recognize the core problem.

V.5 Get specific - deal with presenting issues.

V.10 Get serious - focus on eternity.

Key Decisions: 3. Choose who you will serve.

Colossians 3:11 NIV

"Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all."

Temptation twists and distorts causing us to be a servant of our own fleshly desires.

Quote by Rick Warren:

"Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone's lifestyle you must fear or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don't have to compromise convictions to be compassionate."

Every temptation is an invitation to depend on Christ.

Mark 16:1 NIV

1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.

Mark 16:2-5 NIV

2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

John 20:2 NIV

2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

Luke 24:11 NIV

11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 

Luke 24:12 NIV

12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

John 20:19 NIV

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”

Luke 24:37-38 NIV

37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?

Luke 24:44-47 NIV

44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Luke 24:48 NIV

48 You are witnesses of these things.

The resurrection of Jesus created Christianity and launched the Church.

The foundation of Christianity is an event, an extraordinary event, with profound implications.

Romans 8:11 NIV

11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Captivated by Christ Continually

Review from last week:

Numbers 21 & John 3

Captivated by Christ - keeping our eyes on Jesus by looking to Him for salvation and keeping our focus on what He says for our lives.

What does it take to continually keep our eyes on Christ?

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 ESV

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

Realize we’re facing a battle, but our great hope is in staying captivated by Christ. We must look to him in all things.

Continuing to stay Captivated by Christ:

(Three F’s of Staying Captivated by Christ)

Foundation

Keep Jesus Christ central as the foundation of all things.

Without Him, nothing was made that was made.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 ESV

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

Hebrews 12:2 "… looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith"

Focus

Remain focused on who Jesus is and what His word says.

Remember it’s not what it means TO you but FOR you. Truth is settled, you don’t make it what you want it to be.

2 Corinthians 10:5b ESV

… and take every thought captive to obey Christ

Remember Hebrews 12:2 - we look to Jesus. He is the founder and the perfecter of our faith!

Fight

Fight for the faith in all areas of life.

2 Corinthians 10:5-6 ESV

5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

Jude 1:3 ESV

3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

Our battle is never against people

Ephesians 6:12​ ESV

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Learn to think Biblically about everything. Don’t respond to things according to the world’s perspective or by how you feel. Respond according to the truth of the word of God = this is Jesus!

1 Peter 3:15​ ESV

15 … but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect...

Week 1 — Esther’s courage in the face of chaos helped her maintain her character.

Week 2 — Through Moses’ life we learned that how we conduct our lives in stress and chaos will define our next season.

Numbers 21:4-9 ESV

4 From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” 6 Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. 7 And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.

Reference

https://www.bible.ca/ef/expository-john-3-14-16.htm

Jesus points us to the reality of looking to him for salvation.

John 3:14​-15 ESV

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

We are called to continue to look to Jesus for the life of holiness and the work of sanctification.

Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Salvation is not a drive-through pick up. We continue to look to Him and commune with Him throughout our lives.

Remember He is the word! [John 1]

Staying Captivated by Christ:

• Resolve to keep your eyes on Christ.

• Remember that it will sometimes be challenging to keep your eyes on Christ because of circumstances.

• Realize that keeping your eyes on Christ is solidified by believing that He is the source and the solution.

Numbers 20:1-12 NIV

1 In the first month the whole Israelite community arrived at the Desert of Zin, and they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried. 2 Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. 3 They quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord! 4 Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? 5 Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!” 6 Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. 7 The Lord said to Moses, 8 “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.” 9 So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him. 10 He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” 11 Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. 12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”

Context

Moses was very tired.

The frustration of the people was growing.

Kadesh is a past failure or a future promise.

Three Problems Chaos Has Created

Familiar Failure—Fatalism—Fighting

Key Idea

How I conduct my life in stress and chaos will define my next season.

Lessons from Fatigue

1. Listen to your Creator over your critics.

Numbers 20:5 NIV

5 Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!”

Moses's Pattern

Problem—Presence—Precise Obedience

Sources of Criticism

Culture: You don't fit in.

Family: Fall short of expectations.

Self: Don't measure up.

Question

Do you know what God says about you?

Lessons from Fatigue

2. Deal with anger before you act.

Numbers 20:10​ NIV

10 He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?”

Why was Moses so angry?

Anger was his familiar failure.

He grew tired of trusting.

Question

What familiar failure does God want you to trust him with?

Lessons from Fatigue

3. Submit to God even in small commands.

Numbers 20:8, 10-11 NIV

8 “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.”

10 He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” 11 Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.

Quote by Craig Groeschel

"Obedience is our responsibility. The outcome is God's responsibility. As we learn to trust Him with our future, trust Him as our provider and trust His sovereign plan, that gives us the foundation to step out in faith, because we learn He is always faithful.”

Numbers 20:12​ NIV

12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”

Even in correction God is filled with loving grace.

The Context of Esther

- The Corruption of The King

- The Conviction of Mordecai

- The Manipulation of Haman

- The Courage of Esther

Esther 2:5-7 NIV

5 Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, 6 who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those taken captive with Jehoiachin king of Judah. 7 Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.

The Theme of Esther:

God works behind the scenes to arrange events, even secular events, to establish His purpose. God is sovereign even when life makes no sense.

Key Idea:

Do I see the purpose in the problem?

Resolve to confront confusion in the face of chaos.

Esther 4:12​-16 NIV

12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

Three Ways of Overcoming Confusion:

1. Proximity — Am I close to safety?

2. Power — Am I guarded by God's strength?

3. Purpose — Is my mission significant?

Key Idea:

How close am I to power and purpose of God?

Refocus on opportunity and not the obstacle.

Esther 5:4-6 NIV

4 “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.” 5 “Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.”So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 6 As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”

Enemies of Opportunity:

Offense — You insulted me.

Whataboutery — What you did is worse.

Bitterness — Unforgivable.

Fault-finding — What you did.

I will never find the will of God when I am playing the role of God.

Character in Chaos:

• We are given divine opportunities to alter our circumstances.

• Fasting and praying brings clarity and hope.

• God can use everything and anybody for His divine purpose.

• Honor when you don't have to.

• Favor always makes the difference.

Disciple​:​ one who accepts and assists in spreading the ​doctrines​ of another.

Colossians 2:6-8 ESV

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Remember the Three F’s of Loving the Truth:

1. Keep Christ as your ​Foundation

2. Filter​ everything through the truth of the word of God

3. Fight​ for Biblical truth in your life

2 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV

1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

As those who love the truth, we are called to share the truth.

Be discipled.

● Continue to grow and be taught as you share what you have learned.

● Never be too mature to be teachable.

John 8:31​-32 ESV

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Disciple others.

● Find out who it is that the Lord has given you responsibility to

influence and disciple.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ESV

4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

As we continue in faithfulness in our walk with the Lord as disciples remember:

● Receive the Truth

● Love the Truth

● Share the Truth