A Mad Decision: : Accepting God’s Yes and His No
March Madness • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Prayer
*Protocol
During the 2010 March Madness tournament, an unforgettable final game took place on April 5th.
It was the underdogs from Butler University in Indiana against the reigning champions from Duke University in North Carolina.
The game was a nail-biter, with each team fiercely battling for every point.
As the clock was winding down, the game was tied at 60-60. With just 13 seconds left, the ball was in the hands of a relatively unknown player named Gordon Hayward.
Hayward, despite having scored 12 points already, was not the team's star player.
He was faced with a decision.
Should he pass the ball to his teammate, Shelvin Mack, who had scored 13 points and carried the team?
Or should he take the shot himself?
With a deep breath, Hayward decided to go for the shot.
As the ball left his hands, the crowd held their breath.
The ball arced through the air, swished through the net, just as the buzzer sounded.
The crowd erupted in cheers. Hayward had made the game-winning shot, leading Butler to a 61-59 victory over Duke.
In the post-game interview, when asked about his incredible shot, Hayward humbly said, "I give all the credit to God.
He gave me the strength and courage to take that shot. I'm just grateful to have been able to play a part in this win.
Text: Rev. 22:13
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
Thesis: A Mad Decision: Accepting God’s Yes and His No
Background: (RELEVANT Book, chapter, passage breakdown)
In last week’s message Last week God spoke to us from the book of Genesis and this week he’s speaking to us from the book of revelation.
In the world of biblical terminologies, you'll find that each word carries a profound meaning.
Take the term 'Genesis,' for instance, which translates to 'the beginning.' It epitomizes the start, the birth of something new, much like the dawn of existence.
On the other hand, 'Revelation' which mean the removal of a veil so that something can be seen
It this book that informs the believer that something that was previously hidden shall now be made known
It's about bringing the obscured into the light, revealing truths that were hidden or not apparent before.
Here in our text you’ll find the words Alpha and Omega.
These words in the greek mean the beginning and the end.
In Exodus 28:30, the Urim and Thummim, sacred stones, were placed in the priest's breastplate, also known as the "breastplate of judgment".
The "breastplate of judgment" held a significant role in the religious and decision-making processes of the ancient Israelites.
It was more than a religious artifact; it was a symbol of discernment and the necessity of sound judgment in guiding a community.
The breastplate, worn by the high priest and containing the Urim and Thummim, was used to seek God's guidance when important decisions were to be made.
When the people of God had a question, they would approach the priest who would then inquire of God through the Urim and Thummim.
This signifies the importance of judgment in decision making; the priest didn't rely solely on his wisdom, but rather sought divine guidance to make informed, just, and wise decisions.
Dig deeper, and you'll find an additional layer of meaning in these terms.
The first letter of 'Urim' is 'Aleph,' and the first letter of 'Thummim' is 'Tav.'
This is not a mere coincidence; it's symbolic.
In this context, 'Aleph,' the first letter of the word meaning yes, signifies commencement, while 'Tav,' the first letter of the word for no, represents cessation.
In essence hidden deep within this text is this truth:
Life being a series of starts and stops is evident in various situations.
Consider the educational journey, for instance. We start (yes) when we enter a grade or course, and stop (no) when we graduate from it, only to start again at a higher level.
Similarly, in our professional lives, we start a new job or project, then stop upon its completion, before beginning a new task or switching to a different job role.
Relationships, too, follow this pattern.
We meet someone new (start), then as time passes, the relationship may end (stop), making way for another start with someone else or a fresh perspective on life.
In essence, life is a constant cycle of beginnings and ends, of 'yes' and 'no'.
This cycles my brothers and sisters will lead us to some high moments in our lives
and in most of your lives there’s always excitement when God says yes
There are some events that will happen in your lives that will be met with instant happiness
For example:
Landing their dream job: After years of hard work and dedication, finally landing the job they've always wanted can bring a sense of fulfillment and excitement. Whether it's a career in technology, healthcare, finance, or any other field, achieving a professional milestone can be a cause for celebration.
2. Buying a home: Owning a home is a major milestone for many people, and it's a goal that can bring a deep sense of pride and security. Whether it's a small starter home or a luxurious estate, owning a home can be a source of joy and fulfillment.
3. Starting a business: For some people, the ultimate dream is to start their own business and be their own boss. Launching and growing a successful business takes hard work and dedication, but the rewards can be immense - from financial success to personal fulfillment and creative freedom.
4. Achieving a fitness goal: Whether it's running a marathon, completing a triathlon, or simply losing weight and getting in shape, achieving a fitness goal can bring a sense of accomplishment and pride. Physical fitness can improve overall health and wellbeing, and it can be a source of inspiration and motivation in other areas of life.
5. Traveling to a dream destination: Exploring new places and experiencing new cultures can be a source of adventure, inspiration, and excitement. Whether it's a tropical beach, a bustling city, or a remote wilderness, traveling to a dream destination can be a life-changing experience.
In any of these cases it’s easy to be happy......
Because you wanted it.
Scientist will tell you that this excitement is called euphoria.
This happens because your brain releases dopamine, a feel-good chemical, when you do something rewarding.
So, when you're excited because you’ve accomplished something or you get what you wanted, your brain gives you this pleasant dose of dopamine.
Now, if you believe that this excitement is heightened because of your own actions, this happy feeling can become clouded and appear even more special.
That's because your brain releases even more dopamine when you feel accomplished, which can make you perceive the event as more significant than it might objectively be.
In other words, think of it like getting the keys to a brand new car.
When you first receive the keys, you feel incredible - that's the dopamine at work.
But, if you got the keys after months of hard work and saving, the feeling is even better - that's because your brain is releasing extra dopamine as you feel like you've truly earned that car.
Body Point 1:
As I was studying one major question jumped in my spirit and I’ll be honest saint’s
I had to paused for a moment......
Is God only the God of the yes or Is he the God of the no?
Do you only accept me as your God when I say yes
It was almost as if God was asking
Can you maintain keep this same energy when I say no
Do I rally appreciate God when no?
Do I only praise him when he say’s yes ( expound upon this)
Growing up I was taught that you don’t question God
You just accept it
and the problem with this teaching is that
It made us submit to God but it wasn’t a willful submission
So the saints would walk around when things didn’t go their way
This world is filled with people
who are walking around angry
because they feel cheated
and because they feel slighted
they are walking around with rocks in their jaws against other people.
But the text says that He’s our Alpha and our Omega
Which means God is the one who determined whether we needed it or not
And we struggle with God’s no
because we’ve been walking around believing that things happen solely because of our efforts
B. Our will vs His will
Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts:
And let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him;
And to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
Neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are my ways higher than your ways,
And my thoughts than your thoughts.
Brothers and Sisters
What God is trying to get us to understand is that
Our will is inferior.
All throughout
In Judges, Samson's plan to marry a Philistine woman ended in tragedy when she betrayed him to her people.
In 1 Kings, King Ahab's plan to take possession of Naboth's vineyard failed when Elijah prophesied against him and he was killed in battle.
In 2 Kings, King Jehoiakim's plan to rebel against Babylon failed when the Babylonians invaded Judah and took him captive.
In other words, my brothers and sisters
what the Bible is repeatedly telling
Is that you can try as hard as you can to come up with your plan
and your plot
and your scheme,
but it shall not prosper if it's not the will of God
But can I suggest to you that because God sees the end from the beginning,
he knows what you would have done with that opportunity.
He knows how you would have acted with that money you didn't get
He knows how you would have acted with that husband or that wife you were pursuing
so God had to simply cut that thing off
I wish I had somebody I was preaching to in here
Sometimes God has to tell you no
He sees all and knows all, especially outcomes, whereas we can barely see what tomorrow will hold.
He’s still the same God
He’s the same yesterday, today and forever
There is a blessing in the no
Here’s what happens we punish people for somethiing that God allowed
We stop talking to people
We cut off people
We block people
and walk around mad
because we didn’t ge tthe job
and we didn’t ge tthe opromotion
we get mad at the man at the bank
but cna I suggest that it aint the man at the banks fault
Sometimes God has to press pause in your present
So he can work in your future
In the bible Jesus said as he was preparing to leave earth
He told the disciples in John the 14th Chapter
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
In this text Jesus is tlaking about completing the work as a sacrifice so that we could gain access to a place that we currently are unable to
Euphemistically, which means in other words
Jesus has to leave you where you are, place on pause, give you enough to maintain
So that as you move in your present you don’t make the wrong turn,
because he wants you to turn down the road that leads to place he’s prepared
I would have stopped in a place I wasn't supposed to stay
Body Point 2:
We must trust that his plan is what's best for us
We love to say that Jesus is the captain of our soul
Just as a captain navigates a ship through treacherous seas, we must trust that his plan is the best course for us.
The captain, with his years of experience and knowledge of the sea, plots a course that might not always seem the shortest or most straightforward.
The captain doesn’t just get in the boat
But before he sets sail
He’s already plotted the course
Can I tell you what Jeremiah said
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
And before you were born I consecrated you;
I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Yet, he knows the dangers hidden beneath the waves and the violent storms that can arise suddenly.
Similarly, we might not always understand the path laid out for us, or why we are going through certain trials and tribulations.
When you have to work hard
Deal with people you don’t want to deal with
When you have to go and you don’t want to go
What do you do when God make a decision that makes you mad
You must understand that God
that God is not bound by your desire
He's not bound by your desire
He's not bound by your expectations
He's not bound by your timeline
He's not bound by the limitations of the physical world
He's not bound by your understanding or comprehension
He's not bound by your fears
He's not bound by your past mistakes
He's not bound by societal norms
He's not bound by the laws of nature
Look down your row and holla at somebody
and say there is a difference between your will and the will of God
Body Point 3:
If you and I are going to learn to accept the will of God
Blind obedience", or following orders without question, can appear as a slight to our human intelligence.
It suggests that we should not think or question, but simply follow, which seems to counter our innate curiosity and intellectual capacity.
Consider a child being told by their parents not to touch a hot stove.
The child, not understanding the reason, might feel their curiosity and intelligence are being insulted.
However, this blind obedience is crucial for the child's safety.
Similarly, in a spiritual context, the concept of blind obedience to God can be understood.
God, like a parent, may command things that our limited human intelligence cannot fully comprehend. But these commands are given for our ultimate good, even if we don't immediately understand the reasons behind them.
There will be many plans of God that we don't understand, but we must pray that he increases our faith to follow Him blindly.
There's a scene in the movie Karate Kid that is simply unforgettable.
It's the one where Mr. Miyagi, the wise old karate master, teaches his young student, Daniel, an unforgettable lesson.
At first, the lesson seems like a tedious and menial task, but it soon becomes clear that it's a crucial part of Daniel's training.
The scene begins with Mr. Miyagi asking Daniel to wax his car using a "wax on, wax off" technique.
At first, Daniel is confused - how could this possibly help him become a better karate fighter?
But Mr. Miyagi is patient, and he insists that Daniel follow his instructions exactly.
So Daniel begins to wax the car, following Mr. Miyagi's instructions precisely.
At first, it seems like a boring and pointless task. But then something remarkable happens.
As Daniel continues to wax the car, his muscles begin to remember the motion.
The repetitive motion of waxing the car has trained his muscles to perform a defensive block in karate.
Suddenly, the seemingly unimportant task of waxing the car becomes a crucial part of his training.
In a similar way, God often asks us to do things that may seem menial or unrelated to our spiritual growth.
We might be asked to attend prayer meetings, stay late to clean the church, or serve in a ministry that we don't feel connected to.
At the time, these tasks may seem unimportant or even burdensome.
However, like Daniel's "wax on, wax off" training, these tasks often have a greater purpose.
God my brothers and Sisters is asking us the questions
Can you trust God when makes a mad decision
Can you see God working in your life
Can you see God
when it don’t feel like God
Do you see me?
If you look close enough
One could see Christ in every letter of the alphabet:
A: Christ is the Alpha, the beginning.
B: He is the Beginning and the End, the first and last.
C: He is the Christ, the anointed one.
D: He is the Deliverer, the one who saves.
E: He is Everlasting, eternal.
F: He is Faithful, always true.
G: He is God, the creator of all.
H: He is Holy, pure and without sin.
I: He is Immanuel, God with us.
J: He is Jesus, our savior.
K: He is the King of Kings.
L: He is Love, the embodiment of God's love for us.
M: He is the Messiah, the promised one.
N: He is the Name above all names.
O: He is Omnipotent, all-powerful.
P: He is the Prince of Peace.
Q: He is the Quintessence, the perfect example.
R: He is the Redeemer, the one who buys us back.
S: He is the Son of God.
T: He is Truth, the ultimate reality.
U: He is Unchanging, the same yesterday, today, and forever.
V: He is Victory, the one who has overcome the world.
W: He is the Word, the ultimate expression of God's thought.
X: He is the eXalted One, the one lifted high.
Y: He is Yahweh, the covenant name of God.
Z: He is the Zenith, the highest point.