“A Small Word”

“A Small Word”

God has always said “No” to man

“thou shalt not eat of it” Gen.2:17

Exodus 20 – Ten Commandments

8 are negative

“thou shalt not”

Nyet Nada

NaNon

Negative SermonNegative Sermon

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matt. 16:24

Abstain

“NO” is a little word, butIt takes a BIG person to use it

Saying “No” is difficult

Jesus said “No” to Satan

Saying “No” is for Free Men

Daniel as a captive said “No”

1

Many are enslaved to MoneyMany are enslaved to Money

Cannot say “NO”

“the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,...”

Saying “NO” is the keyTo Personal Strength

Samson – strongest man

Judges 14-16

Only strong when he said “NO”

It is easy to say “Yes”

2

“NO” has kept many from Sin and Evil Companions

Prov. 1:10 “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”

“Evil companionships corrupt good morals.” 1 Cor.15:33 asv

3

“NO” is the word thatProtects Virtue

Gen. 39:7-10 – Joseph said

God gives us strengthTo say NO

4

“NO” is the word thatChallenges the Status Quo

3 John 11 “Follow not that which is evil, but that which is good.”

Numbers 25 - Phinehas

“No more. That’s enough”

5

“NO” is the word thatProtects our Honor

Uriah knew how to say “No”

2 Samuel 11:11 “...as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.”

6

“NO” is the word thatProtects Justice

Pilate gave in to the crowd

Did not have courage to say NO

Matt. 27:24 “I am innocent”

7

“NO” is the word that keepsUs from violating God’s Word

Young prophet – 1 Kings 13:8

He said “Yes” to the prophet

If it is not from God it is the way of death

8

“A Small Word”

But a Powerful Word

“Yes” has meaning only in the presence of “No”

You cannot be for something unless you are against something!

“...may know how to refuse the evil, and choose the good.”

Isaiah 7:15b

Learn what to say “No” to

And what to say “Yes” to

Say “Yes” to Jesus

Say “No” to things of world

Sermon by Arthur Pigman

Evans Church of Christ

515 Gibbs Road

Evans, Ga. 30809

706-855-1249

[email protected]@bellsouth.net

www.evansgachurchofchrist.orgwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org

Sunday Morning August 3, 2008