Does Jesus Have Your “YES?”

"What if the greatest barrier to your faith isn’t your sin, failure or doubt, but your secret suspicion that God is disappointed in you?”

God In Jesus Has Said “Yes” to You.

“But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us… was not “Yes” and “No,” but in Him it has always been “Yes.” 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.” 2 Corinthians 1:18–20 (NIV)

God’s Preemptive “Yes!”

“We do not find God, but we are found by Him. The Christian life is the life of a sought—after person.”

— Karl Barth

“God does not love us because we are valuable. We are valuable because God loves us.” — Fulton J. Sheen

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” John 3:16–17 (NIV)

“The gospel says you are more sinful and flawed than you ever dared believe, but more accepted and loved than you ever dared hope.” — Timothy Keller

God’s “Yes” Is Our Foundation

“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.” 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV).

‣        Jesus is the Passover Lamb who says “Yes” to our redemption.

‣        Jesus is the High Priest who says “Yes” to our forgiveness.

‣        Jesus is the King who says “Yes” to our future.

“Jesus Christ is the ‘Yes’ of God to us. In Him, the Father has made a decision about us, and it is a decision of grace.” — Thomas F. Torrance

God’s “Yes” Is an Invitation

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” John 3:17 (NIV)

“So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20 (NIV)

Jesus was shamed and humiliated on the Cross; God was running towards us. Grace always outruns guilt.

“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (NIV)

“The father does not even give the boy a chance to recite his prepared speech... He simply forgives. He cuts short the confession with a party.” — Helmut Thielicke.

God’s “Yes” Invites Our “Amen!”

“So through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV)

‣        Because He said “Yes” to the Cross, we say “Yes” to surrender.

‣        Because He said “Yes” to loving us, we say “Yes” to loving others.

‣        Because He said “Yes” to our future, we say “Yes” to His purpose.

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Luke 1:38 (NIV)

“To say 'Amen' to God is not to agree with a proposition, but to commit oneself to a Person.” — Karl Barth

Conclusion

”Jesus Christ… was not “Yes” and “No,” but in Him it has always been “Yes.” 2 Corinthians 1:19 (NIV)