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Yes: Response of the Bride

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2 Chronicles 16:9 The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

Jewish Wedding Customs:
1. Selecting of A Bride. Shiddukhin
2. Betrothed
3
. Separation and Preparation- up to 12 months…
John 14:1-4
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."
4. Procession to get the bride
5. Consummation

The Response of the Bride
1. Say, Yes to Love.
Hosea 2:16 ”In that day," declares the LORD, "you will call me 'my husband'; you will no longer call me 'my master.'

1. We Say Yes to His Love for us!
1 John 4:19
We love because he first loved us.
John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you...

2. Then, We say yes,in response with Love to him!
Matthew 22:37
“‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”

2.Yes to Readiness.
Revelation 19:6-8 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

Jeremiah 2:32 Does a maiden forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number.

Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Matthew 25:1-13 “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.

3. Yes, to Longing for the Bridegroom to Come.

Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

Titus 2:13-14 We look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

Yes: Yes means No

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2 Chronicles 16:9 The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

John 6:63 the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.


A Yes will always require a no to something else.
Matthew 4:18-22 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.


JUST SAY NO!
4 necessary “No’s” in our total “Yes” response to Jesus.

1. The Forbidden.
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

2. “Permissible” Distractions
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
Hebrews 12:1-2 … Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith….

[The above deals with Activity…the last two deal more with identity.]

Luke 9:23-25 Then he said to all of them, "If anyone wants to come with me, he must deny himself, pick up his cross every day, and keep following me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What profit will a person have if he gains the whole world, but destroys himself or is lost?

3. Self-Advancing
Romans 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

Philippians 2:3-6 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
A huge difference between taking care of yourself and putting yourself first.

4. Self-Doubting.
2 Corinthians 3:4-6 We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant.
Colossians 3:1-4
Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep focusing on the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Keep your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Yes: Invitations

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2 Chronicles 16:9 The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.


John 6:63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe me.

Luke 6:43-49 "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."


Hearing the voice of Jesus(Invitations)

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…

1.  Read, study, & know the gospels

2. Be compassion conscious 

3. Ask For and look for opportunities.

4. Listen When you pray

John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

3 Invitations from Jesus
1. The Invitation of Faith
John 6:28-29 They asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

John 15:3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

Hebrews 11:5 It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. (The Message)

2. The Invitation of Fellowship
Revelation 3:20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

Mark 3:13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him

3. The Invitation of Follow-ship
James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

James 2:17-24 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.

Yes: Life in The Yes!

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Agreement Is a big deal to God!

John 17:20-23 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.

Matthew 18:19-20 If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

5 Realities about agreement:
1. Agreement builds Community

Matthew 6:9-10 "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”


Titus 3:10
Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.

2 . Agreement Brings Exponential increase.
“You can have agreement without unity but no Unity without agreement.”
Psalm 133:1-3
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows(commands) his blessing, even life forevermore.

Unity Brings SYNERGY: the commanded blessing.
Synergy is the interaction of multiple elements in a system to produce an effect different greater than the sum of their individual effects.

Genesis 11:6 “Look!" he said. "The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them!


How much more…Spirit Filled agreement.
Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

3. Agreement Is not about Compromise.

4. Agreement is about Clarity of focus

Amos 3:3 Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? Without agreeing on the direction?

5. Agreement happens when we are Christ Centered.


“If you don't agree with him the power will not be present for breakthrough.”

James 4:8 “God opposes the proud but shows favor(gives grace) to the humble.”

John 12:13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the king of Israel!"


Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Yes: Life in The Yes!

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John 6:63-69 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe me.(For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn't believe, and he knew who would betray him.) Then he said, "That is why I said that people can't come to me unless the Father gives them to me." At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, "Are you also going to leave?" Simon Peter replied, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God."


Matthew 19:27 "We have left everything to follow you!

2 Chronicles 16:9 The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

Matthew 16:24-26 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?

Luke 14:16-24
""Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God."A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.' "Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.' "Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.' "The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.' "'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.' "Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.

What are we saying yes to?
1. Yes, To The Invitation!
Romans 14:17 The Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

2. Yes, To Gods Best!
Matthew 22:4 The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed….

2 Corinthians 1:19-22 For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means Yes) ascends to God for his glory. It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.

3. Yes to the Kings Commission
Luke 10:2
"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go!(3)