No is a Beautiful Word
Mark 1:21-38
Digging Deeper
Kevin Harney wrote the book, No Is a Beautiful Word: Hope and Help for the Overcommitted and (Occasionally) Exhausted. Harney gave exceptional advice to anyone who might have difficulty using the word "no" effectively.
In this day and time, we live lives with no margin. Our plates are full. Often, our life feels overwhelming and overloaded. Harney presented that by choosing good options daily and saying no, we will have a much better and fulfilling life.
However, culturally, we don't like to say no. It puts us in a position where we don't want to be.
Why do we have trouble saying no?
It could hurt someone's feelings and cause a conflict.
It could be viewed as a sign of weakness.
Using the word could make us seem unable to cope with life's circumstances.
We might be looked at and viewed negatively.
We want to help and not let people down.
Saying no could yield guilty feelings.
Others may view us as not a team player.
It could cause others to dislike us.
Why do we need to say no?
Reduce anxiety and stress.
Prioritize the best and most important things.
Make room for Sabbath rest.
Provide margin in our lives.
Please God and not others.
The advantages of being able to say no are immense. As Kevin Harney stated, "Every no is truly a yes. And the decisions we make can bear fruit over a lifetime. But first, we must learn that saying yes to something important means disciplining ourselves to say no to something else." (No Is A Beautiful Word, page 33)
WHAT NOT TO MISS
No Is a Beautiful Word
-Saying the word no at the right time and right way will set you free, give you joy and connect you to the living God.
How full is the plate of your life?
A Day in the Life of Jesus
Preaching and Teaching
Setting people free from spiritual bondage
Healing
Revival Meeting
Sleep
Time with the Father
Why Does God Say No?
Because He is Loving. Because it is best for us.
Because He is Wise. God knows better than we do.
Because He is God! His ways are above our ways. We need to trust God.
Every Yes is a No. Every Yes that we say results in a No to something else.
Every No is a Yes. Every No that we say allows us to say Yes to something else.
No, Because It Is Written! (Matthew 4:1-10)
-Jesus says no when He is tempted by Satan. Jesus says, “It is written,” and quotes Deuteronomy.
-Know the Bible to know what should not be done and what should be done.
The Power of Scripture when we say No!
-Know the Word of God and love the Word of God.
What Scripture do you need to commit to memory?
-In any temptation we face there is a response in the word of God.
-Find a passage in the Bible that will help you.
-Have the Scripture ready when you are tempted.
Ways to Say No
No, never, I’m offended you asked, don’t ever ask me again!
No, but maybe some other time!
No, can I tell you why?
No, and this could cost me!
No, because I love you.
Automatic Nos - when this happens, say an automatic no and be prepared and practice out loud.
No, Thank You - be polite.
God Yes - Say yes to God time and time again.
"This, then, is how you should pray:
"'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10)
LIFE APPLICATION
This week, think about what overwhelms you that is on your plate to do. Make a list of things that you could nicely say no to that would give you time to have a better and more fulfilled life. List things you could say yes to that will bring more meaning, hope, peace and enjoyment.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What is your favorite thing to do, and what makes it your favorite?
What does the Bible teach about time?
What do you need to say no to in your life right now?
In what ways does saying no allow you to say yes to more important things?
Share some reasons that we find it difficult to say no.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE PASSAGES
Day 1: Time - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Day 2: Planning - Proverbs 16:3, 9; Jeremiah 29:11; Proverbs 19:21
Day 3: Doing the Best Thing - Colossians 4:5-6; Psalms 90:12; Ephesians 5:15-17
Day 4: Being Blessed - Jeremiah 17:7-8; 2 Peter 3:8-9; 2 Corinthians 6:2
Day 5: God's Best for Us - Proverbs 16:9; John 3:16; Romans 8:28
PRAYER
Lord, this week, help me to discern what things I need to say no to so that I can say yes to more meaningful and essential things. Help those to whom I say no be understanding and willing to accept my answer. Let me use the space freed up from saying no to lesser things to focus on the important things in my life. Deepen my relationship with You and others. May I experience Your peace, comfort and joy from knowing that I am ordering my steps to be a good steward of all the blessings around me.
