Please Say "YES"

Do you remember a few years ago, the billboards that were put up along the highways, that were simple statements and they were signed "- God"? Here's the one I would advertise.

"Please say 'Yes'!" - God

Charles Stanley has a sermon series, that, while I don't know it my it's topical name, one of the sermons involves the discussion of the event that changes Peter's life. There's a book written recently on the subject of "immediate obedience" regarding the Christian faith. We could have a discussion on complete obedience.

But Pastor Stanley poses an interesting question about Peter's life.

What happens if Peter says 'no'?

This is the power of simple obedience.

The crowds keep pressing in on Jesus, until he runs out of land. He asks Peter if he can use his boat, to speak to the crowds. While on the boat, Christ commands him to put out his nets. Peter obeys with the caveat, that they've been out all night and caught nothing, but he gives his obedience as if to say, "if you say so." You could call a reluctant obedience.

It's not really a hesitant obedience, nor really a delayed obedience.

Of course, the miracle happens and the boats nearly sink from all the fish!!

Stanley's question? What happens, if when Christ asks Peter to use his boat, that Peter says, nope. I'm exhausted and look at this shore. There's lots of other boats. I'd love to help, but it's been a long night; so if you don't mind, please ask one of my neighbors.

How does one say No, to Jesus Christ? Clearly, many do... and did, even when He walked the Earth.

I've missed times of immediate obedience. And simple obedience. Reluctant. Yes, even delayed.

I probably don't want to think about what I've missed in my own life, as a result. Imagine how much more, I'd rather not consider what has been missed when pastors and church leadership miss those moments regarding ministry and the advancement of the Gospel?

So, now that I've bummed you out, let's join our hearts in prayer, that we would be as obedience to Christ as we pray and desire our pastors and church leaders to be. Pray that we would neither be reluctant or hesitant, but instead simple and immediate. Pray that the proneness to make excuses and rationalize circumstances would be avoided. May past experiences and mistakes not hold us back from stepping out and forward in what God would have for us to do today.

That our lives would be transformed by our obedience
Rather than left behind in darkness by our disobedience
For the glory of God
And the advancement of the Gospel of Christ.

- PNC