When God Says, “No,” Trust Him and Walk By Faith | The Just Will Live By Faith (Hab 2:4 & Rom 1:17)

When God says, "No," trust Him and walk by faith. "The just will live by faith" Is one of the most quoted commands in the Bible (Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:37-38). How many times have we prayed, not gotten what we wanted, and asked, "Why not God? Why wouldn’t You want this? It seems like this is best?" Since we don’t get to find out why the answer is no, what are we forced to do? Trust God knows what is best and walk by faith. The reason it says we must live by faith, versus simply have faith, is the Christian life is a life of faith. There aren't many more applicable times in life than when we hear no. https://youtu.be/qtKDfdIYG5c When God says, "No," trust Him, because we don’t get to find out why the answer is no. This is what it means to walk by faith. Table of ContentsSermon Lessons for When God Says, "No," Trust Him and Walk By FaithFamily Worship Guide for When God Says, "No," Trust Him and Walk By FaithSermon Notes for When God Says, "No," Trust Him and Walk By FaithGod might say no (lesson 5) because He knows what’s best for us.God might say no (lesson 6) without being displeased.God might say no (lesson 7) and we shouldn’t pout. Sermon Lessons for When God Says, "No," Trust Him and Walk By Faith Note: lessons 1 through 4 are from Part 1: When God Doesn’t Answer the Way You Want God might say no: Lesson 1: because we are being selfish (James 1:5 cf. James 4:1-3). Lesson 2: because it’s not His will (John 14:13-14, 1 John 5:14). Lesson 3: because sin has consequences (Deuteronomy 3:23-28, 2 Samuel 12:16-18). Lesson 4: because of the other person (Jeremiah 7:15-17, 15:1, Ezekiel 14:13-16). Lesson 5: because ____ __________ what’s best for us (2 Corinthians 11:23, 12:2-10, Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 8:28). Lesson 6: without being ____________________ (2 Samuel 7:1-7). Lesson 7: and we __________________ ________ (1 Chronicles 29:1-5). Family Worship Guide for When God Says, "No," Trust Him and Walk By Faith Day 1: Read 2 Corinthians 11:23, 12:2-10, Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 8:28 and discuss: what effect do you think all of Paul’s suffering had on his life? Do you think you know what Paul’s thorn was? Why or why not? Why do you think God didn’t clearly tell us what it was? Why do you think God chose not to answer Paul’s pleading about the thorn? By leaving the thorn what good was accomplished in Paul’s life? What encouragement can you receive from God leaving Paul’s thorn? Is there a thorn in your life that God has removed? Is there a thorn in your life that God has not removed? Discuss both. Day 2: Read 2 Samuel 7:1-7, James 4:3, 5:16 and discuss: why did God tell David no? Why might God tell us no? In other words, why might God not answer some of our prayers the way that we want? How can this account with David encourage us? Can you look back on some times God did not answer your prayers the way that you wanted, but in hindsight you are glad that’s the case? Can you discuss some other prayer requests that you are simply trusting God that it was better He didn’t answer the way you wanted? Can you think of some times in your life that God said no, but He was still probably pleased with you and your request? Day 3: Read 1 Chronicles 29:1-5 and discuss: how do you think David felt when God told him that he could not build the temple? What sinful feelings do you think David might have had to resist? Can you discuss a time, or some times, when God has told you no and you were tempted to pout? What sinful temptations did you have to resist? What would a godly response, or what would godly responses, look like instead? Why did Jesus pray three times that the cup would pass from him, if he knew he would have to go to the cross? Sermon Notes for When God Says, "No," Trust Him and Walk By Faith The title of this morning’s sermon is, “When God Says No – Part Two.” Go ahead and open your Bibles to 2 Corinthians 11. We have been in a series called, “Pursuing Wisdom.” When we started the series, I told you that wisdom is not: Knowing the future Or knowing why God is or isn’t doing certain things. Instead, part of wisdom is being able to handle trials well. One of the unique trials we experience is hearing no when we pray. I don’t think it’s too much to say that when God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want: It can be very difficult. It can cause hurt and confusion And it takes wisdom to respond well. So last week we started looking at examples of hearing no so we could learn from them. The new lesson for this morning… God might say no (lesson 5) because He knows what’s best for us. Look at 2 Corinthians 11:23. These first few verses are not about God saying no. Instead, they set up the verses about God saying no. 2 Corinthians 11:23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. When I read these verses I think, “How could one man suffer so much?” Second only to Job, Paul’s name could almost be synonymous with suffering. Here’s my point in having you read this… When you have suffered as much as Paul, you don’t pray about suffering unless it’s very serious. I’m not condemning anyone who has asked for prayer for a headache, or heartburn, or a stubbed toe, but I’m guessing Paul didn’t ask for prayer for these things. Keep this in mind and turn to the next chapter. Here’s the context for these verses… Paul had one of the most unique experiences in all of human history. He took a trip to heaven! It was so dramatic, so as not to sound prideful in talking about it, he talked about it in the 3rd person as though it happened to someone else. This can make it sound confusing, but Paul is talking about what happened to him. With that in mind look at verse 2… 2 Corinthians 12:2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. He didn’t seem to know whether he went physically in his body, or spiritually like an out of body experience. 2 Corinthians 12:3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. The words that cannot be told, which man may not utter destroy all the books about supposedly going to heaven. If Paul – the godliest man in the Church Age – couldn’t talk about what he saw, what are the chances these other people can? Since this was such a great experience, regardless of how wonderful Paul was, he was still human, cloaked in flesh, and susceptible to temptation. As a result, he could become proud. That’s not my opinion. That’s exactly what he goes on to say. To prevent that from happening, look at verse 7 to see what God did… 2 Corinthians 12:7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. There is much speculation about what this thorn was. I tend to think we don’t know, and it’s good that we don’t know, and here’s why: If the thorn was physical, then the person with an emotional problem wouldn’t find any application in this If the thorn was spiritual, then the person with a mental problem wouldn’t find any application in this If the thorn was mental, then the person with a physical problem wouldn’t find any application in this But the way it’s written allows me to say this to you… Whatever your thorn is: Whether it’s physical Whether it’s emotional Whether it’s mental Whether it spiritual Whether it’s related to: Your job Your marriage Your family Your children Your parents Your finances This account has application for you. Look at verse 8… 2 Corinthians 12:8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. Paul was accustomed to suffering. Again I doubt he prayed about anything unless it was serious. Let me get you to notice 2 words in verse 8: First, notice the word pleaded. It doesn’t say Paul prayed about this. It says he pleaded with God about this. Second, notice the word three. It doesn’t say Paul prayed about this 1 time. It says he prayed about it 3 times. It must have been excruciating. I can’t even imagine. Now again, if I was unfamiliar with this account, here’s what I would think… First, Paul has already suffered so much. Give the man a break. Take away this affliction he’s dealing with that is so terrible he has to plead about it 3 times. Second, as far as I can tell, Paul didn’t do anything to deserve this. The text gives us no indication this is discipline for sin. So of course God’s going to take it away from him. Third, Paul is probably the greatest man in the Church Age. God must love him tremendously and be blessed by all he has done for Him. Of course God would want to do something for Paul in return. Fourth, do you remember last week when we were talking about Moses and David? I said if there’s anyone in the Old Testament I would expect to have their prayers