Embracing Freedom: The Power of Saying No

This morning, we gathered in the presence of God, giving thanks for His goodness, grace, and peace that overflow into our lives. We are reminded that God’s promises are true—He draws near to those who seek Him with all their heart, and His grace is not only the means of our salvation but also the power that teaches us to live upright, self-controlled, and godly lives. The heart of our time together centered on the freedom found in learning to say “no”—not as a form of bondage, but as a pathway to God’s best for us.

We explored Titus 2:11-12, which reveals that God’s grace is available to all and instructs us to reject ungodliness and worldly passions. The world is full of distractions and temptations that seek to pull us away from God, but His Spirit empowers us to resist. Saying “no” to the things that separate us from God is actually saying “yes” to holiness, to God’s presence, and to our true identity in Christ. We are not left to fight these battles alone; the Holy Spirit is our teacher and guide, and the Word of God is our weapon.

James 4:7 calls us to submit to God and resist the devil, promising that he will flee from us. This is not about willpower, but about spiritual power—standing firm in the authority and identity we have as children of God. Jesus Himself modeled this for us in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), using Scripture to resist temptation and remaining steadfast in His purpose. We are reminded that boundaries are not restrictions, but protections that keep us in the safety and provision of God.

Our identity in Christ is foundational: we are new creations, children of God, and the righteousness of God in Christ. When we know who we are, we won’t accept counterfeits or settle for less than God’s best. Community and accountability are vital; we are called to encourage one another, share our testimonies, and spur each other on toward love and good deeds. Today, we declared together that by God’s grace, we have the power to say “no” to sin, fear, and compromise, and “yes” to God’s freedom. Let us walk in that freedom, wielding the Word, and supporting one another as we pursue the life God has called us to.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Grace Empowers Us to Say No God’s grace is not just a gift for salvation, but a transformative force that teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly passions. When we say “no” to what separates us from God, we are actually saying “yes” to a deeper relationship with Him and to the life He intends for us. This is a daily, Spirit-led process that requires intentionality and trust in God’s promises. [73:07]
• 2. Identity in Christ is the Foundation for Freedom Knowing who we are in Christ—new creations, children of God, and the righteousness of God—gives us the authority and confidence to resist temptation. When our identity is rooted in Christ, we are less likely to accept counterfeits or be swayed by the world’s distractions. Our “no” becomes a declaration of who we belong to and what we value most. [99:14]
• 3. Boundaries Are Spiritual Protection, Not Bondage Establishing boundaries is not about limiting our freedom, but about protecting the life God has given us. The threshing floor, the altar, and the Word of God are places of safety and provision. Staying within God’s boundaries allows us to experience true freedom, while stepping outside exposes us to unnecessary danger and distraction. [105:26]
• 4. The Word of God is Our Spiritual Weapon Jesus resisted the devil by wielding the Word, and we are called to do the same. Scripture is not just for knowledge, but for spiritual warfare—every time we say “no” with the Word, we push back darkness and stand firm in God’s truth. This requires us to be intentional about immersing ourselves in Scripture and using it as the basis for our decisions. [108:01]
• 5. Community and Accountability Strengthen Our Walk We are not meant to walk this journey alone. Gathering together, encouraging one another, and sharing our testimonies are essential for spiritual growth and perseverance. Accountability within the body of Christ helps us remain vigilant, inspires us toward love and good deeds, and prepares us for the return of Christ. [115:25]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [65:58] - Thanksgiving and Praise
• [69:32] - God’s Presence and Promises
• [71:55] - The Power to Say No
• [73:07] - Grace Teaches Us to Reject Ungodliness
• [74:32] - Salvation and Universal Grace
• [76:51] - The Name of Jesus and Boldness
• [78:19] - Identifying Ungodly Desires
• [79:58] - Resisting the Devil (James 4:7)
• [83:43] - Confirmation and the Threshing Floor
• [84:45] - The Promise of Victory
• [86:15] - Jesus’ Example in the Wilderness
• [89:27] - Distractions and the Word
• [91:12] - True Needs vs. Immediate Desires
• [96:30] - Protecting Your Yes
• [98:03] - Identity in Christ
• [105:26] - Boundaries for Freedom
• [108:01] - The Word as a Spiritual Weapon
• [115:25] - Community and Accountability
• [119:42] - Declaration and Invitation
• [124:17] - Ministry and Prayer

Bible Reading

Titus 2:11-12 (ESV) — > For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.

James 4:7 (ESV) — > Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Matthew 4:1-11 (ESV) — > Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” ... (Read the full passage together.)

Observation Questions

1. According to Titus 2:11-12, what does God’s grace do for us besides bringing salvation?
2. In James 4:7, what two actions are believers called to take, and what is the promised result?
3. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), what did He use to resist the devil?
4. The sermon said, “Saying ‘no’ to the things that separate us from God is actually saying ‘yes’ to holiness, to God’s presence, and to our true identity in Christ.” What are some examples the pastor gave of things that can separate us from God? [[01:18:19]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon said that grace is not just a gift for salvation, but a “transformative force that teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly passions.” How does this understanding of grace change the way someone might approach temptation? [[01:13:07]]
2. The pastor emphasized that “boundaries are not restrictions, but protections that keep us in the safety and provision of God.” How might this perspective help someone who struggles with feeling like God’s commands are just rules? [[01:45:26]]
3. Jesus used Scripture to resist temptation in the wilderness. What does this teach us about the role of God’s Word in our daily battles with sin and distraction? [[01:48:01]]
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of community and accountability. Why do you think sharing testimonies and encouraging one another is so vital for spiritual growth? [[01:55:25]]

Application Questions

1. The pastor said, “Anything that separates you from God is an ungodly desire.” Is there something in your life right now that you sense is pulling you away from God? What would it look like to say “no” to that this week? [[01:18:19]]
2. The sermon talked about the power of knowing your identity in Christ: “When you know that you’re a child of God, you won’t accept any counterfeit.” Are there areas where you’ve been tempted to settle for less than God’s best? How can you remind yourself of your true identity this week? [[01:39:14]]
3. The pastor shared about boundaries being spiritual protection. Are there boundaries you need to set (or reset) in your life to help you stay within God’s safety and provision? What’s one practical step you can take? [[01:45:26]]
4. Jesus fought temptation with Scripture. Do you have a “go-to” Bible verse for times of temptation or discouragement? If not, what verse from today’s study could you memorize and use? [[01:48:01]]
5. The sermon encouraged us to “encourage one another, share our testimonies, and spur each other on toward love and good deeds.” Who in your life could you reach out to this week for encouragement or accountability? How can you be intentional about building up someone else? [[01:55:25]]
6. The pastor gave a personal example of saying “no” to staying late at a party so he could be ready for what God had for him the next day. Is there a situation coming up where you might need to say “no” to something good in order to say “yes” to God’s best? [[02:00:34]]
7. The group declared together, “By God’s grace, we have the power to say ‘no’ to sin, fear, and compromise, and ‘yes’ to God’s freedom.” What is one area where you want to walk in greater freedom this month? How can the group pray for you in this? [[02:01:42]]