Strength in Surrender: The Power of Our 'Yes' to Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing the True Enemy: More Than Just the Devil

The enemy we face is not just Satan, but a collective force that includes the world, our own sinful desires, and even ourselves—each working together to undermine God’s work in our lives. The most hidden and dangerous enemy is often our own self, the voice within that resists God’s will and leads us astray. Recognizing this layered opposition is the first step to understanding the depth of our need for Christ and the futility of relying on our own strength. [01:12:38]

Ephesians 2:1-3 (ESV)
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you sense the enemy working most subtly—through the world, your own desires, or your inner voice—and how can you bring this into the light before God today?

Day 2: The Power of a Strong Yes Over a Weak No

Saying no to temptation and the enemy in your own strength is like building a wall that can be secretly undermined; but when you say a wholehearted yes to Christ, He becomes your unshakeable fortress, your rock, and your salvation. The strength of your no to the enemy is directly tied to the strength of your yes to Jesus—when your yes is rooted in Him, you stand firm and cannot be easily shaken or undermined. Stop exhausting yourself with endless no’s; instead, focus on a single, resolute yes to the One who cannot be overcome. [01:28:32]

Psalm 62:2 (ESV)
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Reflection: What is one area where you’ve been relying on your own strength to resist temptation or discouragement? How can you shift from building your own wall to letting Christ be your fortress today?

Day 3: The Call to Daily Surrender: Saying Yes Means Dying to Self

True discipleship is not just about resisting evil but about daily surrender—saying yes to Jesus means saying no to every other claim on your life, including your own desires and plans. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him, which is the cost and the power of a true yes. This daily dying to self is not for the sake of an easier life, but because Christ Himself is the greatest treasure and purpose we could ever have. [01:38:20]

Luke 9:23 (ESV)
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Reflection: What is one specific desire, habit, or plan you need to surrender to Jesus today as an act of saying yes to Him? What would it look like to deny yourself in this area?

Day 4: Fastening the Belt of Truth: Preparing to Stand Firm

Before you can stand firm against the enemy, you must first fasten the belt of truth around your heart—God’s truth must be internalized, not just worn outwardly, so that your life and identity are anchored in what He says. The belt of truth is foundational; it holds everything else together and must be put on before the battle begins, reminding you that your strength comes from what God has already done, not from your own efforts. Let God’s truth be the constant that keeps you secure and unmoved, even when the enemy tries to undermine you from within. [01:41:21]

Ephesians 6:13-14 (ESV)
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.

Reflection: What truth from God’s Word do you need to fasten around your heart today to counter the lies or doubts you’re facing? How can you remind yourself of this truth throughout your day?

Day 5: Embracing the Father’s Love: The Foundation of Your Yes

The deepest power to say yes to Jesus comes from knowing that the Father loves you with the same love He has for His Son—this truth breaks the chains of sin, shame, and striving. When you truly receive and believe that you are loved as Christ is loved, your heart is freed from the need for approval, and you find the strength to say yes to God’s call and no to every lesser thing. This love is not based on your performance, but on what Christ has already accomplished for you; let this be the root that grows in your heart and transforms your life. [01:50:02]

John 17:23 (ESV)
I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

Reflection: How does knowing that the Father loves you as He loves Jesus change the way you see yourself and your struggles today? What step can you take to rest in and respond to that love right now?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered around the powerful truth that the greatest victory in the Christian life is not found in how many times we say “no” to the enemy, but in the strength and clarity of our “yes” to Jesus. We began by looking at Ephesians 2:1-3, which paints a sobering picture of our condition apart from Christ: dead in trespasses and sins, enslaved to the world, the devil, and our own desires. The enemy is not just Satan; it’s a collective force—our sin, the world’s system, and even our own flesh—all working together to undermine God’s work in us. Like ancient armies that would dig tunnels beneath city walls to secretly undermine their strength, so too does the enemy work subtly, eroding our foundations from beneath, often without us realizing it.

But the most hidden and dangerous enemy is often ourselves—our own voice, our own cravings, our own self-deception. The enemy’s attacks are plural, but they share a singular root: enmity toward God. These attacks are tailored to our season of life—regret for the older, comparison for those in the middle, and identity struggles for the young. Yet, in every season, the enemy’s goal is the same: to keep us distracted, discouraged, and divided from the life God intends.

The answer is not to exhaust ourselves with endless “no’s,” building a man-made wall that will eventually crumble. Instead, the call is to a deeper “yes”—a surrender to Christ as our rock, our salvation, and our fortress. Psalm 62:2 reminds us that only God is our unshakeable foundation. When our “yes” is rooted in Him, every “no” to the enemy becomes stronger and more natural. This “yes” is not about making life easier, but about anchoring our lives in the only One who cannot be undermined.

To say “yes” to Jesus is to say “no” to every other allegiance, including our own self-will. It is a daily dying to self, as Jesus taught in Luke 9:23, and a daily fastening of the belt of truth around our hearts (Ephesians 6). The truth that sets us free is this: the Father loves us as He loves His own Son (John 17:23). When this truth takes root, it breaks the power of sin and self-doubt, and empowers us to stand firm. One “yes” to Jesus outweighs every “no” we’ll ever need to say.

Key Takeaways

1. The enemy is not just Satan, but a collective force—our sin, the world, and our own flesh—working together to undermine God’s work in our lives. Recognizing this plurality helps us see that spiritual opposition is complex and often subtle, requiring discernment and humility. The most dangerous enemy is often the one within: ourselves. [70:55]
2. The enemy’s tactics are like ancient undermining—slow, hidden, and persistent. We often think our defenses are strong, but the enemy works beneath the surface, exploiting our weaknesses and distractions. True spiritual vigilance means examining not just what is visible, but what is happening beneath the surface of our hearts. [66:02]
3. Saying “no” to the enemy in our own strength is exhausting and ultimately ineffective. We may build walls of self-discipline, but if they are not founded on Christ, they will eventually collapse. The strength of our “no” is directly tied to the strength of our “yes” to Jesus—He alone is our unshakeable fortress. [88:32]
4. The call of Christ is not to self-improvement, but to self-denial and surrender. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” Our “yes” to Jesus means a daily dying to self, a willingness to let go of our own plans and desires in order to embrace God’s will and purpose. [94:37]
5. The deepest truth that empowers our “yes” is the love of the Father for us—the same love He has for Jesus. When we truly believe that we are loved with this perfect, unchanging love, the grip of sin, shame, and self-doubt is broken. This truth, fastened around our hearts, gives us the confidence and freedom to stand firm, no matter what the enemy brings. [110:02]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:01] - Opening Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-3
[63:49] - The Enemy’s Tactics: Undermining
[66:02] - What Does It Mean to Undermine?
[68:13] - Defining the Enemy: More Than the Devil
[70:55] - The Hidden Enemy: Ourselves
[73:16] - Generational and Personal Attacks
[75:59] - The Illusion of Approval and Social Media
[77:39] - No Neutral Ground: The World’s System
[78:26] - The Power of “Yes” in Christ
[82:38] - The Futility of Saying “No” Alone
[85:04] - Psalm 62:2: God as Our Fortress
[88:32] - The Difference Between Man-Made and God-Made Walls
[94:03] - Bonhoeffer and the Cost of Discipleship
[98:20] - How to Stand: The Belt of Truth
[103:16] - The Transforming Truth: John 17:23
[114:03] - One Yes Is Greater Than Every No
[116:33] - Responding to God’s Call: The Altar Invitation
[118:11] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ephesians 2:1-3 (ESV) — > And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Psalm 62:2 (ESV) — > He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

John 17:23 (ESV) — > I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

Observation Questions

According to Ephesians 2:1-3, what are the different forces that once controlled our lives before Christ? How are these described in the passage?
In Psalm 62:2, what three things does the psalmist say God is to him? What is the result of God being these things?
In John 17:23, what does Jesus pray for his followers to experience, and what does he say about the Father’s love for them?
The sermon described the enemy as not just Satan, but also the world and our own flesh. What illustration did the pastor use to explain how the enemy works in our lives? [[01:06:02]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul in Ephesians 2:1-3 describe our condition before Christ as “dead”? What does this say about our ability to resist the enemy on our own?
The sermon said the enemy’s attacks are “plural, but they share a singular root: enmity toward God.” What does this mean for how we should view spiritual opposition in our lives? [[01:10:55]]
According to Psalm 62:2 and the sermon, what is the difference between building our own “walls” of self-discipline and relying on God as our fortress? [[01:28:32]]
Jesus prays in John 17:23 that the Father would love us as He loves Jesus. How might truly believing this change the way we respond to temptation, shame, or self-doubt? [[01:50:02]]

Application Questions

The sermon said the most dangerous enemy is often ourselves—our own voice, cravings, and self-deception. Can you identify a recent situation where your own thoughts or desires undermined your walk with God? What would it look like to surrender that area to Christ? [[01:10:55]]
The pastor described the enemy’s tactics as “undermining”—slow, hidden, and persistent. Is there an area of your life where you sense something is being “undermined” beneath the surface? How can you bring this into the light with God or with others? [[01:06:02]]
The sermon challenged us to stop exhausting ourselves with endless “no’s” and instead focus on a deeper “yes” to Jesus. What is one area where you’ve been trying to say “no” in your own strength? How could you shift your focus to saying “yes” to Christ in that area? [[01:28:32]]
Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s quote was shared: “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” What does “dying to self” look like for you this week? Is there a specific plan, desire, or habit you sense God asking you to surrender? [[01:34:37]]
The sermon said, “The truth that sets us free is this: the Father loves us as He loves His own Son.” Do you struggle to believe this? How might you remind yourself of this truth daily, especially when you feel unworthy or defeated? [[01:50:02]]
The pastor talked about “fastening the belt of truth” (Ephesians 6) around our hearts. What practical steps can you take to fill your mind and heart with God’s truth this week? [[01:39:31]]
The message ended with the idea that “one yes to Jesus outweighs every no you’ll ever need to say.” What is one specific “yes” you want to say to Jesus this week? How can your group support you in this? [[01:54:03]]

Sermon Clips

You see, the devil deceives us with lies. The world distracts us with its shifting trends and false promises. And the toughest enemy of them all, ourselves, is the hidden enemy within. We betray ourselves with our own cravings. But yet in Christ. Come on now. Somebody say it with me. But yet in Christ. In Christ. But yet in Christ, we are no longer trapped. But yet in Christ, we are made alive with clarity, with purpose, and with freedom. [01:18:39] (52 seconds) #FreedomInChrist

You’ve been saying no for so long. You’re saying no to this. You’re saying no to that. You can’t say no enough. The desire is increasing. Your strength is weakening. So it’s not about saying no. It’s about saying yes. Listen, the stronger your yes is, the stronger the no will be. Can I say that again? The stronger that your yes is, the stronger your no will be. [01:23:48] (47 seconds) #StrengthenYourYes

He alone is my rock and my salvation and my fortress. Then it says, I shall not be greatly shaken. Like in other words, he’s what I can stand on. He’s what I can stand on. Not only he’s what I can stand on, he’s my salvation. Not only is he my salvation, he’s my true fortress. He’s my true fortress. Come on, man, do you think the enemy could dig under Jesus? Hello? Are you getting the picture? The enemy can’t dig under, can’t dig over, can’t dig to the side, can’t dig through the front, can’t dig through the back. Come on, he is our fortress. There’s no entrance beneath that he could slip his way in. [01:31:05] (47 seconds) #DailyDieToSelf

To say yes to Jesus is no to every other thing outside of Christ. It’s to say no to yourself. It’s to say no to yourself. That when you get up in the morning, you get up for Christ. When you make your decisions in life, you make them based on Christ. When you look at your five-year outlook, it’s not about the job or the finances. It’s about the will of God. It’s about your placement in this devilish system where your placement rocks this devilish system to establish the godly system, which is the kingdom of God on this earth. [01:36:31] (53 seconds) #TruthBeltWithin

On a daily basis, you got to learn how to die to self. On a daily basis, that’s the power of a true yes. But how do you do that? How do you do that? Do you know in the book of Ephesians, chapter 6, verse 10 through 11, it gives you the how. What is the how? Paul said a final word. Be strong in the Lord and his mighty power. Put on all God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. [01:38:23] (34 seconds) #LovedAsTheSon

The belt of truth is the first thing you put on. Now, the funny thing is the belt of truth is not on the outside. Where is the belt of truth? Where is the belt of truth? It’s on the inside. So, the belt of truth is not for the enemy. It’s not for the devil. It’s not for the world. Guess who the belt of truth is? Guess who the belt of truth is for? It’s for you. You need the belt of truth for yourself. [01:41:12] (28 seconds) #RootedInLove

At the moment that that truth planted a seed in the depth of this weak heart, it took root. And that root started to grow. And then I started seeing myself looking at Christ more, looking at Jesus more. And the sin that had its place, I stopped hearing it. I stopped hearing that call. Because there’s another call that’s more greater. [01:50:59] (34 seconds) #GodPursuesWithLove

``One yes takes care of all the no’s. And then it reminded me, Pastor Lou wanted a formula. He said, he’s about visual. So I ain’t got no visual. That’s my visual today. One yes is greater than every no to the enemy. Take a picture. Let’s go. Post it. Throw it on TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat. Let’s go, everybody. Let’s go. Let’s go. Let’s go. Am I doing it wrong? Am I doing it wrong? Oh, it’s like that, like that. Come on, man. Everybody got to do this. Let’s go, some of you boomers. Come on. Come on. Join me. Join me. One yes is greater than every no. One yes is greater than every no. One yes to Jesus outweighs every no you’ll ever need to say. Stop trying to say no. And just say yes. Stop trying to say no and just say yes. [01:53:44] (60 seconds)

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