Would you turn to Matthew chapter
15? Tonight, we're going to observe the Lord's table together. And
the Lord said this do in remembrance of me. What a powerful thought
this do in remembrance of me. I've entitled This message. Yes. Lord. Not going to be speaking on this. Story of the Syro-Phoenician
woman, but I'd like to say some things about it before we get
into this part of Yes, Lord, Matthew gives us a little bit
more detail. Then Mark does. Verse 21 of Matthew,
Chapter 15. Then Jesus went thence and departed
into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, and behold, a woman of Canaan
came out of the same coasts and cried unto him, saying, Have
mercy on me, O Lord. Thou son of David, my daughter
is grievously vexed with the devil. Now, I want you to consider
this woman's great need. She had a daughter who was demon
possessed. Can you imagine? What a vexing,
grievous thing that would be to have a child that was possessed
by a demon. This woman had a great need and
she came knowing who the Lord was. She said, Have mercy upon
me, O Lord, thou Son of David. She knew Jesus was the Christ,
the promised Messiah, the Son of David, the Lord of glory.
She knew who he was and she came for the right thing. She came
for mercy. She didn't come pleading her own merit. She came for mercy.
Lord, have mercy on me. My daughter is grievously vexed
with the devil. Now look at the Lord's response.
Verse 23. But he answered her, not a word. He ignored her. Now, she comes
with this great need and he does not respond to her. He ignores
her. You ever felt ignored when you
tried to pray? You felt like there was no answer?
Silence? That's what this woman had, silence. Verse 23, And his disciples came
and besought him, saying, Send her away, for she crieth after
us. Evidently, she continued to cry. But he answered and said,
I am not sent, but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Now, I love what the Lord says here. He says, I've only come
for a particular people. She comes asking for mercy. And
he says, I've only come for the elect. That's what he said. I've
only come for the elect. I didn't come to save everybody.
I didn't come to give everybody mercy. I've only come for a particular
people. That's what the Lord says to
this woman. Let's go on reading. Then, verse 25, came she and
worshipped him. Now here's what worship is. You
worship him for who he is. Not for what you can get out
of him, because as far as this woman could see, he wasn't answering
her. As far as her experience goes,
he hadn't given her an answer to her prayer. He hadn't even
had mercy on her as far as she could see. But yet she came and
worshipped him for who he is. Now, the Lord is worthy of worship. Whatever he does. If he sends
me to hell, does that take away his worthiness of worship? No. Do you believe that? This woman did. Then came she
and worshiped him, saying, Lord. Help me. Verse 26. But he answered and
said. It's not meat, it's not right,
it's not good, it's not fit to take the children's bread and
to cast it to dogs. My. What a way to speak to this
woman. Now, he's already said, I've
only come for the elect, and now he says my gospel is not
it's not right to throw it out to dogs. How do you respond to
that if you came to the Lord and asked for mercy and he said,
I've only come for the elect? You know, if you get mad at that,
You show that you think mercy is an entitlement, don't you?
And in reality, you don't have any idea what mercy is. Now,
our Lord deals with this woman like this, but it doesn't stop
her. She continues coming and then
he says it's not right. It's not fit. It's not appropriate
to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs. And
what was her response? Verse 27, And she said, truth. Lord. That's the same word translated,
yes, in that passage of Scripture I just read in Mark chapter 7,
verse 27. Now, here's the statement I want
to make. A believer. Says yes. To everything God says. He says. Truth. Lord. You know, there are a lot
of differences between a believer and an unbeliever. That goes
without saying, doesn't it? A believer is a partaker of the
divine nature. He's been given life from God. An unbeliever knows nothing of
that. A believer believes. An unbeliever
does not believe. A believer loves God. An unbeliever
has no love for God. A believer says yes to everything
God says. An unbeliever says no to everything
God says. Let me show you that in Scripture.
Turn to Psalm 14. Now, this Psalm is repeated twice. Almost word for word. Psalm 14
and Psalm 53. But look in Psalm 14. The fool. Has said in his heart,
he might not say it out loud, but he says it in his heart.
Notice there is is an italics. It was placed there by the translators
and really shouldn't be there. I'm thankful for the King James
Version in that sense. When something shouldn't be there,
they go ahead and put it so you know it's not. It's not the fool
has said in his heart there is no God. Nobody is truly an atheist. Everybody really knows God is
the fool has said in his heart no. God? No. No. But a believer says, yes,
Lord. Now, this word, yes or yay, is
a word of strong assent. It's the opposite of no. It's
strong agreement. It's affirmation. It's translated
by these words in the New Testament. Yes. Yes, yea, even so, surely, truth,
verily. Our Lord said, it is not me to
take the children's bread and to cast it unto dogs. Truth,
Lord. Yes, Lord. Verily, Lord. Surely, Lord. Even so, Lord. Yes, Lord. Now, I suppose that
there are no more powerful or meaningful words than these two
words. Yes. And no. Turn with me for a moment
to Matthew, chapter five, and let's look at what the Lord says
about these two words. Verse thirty three. Again, you've heard that it hath
been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not persuade thyself,
but thou shalt perform unto the Lord thine oath. In other words,
when you make a promise, keep it, don't go back. But look what
our Lord says, But I say unto you, swear not at all, neither
by heaven, for it's God's throne, nor by the earth, for it's his
footstool, neither by Jerusalem, for it's the city of the great
king, neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because Afghans
don't make one hair white or black, but let your communication
be yea, yea. Nay, nay, for whatsoever is more
than these cometh of evil. Let your yes be yes. Not yes, and not yes, but. Let your yes be yes and let your
no be no. Not no and not no, but no. Turn to James chapter five. James, Chapter five. Verse 12. And look at the emphasis James
puts on this. But above all things, my brethren. Swear not. Don't make promises. Neither
by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath. Don't
say this is what I'm proposing to do. This is let your yea be
yea, let your yes be yes, and let your no be no, lest you fall
into condemnation. Let your yes be yes. Yes, Lord. Not yes and, not yes but, and
let your no be no. Now, yes. is an answer to a question. I said to somebody recently,
I said, I want you to answer this question, and I don't want
any comment other than this. Yes or no. Yes, is the answer
to a question. Let's let's look at this in the
scripture. Turn to Matthew, chapter nine. Verse 27. And when Jesus departed this,
two blind men followed Him, crying and saying, Thou Son of David,
have mercy on us. And when He was coming to the
house, the blind men came to Him and Jesus said unto them,
Believe ye that I am able to do this. They said unto Him, Yea, Lord. Do you believe? I'm asking you
a question. I'm asking you personally a question.
I'm asking myself this question, too. Do you believe that the
Lord Jesus Christ is able to save you with no help from you? Do you believe that? You know what my answer is? Yes,
Lord. I believe. Yea, Lord, yes. Turn with me to John chapter
11. Verse 23, Jesus saith unto her, thy brother shall rise again. Martha said unto him, I know
that he shall rise again in the resurrection the last day. Jesus
said unto her, I am the resurrection. The resurrection is more than
an event. I myself am the resurrection. When I was raised from the dead,
Christ says, when I'm raised from the dead, that is the resurrection.
When he was raised, I was raised. You believe that? Now, look what
it says, I am the resurrection and the life. My life is the
life before God is what our Lord is saying. Here's my life. Read Matthew, Mark, Luke and
John. That's my life before God. That is my righteousness before
God, the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. His life is my life before
God. Jesus saith unto her, I am the
resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though
he were dead, yet shall he live and whosoever liveth and believeth
in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith
unto him, Yea, Lord. Yes, I believe that you are the
resurrection. And I believe that you are the
life. Look at John 21. Yes, is the answer to a question. Verse 15. So when they had dined. Jesus
saith to Simon Peter. Now, remember the setting. Simon
has denied the Lord. And this is after the resurrection.
So when they had died, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son
of Jonas. Lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord. Simon, do you love my person?
Do you love me as I am? Do you love my person? I'm not
asking you how much you love. I'm not asking you how sorry
you are. I'm not asking you if you've repented. Do you love
my person? Yea, Lord, thou knowest that
I love thee. So this yes, is an answer to
a question. Yea, Lord. But it's more than
answering yes. This word is strong agreement. Strong assent. Strong affirmation. Now, if the Lord says something.
He doesn't need my affirmation. I'm saying God said it, I believe
it, that settles it. Oh, no. God said it, that settles
it, whether you and I believe it or not. Forever, O Lord, thy
word is settled in the heavens. God's word of glory is whether
I affirm it or not. My affirmation adds absolutely
nothing. But that being said, I strongly
affirm and agree with all that he says. Turn to Revelation 14. Revelation 14, let me show you
how this word is used in strong affirmation. Verse 13. Revelation 14, verse 13, I heard
a voice from heaven saying unto me, Right. Blessed are the dead
which die in the Lord. From henceforth, yea, saith the
Spirit, that they may have rest from their labors. Now, here's
the assertion. Blessed are the dead that die
in the Lord. Yea. Yes, I agree. Completely. I agree. Blessed are the dead that die
in the Lord. Look in Revelation 16. Verse 5. And I heard the angel of the
water say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and was, and
shalt be, because Thou hast judged us. Talking about the judgments
of God against His enemies. For they have shed the blood
of saints and prophets, and Thou hast given them blood to drink,
for they are worthy. And I heard another out of the
altar say, Even so, that's the word, yea, Lord, God Almighty,
true and righteous are Thy judgments. Whatever he does, we agree with.
We say, yay, Lord, whatever His judgments are. We're on the Lord's
side. If we're believers, I'm on the
Lord's side. I'm not on man's side. I'm on the Lord's side.
Yay, Lord, even so. Amen. Whatever you do is right. Let me try to illustrate this. All Scripture is given by inspiration
of God. I agree strongly. The Bible is the inerrant, inspired
Word of God. Yes, Lord. The Lord reigneth. That means He's in absolute control,
utterly and absolutely sovereign, controlling everything. The Lord
reigneth. Yes, Lord. I agree. The Lord reigneth. Now, he reigns
whether I agree or not. I realize that. But I agree. The Lord reigneth. Jesus Christ is the eternal God. The uncreated, sovereign, God
of glory. I agree. Yes, Lord. I agree. Men are dead in sins. And you hath he quickened who
were dead in sins. God saw that the wickedness of
man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the
thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Men cannot
save themselves. They're dead in sins. I agree. Yes, Lord. God chose before time began who
would be saved. For the children, being not yet
born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose
of God, according to election, might stand, not of works, but
of him that calleth. It was said unto her, The elder
shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have
I loved, but Esau have I hated. Yes, Lord. Yes. Christ said from the cross, It's
finished. Yes, Lord. I agree. I find my salvation in those
glorious words, it is finished. I agree. Yes, Lord. All that he died for are now
justified. He was delivered for our offenses
and raised again for our justification. I'm just before God. Yes, Lord. Yes, I agree. God's grace is irresistible. Psalm 1103 says, Thy people shall
be willing in the day of thy power. Yes, Lord. Yes, I agree. Follow me. Yes, Lord. Why tarryest thou? Arise and
be baptized. Yes, Lord. Repent and believe
the gospel. Yes, Lord. You see, yes, Lord,
is obedience. We respond to what he says, yes,
not no, but yes. Ephesians 2, 8 through 10 says,
for by grace, you say through faith and that not of yourselves,
it's the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should
boast, for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto
good works, which God hath before ordained, that we should walk
in them." Yes, Lord. This is the believer's response
to everything he says. Yes, Lord. Now, somebody is saying
in their hearts, No! Well, the reason you're saying
that is because you're not a believer. A believer believes. He says
yes to all that God says. Yes, Lord. Yes, is the confirmation
of the assertion. What do I mean by that? We'll
turn to Matthew chapter 11 and I'll show you. Verse 25. At that time, Jesus answered
and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because
thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and has
revealed them unto babes. Now, there's the assertion. God
has hid these things, the things of salvation from the wise and
prudent, and he's revealed them unto babes. Now, look what our
Lord says in verse 26. Even so. Yes. Truth. Verily. Agreement. Here's the reason
behind. Even so, Father, for so it seemed
good in thy sight. And if it seems good in his sight,
it's good. That's the believer's response.
Yes, Lord. Even so. Even so is what when
we hear it fills us with joy. and anticipation. We not only
it's not resigning. Well, that's what it says. OK,
no, I rejoice in it. I'm glad it's that way. When
I say, yes, Lord, I'm saying I like it that way. That's the
way I want it. That's what I'm delighted and
rejoice in. Turn with me to Revelation, Chapter
one. Revelation, Chapter one. Verse seven. Verse 7, Behold, he cometh with
the clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they also which
pierced him, and all the kindreds of the earth shall wail because
of him, even so. That's the word. Yes. Oh, doesn't
it make you joyful that he's coming with the clouds and all
of his enemies are going to find out exactly who he is? Even so,
yes. Turn to Revelation 22. Verse
20. He which testifies these things
saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so. Yes. Come, Lord Jesus. Now, that's that's something
we delight in. That's something we rejoice in.
I'm coming quickly, he says. And our response is even so.
Come, Lord Jesus. Now, turn with me to Second Corinthians,
chapter one. Second Corinthians, chapter one. Verse 15. And in this confidence. I was
minded to come unto you before that you might have a second
benefit, this was my intentions, I wanted to come to you again
and preach the gospel to you and you'd have another benefit.
and to pass by you at the Macedonian, to come again out of Macedonia
unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judea. That
was my plans, but man proposes, God disposes. We have plans and
they don't always happen the way we think they should. Verse
17, when I therefore was thus minded, did I use likeness? Now, I know I didn't do what
I said I was going to do, but I was prevented. But did I use
likeness? Or was I not serious about what
I sang? Or the things that I purposed,
do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should
be yay-yay and nay-nay? Yes and no to the same things?
Paul's detractors accused him of fickleness. He says yes, and
he says no to the same things. He's inconsistent. He's flip-flopping.
He's ambiguous. He doesn't do what he says he's
going to do. Now, Paul's saying, yes, I was providentially hindered
in coming to you, but it's not because I was saying yes and
no to the same things, verse 18. But as God is true, our word
toward you was not yea and nay. Now, this would describe yea
and nay. This would describe most preaching
we hear in our day. Yay and nay. Is salvation all
of grace? Yes. You heard anybody deny that? Salvation is all of grace. But
you need to do your part to make that grace work. That's called
yay, nay. Does the blood of Christ actually
save? Does His blood actually put away
sin to where I don't have any sin? Well, yes, His blood put
away sin, but no, there's something you need to do in order to make
His blood work. Yes, it put away your sin, but
you might go to hell anyway if you don't do what it is you need
to do, accept it or whatever it is to make it work for you.
Now, that's yes and no to the same thing. Is God sovereign? Yes. You ever heard anybody say, no,
I don't believe God's sovereign? Of course God's sovereign. But
I also believe man has free will. Oh, when I say that, I say that,
well, God is not sovereign over man's will. Yes and no to the
same thing. Do you really believe the Bible
is our only rule of faith and practice, God's word? Well, of
course I do. And I've got all these documents
and these constitutions and church bylaws to prove it's our only
rule of faith and practice. That's ridiculous, isn't it?
That's saying yes and no to the same thing. Look what Paul says
in verse 19. Verse 18, but as God is true,
our word for you is not yea and nay, for the Son of God, Jesus
Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus
and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. Now, it's impossible to preach
yea and nay if you preach the Son of God. It's impossible. You see, our message is a person,
the Son of God. We don't preach the theory of
His atonement. We preach Him who atones. We don't preach the doctrine
of election. We preach Him who elects. The Son of God is the
one who's preached. Now, listen real carefully. Christ
is not the most important part of the gospel. Christ is not
the centerpiece of the gospel. Christ is the gospel. The Son of God, who was preached
by us, even by me and Silphosius and Timotheus, what's he say? Was not yea and nay, but in him
was yea. For all of the promises of God
in Him are yea, and in Him, amen, unto the glory of God by us.
Now let's talk just for a few moments about the promises of
God in Him. They're all yea. They're all amen. They're all
positive. They're all sure. 1 Corinthians
1.30 says, But of Him are you in Christ Jesus. Now here's the
promises of God in Him. Of Him are you in Christ Jesus? What a blessed place to be. Somebody
says, how can I get into Christ? God's got to put you there. That's
the only way I can answer that. God's got to put you there. And if
He puts you there, you're in the Lord Jesus Christ. But of
Him are you in Christ Jesus? Who of God is made unto us wisdom
and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Yea, Lord! Yes! I love that. All the promises of God in Him
are yea. Here's another one. Romans chapter
8, verse 1 says, There is therefore now no condemnation to them that
are in Christ Jesus. The songwriter said, No condemnation
now, I dread. I am my Lord's and He is mine,
alive in Him, my living head, and clothed in righteousness
divine. There is therefore now no condemnation
to them that are in Christ Jesus. Yea, Lord! There's a powerful
no. That's where no is no. There
is no condemnation. There is complete salvation in
the Lord Jesus Christ. All the promises of God in Him
are yea. Galatians, chapter five, verse
six, says, For in Christ Jesus, there it is in Christ Jesus,
neither circumcision avails anything nor uncircumcision, but faith,
which worketh by love. Yea, Lord. Yea, Lord. Ephesians one, six says he hath
made us accepted in the beloved. Yea, Lord. You see, this is what
comes from the heart. This is what a believer rejoices
in. Whatever he says, all the promises
of God in him are yea. And we say, yes, Lord. Yes. But look what he says next. Not only does he say yea, he
says amen. All the promises of God in him
are yea. All the promises of God in him are amen. You know what that means? Let
it be so. This is what I want. Strong agreement. Yes, I agree. Let it be so. This is the desire
of the heart. This is something by His grace
I'm willing to die for. His Word. Yes, Lord. Now, let's go back to Matthew,
chapter 15 and closing. Verse 26. But he answered and said. It's not neat. To take the children's
bread and to cast it to dogs, and she said, truth, Lord, Yes,
Lord. Yay, Lord. Even so, Lord. What you said
is the truth, all you say is the truth, I agree completely. Yet the dogs eat of the crumbs
which fall from their master's table. She's saying, Lord. I'm not asking for a place sitting
with the children. I know I'm nothing more than
a dog, but even the dogs are dependent upon the crumbs that
fall down. And I would be so grateful for
any crumbs of mercy that fall my way. I'm a dog, but I'm your
dog, and I'm completely dependent upon you. Now, look how our Lord
responds to this woman. Then Jesus answered and said
unto her, O woman, great is thy faith. You want to know what great faith
is? Here it is. O woman, great is thy faith,
be it unto thee even as thou wilt and her daughter was made
whole from that very hour. What's a believer do? He says
yes to everything God says. What's an unbeliever do? He says
no, God May God give every one of us
the grace from our hearts to say yes to whatever He says. Let's pray together.