1. Some

2. Tough Words?  Big English words? “Floccinaucinihilipilification” ○ Meaning: do or make nothing, very little, insignificant  Big Bible Words? “Jonathelemrechokim” (Ps. 56:1, title, KJV) “Mahershalalhashbaz” (Is. 8:1, KJV)

3.  “NO” is hard to pronounce When everyone wants you to say “yes” When it looks good/pleasing to the eyes When it appears threatening to utter

4. Examples of Failure to Say “NO”  Adam & Eve (Gen. 3:6) Contrast Daniel (Dan. 1:8)  Young Prophet (1 Kin. 13:15-19) Contrast 1 Kin. 13:7-9  David (2 Sam. 11) Contrast Joseph Gen. 39:7-10  Improperly Dressed Woman (Prov. 7:10) Contrast Vashti (Esth. 1:10, 11)

5. “NO”  Is a test of your character  Requires a big person to utter such a small word properly  Is required at times if we are going to obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29)  Is a barricade to keep the righteous from traveling down the path of evil and doom (Prov. 1:10-19)

6. “IF”  “If” – “CORE MEANING: a conjunction used to indicated the circumstances that would have to exist in order for an event to happen” (Encarta Dictionary)

7. “IF” –one of the BIGGEST words

8. Consequential Impact of “IF” in Scripture  Are you strong? Pr 24:10, “If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small”  Lazy and hungry? 2 Thess. 3:10, “... If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat”  Are you a “hard-worker” Ec 10:10 “If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success”

9. Consequential Impact of “IF” in Scripture  Love father and mother more than Christ? Luke 14:26, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple”  Do you love Christ? John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments”

10. Consequential Impact of “IF” in Scripture  Do you want God’s goodness? Romans 11:22, “Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off”

11. Consequential Impact of “IF” in Scripture  Do you want forgiven? Matt. 6:14, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” 1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. ○ Non-Christians must first repent and be baptized into the death of Christ (Rom. 6:3, 4) ○ Christian must repent and confess sin (1 Jn. 1:9)

12. Consequential Impact of “IF” in Scripture  Do you want to be a new creation? 2 Cor. 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” ○ Baptism is “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27)  Do you think you can be righteous by the law of Moses? Gal. 2:21, “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain”

13. Consequential Impact of “IF” in Scripture  Is your faith futile? 1 Cor. 15:17, “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!”  Do you want to avoid being destroyed by God? “If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are” (1 Cor. 3:17)

14. 2 Peter 1:5-11  Do you want to grow as a Christian and secure heaven? Faith Virtue Know- ledge Self- control Perse- verance Godliness Brotherly kindness Love

15. 2 Peter 1:5-11  “For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 8) Fait h Virtue Know - ledge Self- contr ol Pers e- veran ce Godlin ess Brother ly kindne ss Lov e Faith Knowledge Virtue Self-Control Perseverance Godliness Brotherly Kindness Love Fruitful Never Stumble Entrance Into Everlasting Kingdom

16. WHAT ABOUT YOU? IF & NO  Continue to live in sin?  “Play church”  Are you going to be less this year than last? OR  Are you ready to stop living for the devil?  Are you ready to get serious about religion?  Are you ready to be more this year than last?