Well we have made it to the unofficial close of summer. Labor Day! It is time to put away your white shoes, sandals, and swimsuits. School is back in session; dust off your leaf rake and get ready for fall and winter! Is that depressing to you? I hope not! I am ready for some cooler weather!
Over the last several weeks we have talked about the importance of looking up to God. Last week we talked about looking up to God with determination and not quitting! We used Paul's encouragement found in Galatians 6:9
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
In this morning's text we find that Jesus offers us an invitation to rest!
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30
Do you ever feel like you have reached the end of your rope and there simply isn't enough rope left with which to tie a knot? Then you are the kind of person Jesus is addressing in these verses.
The world offers long weekends, cookouts, and road trips. And those are fine, but they only address the physical aspect of rest. There is a greater rest that we all need, and this rest comes only from knowing God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
(Matthew 11:28) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
I. The Rest of Salvation
A. Note the Invitation
1. Come Unto Me…
a. Not come unto the church.
b. Not come unto religion.
c. Not come unto anything…or anyone other than Jesus!
2. This may seem basic to some of you who are here today, but it is truly profound!
3. There is only one way of salvation.
(Acts 4:12) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
(John 14:6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
a. It has always been this way, and it always will be this way.
b. True biblical salvation is in a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
c. Anything else is NOT salvation!
4. Do you long for the rest of salvation? Come to Jesus!
B. Notice the scope of this invitation "All ye"
1. I am so thankful that God's invitation to come is extended to 'all'.
2. This is important because He tells us that 'All' have sinned and come short of His glory.
3. Isaiah told us that 'All' we like sheep have gone astray.
4. Since 'All' are in need…the invitation to come to Jesus is extended to 'All'!
(Revelation 22:17) And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
C. Notice the Benefit
1. "I will give you rest"
2. This word speaks of "quietness, calmness and refreshment."
3. Man says we must work hard, hold on, strive and struggle…but Jesus says to simply come to Him and He will give you rest!
4. What a blessing this truth is!
5. This rest manifests itself in several unique and special areas.
a. We are given peace with God
(Romans 5:1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
b. We are given a calm assurance of our salvation.
(Romans 8:16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
(John 6:37) All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
c. We are given a quietness concerning the future
d. We are given strength for our journey.
(Isaiah 40:31) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
e. Perhaps you would say, "Pastor that is what I need…that is what I have been looking for all my life…then look up to God for this rest that comes through His Son, Jesus!"
II. The Rest Of Satisfaction
(Matthew 11:29-30) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
A. Satisfaction Is Found In Service
1. Initially that doesn't make much sense does it?
2. We think of taking up the yoke as getting to work not resting.
3. But Jesus didn't make any mistakes here.
4. Taking up His yoke would be easy!
5. Our service with Christ is not a burden, but it is a blessing!
6. The key is the 'yoke'.
a. This is a wooden device that connected two oxen together so they could pull a load.
b. Normally, this would mean that both of the oxen would be pulling equally.
c. But Jesus tells us that His yoke is easy and His burden light.
d. Why? Because He has already done the work…as we yoke up with Him it is for fellowship.
e. This is the same promise that God made to the nation of Israel as they prepared to enter into the Promised Land.
f. All they needed to do was be obedient, and God would take care of the obstacles.
g. For you and I, all we need to be is obedient, God will get the job done!
7. The rest of satisfaction is found in our service to Him.
B. The rest of satisfaction is found in surrender.
1. Take note of the commands given by Jesus in these verses: Come, Take, Learn.
2. All of these words are verbs.
3. They are words which anticipate some action on the part of the hearers.
4. There words were given by the Lord Jesus to elicit a response from every person who heard these words.
5. Surrender means to yield to the power, control, or possession of another.
6. For the believer it means we are to surrender to Jesus Christ.
a. We are to surrender everything we are, have and ever hope to be to the will of the Lord.
b. We are to place ourselves at His disposal and allow Him to be the absolute Lord and ruler of our lives.
c. When we do, we will find genuine satisfaction for our souls.
(Romans 12:1-2) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
d. The Lord invites us to come unto Him.
e. He invites us to yoke up with Him and walk with Him.
Only then can we know true rest; the rest of salvation and the rest of satisfaction. What about you this morning? Are you weary and heavy laden? Do you long for rest? Do you long for satisfaction? Come to Jesus!
(Matthew 11:28-30) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
How will you respond to Christ's invitation this morning? He calls on each of us to come unto Him and we will find rest for our souls. Are you burdened with sin today? Jesus can give you rest. Are you heavy laden with the affairs of this life? Come to Him today. Whatever your need, whatever burden you may be carrying, Jesus beckons you to come. Will you reject His invitation or will you come? The choice is yours today.