Jesus Cares For You
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Greetings…
The theme for this year, on Sunday mornings, has been “The Life of Christ.”
We have covered a number of important passages concerning Christ’s life and his message up to this point.
Today, we are going to turn our attention to what has been commonly called the, “Greatest Invitation” every given, found in Matthew 11:28-29.
Let’s read that now.
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
There are several important truths to be gleaned from this fantastic two verses.
With that in mind let’s examine our lesson for this morning.
Come…
Come…
This Shows Who Is To Come.
This Shows Who Is To Come.
Man not God is the imperfect one.
It is man that brought sin into the world.
Romans 5:12 (ESV)
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned
Because man is the sinful one it is our responsibility to “seek God’s salvation out.”
It’s not like God is hiding, his creation clearly proves he created it.
19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Though this sermon isn’t meant to dive into all this if anyone is more interested in this fact let me know later.
One of the more interesting aspects of the reality of “who is do the seeking out” is that…
This Contradicts Man’s Doctrines.
This Contradicts Man’s Doctrines.
Many in the Christendom teach varying doctrines that contradict “who is to do the coming to.”
Many teach that one needs to “pray” that God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit will come and save them.
Notice, they are seeking God to come to them.
Understanding “who is to come” eliminates the doctrines such as…
The mourner’s bench.
The direct operation of the Holy Spirit on the heart.
The sinner’s prayer.
Summary
Summary
This little word has a sermon of implications within it.
Let us always strive to “seek” our God out in all matters.
Secondly, we read that Jesus said, “Come…”
To Me…
To Me…
This Show Who We Go To.
This Show Who We Go To.
This places Jesus directly in the seat of salvation and why Jesus said in John 14:6…
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
This is also why Peter declared in Acts 4:12…
Acts 4:12 (ESV)
12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
It is Jesus, the Christ, that came to save sinners like you and me.
Matthew 1:21 (ESV)
21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.
It is Jesus, the Christ, that died for all of us, each and everyone of us that have sinned.
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
It is Jesus, the Christ, that want’s all of us to be saved.
Not one soul that has sinned does God want lost for eternity.
3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
That’s why we are to “teach everyone” the gospel message.
15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
All of this simply proves…
Christ’s Compassion For Sinners.
Christ’s Compassion For Sinners.
This clearly demonstrates God the Father, Son, and Spirit’s love for their creation even in our sin.
This is why we see Jesus have such compassion for sinners like you and I.
He had great compassion for the adulterous woman (John 8:3-11).
He had great compassion for the woman who washed his feet with her tears (Luke 7:36-50).
He had great compassion for the ones crucifying him on the cross (Luke 23:34).
Summary
Summary
When one understands God’s great love for each and everyone of us there is no question about who we go to then.
We will go the one and only one that loved us enough to die for our sins and that we may have hope in an eternity with him.
Thirdly we read, “Come to me…”
All…
All…
God’s Love Is Not Limited.
God’s Love Is Not Limited.
As we just talked about Jesus died for not just Adam and Eve, not just Moses, not just you and me, but every single soul to has lived and reached the age of accountability.
God’s love for mankind is not limited to the faithful however.
Jesus, our Messiah, died for everyone.
10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
Jesus not only died for you and I but for every person that denies his existence, everyone that rejects his son’s sacrifice, and everyone that has caused so much harm to our world.
As we read earlier, this is because God “desires all people everywhere to be saved” (1 Timothy 2:4).
However, just because God’s love for mankind is not limited, that doesn’t mean we can’t refuse his love.
Remember, the invitation of Christ was for “all who would come” but it excludes all who refuse or choose not to come.
Summary
Summary
The fact of the matter is, there will always be those that refuse Jesus’ invitation, and because God’s love for us includes freedom of choice, it’s up to us to chose him or refuse him.
People’s choice to refuse God’s love is their choice but that doesn’t stop God from loving them and desiring for them to “come to him” for salvation.
Fourthly, we read, “Come to me, all who
Labor & Are Heavy Laden…
Labor & Are Heavy Laden…
This Life Is Difficult.
This Life Is Difficult.
This country we live in has more to offer in way of social security than most other countries yet, as you and I know, there is still little comfort in it.
We labor in this life working our hands and/or minds.
We daily bear the burden of living in this old sinful world.
God sees the damage sin has done to this world he created for those he loves.
God knows our struggles.
That is why Jesus wants us to know that…
Life Can Be Easier.
Life Can Be Easier.
Jesus, after acknowledging the struggles we are going through, says, “and I will give you rest.”
In other words, God wants to make our burdens in this life easier, but how does he do that?
God does this by taking away our anxiety.
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
When our anxiety or weariness is removed there is a great relief from such.
Why are so many laborers “heavy laden or burden down” because they feel like they have the weight of the world on their shoulders.
Jesus declares, he way of living life will easy those burdens by taking away those anxieties and allow us to rejoice always and in every situation.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–17 (ESV)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing
Summary
Summary
There are so many people in this life dealing with anxiety, depression, and simply struggling with finding joy and happiness in this life.
Jesus offers rest from that stress and anxiety.
This relief comes because God knows what is best for us.
That brings us to our fifth point wherein we read, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest…”
Take My Yoke…
Take My Yoke…
Christianity Isn’t Work Free.
Christianity Isn’t Work Free.
There is no other explanation for this statement other than there is an expectation that for those whom choose to “come and find rest” they are expected to work.
The word of God is replete with this truth.
We were created to “work.”
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
We are “go” and teach all the gospel.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
We are to study God’s word so we can mature.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
We are to visit the less fortunate.
27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
We could go on and on but this is sufficient.
Why is “laboring” for the Lord so vital.
Because the one working hard at something rarely thinks of their misfortunes.
Because the one working hard finds joy in what they are doing.
God knows we need to keep our selves busy or our minds will focus on the things in this life that bring us anxiety.
Now one of the beauties of “working for God” is that…
One Yoke = One Work.
One Yoke = One Work.
What I mean by that is that each person that was “created by God for good works” has only one “work manual.”
That means that each of us are all working or doing the same thing.
The work that God wants Paul and Mark Moses to do is the same work he wants me and Carrol Moses to do.
That means, as God’s workmanship, we are in fellowship with our single-minded work.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Summary
Summary
No, Christianity is a “get out of work” card but it is a “you will work with all those like you card.”
All the same people who have the same goal in mind as you.
Sixth we read, “Take my yoke upon you, and…
Learn From Me…
Learn From Me…
Our Knowledge Directs Our Work.
Our Knowledge Directs Our Work.
Thankfully, as I said, God has given us the manual for the work he wants done.
He has given us “everything we need” to live a godly life i.e., a faithful life.
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
God has given us that which will direct our steps.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Unfortunately, man, though with proper intentions I believe, has taken it upon themselves to learn from.
There are far too many “creed books” or “manmade manuals” meant to direct the steps of man which has never turned out good as man is not near as smart as God.
23 I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.
Summary
Summary
When we need to know something, we shouldn’t head to the nearest creed, confession of faith, or commentary, but God’s holy and perfect word of truth.
Only in God’s “perfect law of liberty” can we find a mistake free, man influenced free, manual for how to live in this life and get to the next.
That brings me to our last point…
We read Jesus saying, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will…”
Find Rest For Your Soul…
Find Rest For Your Soul…
Rest From Our Labors.
Rest From Our Labors.
Once we have “worked for God” in this life we will find an eternal rest.
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”
We will find…
Rest From Our Journey.
Rest From Our Journey.
This life is not our home, as the song says, we are “just a passing through.”
We are pilgrims or sojourners on a journey to our eternal home.
11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
Lastly we will find…
Rest Which Is Eternal.
Rest Which Is Eternal.
Our rest from this life will be not for a day, a month, a thousand years, but for eternity.
Hebrews 4:9 (ESV)
9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God
Summary
Summary
v
Conclusion
Conclusion
Read Matthew 11:28-30…
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Does this sound like an invitation you would like to accept?
Does this sound like an invitation you can afford to reject?
You can accept this invitation today.
If you come to Jesus on his terms.
If you com to Jesus his way.
Invitation
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
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 his Son cleanses us from all sin.