It has often been said that the good things in life come in small packages. It may also be claimed that sublime truth is often expressed in simple words. Dr. Bob Jones Sr. once said, "Simplicity is truth’s most becoming garb."
In all probability no more simple words ever fell from the
lips of Jesus Christ and have more noticeably and deeply offered
comfort than the words of the last three verses of Matthew 11.
Note the simplicity of the invitation - "COME"
Note the scope of the invitation - "All ye that labour and
are heavy laden"
Note the sufficiency of the invitation - "I will give yo
rest"
Jesus Christ says to all men that all your restlessness is GODLESSNESS.
I. A RECEPTION THAT HAS NEVER BEEN
REVERSED - "Come unto me"
Here is a welcome that has never change, been repealed, abolished,
or cancelled.
A. The weariness Jesus saw
Refers primarily to the Jews, who groaned under the weight of
their ceremonial laws and the traditions of the elders. There
can be no doubt, however, that it applies here to the poor, lost,
ruined sinner; the man burdened with a consciousness of his transgressions,
trembling at his danger and seeking deliverance. What a weariness
is a religion based on works.
B. The words Jesus spoke
This invitation is for all people. How thrilling it is to know
that Jesus did not say, "Come unto me, all ye wealthy."
Had this been the case, most of the world would have been excluded.
How thrilling it is to know that Jesus did not say, "Come
unto me, all ye educated." Had this been the case, many more
would have been left excluded! Jesus is asking all to come.&nb
II. A REFRESHMENT THAT IS OFTEN REJECTED
Rest that is often rejected simply because man will not come.
This rest cannot be bought, merited, or earned. It is a gift.
There is nothing to do but come. John 5:40 states, "And ye
will not come to me, that ye might have life." Solomon could
give counsel’ Peter could deliver a stirring sermon, Samson
could carry a heavy load; David might have given financial assistance
to the impoverished, but no one but Jesus ever offered rest.
This rest involves:
A. Pardon for the guilty
B. Purity to the unrighteous
C. Provision for the needy
You can REST only when you have adequate resources! Significance,
sufficiency, and security come from Christ
If a man goes to hell, he will not go unloved. "How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as, a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not," (Matthew 23:37). The root of the pro
III. A RELATIONSHIP THAT IS NEVER
REGRETTED
I have met a lot of people who have regretted waiting so long
to come to Jesus, but I have never met any individual who regretting
coming to Jesus.
I know people that have entered into relationships that they later regretted. For the more they got to know the individual, the more they wished they had not entered into a relationship with the individual. However, no one has ever regretted they entered into a relationship with Jesus.
A. The APPEAL (29)
Summed up in three words -"take," "learn,"
and "find"
1. A decision to personalize - take
Once we are saved, we are individually called to be harnessed
to Him, to work alongside Him. Now He does not force His yoke
upon us. He just invites us to come and share in His great work.
The term "yoke" was applied to anyone who was in servitude.....yoked
in service with Him. "His commandments are not grevious."
B. The ASSURANCE (30)
The Lord will never tax us beyond our strength, and He will never
impose a task beyond the ability He gives. Furthermore, He is
on the other side of the yoke and He carries the weight. He takes
the heavy end of the task: watch me; learn of me, you and I will
live, move, and have our being together.
Someone has suggested that if Jesus had a sign outside. His carpenter’s
shop, it probably would have read, "My yokes fit well."
Jesus does not promise a life of inactivity nor freedom from sorrow,
but he does assure us that if we stay close to Him we will find
relief from many crushing burdens.
Conclusion:
The question this morning is simply this; have you been to Jesus
and experienced the rest of salvation, and haveyou been to Jesus
and experienced the rest of service?
Yours because HIS
Bro. Jimmy Chapman