WORDS OF COMFORT

Matthew 11:28-30

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Here is a welcome that has never change, been repealed, abolished, or cancelled.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.

The word "come" seems to be a favorite of the Godhead. The plea of God in the Bible is seen in the simple word "Come." The Saviour asked all kinds of people to come, and some of the Bible's most delightful stories describe folk who gladly accepted His invitations. Constantly God has pleasure in asking people to come, and He has never changed.

COME to Christ. There is no room for the pope, priest, pastor, or preacher. COME to Jesus.

His favorite word is “Come.” Not, — come to Moses, “Come unto me.” To Jesus himself we must come.

C. The willingness Jesus showed

“I will give you rest”
Jesus once said, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
No sinner will ever come to Christ and not be received. Jesus alone ( none else can) will freely give you (what ye cannot purchase) rest

II Peter 3:9
“No man taketh it (life) from me, but I lay it down of myself.” He died willingly that we might have the opportunity to have rest. PLEA and a PLEDGE is found in verse 28.

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 problem is ye would not!

All are invited to come, and all are promised rest. If few find rest from sin, it is because few come to Christ to receive it. “Come”; He drives none away: He calls all to himself.

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.”

"Taking the yoke" is a symbolic expression. It means, "Submit to me.”

2. A development that will materialize - learn

You will only learn of him as you yoke up with him. As you take His yoke, you will learn. You learn best in the yoke. As you yoke up with him, you will grow.

3. A discovery to realize - find

The first rest is “peace with God.” The second rest is “peace of God.”

II Peter states it this way, “peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God.” As we learn more abut Him, we discover a deeper peace because we trust Him more.

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 have you been to Jesus and experienced the rest of service?

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