Fresh Start
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· 8 viewsYou can search for true rest and peace, but you will never find it apart from a personal relationship and close fellowship with Jesus Christ.
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Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
He wants us to come to Him. He has given us access to Himself. He invites us to come to Him.
Jesus said, “Come unto me...”
John the Baptist was imprisoned and sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was truly the Messiah. After answering them with truth that revealed the reality of His deity, Jesus turns to the multitude and addresses them regarding their unbelief. He called out the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their pride and unrepentant hearts.
These were cities where his disciples had been sent to preach and where He spent much time. He had done many miracles in these cities, yet they still did not believe.
He said to Capernaum, “if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.”
We search for peace of mind and rest in many things. As we look in the Word of God, we see that these are found only through a personal relationship and close fellowship with
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.
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.
Matthew 11:30
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Faith in Jesus
Faith in Jesus
Romans
Come Unto Me
Condition was Killing Her
Condition was Killing Her
Tried Conventional Wisdom
Tried Conventional Wisdom
Overloaded circuit breaker = Lights and heat go out
Ye have sown much, and bring in little;
Ye eat, but ye have not enough;
Ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink;
Ye clothe you, but there is none warm;
And he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.
Haggai 1:6-7
Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it:
Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Heavy Laden
Heavy Laden
For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Come Unto Me
Come Unto Me
Decided to Take a Chance
Decided to Take a Chance
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
I was so happy for the day that Dad bought a disposal! We were able to rinse off a lot of that stuff down the drain and grind it up in the disposal! That really saved some time!
Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it:
Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Then one day, I put a little too much in the sink. the disposal clogged up. It made a weird vibrating noise, clicked, and then nothing. OH NO! I broke the disposal! At least I thought I had.
Suffering
Suffering
She Came to Jesus
She Came to Jesus
She Touched Him
She Touched Him
I thought
She was Healed
She was Healed
She experienced it
She knew it
She
Jesus Knows Our Need
Religion < Relationship
Religion < Relationship
The joy of the LORD is your strength. - Nehemiah
Is it time for a fresh start?
In reality, I had overloaded it, but there was a safety feature on the disposal that causes it to shut down when it is overloaded. It is called a reset button.
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
In order to get the disposal going again, I needed to remove the excess waste, reach under the sink, and press the reset button.
You know, I have often found that life is like that breaker, and if I am not careful, I can overload it. Sometimes, we need to reset and get going again.
Religion < Relationship
Religion < Relationship
Jairus
Jairus
John 3:
The Bible teaches us that we are all born into sin. That sin piles up and we
Did you know you have a reset? You do!
Whether you know it or not, the real reset for our life is not a button at all but a person. His name is Jesus!
Is it time to press reset and enjoy a fresh start?
Earn < Receive
Try > Trust
Try > Trust
Invited to Rest
Invited to Rest
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Did you know you have a reset? You do!
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;
And lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5
Rest is found in a relationship.
Whether you know it or not, the real reset for our life is not a button at all but a person. His name is Jesus!
There were several times as I was preparing this message that I erased the whole thing and started over. It’s not that what I had written out was not good and helpful; it just did not seem to flow in order be as effective as I thought it should be.
Come unto me
Come unto me
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God,
And your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Romans
to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved:
and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God,
And your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
I will give
I will give
Burden < Rest
Burden < Rest
If something like a message needs to be worked on and restarted sometimes, how much more do we need to evaluate and press the reset button on our lives?
Two blind men
Two blind men
Mute man possessed with a devil
Mute man possessed with a devil
Scattered
Scattered
Religious
Religious
Irreligious
Irreligious
He Spoke
He Spoke
His Disciples
His Disciples
Sending them
Instructing them
John’s Disciples
John’s Disciples
The Woman came to Jesus for Her own Sickness
Take My Yoke
Take My Yoke
I am so glad that reset and fresh start are available!
Answering them
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.
God allows U-turns!
Encouraging them
The Multitudes were Always coming for Something
Unrepentant Cities
Unrepentant Cities
Partner with Jesus
Partner with Jesus
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us how to press reset. He says first,
Warning them
Rebuking them
God the Father
God the Father
Service
Get to Know Jesus
Get to Know Jesus
Come Unto Me
Come Unto Me
Thanking Him
His Character
His Character
His Strength
His Strength
Rest
Rest
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
He
He
Religion Puts the Burden on You
The
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
All who are laboring are invited to come to Him. He is specifically speaking to the religious crowd who thought they had to work so hard to earn favor with God.
His Yoke is Easy
His Yoke is Easy
Society Ma
Jesus Met their Needs
Jesus
As we reach out to people in our city, we often come across those who say, “I am not interested in organized religion!”
His Burden
His Burden
Jesus Satisfied
While this is an obstacle to reaching them for Christ, it is an easy position to understand.
Religion lays heavy burdens on you along with guilt trips when you fail to achieve their standards. They put so many rules on you and expect you to be perfect. When you don’t do everything exactly the way religion says, you feel like a failure, AND they pile on the guilt. You leave those services or conversations feeling more burdened with no hope of ever being free.
You leave those services or conversations feeling more burdened and never any hope of being free.
That is not what Jesus is all about. In fact, He really does set us free! He just wants you to realize that you cannot free yourself. Only He is able to give you the freedom, peace, and joy for which you are searching.
Romans
So, knowing that we would choose to sin, knowing that we would be held captive to sin, and knowing that sin would destroy us since we cannot free ourselves from its grasp, in His abundant love and amazing grace, He paid the price for our redemption and salvation.
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The historical evidence of the deity of Christ and His sacrifice for us, His death, burial, and bodily resurrection is well founded. The New Testament is the most well attested piece of ancient literature available with many more manuscripts available that date back to A.D. 130. That is within 40 years of the writing of the book of Revelation!
While skeptics abound, simply taking a look at the facts can prove the reality of Jesus Christ. Interestingly though, Jesus did not go about trying to prove Who He was. He just lived His life and His deity was seen. We are called to follow in His steps. Perhaps if we did a better job of reflecting Jesus Christ, we would not have to feel the need to argue with the skeptic.
Can the world see Jesus in you?
In Realization
In Realization
In realization that we are helpless, hopeless, and Hell-bound apart from Him. In realization that our sin has separated us from God and we are incapable of restoring ourselves in that relationship or fellowship with Him.
So, knowing that we would choose to sin, knowing that we would be held captive to sin, and knowing that sin would destroy us since we cannot free ourselves from its grasp, in His abundant love and amazing grace, He paid the price for our redemption and salvation.
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
When we realize that our fresh start is found in Jesus, then and only then can we come to Him in sincerity and humility. Secondly,
In Repentance
In Repentance
Repentance is a change of mind and heart that results in a change of direction. Many were religious, many were unbelievers, all were going their own way and weighed down with the load of sin and religious bondage. Jesus invited them to turn from those empty and vain attempts. He said,
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
The best that we can do in life is filthy in the eyes of holy God.
But we are all as an unclean thing,
And all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;
And we all do fade as a leaf;
And our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Are you still carrying your load of sin? Does it weigh heavily on you?
For mine iniquities are gone over mine head:
As a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
In his book Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan tells the story of a man named Pilgrim who lives in the city of Destruction. On his back is a heavy burden that he carries constantly. He tries to be rid of it, but he cannot. Each day, the burden grows heavier. He receives a message to flee the city of Destruction because his city will be destroyed. He also hears that there is hope for him and there is one way and only one way that he can have his burden removed. His journey takes him to the cross of Christ where he humbles himself and trusts in Jesus. His burden releases from his back and tumbles down the mountain.
Let me tell you about Debbie. Ms. Debbie grew up in church. Her mom took her to church every Sunday. She was taught that Jesus loves her and she knew that she should stay away from sin. However, as Debbie got older, she began to hang out with the wrong crowd. She began to party, drink, and smoke. She had a daughter, but she was not able to raise her properly, so her mother practically raised the baby. She worked a job, but due to the drugs and alcohol, she wasted her paychecks. Soon, the job was gone too.
Debbie married a man who treated her like trash. He would beat her with his fists, kick her, and stomp on her. Finally, in desperation she left him. She continued the partying lifestyle and practically anything else that goes along with it. She was homeless.
Then one day, out of the blue, she was able without a job to rent a house. The house was two doors down from the church I pastored in GA. When she moved in, she promised the Lord that she would clean up her life because she wanted to keep the house.
One day, I knocked on her door and invited her to church. She responded kindly, but I had no thought that I would ever see her in church.
Then she showed up! She said that God put it on her heart that she needed to go to the little church near her house. She came in and listened intently to the message. It wasn’t long before Debbie trusted Jesus as her Savior.
She had already started repenting. She was ready to be saved! She turned to Jesus and put her faith completely in Him. I had the privilege of baptizing Debbie and seeing her daughter come to church to see her mother baptized. Today, her daughter and family are faithfully attending church which is a huge answer to prayer.
“Hello, Pastor” She said sheepishly.
“Hello, Ms. Debbie! How are you?”
“I’m alright, Pastor. Now, I don’t mean to trouble you none, but I just need to tell you something, Pastor.”
I could tell she was truly burdened. “What is it, Ms. Debbie?”
“Pastor, I hate to tell you this, but i just have to tell you. I smoked a little weed before coming to church tonight. I’m so sorry!”
“Ms. Debbie, I appreciate your humility and honesty, but you don’t have to tell me about it. You just need to take that to Jesus. He loves you, and He will forgive you!”
“Oh, Pastor! I already did that! I just know I had to tell you because I promised God I would and I promised Him and I promise you that is the last time that will ever happen! I just needed to tell you, Pastor. Thank you for your time!”
And you know what? It was the last time. Ms. Debbie found a relationship and a fellowship with Jesus that satisfied. She began to go around and tell everyone about Jesus and the little church where she found Him. She brought many people to church so they could experience that change too!
I get the opportunity to speak to her on the phone from time to time, and she is still telling people about the change Jesus makes and the rest and peace He gives.
Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts:
And let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him;
And to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
God allows U-turns!
In Rest
In Rest
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Many are working so hard to impress the Lord and to earn His favor. Some are working so hard trying to fill the emptiness in their hearts and minds with knowledge, education, friends, “likes” on social media, accomplishment, and more. This void can only be filled by Jesus Christ.
Many are working so hard to impress the Lord and to earn His favor. Some are working so hard trying to fill the emptiness in their hearts and minds with knowledge, education, friends, “likes” on social media, accomplishment, and more. This void can only be filled by Jesus Christ.
Perhaps, you have trusted Christ as your Savior, but you have been trapped in a religious system that says, “He saved you, now you have to show that you were worth it!” You have been guilted and manipulated into serving. Let me just say, that is not how God operates.
He saves us and sets us free! The only motivation to serve Him that truly honors and pleases Him is love! We see His love for us and we respond to Him in love.
One evening, I was sitting in my office at the church, preparing for our Wednesday evening service. Ms. Debbie came in and greeted me on her way to the auditorium. After passing by, she stopped and leaned back into the doorway.
“Hello, Pastor” She said sheepishly.
“Hello, Ms. Debbie! How are you?”
“I’m alright, Pastor. Now, I don’t mean to trouble you none, but I just need to tell you something, Pastor.”
I could tell she was truly burdened. “What is it, Ms. Debbie?”
“Pastor, I hate to tell you this, but i just have to tell you. I smoked a little weed before coming to church tonight. I’m so sorry!”
“Ms. Debbie, I appreciate your humility and honesty, but you don’t have to tell me about it. You just need to take that to Jesus. He loves you, and He will forgive you!”
No judgment, just love. No guilt, just grace!
“Oh, Pastor! I already did that! I just know I had to tell you because I promised God I would and I promised Him and I promise you that is the last time that will ever happen! I just needed to tell you, Pastor. Thank you for your time!”
And you know what? It was the last time. Ms. Debbie found a relationship and a fellowship with Jesus that satisfied. She began to go around and tell everyone about Jesus and the little church where she found Him. She brought many people to church so they could experience that change too!
I get the opportunity to speak to her on the phone from time to time, and she is still telling people about the change Jesus makes and the rest and peace He gives.
He tenderly cares for us. He is our Shepherd. A shepherd lovingly leads his sheep. He is not like a cowboy that drives his cattle.
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Rest is available through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Do you need peace? Do you need Rest? Do you need to push the reset?
Come to Jesus! Realize He is the only way. Repent of your own efforts. Rely on Jesus Christ. Rest in Him!
Rest in His Presence - I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. ()
Rest in His Provision - My God shall supply all your need… ()
Rest in His Power - All power is given unto me in Heaven and in earth… ()
Rest in His Promises - Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: ()
Rest in His Peace - And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ()