A Life of Rest
Notes
Transcript
A Life of Rest
A Life of Rest
A woman awoke one morning and viewed the day's work ahead—meals, children to get ready for school, a dainty luncheon to prepare for a group of women who were coming—and she became anxious. Her husband in departing, said, "Hadn't you better take a rest, dear? You are feverish." When all were gone she took her Bible, and read, "He touched her hand, and the fever left her." She saw that was just what she needed, so she knelt and asked him for it. She arose, went about her work quietly, prepared a simple luncheon instead of the elaborate one. At the close of the meeting, she told the women of her experience, thus giving a testimony for the Master. When her husband returned, he said: "I see you took my advice, and took a rest; the fever is gone."
Isn’t this a great illustration of the anxiety and stress that the World puts on us every day!! In the same way that this woman found rest in the Scriptures, Let’s look there as well this morning!!
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants.
26 Yes, Father, because this was your good pleasure.
27 All things have been entrusted to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son desires to reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
What’s the Context
What’s the Context
Jesus has just given specific instructions to the Apostles on what they are to do as he sends them out! These instructions are often referred to as Jesus’ Missionary Discourse, or the “The Little Commission” in contrast to the Great commission from Matthew 28.
In Chapters 10 to 11:24 Jesus has been preparing and encouraging the Apostles for the difficulties that are ahead.
16 “Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves.
21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
He even tells them that it won’t just be people, but entire cities that will oppose the Gospel
23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until today.
24 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
So… you may be thinking to yourself, Pastor Matt, I thought this was about rest from trials?
And you would be absolutely right! Let’s jump to the text!
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants.
“At that time Jesus Said” is an extremely important statement. Other Translations say “At that time Jesus declared” but there are a number of versions that read “Jesus Answered” Why does that matter?
Jesus is Addressing all of the previously mentioned Difficulties by saying “Yes, but there is a brighter side to the picture”
So the question becomes
Who gets the rest?
Who gets the rest?
Let’s stay in Vs. 25 for a little longer!
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants.
In Vs. 25 we see two groups of people. You could make a case for three, but for our purposes this morning we’ll stick with two
First, we see the “Wise and Intelligent”
The text says that the Lord has “hidden” the validity and truth of all of Jesus’ miracles and all that is to come from them. Why?
Honestly, it was self inflicted.
The Salvation, peace, and rest that comes from the Gospel is not something that is bound by speculation or understanding.
These Wise and Intelligent people, were not able to see past their own understanding, and thus it cripples their ability to see Jesus for who he is.
“Infants” on the other hand, they are dependent on their parents.
My son Sam has really just started getting comfortable walking and climbing around the house. His favorite thing to do right now, is to climb up in a chair, or on the couch. When he gets up there He’s so proud of himself! But the beautiful thing is that He doesn’t pat himself on the back, He doesn’t start breaking down the long process and all of the hard work that got him there, because he can’t. He immediately turns around to see if I saw him do it! Then He immediately starts trying to walk off the couch, because He knows that I’m there. His confidence in His Father knows no limitations.
This is what the text is trying to show us. Only those who trust Jesus as an Infant trusts their Parents will know the Peace and Rest that Salvation offers. “Confidence without Limitations”
How do they get rest?
How do they get rest?
So we know that only the Childlike in their Faith CAN gain Rest. But Now the question becomes how do they get it?
27 All things have been entrusted to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son desires to reveal him.
Vs. 27 shows reintroduces us to last weeks theme. That the only way to know God (The Father) is through Christ (The Son).
As the 2004 Worship song says “One Way, JESUS!!
But what does that mean? I just wave a magic wand, say Jesus three times, and all is well? NOT AT ALL!!
It can be confusing, and to be honest, there are a lot of people out there who claim to be Christians, who are confused. Let’s see what Jesus tells us!
Jesus Says:
Jesus Says:
Run to Me
Run to Me
28 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
He says “Come” i say “Run” because i know that i am truly desperate to get there as fast as i can!
I am weary and tired from the trials that this life puts me through!
I am burdened by the struggles that not only i have to face, but that my brothers and sisters face on a daily basis!!
I need Rest. I need Comfort
and in order to get it I have to RUN to Jesus!!
He also says:
Walk with Me
Walk with Me
29 Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
To Some the idea of a yoke may not make sense. You may hear this and wonder what eggs have to do with Jesus. Let me show you some photos:
This is a yoke. This is a tool for farming. It allows multiple animals to work together to do accomplish a single task.
Like this. These bulls are bound together, so that they can pull a plow behind them.
Of course these animals are not the same. They have different personalities, experience, age, and strength.
Jesus wants us to walk beside him because He and only He is strong enough to get us through this life. We have a role to play, but He is definitely the stronger in the yoke.
And Finally, He says:
29 Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
We use a Big churchy word sometimes to explain this idea of learning from Jesus, Sanctification.
The idea is that Salvation is not a single event, but a process over a lifetime. Sanctification happens as we, over our lifetime, grow closer to Jesus by reading the Bible, Praying, surrounding ourselves with God’s people, and Serving.
We know that relationships take time and commitment. Our relationship with Jesus is no different.
The awesome thing, is that what we learn from Him, brings us Hope, comfort, peace, and ultimately rest.
The enemy is present. he is constantly at work in our world, he wants us to turn against each other.
But Jesus will rescue us from the Darkness
Jesus will rescue us from the Pain
JESUS WILL GIVE US REST
JESUS WILL GIVE US REST
All we have to do, is:
Run to Him
Walk with Him
Learn from Him
Have you surrendered your life to Jesus?
Do you have Peace and Rest in your life?
You can this morning.
Let’s Pray together!
Run to Him:
Pray to the Lord; Jesus I surrender my life to you today. I confess my sins and ask that you would forgive me. I believe that you Died on a Cross and rose again three days later so that i could be Saved. Please mold me into the person that you want me to be, and not the person that i want to be. Guide me as i move forward, that i may not fall back into my old ways, but that i will be made new! In Jesus name I Pray, Amen
Walk with Him:
The Bible shows us that we need each other! We need to walk through the good, and the bad parts of life together, so that we can encourage and help one another! Being a part of a Church is so important for our walk with the Lord. I will go a step further, and say that being a part of a Small group is so important for our walk with the Lord!!
In your Worship guide, there is a section for information. If you would like more information about how to Join our Church, and how to get plugged into a small group, Fill that section out, and leave it in the offering plate on your way out this morning. One of our pastors will get in touch with you soon to help you in that way!
Learn From Him:
Everything that we believe comes from the Bible. For every Christian, it should guide all of the decisions that we make. Make it a point to read your Bible every day! Hide the words of God in your heart, so that when difficult times arise, the Lord can comfort you and give you guidance!
If you have made a decision to follow Jesus this morning, we would love to talk with you! Our contact information is in the worship guide!
This Concludes our service for today; Guests we are so thankful that you are here today, and we invite you to come back next week! We will have the Voice of Mobile here for both services! They are amazing, and I believe that you will be truly Blessed through their music!
We are now going to transition into a time for our Faith Family. Members, we ask for you to hang around, guests you can be dismissed at this time.
Faith Family, I now Recognize one of our Deacons, Steve Hicks to direct our Family Time.