Work Made Easy

Introduction

Illustration: Messaging Stress

The Average office gets 220 messages a day in emails, memos, phone calls, interruptions, and ads.

No wonder a survey of 1,313 managers on four continents found that “one-third of managers suffer from ill health as a direct consequence of stress associated with information overload. This figure increases to 43 percent among senior managers.”

Illustration: When You Grow Up

A photographer was snapping pictures of first graders at an elementary school, making small talk to put his subjects at ease.

“What are you going to be when you grow up?” he asked one little girl.

“Tired,,” she said.

Illustration: 12 Simple Ways to Make Life at Work Substantially Easier

Cut down on caffeine

Ask for help

Schedule times to talk

Invest in technology

Read fiction or personal stories in the evening

Text or IM for most work communications

cuts down on Interruptions (creates stress)

decreases cases of long response times (creates stress)

Keep a handwritten to do list

Address conflict early

Actually do your best work

Make sure any meeting is worth having

Surround yourself with positive people

Take a nap

Transition To Body

Necessity of works to visibly validate our faith

James 2:14–18 ESV

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

Burden of works of service (Martha Syndrome)

Luke 10:38–42 ESV

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Gospel of Matthew puts on front display Jesus’ Majesty as King

Jesus’ Identification (Matthew 1-2)

Jesus’ Preparation & Anointing (Matthew 3)

Jesus’ Testing (Matthew 4)

Jesus’ Call (Matthew 4)

Jesus’ Teaching (Matthew 5-7)

Jesus’ Power (Matthew 8-9)

Jesus’ Sending (Matthew 10)

Jesus’ Leading & Revelation (Matthew 11)

Jesus’ Revelation To Little Children

Matthew 11:25–27 ESV

25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

Jesus’ Requirement Of Childlike Faith

Matthew 18:1–4 ESV

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Body- Jesus

Extends A Gracious Invitation To The Weary (Overburdened)

Matthew 11:28 ESV

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Labor - weary & tired

heavy laden- Weary & burdened from keeping the law

Become tired to the extent of giving up

The invitation to “come here to me” is an important counterbalance to the statement in v. 27 that the knowledge of God is open only to those to whom the Son “is willing” to reveal him. That willingness is here shown to be not restrictive but open-ended, the invitation being issued to “all.” The only requirement is that those who come to him must recognize their need for help and be willing to accept his yoke and learn from him.

This is an invitation which the “wise and intelligent” may well choose to ignore, while the “little children” come willingly. The invitation is there for all, but (as in vv. 20–24) not all will respond to it; many are invited but few are chosen (see on 22:14).

Presents An Alternative Mode Of Restful Service

Matthew 11:29 ESV

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.

Mode= : a possible, customary, or preferred way of doing something

Yoke- Expedites the bearing of burdens. Of the teachings of Jesus

: a frame fitted to a person's shoulders to carry a load in two equal portions

an arched device formerly laid on the neck of a defeated person

wooden bar or frame by which two draft animals (such as oxen) are joined at the heads or necks for working together

Matthew 11:29 (Matthew (NIGTC)): A yoke is seen rather as a means of placing the animal in service: burden, obedience, subordination, and servitude are in view.

Servitude, marriage

Cautionary Warning For Healthy Church Work/Service

Matthew 23:2–7 ESV

2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.

Wise Vs. Foolish Builders

Matthew 7:24–27 ESV

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Acts 15:10–11 ESV

10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

Unless The LORD Builds The House

Psalm 127:1 ESV

1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

Psalm 127:1–2 ESV

1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.

Yoke of learning

Yoke of gentleness

Yoke of humility

Yoke of rest

Gentle- humble, considerate, meek, not being overly impressed by one’s sense of importance

Makes A Declaration Of The LORD’s Effortless Leading

Matthew 11:30 ESV

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Easy- that which causes no discomfort. Is easy to wear

Burden- that which is carried

Burden is light

Oppressive burden of the law

Cessation from wearisome activity for the sake of rest

Transition To Close

What a Friend we have in Jesus by Joseph M. Scriven

Joseph M. Scriven (b. Seapatrick, County Down, Ireland, 1819;

became an Irish immigrant to Canada,

Educated at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, he enrolled in a military college to prepare for an army career. However, poor health forced him to give up that ambition. Soon after came a second blow—his fiancée died in a drowning accident on the eve of their wedding in 1844. Later that year he moved to Ontario, where he taught school in Woodstock and Brantford.

His plans for marriage were dashed again when his new bride-to-be died after a short illness in 1855. Following this calamity Scriven seldom had a regular income, and he was forced to live in the homes of others. He also experienced mistrust from neighbors who did not appreciate his eccentricities or his work with the underprivileged.

A member of the Plymouth Brethren, he tried to live according to the Sermon on the Mount as literally as possible, giving and sharing all he had and often doing menial tasks for the poor and physically disabled.

Scriven suffered from depression and because his life was filled with grief and trials, Scriven often needed the solace of the Lord as described in his famous hymn.

1 What a friend we have in Jesus,

all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

all because we do not carry

everything to God in prayer!

2 Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged;

take it to the Lord in prayer!

Can we find a friend so faithful

who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness;

take it to the Lord in prayer!

3 Are we weak and heavy laden,

cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge--

take it to the Lord in prayer!

Do your friends despise, forsake you?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In his arms he'll take and shield you;

you will find a solace there.

That’s why the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, would later say:

Ephesians 2:8–10 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Close- Concerning Our Burdens

For nothing will be impossible with God. - Luke 1:37

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Phillippians 4:13

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. - Proverbs 3:5

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. - Philippians 4:6

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. - Jeremiah 17:7

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. - Psalm 56:3

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this. - Psalm 37:59.

In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. - Psalm 25:11

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? - Romans 8:31

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7

Can anyone of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? - Matthew 6:27

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. - Proverbs 12:25

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. - Psalm 34:4

He Gives Power....

Isaiah 40:29 ESV

29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Isaiah 40:30 ESV

30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;

Isaiah 40:31 ESV

31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Holy Spirit Help of Peace

John 14:25–27 ESV

25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

In This Life...

John 16:33 ESV

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

I Am the Good Shepherd

Psalm 23 ESV

A Psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

John 10:9–11 ESV

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Epilogue

Matthew 6:27–34 ESV

27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.