A Command To Rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

Sermon on Sunday 3 November 2019 by Pastor Justin

Many are desperate to find rest, but can't find it. Many go to food, drink. Many try to make as much money as possible. Peace cannot be found because they are looking in the wrong places. The Lord said to go to Him. It is very simple. It is a fulfillment of the old testament's Sabbath rest. Exodus 20:8 - Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

In the new testament, the new covenant, the rest that God wants us to be in is not only one day. It is every single moment. He wants not just physical rest for us, but also inner rest within our spirit.

Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Jesus is the bread of life. If we partake in Him, we will never be hungry again.

John 6:35 - Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, he who believes in me will never be thirsty." Jesus told those who are overburdened to go to Him. When you look forward, and there is no through road, look up. Jesus will give us rest. He will relieve us from spiritual burden - inner rest for our soul that we can't find anywhere else. A yoke is a harness that attaches to an oxen. Jesus is shouldering your yoke - the yoke of sin and temptation, finance, sickness, family relationships. The message from Matthew 11:28-30 is: "Are you tired? Worn out? Burnt out? Come to me. Get away with me and you will recover your life. I will show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learnt to live freely and lightly." The 3 W's of invitation:  Worn out? Washed out? Withered out? If you have the 3 W's, you are invited. Jesus is inviting us right now to go to Him for rest. The 3 W's of rest:  1. Walk with Jesus. He is the only way. He will show us the best way, the way to prosper your soul. No one goes to the Father except through Jesus. This way is the narrow way. Do not take the broad way for it will lead to destruction. John 14:6 - Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Matthew 7:12-14 - So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the law and the prophets.  Psalms 23:2 - He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. 2. Work with Jesus. Jesus told us not to work for things that perish but to work for eternal life. Working with Jesus is simply to believe that you are a child of the most high God. You are dead to sin, you are alive in Christ. Believe that you carry the cross everyday. You will then be fresh everyday, because Jesus is guiding you every single step.  John 6:28-29 - Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" 2 Corinthians 3:9 - If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! 3. Watch how Jesus would do it. Jesus told us to follow Him. Many instead like to follow a follower of Jesus. We are disciples. We are supposed to learn everything that Jesus taught us.  Matthew 28:20 - and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.  Two things that Jesus ever asked anyone to learn from Him: Learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart. Not many Christians are keen to learn these two virtues. We should learn humility through unity.  Philippians 2:8 - And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! Luke 6:46 - "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" Luke 6:46 is an important verse that reminds us if we call Jesus Lord, we must do the things He asked us to do. Jesus is the Lord of our life. If Jesus is your Lord, naturally, you will not have a lot of ambition on earth. You just want to please Him. You just want to be lowly and humble. You just want to do His will. Because this is the only calling that we have.  Jesus is the Lord of our life. Just learn from Him, in gentleness, and in lowliness. Romans 8:28 - 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.