Sermon on 26 January 2025 by Pastor Justin Chia

Matthew 11:28-30 - “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.””
Go to the Lord quickly if you have imbalances in your emotion. There is power in His word that will give life to your spirit. A Christian who doesn’t pray is a Christian who doesn’t communicate with God and does not have a relationship with God. He is not a disciple. A disciple is a follower that imitates Jesus. Praying aligns our will with the Father and in His plan. A yoke is a wooden device that joins two animals together to plough or to carry something. It symbolises relationship, partnership, and discipleship. If you want to enter into His rest, you need to have a relationship, take His yoke, and be His disciple. If I cannot find immediate rest, I am not in partnership with Christ.
Jeremiah 6:16 - “This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’”
The simplest truth is the hardest to follow. Jesus’ yoke is easy because of the power of His grace. It will ignite you to be a doer of His word. His burden is light because God shoulders your burden. You will find rest when you walk in His ways.
Come to Me:
Take my yoke - Personal relationship with Him
Learn from Me - Discipleship in humble submission
Find rest for your soul - is to walk in His way
Jesus opened His invitation to everyone.
John 13:34-35 - “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.””
Say only one thing about the nature of Jesus. What will be your answer? Patience, kindness, gentleness, and humility.
Matthew 11:29 - “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Learn to return to Him - Run
You can only submit to God if you approach Him with humility. We acknowledge His Lordship over our lives and invite His transformative power to work within us. He is the author of our faith. Prioritise our relationship with Him above all else.
James 4:8 - “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”
Isaiah 30:15 - “This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 - “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
Matthew 6:33 - “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
2. Learn to rest in Him - Rest
It is making alignment with His truth and being refreshed in His presence. Resting in Jesus means trusting Him entirely and surrendering our worries, fears, and anxieties to Him. Even if you know the truth, the truth cannot set you free because you didn’t rest and align in the truth. Don’t open whatever door that God closed. Take time to be still and know He is God.
Matthew 11:28 - “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
John 7:38 - “Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’””
Psalm 46:10 - ““Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.””
3. Learn to remain in Him - Rooted
Discipleship is about a continuous, steadfast relationship abiding in Him. Our spiritual vitality and fruitfulness come from remaining in Jesus and abiding in love. Remain firm in our faith and be rooted in His love and grace.
John 15:10 - “When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.”
Psalm 1:3 - “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”
4. Learn to renew in Him - Restore
Renewal in Christ means putting on Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us. Let go of old habits and mindsets and embrace the new life he offers. In everything we do, reflect the light of Jesus. Let people smell the fragrance of God.
2 Corinthians 5:17 - “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
Psalm 23:3 - “He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.”
Let us all respond to Jesus’ invitation. Let us admit that we need Him. Let us all accept His yoke. Our God is a good shepherd. He is inviting us to come to Him.
John 10:11 - ““I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.”
Amen.
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