There are precious few people I know who aren’t busy; who would define themselves as almost perpetually tired; and, if you get down to it, sick of the way life tends to play out for them on regular basis.
“Sick and tired.”
Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
How many of us have heard that? How many of us have said that? How many of us consistently feel that?
<<sigh>>
So when we hear Jesus’ words today, “come to Me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” those words are soothing to the ears!
“Yes, please!”
Yes, there is a lot more to His words and the ones that follow than we might initially grasp.
Let’s break some of this down:
First, let’s understand that His invitation to come to Him is open to all.
Second, He invited those who “labor and…heavy burdened.” This is far more than those who are fatigued in this world. The context suggests those who are being burdened by the rules and regulations of the Law. Those who are burdened by the religious authorities. Those who are burdened by sin. Those who are being beat down in the never-ending attempt to be good; to be godly; to be perfect.
Those who are truly “sick and tired.”
Does that include you?
Then Jesus gives more in His invitation to come…“take My yoke upon you and learn from Me.” Learn what? That He is “gentle and lowly in heart.”
So how is Jesus’ gentleness and humility help us?
Because He was gentle and humble to His Father unto death on a cross to take away all burdens and labors! His humbleness and gentleness leads to a release from all that holds down, all that encumbers, and that comes against us. All that makes us “sick and tired” – spiritually, emotionally, and physically! And since He has fulfilled everything needed, His yoke and burden is now easy and light!
It is telling that the next section after our text in Matthew is Jesus showing that He is lord of the Sabbath. Not only is He lord of the Sabbath, He is the fulfillment of it! He is our full and eternal rest! He is the answer to all that makes us “sick and tired!” Everything!
Halleluia! Thank You, Jesus!
“Gracious Lord; we praise and thank You that in Your gentleness and humbleness You fulfilled all labors and burdens and now give us full and eternal rest from all that makes us “sick and tired.” Grant us to see that fulfillment when our sins and the Enemy try to burden us again so we see the Truth in You. In Your precious name do we pray; amen!”
It’s not surprising that people don’t like pain and suffering. It is unpleasant and to be avoided.
So it’s no surprise that when faced with the option of suffering or comfort, we choose comfort; we choose that which is easy; we choose that which benefits.
Whoever does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.
Matthew 10:38
And some of the time that’s well and good.
But when it’s done to avoid doing the right thing, whether it is difficult or not, there’s a problem. Or when comfort is sought out instead of suffering for God, that’s a big problem.
We are called to Christ and to endure all – even death itself – rather than fall away from Him or serving Him. That is our call. That follows the pattern of Jesus Himself, who endured the cross, scorning its shame even to the point of death, in obedience to His Father and for our redemption.
There are even some Christians that take this to such an extreme as to not only deny that there should ever be suffering for a Christian, but to put off even the thought that this could, should or will happen.
“Get behind me, Satan!”
Jesus says very clearly in our text today that if we are choosing others or things or comfort or peace or anything above Him, we are not worthy of Him. If we do not take up our cross and follow Jesus, we are not worthy of Jesus. Our life is nothing without Him. Our life is forfeit without Him, because without Him, we would still be in death.
Suffering is a part of being a Christian. We don’t get to choose how that suffering looks or what it will entail, but we must always be ready to endure it to the very end; whatever it is;. for however long; in obedience and humility; in love; in response; to bring Jesus glory and to bring others to faith in Him. For that, let us endure anything and everything; any cross at anytime.
Jesus endured everything for us to save us. Including, literally, taking up His cross, bearing it for us. How can we not also and humbly – with amazing gratitude – respond in kind knowing that whatever cross it is that we are to bear, whatever sacrifice it is that we are to make, whatever suffering it is that we are to endure; it will end and we will find an eternal life in Jesus free from all of it.
Hallelujah and thank you Lord!
“Gracious Lord Jesus, Thank You for suffering all, even death on a cross, bearing it for our forgiveness; for our salvation; for our life. Strengthen us by Your Spirit to bear whatever cross, whatever sacrifice, whatever hardship, to bring You glory and others to faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Scripture
Matthew 10:34-39
Psalm 119:153-160 (Responsory)
NO VIDEO
We apologize but we have no video for today. We had major sound issues. We are working to address this for future services.
We can follow Jesus’ example and live like He did.
MEMORY VERSE
John 14:6b (NIrV)
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.’”
LESSON
SCRIPTURE
OBJECTIVE
01 — Jesus Was Born Jesus came to earth as a baby born to parents who were so poor that he had to be born in a barn for animals. Because Jesus is God’s son, he deserved to be born in the nicest palace to the richest family. But by choosing to let his son be born in a barn, God showed us that it doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done, God loves you and sent Jesus for you.
Luke 2:1-20 The Birth of Jesus
Little ones will learn that “Jesus could have done anything, but he chose to be a little kid just like me because he loves me”
02 — Jesus Studied God’s Word Jesus set an example for us by studying God’s Word. Even though he was the son of God, he still studied God’s word to learn what it says and obeyed what God taught him.
Luke 2:41-52 The Boy Jesus in the Temple
Little ones will learn that “I can study the Bible, just like Jesus did.”
03 — Jesus Was Obedient John the Baptist told other people about the coming Savior. When Jesus came to him to be baptized, John knew that the Savior arrived. Little ones will learn that Jesus set an example for us by being obedient to God when he was baptized. Jesus taught us that we show God we love Him when we obey Him.
Matthew 3:1-17 The Baptism of Jesus
Little ones will learn that “when I obey God, I’m showing that I love God.”
04 — Jesus Never Sinned Every single one of us has sinned at some point when we were tempted. As the Son of God, Jesus is the only person in history who lived a perfect life without sin. With Jesus’ help, we can resist temptation too.
Luke 4:1-13 The Temptation of Jesus.
Little ones will learn that “Jesus never did anything wrong, and he can help us to make right choices.”
05 — Jesus Called His Disciples When Jesus began his ministry, he asked 12 men to be his disciples and to follow in his footsteps and learn from his teaching and his actions. Even today Jesus wants us to be his disciples and commit to following him by obeying what he has taught us in the Bible.
Mark 1:14-20 Calling the First Disciples
Little ones will learn that “I can follow Jesus, by obeying the Bible.”
06 — Jesus Preached Jesus gave many sermons during his ministry, teaching people a different way to live and telling them that we could never do enough good things to go to heaven, but that God loves us and will forgive our sins if we will believe in Jesus as our Savior. In this sermon, Jesus shows how those who believe in Jesus can be a light to the world.
Matthew 5:13-16 The Sermon on the Mount Salt and Light
Little ones will learn that “when I tell people that Jesus loves them, I’m helping make their life brighter, like a light in a dark room.”
07 — Jesus Calmed a Storm When a storm threatened to sink the small boat that Jesus and the disciples were sailing in, Jesus commanded the storm to stop. And it did! We can trust Jesus with any problem, because He is powerful. Little ones will name something that they want to ask and trust God to help them with.
Mark 4:35-41 Jesus Calms the Storm
Little ones will learn that “I can ask God for help when I’m afraid.”
08 — Jesus Healed Because of his great love and compassion, Jesus healed many people that He encountered during his time on earth. One of them was a man who did not have the ability to walk. Little ones will learn that Jesus loves us and cares about each of us.
Luke 5:17-26 Jesus Heals a Paralytic
Little ones will learn that “I can ask God for help when I’m in need or someone I know needs help.”
09 — Jesus Came To Bring Peace When Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time, he rode on a donkey. The donkey was a symbol of a king who came in peace. Jesus showed us that he came in peace to let the world know how much God loves us.
Matthew 21:1-11 The Triumphal Entry
Little ones will name one way that knowing Jesus loves them gives them peace right now.
10 — Jesus Paid the Price for Sin Jesus was arrested even though he had done nothing wrong. He was sentenced to die a very painful death on the cross. We have all sinned and don’t deserve to be in Heaven with God. Jesus was the only person who never sinned and deserved to go to heaven without dying, but he chose to die in this way to pay the price for our sin so we could go to heaven too. Little ones will thank Jesus for dying for their sin.
Matthew 26:47-56, Luke 23:32-47 Jesus Arrest and Crucifixion
Little ones will learn that “Jesus took the punishment for every time I’ve made a bad choice.”
11 — Jesus Rose from the Dead! Jesus died for our sins, but on the third day He was raised back to life in power! Because Jesus paid the price for our sin and has power over sin and death, we can live forever with him in heaven.
John 20:1-23 The Resurrection
Little ones will learn that “I can trust Jesus to be my friend forever.”
12 —Jesus Will Return Jesus told his followers that he would be coming back to earth, but that their job and our job until then was to tell people how much God loves them, and to make new disciples of Jesus. Jesus wants us to share the good news of Jesus with other people so that when he returns to earth there will be many more people who believe that He is the Savior.
Matthew 28:16-20 The Great Commission
Little ones will name 1 person they are going to tell about Jesus this week.
In today’s reading, I think about different times and ways that we might present ourselves. We certainly present ourselves in the best light when we like someone and start dating, or when we’re going to a dance or maybe a Quinceañera.
There are a lot of situations and occasions in which we want to present ourselves in the best way possible and put our best foot forward. To let people see what’s best about us, not what’s worst.
Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.
Romans 6:13
But in our reading today, we’re told not to, “present [our] members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present [ourselves] to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and [our] members to God as instruments for righteousness” (Romans 6:13).
This got me thinking what it means to present ourselves and our members to sin or to God. When we do this we are offering ourselves up; we are giving ourselves over to; we are subjecting ourselves to.
We can either do that to evil and to sin, or to God and His righteousness, and His will. We can do it for good or bad; godliness and righteousness or ungodliness and evil.
It is a fascinating thing to think about the first time that we are presented: when we’re born. Dirty. Wet. Crying. Naked. Not our best view or best light!
And that’s what happens when we are presented in sin: we are dirty; we are unclean; we are selfish in the way that we act. We cry; we are separate; we are alone; we are cold; we are sinful. All of those things are true when we are in sin.
And yet. When we are presented to God through faith in Jesus, we are beautiful.
We were once slaves to impurity and lawlessness. We were once slaves to sin. We were once slaves to the devil. We were once slaves to our own passions. We presented ourselves to these things; we humbled ourselves and gave ourselves over to them.
How awful! How ugly! How horrifying!
But when Christ came He humbled Himself and presented Himself as a living sacrifice on our behalf, to forgive our sins, to make us right, to cleanse us before God. When He did those things, He presented us then, too – as perfect, as righteous, as just. And now as ones who can now also present all of our own members, all of our thoughts, all of our mind, all of our actions to God; in the same way; out of gratitude; out of thanksgiving; out of sincere, deep love. We can present ourselves and our members as a living sacrifice to God saying ‘we are Yours; we want to do what You desire; we want to be in You and Your grace. We want to live as You specify in Your word. We want these things. We present ourselves to You; to Your purpose; to Your will; to You in whatever way You see fit. We no longer want to present ourselves or be presented in any way that doesn’t bring You honor and glory and majesty; that doesn’t lift up others and point them also to You. We don’t want to do anything or be anyone that doesn’t present every fiber of our being to Your will and ways; to Your righteousness.’
Yes, there is still sin that still infects us and holds something over us, but let it be anathema! Let it be forever removed! Let it be forever shunned! For we are Yours, Lord; fully; in every way. That is our deep desire. That is our deep privilege.
Because of Jesus, who was presented for us and for our salvation and for our eternity.
Thank You, Lord! Thank You!
“Gracious Heavenly Father, we praise and thank You that Jesus was presented through His sacrifice on our behalf to make us wholly righteous and just so that we, too, can be presented to You as perfect. Grant that we live this way. That all of our thoughts, words, and deeds – that every member of our body – is presented to You in righteousness. In Jesus most precious name, do we pray. Amen.”
God forgives and forgets. That’s rather impossible with us. We may forgive, but forgetting? Well, that’s another matter. And if someone has really wronged us, that too often manifests itself in how we treat them in the future. At the very least, they may not be receiving our Christmas card next year!
God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
But God (thankfully!) is not like us.
It is an astonishing statement that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8) and that “while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son” (Romans 5:10).
Truly staggering!
How? Why?
When we look at our own lives we see our persistence in sinning and that God came to save us, not just because of our sins or despite our sins, but while we were sinners – and in His transcendent love and mercy said, “Yep, you, sinner; I die to save you! You, one who comes against Me as My enemy, driving Me to the death – I die for you to make our relationship right!”
It is truly unfathomable!
And yet, it is true! And amazing! And jarring! And weighty! And beautiful! And ours!
And now that we are reconciled and saved; now that our hearts have been made new; now that we are full beneficiaries of His perfect mercy, grace, and forgiveness, we can live in that reconciliation with God and others. We can live, move, and have our being no longer as sinners and enemies, but as ones who are holy children, bent on sharing this reality and reconciliation Plan with others.
How wonderfully phenomenal! “Thank You, Lord Jesus, for dying for us and reconciling us while we were sill sinners and enemies. We have no means of thanking You enough, but pray that we live in this reality by the Holy Spirit in a way that befits Your people. Use us as Your ambassadors to live and share this reconciliation with others, pointing them to You in all that we do. In Your precious name do we pray; amen!”
It is difficult to overemphasize the importance of the doctrine of Justification by Grace through Faith and not of works.
And that doctrine is articulated so strongly throughout the entire book of Romans. St. Paul describes again and again, in beautiful and articulate ways, how and why it is important to understand that we are declared righteous and just before God through faith in Jesus and not by works of the law.
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
Romans 4:13
But we forget this sometimes. Or at least we forget that it applies to others and not just us. Sometimes we’re more willing to overlook our foibles rather than those of others; ascribing to them motivations and a heart that must be far from God if they’re doing things that are against God’s will, but understanding in our own heart that we mess up, even if we still love God.
But all who believe in Jesus are saved with a righteousness that comes by faith – just like Abraham. He received the promise of that righteousness before the Law was given on Mount Sinai to Moses and all the Israelites. His faith was credited to him as righteousness before that was to come about.
That was good for the Israelites, it’s good for us, and it’s good for the world. Because if we try even a little bit to make our salvation dependent upon our actions or upon the Law, we are not just in trouble, we are in a damnable situation.
But thanks be to God that that’s not the way things are, that’s not how God structured it, and that’s not the path for salvation. God knew this, and He knew that we couldn’t attain it. That’s why He did it for us. That’s why He gives it to us. That’s why He sends the Holy Spirit to inform our motivations and our heart for following the Law and not as a basis for it.
Praise God for His infinite and indescribable mercy!
“We thank you, Lord, for giving us a salvation – a righteousness – that comes through faith and not of ourselves. Help us to remember that in times of struggle, when we fail You and Your Holy Law, so that we can look to Your faithfulness which covers our actions. Help us to live a life of righteousness through the faith that You’ve bestowed. In the name of Jesus, who accomplished all of this for us. Amen.”
