Jesus Invites Us to Come to Him (Matthew 11:28-30)
Introduction:
1. In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus invites us to come to Him. 2. To help us more fully appreciate the Lord's invitation we need to consider several important points made earlier in this chapter. a. (vs.1) After giving the limited commission to the apostles (ch.10), Jesus continued to teach and preach. b. (vs.20-24) Jesus pronounced woe upon those who did not respond properly to His teaching -- these people failed to repent. c. (vs.25-26) Jesus thanked the Father for those who did respond properly to His teaching. 3. Following this brief prayer, Jesus gave His "Great Invitation."
Discussion:
I. THE LORD'S INVITATION IS FOR PEOPLE TO COME TO HIM
A. At that time, the scribes and the Pharisees were influencing the Jewish people. B. Unfortunately, their teaching had some serious problems. 1. (Matthew 23:3) They did not practice what they preached. 2. (Matthew 23:4) They placed tremendous burdens on people. 3. (Matthew 23:13) They actually kept people out of the kingdom. 4. (Matthew 23:15) They made their converts worse. C. Jesus invites us to come to Him rather than to teachers like these. D. Christ has something to offer that no one else can provide.
II. THE LORD'S INVITATION IS FOR ALL PEOPLE
A. Jesus invites all people who labor and are heavy laden to come to Him. 1. Those who labor are weary or exhausted from burdens or grief. 2. Those who are heavy laden are burdened down from the weight of sin. 3. Jesus has compassion on us when we are in these states (Matthew 9:36). B. Regardless of who or what we are, if we will come to Christ, He will give us "rest" [tranquility of the soul].
III. THE LORD'S INVITATION CONTAINS CERTAIN CONDITIONS FOR RECEIVING THIS REST
A. We must take the Lord's yoke upon us. 1. Yoke: a symbol of submission to someone else 2. Taking the Lord's yoke upon us means that we are to be in complete subjection to His will. 3. Christ has a yoke for us to wear, and He has a burden for us to carry (Matthew 16:24-25). 4. Some people find this hard to understand; however, when we compare His requirements to the penalty of sin, we see that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Proverbs 13:15 -- "the way of transgressors is hard"). B. We must learn of Jesus. 1. This actually means that we must "learn from Jesus." 2. We are to follow His instructions, and we are to follow His example (Philippians 2:5-8). C. These are requirements that we must fulfill. 1. As a teacher, Jesus is meek and lowly in heart -- He will not make us do His will. 2. Love for Him should lead us to meet His conditions (John 14:15). 3. Those who meet these conditions will find "rest unto their souls."
IV. WE ARE ABLE TO FIND REST UNTO OUR SOULS BECAUSE OF SPECIFIC BLESSINGS THAT JESUS PROVIDES, INCLUDING:
A. Forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 5:9; 1 John 1:7, 9) B. Life (John 6:63; 10:10; Revelation 22:17) C. Joy (John 15:11) D. Peace (John 14:27; 16:33) E. Mercy and grace (Hebrews 4:16) F. Hope (1 Peter 1:3-4)
Conclusion:
1. Are you in need of the rest that Jesus provides? 2. If so, comply with His conditions today. a. Belief (John 8:24) b. Repentance (Luke 13:3, 5) c. Confession (Romans 10:9-10) d. Baptism (Mark 16:16) e. Faithfulness (Revelation 2:10) 3. The Lord will bless you with spiritual rest that you cannot receive from any other source.
