An Irrevocable Invitation

At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you who labor 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.”

1. INTRODUCTION.

INVITATIONS COME IN A VARIETY OF FORMS. YOU HAVE THE WEDDING INVITATION, THE GRADUATION INVITATION, THE PARTY INVITATION, THE HOUSE WARMING INVITATION; AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

Note, ALL OF THESE INVITATIONS CAN BE WITHDRAWN AT ANYTIME. IF THE SENDER OF THE INVITATION GETS ANGRY, THEY CAN REVOKE THE INVITATION. IF THEY HAVE MISCALCULATED THE NUMBER OF INVITATIONS SENT, YOUR INVITATION CAN BE REVOKED. If the event is canceled, your invitation can be revoked.

TO SHED LIGHT ON THIS IRREFUTABLE CONCEPT, this month the Nobel Foundation, which administers the Nobel awards, withdrew invitations to Russia, Belarus and Iran to attend ceremonies after criticism from Swedish lawmakers. Lawmakers cited Russia’s war on Ukraine and the crackdown on human rights in Belarus & Iran as reasons for the proposed boycott.

BUT MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, THERE IS AN INVITATION, that WHEN IT IS EXTENDED, WILL NEVER BE REVOKED OR RESCINDED. THIS IS THE IRREVOCABLE INVITATION THAT IS EXTENDED BY OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS THE CHRIST.

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

Ill: A.B. Simpson

“Once my hands were always trying,

Trying hard to do my best;

Now my heart is sweetly trusting,

And my soul is all at rest!

Once my life was full of effort,

Now it’s full of joy and zest;

Since I took his yoke upon me,

Jesus gives to me His rest!”

2. THE TEXT

JESUS HAS BEEN TEACHING HIS DISCIPLES, THEN HE GOES INTO OTHER CITIES TO TEACH AND PREACH.

a) IN THE 28TH VERSE HE EXTENDS AN INVITATION TO ALL WHO WOULD ACCEPT IT.

b) TODAY, JESUS IS STILL EXTENDING HIS INVITATION TO THOSE WHO WOULD ACCEPT IT.

c) THE PROBLEM IS THAT A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS ARE IGNORING HIS INVITATION.

Ill: Consider the woman who was busy cleaning her house because she expected a visit from the king.

As she cleaned her house a beggar knocked on her door and asked for a morsel of bread. The woman refused saying I can't give you my bread, I'm saving it for the king.

Later, a traveler knocked and asked for a drink of water. The woman refused again saying that she did not have anything for him to drink from since all of her glasses had been washed to be used by the king.

Finally, a lame man came looking for someone to help him walk. She told him as she told the others that she could not respond because she needed all of her energy to assist the king.

As the day progressed the woman sat patiently, with her house clean and in order, waiting for the king to arrive. Hours passed but the king did not come. Disappointed she sat down and wrote the king a note, complaining of the great pains that she went through to prepare for his visit and then he did not even come.

Soon however a carrier brought an answer to her note. The king's response read in this fashion: I came to your home three times, but each time you turned me down. First I came as a beggar, but you had not food for me. Then I came asking for a drink of water but your glasses were to clean for my dirty hands. Then I came asking for help, but you didn't want to tire yourself out.

In the future madam, may I suggest that you treat everyone as if they were the king himself, for we are all the children of our eternal king! At that, the woman dropped her head in shame.

d) HE SAYS “COME UNTO TO ME ALL YE THAT LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN.

e) WHO CAN COME?

f) THE WEARY

g) THE WORN

h) THE DISENFRANCHISED

i) THE LAME

j) THE FORGOTTEN

k) THE PIMP AND THE PROSTITUTE

l) THE DRUG DEALER AND DRUG ADDICT

m) THOSE WHO FEEL LIKE GIVING UP

n) THE DEPRESSED

o) THE OPPRESSED