Come To Me

2023.08.03.Sermon Notes. Come to Me. and I will give you rest (peace). Labor Day Weekend

William Akehurst, HSWC

BIG IDEA: Everyday, we face new challenges and demands in the busyness of this world. We grow weary and need peace and rest. These challenges go beyond the physical and into the spiritual. JESUS provides peace and rest for both, with HIS own invitation…COME TO ME.

SCRIPTURES: Matthew 11:25-30, Isaiah 55:3, Psalms 4:8, Hebrews 4:9-11, Philippians 4:6-7, 2 Chronicles 20:15, Hebrews 4:16, Philippians 4:4, Psalms 23:1-4, Isaiah 26:3-4, John 16:33, Romans 5:1-5, 1 John 5:1-5, John 7:37-39, Acts 9:31, John 14:26-27, 2 Thessalonians 3:16, Numbers 6:24-26

JESUS REVEALS HIDDEN MYSTERIES TO THE CHILD OF GOD

Matthew 11:25-30

25 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.

26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.

27 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.

JESUS CALLING: COME TO ME

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

29 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.

30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Concerning the rules and regulations the Religious Leaders placed on their followers, JESUS is calling for us to come to HIM, learn from HIM, and see that it’s not a matter of rituals required for salvation. It’s simply putting our trust in HIM.

COME TO ME AND LIVE

Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear, and come to Me.

Hear, and your soul shall live;

And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—

The sure mercies of David.

PEACE FIRST, THEN REST

Psalms 4:8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

A FINAL RESTING PLACE? A FUTURE DESTINATION. MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ENTER IT.

Hebrews 4:9-11

9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;

10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.

11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

WE ALL GET ANXIOUS, BUT WHEN WE PUT ON THE MIND OF THANKFULNESS “IN” EVERYTHING, THEN THE PEACE OF GOD WILL GUARD OUR THOUGHTS

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, IT'S GOD'S

2 Chronicles 20:15 Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.

HELP IN TIME OF NEED

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

DELIGHT IN THE LORD, FIND YOUR JOY IN HIM

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

HE PROVIDES FOR YOUR EVERY NEED

Psalms 23:1-4 (NLT)

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

REST AND PEACE

2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.

RENEWED STRENGTH, GUIDED, PROTECTED AND COMFORTED

3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

***

Max Lucado writes in “Calm Moments for Anxious Days.”

GOD'S PROMISE TO ME

God is faithful. When I need His wisdom, it will be there.

When I need His strength, it will be there.

And when I need His presence, He will be there.

He is enough for me.

***

And to that I add the following:

When I need Peace, it will be there.

When I need Rest, it will be there.

And just when I need HIM most, HE will be there.

HE is everything I need.

FOCUSING ON JESUS KEEPS US IN PERFECT PEACE.

PUTTING OUR TRUST IN THE LORD, GIVES US PEACE

Isaiah 26:3-4

3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

4 Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.