"Labour Day”

“Labour Day”

Matthew 11:28-29

8-31-2025

Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on Wednesday, September 5, 1883.

By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September of each year a national holiday.

The history of our labour goes farther back than the declaration for a three (3) day weekend.

God declared His work was finished on the sixth day and the seventh He rested from His work.

When man disobeyed God and was cast out of the garden we find that work became a lot harder.

Genesis 3:19 “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”

So we labour for the very life we live and enjoy.

I would like to point out three (3) things about labour that the Lord spoke of:

I. The Burdon Of Labour

Matthew 11:28-29 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

A. I love that Jesus said, “When you are tired of going down your path, you can come to me.”

Man’s religion can be so hard and heavy!

The weight of sin is not less with religion; but is increased.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.”

Ecclesiastes 2:22 “For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?”

B. The yoke of salvation is not harsh, but provides a place of direction

“….and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

II. The Brotherhood Of Labour

John 4:38 “I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.”

Hebrews 5:9 “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”

When we enter into this relationship with the LORD, we find that we have a very large family.

I sent you to reap,.... - To preach the Gospel, and gather in souls by your ministry

that whereon ye bestowed no labour; - My work is really OUR work and there are no “my way or the highway”; but we find that some have planted and some have watered but it is God who gets the increase.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”

“And ye are entered into their labours.” - to finish the work they had begun

III. The Bestowment Of Labour

John 6:27 “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.”

Bestowment = noun as in conferment or given

Labour not for the meat which perisheth - The food for our natural needs.

If all we do is survive then we are just laboring for the meet that will perish.

Life is not about bread on the table but it is about the “Bread of life” which comes with knowing the Lord Jesus Christ in a personal relationship.

But for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life - This is not a mandate to work for our salvation but rather we work because of our salvation, and this work is an everlasting work.

That meat which endureth - The supply of your spiritual wants; that which supports, and nourishes, and strengthens the soul.

for him hath God the Father sealed; - designated and appointed to be the Saviour, and Redeemer of the whosoever shall call upon the Lord.”

Conclusion:

Man may celebrate “Labor Day” as a day to recognize the work accomplished this last year, but God shows us the true meaning of our labours and we should always remember to rest in His Grace and Mercy that we do not merit but God so freely gives.

Do you know Jesus as just a man who lived so many years ago?

Or do you know Him as LORD and SAVIOUR?