Our Invitation Is Simple And Direct Series

Our invitation is simple and direct

Matthew 11:25-30

Invitations, Part 7

Introduction

- This morning is the final message in our Invitations series

- It is important that you and I understand the power of an invitation

-- Whether it’s an invitation to a ballgame, to a BBQ, or even to church

-- Everything we do starts with an invitation to be a part of something else

- Inviting someone to be a part of what you’re doing says several things to them:

1) What you have going on is important

2) What you are a part of is enjoyable to you, and,

3) What you do is worth their time to check out (at least once)

- Contrast: If we won’t invite others, what does that say about what we do?

- Background for our message: Jesus is teaching …

-- We see here a very familiar story that perhaps you’ve read before

-- But I wonder if we have ever really noticed how Jesus is inviting us

- Most would immediately say that it is to come to Him, for he gives rest

-- While this is very true … there are three invitations for us to consider

-- Let’s read and see where God takes our hearts today

- Read Matthew 11:25-30

- Pray

∆ Point 1 – Our First Invitation

- If you notice, the first thing Jesus does when he talks to the Father is praise

-- Over and over again His prayer life is one of worship and adoration (v25)

-- APP: What an incredible instruction for us to see: prayer involves praise

- He does not come to God just with His petition, but with praise and honor

-- RE: When the disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray he does same

- “Our Father, who are in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name …”

-- It is focus, it is fellowship, and it is worship that Jesus always begins with

- But more than that – look at the words that He used …

-- We come to God with reverence, because He is so worthy to be praised

-- He was pleased to reveal the information of salvation not to the learned (v26)

-- But to those who come humbly, asking, and requesting to know Him more

- Proverbs 25:2, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.”

- Jesus’ teaching here is phenomenal for the Christian today

-- Want to know more about God? Then YOU must go and seek Him out!

-- Our first invitation is to see that we have an active role in knowing God!

- We should be ones who seek to know more about God; who desire Him deeper

-- It is pleasing to God for us to seek Him out, to grow more in knowing Him

- In v26 Jesus even confirms and acknowledges that God does this intentionally

-- We should not be discouraged by this, but desire to know more about Him

- Q: I want to know God more …

- A: How much time do you spend reading His word and meeting with Him?

- This relationship building is no different than those that we have here

-- If I only talked to my spouse for one hour a week I wouldn’t know her at all!

-- APP: It pleases God when we seek Him out … willingly, humbly, like children

- TRANS: So, our first invitation is to have an active role seeking God out

∆ Point 2 – Our Second Invitation

- Jesus then acknowledges His place in the heavenly realms (v27)

- Two things to see here:

1) The disciples missed this revelation (chronological note)

-- Later in John 14:8, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

2) Jesus places Himself beneath and under the Father’s authority

-- God first had the knowledge, and He committed His knowledge to the Son

- Have you ever wondered where your place is in the pecking order?

-- Here it is: God is first, Jesus is His Son, and we follow Him -- That’s it!

-- None of us are more important, nor are any of us less important, to God

-- APP: Our example is Christ, and so we should follow Him in everything

- When God puts things in motion, it is God who moves and pushes forward

-- He has committed all knowledge to the Son for His purpose, not ours

-- Only the Father knows everything about the Son, and vice versa

- This is the most wonderful discipleship example we see in the Bible

-- It is honoring, it is worthy to be praised, and we’re grateful to experience it