Text: Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
Subject: Invitation
Theme: Jesus’ invitation to everyone
INTRODUCTION:
Have you ever been invited by someone? What do you feel if you are being invited by an influential person? Great, isn’t it? Especially when the president of our country was the one who invited us as his special guest into an special occasion.
This morning, I would like to reveal to you the invitation of the only begotten Son of God. Our Scripture passage is found in Matthew 11:28-30 which says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (NIV). These verses are from the lips of our Lord Jesus Christ while he was here on earth ministering and proclaiming the good news extending invitation to everyone.
This portion of Scripture is very popular and it is always used as a text preached during crusades or in an evangelistic services and meetings. Most preachers seemingly used this text for the unsaved to come and build relation with the Lord Jesus Christ himself. As I study this particular portion of scripture, I see it not only for crusade messages so that a sinner can start coming to Jesus, but this is for everybody even to those who are already Christian and long serving the Lord. So, whatever category you are today, this message is for you.
I would like to emphasize this morning that the truth regarding the invitation of Jesus found in Matthew 11:28-30 is still effective until these days.
BODY OF THE SERMON:
FIRST, I would like to emphasize that “everyone is invited to COME to the Lord Jesus Christ.” The invitation of the Lord Jesus Christ to come to him is very clear in verse 28, which says “COME to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Analyzing this verse we could observe that Jesus does not play favorites, again He says, “come to me ALL. . . .” The “all” here could mean:
1) “All” those who are skinny were called by the Lord Jesus Christ to come to Him, even those who are overweight they are called by the Lord to come to him to establish relationship with him.
2) “All” those that have white skin are called by the Lord, so with those who are black and even those who have brown skin they are called by the Lord.
3) “All” those who are educated having many degrees are called by the Lord, so with those who has no privilege to enter into any school they are still called by the Lord. In relation to this, I can recall my cousin who has earned higher education having many degrees and very knowledgeable to any issues and topics you can remember. In the midst of such knowledge, he accepted the invitation of Jesus into his life and as a result he became a joyful believer enjoying his profession.
In contrast, my mother who has no privilege to enter school because of the fact that during their time, school campuses are very seldom that time. Another reason is, most of their teachers are really terror inflicting physical injuries to students who unknowingly committed mistakes which that reasons hindered her to pursue here elementary education. Yet even my mother did not attended school, when she heard a message that Jesus is inviting her to come to the Savior, she accepted such invitation, as a result she felt released from all the heavy burden of sin and she became a new born again Christian. Hallelujah!
4) “All” those wealthy people are encouraged to come to the Lord to find peace to their souls so with those who are not privilege to gain any wealth here on earth are being called to establish relation with our Lord Jesus.
5) “All” those who are very old and having deteriorating physical bodies in this life are called by the Lord, so with those who are still children and are so young or anybody are called to respond to such invitation by our Savoir. Amen!
6) “All” those who are religious are encourage to come to the Lord so with those who have not tried to enter into any church are also called to come to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Again, we are so thankful that our Savior does not play favorites; he is calling everyone to COME and establish relationship with Him.
Secondly, I would like to emphasize that “everyone is invited to LEARN with the Lord Jesus Christ.” The invitation of the Lord Jesus Christ to learn with him is very clear in verse 29, which says “Take my yoke upon you and LEARN from me . . . .” This implies that those that has responded to the call of the Lord Jesus and has already “COME” to him is encouraged to LEARN with him.
According to Ephesians 3:17-19, “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith . . . , being rooted and established in love . . . , to grasp how wide and long, and high and deep is the love of Christ. . . , that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (NIV). While we stay close with the Lord Jesus Christ through faith, he will use many different ways so that we could LEARN and become mature in him such as the following:
1) We could learn through listening to the preaching of the word of God. This clearly means that we should not neglect attending and participating in a regular established full gospel church where in the Bible messages is being preached for your own benefit as a member in the Body of Christ.
2) We could learn through reading and studying the word of God regularly. As most of us know that, “the Bible is the “love letter” of God to man, especially to Christians. “Can we still recall those days that we are still teenagers, the first time or the second that you received a love letter from your sweetheart? Upon receiving such love letter, how many times did you read in a day . . . ? Once . . . ? Not enough! Twice . . . ? Not only once or twice but I am sure, many, many times. Yes, while we continue to read and associate with the one we love, we become completely knowledgeable about her and our relationship will grow deeper and deeper with her. So with the Lord, while we continually read his “love letter” to us we are learning about his personal messages to us and at the same time, we are learning about Him.
3) We could learn through looking and studying at the life and examples of Bible characters that lived during Bible times. These people who displayed marvelous belief in God such as: Enoch, who walk with God intimately even though he was surrounded with evil doers. Noah, who became an example of great obedience to God’s command to build an ark on top of a high mountain for a span of more or less one hundred twenty (120) long years. Abraham, who became the father of faith because of the fact that when God make a promise to him he believed it that his descendant will be like the number of stars in heaven and like the dust on the sea shore.
4) We could learn through the counsel of mature Christians especially in times of problems. This clearly means that we need to consult mature Christians who could guide and advise us in times of decision making. LISTEN TO THIS! We need others in the body of Christ, which means no need for us to be isolated because God could lead us through others. Amen! Hallelujah!
5) We could learn through our own experiences while following our Lord through faith. All of us have many experiences while still living on this earth. These experiences, as the Lord permits, will serve as a molding process for us to become stronger in the near future while we continue following him. There are times that we have “bad” experiences, so to speak. We should not look at those bad experiences in a negative perspective, because if we do that, “self pity” will develop within us that will hinder us to go on. Also, there are times that we have “good” and seemingly successful experiences. We should not always focus on those successful experiences commenting on ourselves that we are very successful, because if we do that, “pride” smoothly galloping deep within us which causes us to depend too much on our own abilities.
6) We could learn through observing and studying of the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. He said, “. . . for I am meek and humble in heart. . .” This means that by associating with Jesus through faith, we can learn that in all aspect of his life he is humble and lowly in heart. While being connected and related with him through faith, we are learning.
The emphasis that I am trying to make today is related to what the apostle Paul had said found in his letter to the Philippians which says, “. . . but I press on . . . one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize . . . heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:12-14, NIV). Hallelujah!
We should not focus on our bad and good experiences. We should forget those things, let it became a history of our past, leaning into the grace and mighty arm of our loving God! Amen!
Thirdly, those who have COME, and have LEARNED are now invited to SERVE. In other words my third point goes like this; “everyone is invited to SERVE the Lord Jesus Christ.” The invitation of the Lord Jesus Christ to serve him is clearly implied in verse 30, which says “For my YOKE is easy and my burden is light.”
Many times, when the word “yoke” was used in the Bible, it implies serving. Therefore, we could imply that this verse invites everyone to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who have responded to the CALL of the Lord were invited to LEARN and while learning the things of the Lord, you are invited to SERVE him willingly.
The Lord desires that all of us will serve Him by our own ability without imitating anybody else. This thought clearly emphasizes three (3) very important truths which are the following:
1) Every believer has a place to serve in the Lord’s vineyard. Each of us was uniquely created by God. We could not deny the fact that, each of us has different backgrounds, lifestyles, experiences, goals, motives in life, talents and so on. Yet, when we willingly yield our life to the Lord, He will surely use us for His own glory in His vineyard. Each one is important in the Body of Christ. Nobody is not useful but rather each one is important, therefore we should willingly function in the place where God intended us to be for the expansion of His kingdom here on earth.
2) Every believer has a talent to offer while serving in the Lord’s vineyard. The world’s population today already reaches to an insurmountable number. Yet, with that large number, no one is exactly the same. No one is totally looking alike in physical features which clearly mean we are especially created by God bestowing unique talents for our own disposal. LISTEN TO THIS! Your talents are not my talent. What you can do surely I cannot do. What I can do, in some areas you cannot do also. This implies that each one should do his part. You are not a competitor to me. And in return, I am not a competitor to you. We are complimentary; we should function as in a team. Doing your part, doing my part excelling the talents that God has given us. As it is often said, “Team work makes the dream works” (John Maxwell).
3) Every believer is given privilege to serve the Lord freely. Since everyone was uniquely created by the Lord, God desires that everyone will offer a free will decision to serve Him. This implies that whatever talents, ability I have will be gladly received by the Lord if I offer heartily to him.
Can you remember that little boy who has five (5) small bread and two (2) small fishes who willingly give to the Lord Jesus in time of need? The Lord miraculously multiplied that small amount of snack and was able to feed five thousand (5,000) hungry men not including the number of women and children that were in that place that time (John 6:5-14). Have we forgotten the experience of the widow woman during the time of Elijah that when she willingly obey the command of the Lord through Elijah himself, that she should feed first the man of God then she will cook for their own food? God miraculous provided their food until the drought was lifted up in that place. Therefore, we should serve God willingly whatever it takes. Hallelujah!
CONCLUSION:
Everyone is invited to COME to the Lord Jesus Christ. If anyone of you today has not yet responded to the call of the Lord Jesus, I would like you to respond immediately now. Jesus is calling you to come. He said “come unto me.” Everyone is invited to COME to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Friends, if you were already a long time believer, but your life is full of complaint in times of different experiences, this is the day to change your approach. According to verse 30, “. . . my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Friend, if you try to analyze the message and implication of this verse in your life because you are burdened, full of problems and seems not enjoying your relationship as a believer anymore, it is time to reevaluate your relation with Him now. Relationship with the calling Savior is easy and joyful. Beginning today, look at circumstances having positive perspective so that the Lord could reveal and teach you new and better lessons for you to LEARN more and grow more in Him. Hallelujah, Praise His Wonderful name!
Everyone is invited to SERVE the Lord. If you felt intimidated while seeing at the very outstanding talents and gifts of other believer, friend rejoice today! The Lord is calling you to offer Him the things that are in your hand. He wants to touch that talent that you possess so that it will become useful in the body of Christ. Your ordinary talent will become extraordinary if it is touched by the almighty God. Remember the old violin, it become useful and especial after being touched by the MASTER!
