Jesus is Calling
Matthew 11:25-30
* This sermon was inspired by one originally preached by C.H. Spurgeon.
Introduction
- This particular text is often preached regarding sorrows and how joy comes
- I’ve sought out this verse out before as well to seek strength from issues
- Tonight, we are going to examine this piece of Scripture from Jesus’ point of view
-- He calls the weary to come to Him
-- He challenges them to learn from Him
-- He not only receives those who come freely; but He begs them to come
- Can you imagine such a desire that Christ Himself calls out to you to “come”?
- Stand and read Matthew 11:25-30
- Pray
Point 1 – Who is He?
- Isa 53:4-5, “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
- APP: Jesus is one who has been rejected, yet He cries, “Come onto me.”
- He is one whose rejection involves us in fearful guilt; yet He is ready to forgive
- One who knows the Father’s purpose; but still invites ALL who are needing
- John 14:2, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
-- He is the One who has all power to receive; and faithfully gives rest to those
- One who as the Son of God is infinitely blessed; and yet finds joy in receiving
- Even knowing His own destiny, He calls us to come to Him and find rest
- APP: What tremendous love and patience is this?
Point 2 – Who does He call and why?
- Laborers, with more than they can do (even the unhappy and overworked)
Matt 9:37, “Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”
- Each of us is called to work and spread the Gospel; and the rest comes later
- Heavy laden ones, with more on them than they can bear
-- Even when we feel that we cannot take any more, Jesus calls us to come to Him
The spiritually burdened, who need a helping hand; and only find it in Him
-- John 15:19, “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”
- TRANS: Because Jesus calls us, we could logically ask, “Why does He care?”
Point 3 – What causes His desire for them?
- It is not because of Jesus’ own need for them
- It is not because of our personal worthiness or “good deeds” we’ve done
- So, why does Jesus have a desire for us?
- (1) He is Himself a man, and knows the needs of all men
-- Phil 2:7, “but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”
- (2) He has done so much to buy us rest that He desires to ensure we have it
-- Because Jesus has completed it ALL so we can earn rest in eternity
-- Luke 23:43, “Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
-- APP: Tremendous encouragement that Heaven is a place of true rest
- (3) He delights to give us rest, because of His servant’s heart
-- Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Point 4 – How then shall we treat this call?
- (1) It is very earnest; let us heed it
-- Ref this morning’s message about gathering together to serve and disciple
-- We are called to minister and to gather together for one purpose: to connect others with Jesus Christ
- (2) It exactly suits us …
-- 2 Corinthians 5:12, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
- (3) It is gracious, so we must accept it
-- It is the Grace that God gives us; not because of anything we have done
- APP: Jesus is one who has been rejected, yet He cries, “Come onto me.”
-- Will you come onto Him for rest? For life? For training? For restoration?
- It is a call that each of us must cling to, and we each must answer
- Pray
