30 Days of Blessing Series
“The Anointing Breaks the Yoke”
(Part 1 of 5)
Matt. 11.28-30; Isaiah 10.37
October 7, 2012 Chester FBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker
Introduction:
A 28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.29 "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.30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matt 11:28-30 (NASB)
B A yoke is a part of a harness that fit over the neck/shoulders (to prevent chaffing) of a particular animal as it pulled a wagon, cart, plow, or a mill beam (Also how the animal’s master controlled, guided the animal).
1 The ancients used the image of a “yoke” to capture the essence of sumbission/obedience.
a The ancients used the “yoke” as a metaphor to describe a student who was under the “yoke” of his teacher.
aa Ancient Jewish writing says,
Draw near unto me, ye unlearned, and dwell in the house of learning.
Wherefore are ye slow, and what say ye to these things, seeing your souls are very thirsty? I opened my mouth, and said, Buy her for yourselves without money. Put your neck under the yoke, and let your soul receive instruction: she is hard at hand to find. Behold with your eyes, how that I have but little labour, and have gotten unto me much rest.
-Ecclesiasticus 51.23-27
bb The Pharisees were talking about the yoke of the Law/Torah (studying the Word) to bring rest to the soul and the acceptance of God.
b The Hebrews were taught to believe that if they studied enough, followed the Law closely enough, did enough, do the right things . . . they would find rest & acceptance of God.
2 The Pharisees, with their traditions/legalism/man-made rules had made it so hard (impossible) to please God.
a Just as Pharaoh had exhausted them physically, the Pharisees had exhausted them spiritually.
aa The Lord had delivered the Israelites from Pharaoh’s yoke of bondage/slavery only to have the Pharisees put another yoke on His people.
bb Traded Physical yokes for a Spiritual yokes.
b This new yoke of legalism was exhausting! weary and heavy-laden (v.28)
aa “weary” (Present participle: repeated action) working until exhaustion, day-after-day, week-after-week. (Working for salvation, love of God, to please God.)
bb “heavy-laden” (Perfect passive participle: the action was completed in the past with continuing results) Means to load up an animal/vessel & then the load was put on and then left on.
cc Also means, to overburden w/ ceremony or spiritual anxiety; stay tired, weary, discouraged, depressed.
B Jesus said, “Come to me, all who are weary & heavy laden and I will give you rest.”
1 Weary/heavy-laden are pre-existing conditions.
a As long as they were yoked to the Law, tradition, religion they could never experience the yoke of rest.
aa “rest” is refreshing from a long journey, take ease, revived.
bb Also, situation is fixed/matter is settled, put the issue to . . . rest.
b v.25, Jesus divided the yoke crowd into two groups: Wise & intelligent/babes.
25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Matt 11:25 (NASB)
aa Before the proud Jew could find rest he first had to admit his helplessness.
bb They could not depend on their own human wisdom, resources, & achievement. FUTILE
cc Must be like babies in the sense the acknowledging they were helpless, defenseless, dependent on their care-giver
c The Pharisees said, “do” and Jesus said, “Come.” The “coming” was an act of faith, trusting in Jesus as Savior.
2 When we come to Him (trust Him) for salvation, before we get anything, we come to Him as helpless babies.
a We admit we are helpless, defenseless, sinful, guilty, unrighteous.
b We confess the certainty of our lostness.
aa I’m lost, blind, crippled, fallen, & unable to get anywhere in/on my own.
bb It is not studying the Bible, knowing the Bible, through a creed, church, pastor, priest, doctrine, or denomination . . . but through Christ Jesus.
cc You must first give yourself to God before you get His free gift of salvation.
c We must come to him in humility, faith, brokeness, desperation, surrender.
C Salvation is the theme of Scripture (Adam in the Garden or Israel on the fields of Armageddon.)
1 The heart of the Gospel is that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1 Tim. 1.15.)
15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. 1 Tim 1:15 (NASB)
a He came to “seek & save that which was lost” (Luke 19.10).
10 "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10 (NASB)
b He is the Bread of Life & those who come to Him will never hunger.
aa Those who believe will never thirst (Jn. 6.35; 7.37).
35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. John 6:35 (NASB)
37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. John 7:37 (NASB)
bb Light of the world, “those who follow Him will not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (Jn. 8.12).
12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." John 8:12 (NASB)
c Because He is the “resurrection & life” those who believe in Him will live even if they die (Jn. 11.25).
25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, John 11:25 (NASB)
2 v.28, “Come” is an act of faith, v.29, “Take my yoke. . .learn from me.”
a He’s not saying learn to imitate Him, model Him, learn from my experiences.
aa Learn from the revelation that I alone impart.
bb Not Torah, Law, Tradition, Custom, Appointed Times . . . Jesus.
b Jesus is speaking Messianic Servant Language when He describes Himself as “gentle & humble in heart.”
aa 2 "He will not cry out or raise His voice, Nor make His voice heard in the street. 3 "A bruised reed He will not break And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice. Isaiah 42:2-3 (NASB)
1 Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot , And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. Isaiah 53:1-2 (NASB)
9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zech 9:9 (NASB)
16 Thus says the Lord, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.' Jer 6:16 (NASB)
(Prophetic fulfillment).
bb Our Messiah is not found in traditions, not Scripture, nor religion.
c Jesus has invited us to learn from HIM!; Removed the yoke of religion and gives a yoke of rest!
aa He has invited us to come (salvation), to take His yoke & learn from Me (deeper experience)
bb I firmly believe many have came at His invitation but have denied taking up His yoke or learning from Him.
cc The more we learn of Him, the deeper peace we’ll have because we trust Him more! (Life is easier, simplified)
d After we’re saved (came) we should begin learning about our Jesus to the point we serve Him (yoke).
aa Controls us, guides us, determines our steps/actions, guards our hearts.
bb We’re not saved by works but works come out of our salvation (Eph. 2.10).
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Eph 2:10 (NASB)
3 He is not . . .the Man upstairs, Big Guy in the Sky, Higher Power, Sky Daddy, and He’s not your co-pilot!
a He is the Chief of the Lord’s Army in Heaven, healer, savior, King of the universe, Creator!
b Strong & mighty, mighty in battle.
aa Beside Him there is no other.
bb W/O there no victory & With Him all things are possible.
c Praise Him your chains are gone, enemies yoke has been broken by the blood of Christ and you have taken His yoke.
aa 1,000 fall to your side, 10,000 at your right hand.
bb No weapon formed against shall be allowed to prosper.
cc That battle is not yours/mine . . . it belongs to the Lord.
D The Children of Israel had been taken captive, enslaved by their enemies, the Assyrians.
1 27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing. Isaiah 10:27 (KJV)
a God promised that through His anointing/covering the yoke of the Assyrians would be destroyed.
b I believe God’s promises are for all His babies (Children).
aa God promised He’d break us free, break our chains/yokes.
bb God is a yoke-breaker!
2 Before we start destroying yokes we must know the difference between God’s yoke and Satan’s yoke.
a God’s yoke is easy/burden is light (v.30).
aa If you’ll carry the yoke of Jesus you’ll 1. Learn of Him 2. Find rest (v.29).
bb His yoke is love, understanding, security, protection.
b The devil has counterfeit yokes. (We are all under a yoke of something)
aa The enemy has fooled many to take up his yoke (bondage/distress).
bb His yoke is heavy, makes you tired, depressing, makes you fearful, exhausting, suck the life from you.
cc If your yoke resembles any of these . . . you’ve not taken Jesus’ yoke.
c His yoke is easy/burden is light.
aa “easy” means it fits comfortably, tailor-made to fit your needs/life.
bb “load/burden” is light: load is “invoice.”
cc Would you rather carry the payload of tractor trailer or the invoice of tractor trailer? Hit by death or the shadow of death?
E God has shown Himself to be a yoke-breaker through out history.
1 God looked at His people in Egypt only to see the yoke they were wearing was not His yoke.
a They were working in slime pits, working their fingers to nubs.
aa No medical attention, freedom, victory.
bb God had promised Abraham hundreds of years earlier that He would break that yoke bringing His people out of bondage into freedom.
b 40 years before the Exodus, Moses tried to break the yoke his own way (Ex. 2.11-14).
11 Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren.12 So he looked this way and that, and when he saw there was no one around, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.13 He went out the next day, and behold, two Hebrews were fighting with each other; and he said to the offender , "Why are you striking your companion?"14 But he said, "Who made you a prince or a judge over us? Are you intending to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid and said, "Surely the matter has become known." Ex 2:11-14 (NASB)
aa Moses kills an Egyptian slave master . . . didn’t work.
bb Why? He was trying to break the yoke w/o the anointing of God.
cc Breaking in his own strength. EPIC FAIL. (Fled Egypt feeling rejected, disheartened when the Hebrews didn’t revolt).
2 40 years later Moses has the anointing & he breaks the yoke of slavery/bondage/oppression/fear.
a He stand before Pharaoh, “Let my people go!”
aa Ex. 14.4, God hardens Pharaoh’s heart.
4 "Thus I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord." And they did so. Ex 14:4 (NASB)
bb Couldn’t He just left him alone? Not bother him?
b God was about to demonstrate His yoke-breaking power expertise.
aa God, at times, allows the enemy to come rushing towards us, bark at us, chase us, pressure us.
bb Why? God is about to demonstrate His greatness, power.
cc Prove He walks with you, Power of the Holy Spirit is upon/within you if you have yielded to Him. (Walks w/ us if we love Him w/ all our hearts)
dd Promised to never leave or forsake us.
c God doesn’t work with fear, doubt . . . He does great work with FAITH.
aa The just shall live by FAITH.
bb I have faith that the anointing breaks the yokes of bondage, sin, curses, disease in my life!
Conclusion:
A Anointing Oil
1 Oil represents the Holy Spirit (God).
a Levitical blessing would anoint their forehead, right ear, right thumb, right toe.
aa (Forehead/sealed) Son/Daughter Thinking
bb Hear you (Voice)
cc Serve you (Covenant/authority)
dd Follow you in battle! Guide my steps.
b I believe the anointing breaks the yoke and I’m gonna start living like Jesus really does what He says He can do!
aa God does not honor lack of faith.
bb If we refuse to believe God will supply your need, lift the burden, give you liberty in prayer, understanding of the Word, He will not move.
cc He won’t move if you can’t believe you’re coming out of . . .depression, oppression, and sickness.
2 If you don’t believe you’re not letting God break the yoke . . .and God does break yokes, no joke!
B Invitation
1 Starting today, I challenge you to wake up and cover yourself in the anointing.
a Oil on your forehead, right ear, right thumb, right toe.
b Claim your healing (financial, marriage, physical, healing, addiction, religion, hate, unforgiveness, gossip, back-bitting, etc.)
c Claim your freedom in Christ, represent the power of the blood of Calvary over your life.
2 He will Deliver you, Set men free, break every fetter, release you from bondage . . . if you have faith He can.
a “I’m saved, I don’t have to claim freedom anymore. Prayed one time for His anointing, that’s enough.”
aa Congratulations, you’ve been Calvary. Would you like to see anything else? Your life in Christ started there but it doesn’t end there!
bb You have been a defense to rise up with, but if it is not used the protection will not be there.
b Claim your anointing, favor, blessing . . . It’s God but He’s given it to you!
aa Plane instructs parents to put Oxygen mask on themself first then their kids. Parents do no good if their not breathing themselves.
bb We’ll learn about blessing family, others, church in coming weeks . . . I want you to start with you! (You can’t give what you don’t have; teach what you’ve not experienced.)
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My name is Mike Fogerson, and I pastor a Southern Baptist Church in Chester, Illinois. I have been a long-time user of Sermon Central and truly appreciate its content and contributors. Some of the best sermons I’ve ever preached have been reworked material from this website. As you use the material from my sermon bank, understand that it is work that has been done from not just myself, but from hundreds of other pastors as well. If you see part of your message, or a bunch of your message with my name on it and this upsets you, please email me and I will quickly respond and cite you as the main source. My intent is not to claim someone’s work as my own. I am disclaiming up front that I use the resources from Sermon Central and appreciate the tool. I simply want all those who use my work to know that some of these messages were inspired by the Holy Spirit working through other pastors. Because I do use the messages of other pastors I waive all claims of originality or origin of creativity for the messages posted under my messages. I pray God blesses your preaching ministry for the glory of His Kingdom.
Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
