2023.08.03.Sermon Notes. Come to Me. and I will give you rest (peace). Labor Day Weekend
William Akehurst, HSWC
BIG IDEA: Everyday, we face new challenges and demands in the busyness of this world. We grow weary and need peace and rest. These challenges go beyond the physical and into the spiritual. JESUS provides peace and rest for both, with HIS own invitation…COME TO ME.
SCRIPTURES: Matthew 11:25-30, Isaiah 55:3, Psalms 4:8, Hebrews 4:9-11, Philippians 4:6-7, 2 Chronicles 20:15, Hebrews 4:16, Philippians 4:4, Psalms 23:1-4, Isaiah 26:3-4, John 16:33, Romans 5:1-5, 1 John 5:1-5, John 7:37-39, Acts 9:31, John 14:26-27, 2 Thessalonians 3:16, Numbers 6:24-26
JESUS REVEALS HIDDEN MYSTERIES TO THE CHILD OF GOD
Matthew 11:25-30
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.
26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.
27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
JESUS CALLING: COME TO ME
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Concerning the rules and regulations the Religious Leaders placed on their followers, JESUS is calling for us to come to HIM, learn from HIM, and see that it’s not a matter of rituals required for salvation. It’s simply putting our trust in HIM.
COME TO ME AND LIVE
Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Hear, and your soul shall live;
And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—
The sure mercies of David.
PEACE FIRST, THEN REST
Psalms 4:8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
A FINAL RESTING PLACE? A FUTURE DESTINATION. MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ENTER IT.
Hebrews 4:9-11
9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;
10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.
11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
WE ALL GET ANXIOUS, BUT WHEN WE PUT ON THE MIND OF THANKFULNESS “IN” EVERYTHING, THEN THE PEACE OF GOD WILL GUARD OUR THOUGHTS
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, IT'S GOD'S
2 Chronicles 20:15 Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
HELP IN TIME OF NEED
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
DELIGHT IN THE LORD, FIND YOUR JOY IN HIM
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
HE PROVIDES FOR YOUR EVERY NEED
Psalms 23:1-4 (NLT)
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
REST AND PEACE
2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
RENEWED STRENGTH, GUIDED, PROTECTED AND COMFORTED
3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
***
Max Lucado writes in “Calm Moments for Anxious Days.”
GOD'S PROMISE TO ME
God is faithful. When I need His wisdom, it will be there.
When I need His strength, it will be there.
And when I need His presence, He will be there.
He is enough for me.
***
And to that I add the following:
When I need Peace, it will be there.
When I need Rest, it will be there.
And just when I need HIM most, HE will be there.
HE is everything I need.
FOCUSING ON JESUS KEEPS US IN PERFECT PEACE.
PUTTING OUR TRUST IN THE LORD, GIVES US PEACE
Isaiah 26:3-4
3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
4 Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.
DEALING WITH ‘STUFF’ IN THIS WORLD, CHEER UP, JESUS OVERCAME THE WORLD SO THAT WE CAN HAVE PEACE IN IT.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
PEACE COMES THROUGH JESUS.
Romans 5:1-5
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
WE FACE TRIBULATIONS AND SHOULD REJOICE IN THEM, KNOWING IT INCREASES OUR FAITH, TRUST AND HOPE IN JESUS.
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
WHOSOEVER BELIEVES – CONSIDERS, ACCEPTS AS TRUE, TRUSTS
1 John 5:1-5
1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.
GOD’S COMMANDS ARE NOT BURDENSOME
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
FAITH IS THE VICTORY. BELIEVING, TRUSTING…FAITH THAT OVERCOMES
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
COME TO ME, TAKE ME IN, AND LIFE WILL FLOW OUT FROM WITHIN YOU
John 7:37-39
37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
PEACE TO BELIEVERS BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
Acts 9:31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
THE HOLY SPIRIT - COMFORTER
John 14:26-27 [Amplified Bible]
26 But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.
PEACE TO CALM AND GIVE YOU COURAGE AND STRENGTH FOR EVERY CHALLENGE
27 Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]
Simply put, as we look for peace and rest in a troublesome and restless world, JESUS is calling...COME TO ME.
Come to ME and I will give you peace and rest.
Will you COME?
BENEDICTION
2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
Numbers 6:24-26 (The Priestly Blessing)
24 The LORD bless you and keep you;
25 The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you PEACE.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing!
Bill
