Lay Down Your Burdens
The first time I took a group of youth into the Smokey Mountains, we hiked to Abrams Falls. 2.5 mile hike each way 40 ft. big waterfall.
During our time there, one of the youth hurt leg and couldn’t walk.
No vehicles, bikes, - arm over my & other adult shoulder, carried out heavier and heavier - still can feel numbness, WHAT A BURDEN!
While in Grenada this summer, realized just how spoiled I am. Most of the people carried everything as they traveled, mostly on foot, back, arms, shoulders, HEAD - used to it, but for me BURDEN!
When I buy something, I put it in a cart, with wheels, put it in a bag and put the bag in a cart with wheels, roll it to my car, then drive it home & put it away, complain about having to carry it in the house.
WHAT A BURDEN!
Before the advent of modern farm equipment, most of the heavy work was done by oxen, horses or another strong, powerful animal.
The farmer would link the two animals together with a yoke, usually a wooden pole & U-shaped pieces that would go around the animals necks and attach to the pole. Then as a group, they would be till the soil and prepare it for planting.
These animals became known as beasts of burdens, for they were carrying the burden of the work-load for the farmer. (Not the inspiration to the Rolling Stones song, “Beast of Burden”)
Jesus, master teacher used the word-picture of these animals, says in
Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, & I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you & learn from me, for I am gentle & humble in heart,& you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy & my burden light."
Like the time when Jesus spoke with the woman at the well and offered her “living water”, here Jesus uses a physical phrase and applies a spiritual meaning to it -the word YOKE.
You see, the religious leaders of the day, (Pharisees, Scribes, etc.) had created so many man-made laws, rules and regulations about how to live on a day by day basis, that the people were overwhelmed.
That’s why Jesus said in Luke 11:46 - “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.”
Jesus makes a clear distinction, between what the religious leaders of His day required and what He offered to them.
It was a very easy choice for those with an open heart and mind;
Continuous Heavy Burdens OR
Rest for the Soul.
Think about this; every other religious belief system, except Christianity is based upon some type of works system, “What you do, helps to earn your salvation”. Do this and that and this and that.
What does that produce, Heavy Burdens - I’m always left wondering if I have “done enough to be saved, accepted, or worthy?”
With Christ, it’s easy, you can never do enough to be worthy!
WAIT - That in itself is the heaviest of burdens to bear!
Don’t worry, because the good news of the gospel is this, JESUS HAS DONE THE WORK FOR YOU!
Our salvation is never derived by our “works”, Ephesians 2:8 says,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”.
His offer to “give you rest” is still available today. In fact He wants to give it to you. He never runs out. He never grows tired of giving.
Okay, I’m sold - I want His rest, how do I get it?
1. Our Part of the Process:
Psalm 55:22 - “Cast your cares on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall”
There is no promise of being released from any difficulties, the comfort comes in knowing who is concerned about us, God Himself.
Our part is letting Him be in control of our lives, refusing to be weighed down by burdens, because they will get us down, they’ll disturb our peace and distract our mind.
It is a choice we can & should make, not based on positive thinking (believing in myself), and it’s not sticking your head in the sand (pretending there’s no problem), it’s based on WHO T/LORD IS!
I Peter 5:6-7 - “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He will lift you up in due time; Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you.”
Our part is being humble, not a passive resignation, but an active cooperation, where we allow ourselves to be humbled. We subject or put ourselves under God’s authority.
Casting your anxiety on God involves “throwing”, (takes your effort), this part is not up to God, you must take this action.
We all know what happens physically and emotionally when anxiety is at a peak in our lives; it literally takes over everything.
It affects every human relationship you have, it keeps you from concentrating on tasks, it robs your sleep, it creeps into your mind at all times. It puts a stranglehold on your life.
The spiritual outcome is worse, our devotion to God declines.
We begin to doubt His promises, faithfulness and love.
Therefore, our burdens must be completely gotten rid of by a decisive act of committal and surrender, in which they are cast upon, given or surrendered to God AND cease to be carried by us.
Sometimes, we transfer part of our burdens on God, and keep part to ourselves, not fully trusting that He can handle them all.
They must be completely given to Him, without hesitation and without reservation.
Add to these verses,
Proverbs 3:5-6 - “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight.”
The wise writer says don’t try and support yourself, it’s pointless, because when we try, we will always fall on our faces.
Remember that when he says to acknowledge God, the root of this word is “know” and when we remember that it is God who we are trusting, our confidence level is raised through the roof.
All 3 of these verses point out that our part of the process is to give our concerns over to God, for Him to handle.
I think grandmas are the best worriers. Why is that so?
Could be they have experienced so much life and so they know the dangers that await their family and friends.
Could be that they recall the mistakes they have made in a life-time and the negative results and don’t want the same for others.
Biggest culprit is time, they have more time to think (and worry) than most people.
If worry consumes you, one idea is to invest your time in worthy or worthwhile activities.
Read God’s word, where you will find comfort and the reassurance of God’s presence and help.
Spend time with God in prayer, pouring your concerns at His feet and leaving them there.
Spend time with others, social times, visiting the sick, volunteering to help the needy - the added benefit will be an increase in your self-worth, as you see God using you to minister to others.
Nehemiah 4:16-18 - Part of the Jewish remnant had returned to Jerusalem to build the city walls as a protection from their enemies. During the process the enemy threatened to attack and destroy them. What would their reaction be?
“From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.”
They could have complained that they were doing the right thing, so why would God allow this possible disaster?
They could have given up, knowing that the enemy would destroy all of their efforts anyway.
They could have gotten so worried about the possible attack that their work stopped.
None of that happened, they simply did what they could do and left the rest up to God. They kept building, keeping their weapons closeby
There’s a distinction between problems we can resolve and problems Only God can resolve.
Don’t expect Him to do the things that you NEED to do.
On the other hand, don’t try to handle t/things that only He can handle.
What happens when life falls apart?
What then?
Listen to this scripture:
Habbakuk 3:17-19 - “I heard & my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, & my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. Though the fig tree does not bud & there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails & the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen & no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior”
Is this guy crazy? Is this someone delusional? Does his optimism dull his sense of reality?
Look at the verse, everything is bad, there is nothing good there at all.
Every feel like that is your life?
Is your response like Paul’s in Philippians
4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice”?
How on earth could Habbakuk say this?
Because he knew God cared, and he gave his cares to God.
His confidence was not in the harvest, the cattle or even his country.
His confidence was in God, who made all of these things.
What burden do you bear today?
Do you feel like those persecuted for Christ’s sake?
Remember the last beatitude in Matthew 5 promises a great reward in heaven.
Are your burdens Financial? Remember Matt 6:33, that God has promised to provide all of your needs, if you seek Him first.
Are you Physically burdened, remember Paul’s request about his physical limitations were answered, God’s grace is sufficient.
No matter what your burdens or cares, remember Matthew 6:8b “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
Our part is making our burdens, His burdens.
2. God’s Promise to us:
Psalm 55:22 - “He will sustain you; He’ll never let the righteous fall.”
Good example is Joseph, even though he had many difficulties in his life, he had confidence in God, and was sustained through the good times and the bad times.
That is God’s promise to us as well. I’m here, I’ll catch you.
Gordon MacDonalc speaking years ago, lived California, beach with son, 7 years old, cliff, rocks, disappeared for a moment, then heard “catch me!”, looked up son jumped off 10 ft cliff into his arms, rolled on the ground. Gordon, why did you do that, Your my dad.
God is our Father, he will never let us fall!
I Peter 5:6-7 - “God’s mighty hand will lift you up in due time; He cares for you.”
When it speaks of the “mighty hands”, it echoes back through history to the time when God freed His people from slavery in Egypt. Remember the plagues sent by God, and the awesome power displayed?
That is the same power that we are relying on for our help today.
What Peter implies is, not only that God is in control of all that happens, He can be trusted to exercise His control for His people’s good.
Other religions are preoccupied with ceremonies that will “make God care for you”, Christianity starts at that point, He Cares For You!
Proverbs 3:5-6 - “He will make your paths straight.”
God will bring you to your appointed goal - it will be all right!
WHY? Because He cares for you, He will carry your burdens
Let’s talk for a minute about the church and people’s burdens.
3. The Golden Rule
Matthew 7:12, “Do unto others, as they would do unto you”
How does this principle apply to burdens?
Galatians 6:2, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
I can’t read this verse without thinking of you. You have so encouraged me by carrying my burdens. You have walked beside me, taking the load from my back and carrying it on yours.
Thank you.
There are others here this morning who are burdened with heavy loads.
Physical, emotional, spiritual - people are hurting and we need to help.
They someone to help carry their burdens.
Would everyone please stand.
I would like to ask those with heavy burdens to sit down. Let us help.
Those still standing, go to them, hold their hands, put your arms around them, place hands on them, physically touch them & right now pray with them.
If there are several people, with someone, have 1 or 2 pray.
When your group is done, please be seated.
WHEN EVERY GROUP IS FINISHED:
One last aspect of burdens to look at
4. The Sin Burden - Psalm 38:3-4, “Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin. My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.”
All your worrying, concern and guilt will amount to nothing, because you can do nothing to rid yourself of this burden.
So your choice is the same as before, CONTINUOUS HEAVY
BURDEN OR REST FOR YOUR SOUL
If you don’t allow Jesus to help, you will live your life with heavy burdens and die in your sin, that will lead you to hell.
But, Jesus has already done what it take to receive rest for your soul.
He died a horrible death, taking the sin and guilt of everyone, destroying them once and for all.
You can have your sin and the guilt taken away this day. You can let Jesus carry it to the cross for you.
If you need to have this spiritual rest here’s what you must do:
Believe that Jesus is God’s Son; decide to change your ways, follow God’s path instead of your own. Tell us who your confidence is in and remove the backpack of sin and guilt as you are immersed in water, receiving God’s Spirit into your life.
God is ready to do His part, will you do yours?
Remember, He cares for You, He wants the best for you, come!
