Unforced Rhythms Of Grace

*Note: I use a variety of sources. The thought is original for me. So if you see similarities in some ideas it is because of research.

Title: The Unforced Rhythms of Grace

Theme: To show the rest that we have in Christ and His Spirit

Text: Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. "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. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Mat 11:28-30)

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (Mat 11:28-30)

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?

Mt 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Pharisees

Matthew 23:15 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life.

God’s desire is that we come to Him. Get away with Him and spend some time with Him. Notice this promise that you will recover your life.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:1-2)

2 Thessalonians 3:13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.

Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden..." The rules and expectations of religion often weigh a person down. I'm referring to the man-made, self-imposed rules of religion, not the instruction of God's Word. It's the duties of religion (with no grace) that wear people out.

I'll show you how to take a real rest.

Holy Spirit the Comforter

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

(Joh 14:16)

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (Joh 14:26)

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (Joh 16:7)

“…So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 4:6.

Rip tides is waves that build up around the shore and is forced back out into the ocean.

You can’t fight against either wait it out or get out of it.

29 Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it.

Heb 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.

Unforced – not coherced, forced,

Rhythms – systems, routines, part of having grace.

Grace – that which we do not deserve or can earn.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

(Eph 2:8-9)

But Jesus said, "I'll show you... Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace." Jesus had an unforced relationship with the Father. It wasn't based on duty or rules. He trusted the Father and the Father trusted Him. In the scriptures, we don't really see Jesus stumble (except for His honesty in the Garden of Gethsemane when He asked if the cup could be taken from him). Yet even this is a picture of unforced rhythms of grace.

I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. NKJV “My yoke is easy”