Hope for the Weary

We will be looking at Matthew 11:28-30 the next few days. It’s about hope for the weary, and a reminder that only God can give you rest

In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says,  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Let’s break it down a phrase at a time and see what other verses say. 

 Come unto me
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. - John 6:35

all ye that labour, and are heavy laden;

Ephesians 2:1-3 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

And I will give you rest;
When he sees how good is his resting place and how pleasant is his land, he will bend his shoulder to the burden and submit to forced labor. - Genesis 49:15

Be wise today and always – receive the rest of God.

Fresh Start

Let’s learn about God’s purpose from 1 Samuel 3:1-11:

The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. 6 Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 11 And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle.

What’s Wrong in this story (and today)?

The Word is not preached. - Few are seeking Him. - Church is business as usual. - The Voice of God is not understood.

This is true of today-let’s follow it’s teaching in what we need to do:

Realize God’s voice. (follow His plan) - Answer Him. (listen with your ears, heart, mind, and soul) - Be about His purpose. (obedience and faithfulness)

What areas in your life do you need to work on, and where should you start?

Be wise today and always – a new year can mean a fresh start in doing it God’s way.

Cost

In Luke 9:57-62 we see The Cost of Following Jesus:

⁵⁷ As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” ⁵⁸ Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” ⁵⁹ He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” ⁶⁰ Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” ⁶¹ Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” ⁶² Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Jesus challenges the distracted disciple (and us) to:

Stay focused. - closely attend to what business He puts before you

Stay straight – just watching the stick as you plow, stay focused on Him.

Be committed.  Following Jesus is a long term commitment. We must notice our tendencies to get distracted and determine in our hearts to follow Him and go anywhere He wants to use us at.

Find out what is important and stay with it. Stay consistent to Him all your life. Once you do your whole life will change and those around us will want to know more about Jesus

Don’t live in the past - Keep your eyes on the prize! - Philippians 3:12-14 - 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Are you willing to accept the challenge?

Be wise today and always stay focused on the prize.

Bargaining

We started looking yesterday about staying focused on what’s ahead and not distracted on the past. Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem and Calvary, but He wanted to emphasize one more time that nothing should come between us and God. In Luke 9:51 says,  As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.  And in Luke 9:56 and they went to another village.

Luke 9:61-62  Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Matthew Henry shares about this passage,  Here is another person that is willing to follow Christ, but he must have a little time to talk with his friends about it, and to set in order his household affairs, and give directions concerning them. He seemed to have worldly concerns more upon his heart than he ought to have, and he was willing to enter into a temptation leading him from his purpose of following Christ. No one can do any business in a proper manner, if he is attending to other things. Those who begin with the work of God, must resolve to go on, or they will make nothing of it. Looking back, leads to drawing back, and drawing back leads to spiritual ruin - separation from God. He only that endures to the end shall be saved.

Have you ever tried to bargain with Jesus? Remember His way is always the best way.

Be wise today and always – stay focused and do it God’s way.

Looking Back or Looking Forward?

We are given an illustration of not looking back in Luke 9:61-62  Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

One of the greatest challenges for every Christian is to follow Jesus and pursue His purpose for our lives without looking back. You cannot drive a car forward looking in the rear view mirror! Jesus gives the illustration of plowing a field to plow straight you must remain focused not distracted.

Has God ever instructed you to do something, but you hesitated to “keep your options open”? Sometimes we’re not sure why we’re distracted.

Both positive and negative aspects of our lives have the potential to become distractions:

Past successes and failures.

Internal insecurities and fears.

External circumstances.

Comfort & security. 

Relationships.

Be wise today and always stay focused on what’s ahead.

Year of Hope

At my church we have designated 2013 as the year of hope. Hope is eternal and if we don't have it we die. This idea of focusing on hope started with a saying of Bill Hybels, "The local church is the hope of the world." This resonated well in my spirit - knowing how true it is that we, the local church, is the vehicle that Jesus set up to proclaim the good news. I pray that the trend of not going to church will reverse itself this year.
Next I heard about My Hope with Billy Graham. We will be preparing all year for a global event to take place in November where Dr Graham will preach his last sermon, and we get to partner with him by bringing our friends to hear God's salvation message. It could turn in to a world-wide revival! Amen?
Then we also have what has happened in my area over the last couple of months: Hurricane Sandy and the shootings in Connecticut. The devastation and hopelessness that was brought on by these two events is staggering. More than anytime in my lifetime hope is needed.
We you join me this year to seek and share the Hope of God with all those around you? God is ready to do mighty works in our generation if we turn to Him.

Be wise today and always - receive and share the hope that Christ brings.

Business

As we leave one year and begin a new may we remember who our best friend should be. Jesus said in John 15:15, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."

Jesus has made everything we need to know available to us. His provision, wisdom, protection, and hope is available to al who call on His Name.

Be about the Master's Business in 2013.

Amen?

Be wise today and always – make this coming year the best ever.