SERMON: Less Pressure And More Peace
Each week, we'll do our best with God's help to provide you with at least one sermon for your edification (Hebrews 10:25; Romans 14:19; 1 Corinthians 14:3).
Today, we are pleased to present to you the sermon notes (you know, that colored half-sheet insert that's distributed with each church bulletin?) from the message that was delivered by Rev. Ronald Habedank at Trinity Lutheran Church in West Seneca, NY (or the local church where I attend).
It began with a reading of a passage from Matthew 11.
Before we get to those sermon notes, just a few observations of my own.
There is an echo of the first beatitude (Matthew 5:3) in this passage. Note that there is an open invitation to all who hear -- but paraphrased in such a way that the only ones who will respond to the invitation are those who are burdened by their own spiritual bankruptcy and the weight of trying to save themselves by keeping the law.
The stubbornness of humanity's sinful rebellion is such that without a sovereignly-bestowed spiritual awakening, all sinners refuse to acknowledge the depth of their spiritual poverty.
That is why, as Jesus says in Matthew 11:27, our salvation is the sovereign work of God. But the truth of divine election in verse 27 is not incompatible with the free offer to all in verses 28-30.
Don't you just love the words "you will find rest for your souls" in this passage too? In other words, you will find rest from the endless, fruitless effort to save oneself by the works of the law (Hebrews 4:1-3; Hebrews 4:6; Hebrews 4:9-11). This speaks of a permanent respite in the grace of God which is apart from works (Matthew 11:30).
Now, let's take a look at today's sermon notes.
May the truth of His Word as found here today be encouraging and uplifting to your soul. Of course, if any of it was convicting, then please make sure you confess your sins and lay that confession at the foot of the cross.
Until next time, God willing, grace and peace to you and yours!
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Today, we are pleased to present to you the sermon notes (you know, that colored half-sheet insert that's distributed with each church bulletin?) from the message that was delivered by Rev. Ronald Habedank at Trinity Lutheran Church in West Seneca, NY (or the local church where I attend).
It began with a reading of a passage from Matthew 11.
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV) 28 Come to me, all 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.
Before we get to those sermon notes, just a few observations of my own.
There is an echo of the first beatitude (Matthew 5:3) in this passage. Note that there is an open invitation to all who hear -- but paraphrased in such a way that the only ones who will respond to the invitation are those who are burdened by their own spiritual bankruptcy and the weight of trying to save themselves by keeping the law.
The stubbornness of humanity's sinful rebellion is such that without a sovereignly-bestowed spiritual awakening, all sinners refuse to acknowledge the depth of their spiritual poverty.
That is why, as Jesus says in Matthew 11:27, our salvation is the sovereign work of God. But the truth of divine election in verse 27 is not incompatible with the free offer to all in verses 28-30.
Don't you just love the words "you will find rest for your souls" in this passage too? In other words, you will find rest from the endless, fruitless effort to save oneself by the works of the law (Hebrews 4:1-3; Hebrews 4:6; Hebrews 4:9-11). This speaks of a permanent respite in the grace of God which is apart from works (Matthew 11:30).
Now, let's take a look at today's sermon notes.
LESS PRESSURE AND MORE PEACE
Giving New Life To Your Life
Matthew 11:28-30
Sunday, May 5th, 2013
HOW TO LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD
I. Come To Jesus!
Isaiah 40:29-31 (ESV) 29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
+ "Fresh Strength" is strength you didn't know you had because you don't have it! It's strength that comes only from God!
+ Let Him give your soul rest
Matthew 6:6 (ESV) But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
+ The antidote to your stress is not a plan, a program, a process, a philosophy, nor a pill, it is a Person.
Luke 8:50 (ESV) But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.”
II. Give Up Control!
Matthew 11:29-30 (ESV) 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.
+ A yoke is a symbol of partnership and union
+ A yoke is also a symbol of submission and surrender
Galatians 5:25 (ESV) If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
+ When I'm "yoked" with Christ, we move together in the same direction and at the same pace.
+ God does not give you less time than He gives you things to do.
Romans 3:28 (ESV) For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
+ The word "easy" in Greek means "perfectly fitted"
Luke 12:26 (ESV) If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?
+ Your yoke is custom made
III. Learn To Trust!
Matthew 11:29 (ESV) 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.
+ Greatest causes of stress? Being too arrogant and too aggressive
+ God's antidote? Gentleness and Humility
Proverbs 20:24 (ESV) A man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way?
+ You know you're not trusting God when you start worrying about...EVERYTHING!
John 14:1 (ESV) Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
May the truth of His Word as found here today be encouraging and uplifting to your soul. Of course, if any of it was convicting, then please make sure you confess your sins and lay that confession at the foot of the cross.
Until next time, God willing, grace and peace to you and yours!
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