"TENDER INVITATION OF JESUS"

October 28   Tender Invitation of Jesus   Matthew 11:28-30

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina…"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." (Matthew 11:28-30)                                   From Heaven, Jesus still offers this tender invitation; but do we really understand and appreciate...To whom Jesus still extends this amazing invitation? Do we really understand what He offers to those who will accept it? Do we understand what He expects from those of us who want to respond?  Do we understand the true ease of accepting this invitation?   TO WHOM DOES JESUS EXTEND THIS INVITATION?  "ALL YOU WHO LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN..." To those who are burdened by sin… A burden which separates us from God - A burden with terrible side effects- A lack of inner peace -Instead, we are burdened with anxiety, depression, fear and doubt, and rightly so, in view of the ultimate consequence of sin! This invitation, then, is really for everyone! For every one of us are sinners!  We are all in bondage to sin and its heavy burden. SADLY, MANY ARE TOO PROUD TO ADMIT OUR BURDEN...That we are sinners -That we are enslaved by sin and its burden-That we need Divine help to free us from the burden of sin. SO, WHAT IS JESUS OFFERING? "I WILL GIVE YOU REST...YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS" Jesus is offering rest for our souls! Souls which have been burdened by: The guilt of sin, which separates from God. The side effects of sin, such as anxiety, depression, fear and doubt; JESUS OFFERS REST...Which includes a removal of the guilt of sin! For by God's own love and grace, forgiveness of sin is now possible through Jesus!  Through His own blood, Jesus frees us from the condemnation of sin!  Praise God, it includes the removal of the side effects of sin! To have true rest for our souls, we need more than just forgiveness.  For even those forgiven may be plagued by the side effects of sin, having lived so long under the burden of sin, it may be easy to lay aside those feelings which often accompany sin. Jesus certainly provides what our souls need...To remove anxiety, Jesus offers peace to calm the troubled heart!   A peace unlike any that the world might give; A peace stronger than any tribulation the world might bring; A peace which guards our hearts and minds, and "surpasses all understanding;” To remove depression, Jesus offers joy to lift our spirits! The same joy Jesus Himself had!  Praise God, to remove fear, Jesus offers love which casts out fear!  The same love which exists between the Father and the Son; A love which "passes knowledge!"  Praise God, to remove doubt, Jesus offers hope for facing the future, by assuring us of eternal life; by promising eternal rest to those who die in the Lord!  A rest from the burden of sin's guilt, and a rest from the burden of sin's side effects!  A rest for our burdened souls now, and eternal rest for our souls when we die! Incidentally, even physical burdens are made lighter by coming to Jesus, because the soul is made stronger to bear them!  This sounds wonderful, but... WHAT DOES JESUS EXPECT OF THOSE WHO WISH TO RESPOND?  "COME TO ME..." This is easy, even though Jesus is "King of kings and Lord of lords," for as He says, "I am gentle and lowly in heart." He is so gentle, even little children felt comfortable in His presence. He is so lowly in heart that the common people heard Him gladly!  As prophesied, Jesus would be tender and sensitive to our needs! "TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU...”  Jesus is therefore expecting we who desire the rest He offers to: Accept His teachings- Accept whatever obligations He would lay upon you," ...AND LEARN FROM ME"- This is how we learn what obligations He would place upon us. We must be willing to listen to Him, and do whatever He says… In essence, "The Savior's Tender Invitation" is a call to discipleship:  to commit your life as a disciple of Jesus, committed to learning from Him and accepting the obligations He places upon you!  "MY YOKE IS EASY AND MY BURDEN IS LIGHT." John, who was a disciple for over fifty years, said:  "His commandments are not grievous!" What helps lighten our burden is the strength Jesus Himself gives. Praise God, the burden Jesus places upon us is lighter than the burden sin lays upon us! Do you desire the rest for your soul that is offered by "The Savior's Tender Invitation"? Then come to Jesus in full obedience to His gospel. Commit to becoming His disciple, learning from Him all that He commanded. As we continue to observe all that He commanded; our burdens becomes even lighter as we apply the promise to our lives, and the wisdom Jesus taught. Have you accepted the yoke of Jesus?  Are you living under that yoke?  Folks, these are “Extreme” times and this Pandemic Fatigue is affecting every one of us.  Regardless of the pressures and chaos, we have been given a promise, a blessing, an ASSURANCE!  Jesus invites us to “Come to Him”…so that our burdens will be lighter and our way will be blessed.  The image of Jesus pulling the load, beside of us, gives me hope and peace and reassurance for tomorrow!  Are you struggling?  Are you frustrated?  The sweet invitation still exists for us today… Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!