WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.000 Last Tuesday morning I was speaking at the Fulham Boys School and I had a wonderful time there. 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:16.000 ! I began by saying to the boys, you'll gather from my accent that I'm not from here. 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:22.000 In case you're wondering, it's called Educated Glasgow. 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:26.000 I was brought up in the east end of Glasgow, the roughest part of the city. 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:35.000 But I had a mother whom I loved dearly and I would do anything not to offend her. 00:00:35.000 --> 00:00:39.000 And she would always be saying to me growing up in this large social housing scheme, 00:00:39.000 --> 00:00:44.000 which was once called the murder capital of Western Europe, 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:46.000 please speak properly. 00:00:46.000 --> 00:00:50.000 So people are a little perplexed when I meet them if they're from Glasgow. 00:00:50.000 --> 00:00:53.000 You're no fi Glasgow, they would say. 00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:58.000 I would say, well actually I am, and from a much rougher part than you. 00:00:58.000 --> 00:01:02.000 And my background is a little unusual. 00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:07.000 My mother's family were devoted Roman Catholics from Southern Ireland. 00:01:07.000 --> 00:01:11.000 My father's family were criminal Protestant pagans. 00:01:11.000 --> 00:01:15.000 One of my uncles was in prison for armed robbery. 00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:17.000 Another was a gangster in London. 00:01:17.000 --> 00:01:26.000 Another had to escape Glasgow because he owed a lot of money to men that you shouldn't owe money to. 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:30.000 But it's a privilege to be here. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:36.000 And I want for a few minutes to consider with you these words of Jesus, 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:43.000 which must rank amongst the most memorable words that Jesus ever spoke. 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:53.000 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:57.000 Some words in literature are memorable. 00:01:57.000 --> 00:02:05.000 When I was at grammar school, I was taken out of the East End and transported across the city to go to a grammar school. 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:13.000 In those far off days you were compelled to learn Chaucer and Milton and Shakespeare. 00:02:13.000 --> 00:02:19.000 And you had to memorize chunks, soliloquies, and I think it stood me in good stead. 00:02:19.000 --> 00:02:23.000 Good literature, unlike a lot of literature today. 00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:35.000 And some of the quotations we had to memorize, some of the passages we had to note and take with us into exams, were wonderful passages. 00:02:35.000 --> 00:02:41.000 I loved Shakespeare in particular, and Robert Burns. 00:02:41.000 --> 00:02:53.000 I doubt there are more memorable words, not only in the Bible, but in all of literature, than these words of Jesus Christ. 00:02:53.000 --> 00:03:01.000 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:14.000 Take my yoke upon you, learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:24.000 It must have been staggering for people to hear these words from the lips of a man who looked much like them. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:30.000 His accent would have betrayed that he had been raised in Nazareth. 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:32.000 He looked just like them. 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:37.000 He walked the same dirt that they walked. 00:03:37.000 --> 00:03:46.000 And yet here he is saying, come to me, to me, and I will give you rest. 00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:51.000 I will give you rest for your undying souls. 00:03:51.000 --> 00:03:57.000 You are weary, you are burdened, you may not know that you are, but you are. 00:03:57.000 --> 00:04:05.000 And so the first thing I want you to note simply is the unembarrassed egoism of Jesus' words. 00:04:05.000 --> 00:04:09.000 This is egocentricity to the n's degree. 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:13.000 Come to me, to me, who are you? 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:25.000 It is quite remarkable, it is stunning to hear from the lips of a man who looked like any other man, 00:04:25.000 --> 00:04:30.000 and whose accent, as I said, would have betrayed that he had come from the north. 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:38.000 Who is this man who speaks like this? 00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:47.000 Later on in Matthew's Gospel, Jesus will say to his disciples, who do you say that I am? 00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:51.000 The people were saying he is John the Baptist, raised from the dead. 00:04:51.000 --> 00:04:57.000 Some others were saying, he is the prophet, promised in the scriptures. 00:04:57.000 --> 00:05:01.000 And Jesus said to his disciples, but what about you? 00:05:01.000 --> 00:05:07.000 You, yes, these others are saying this and they are saying that, but what about you? 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:10.000 Who do you say that I am? 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:18.000 And Peter said, you are the Christ, the son of the living God. 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:25.000 The Bible confronts us with unembarrassed supernaturalism. 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:39.000 Here is Jesus Christ, and he is as he claimed to be, as his teaching showed him to be, as his mighty works proclaimed him to be, 00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:44.000 as his resurrection from the dead asserted him to be. 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:50.000 He is none other than God become man. 00:05:50.000 --> 00:05:59.000 And it is in his capacity as the God-man, the one sent from the heavenly Father, that he speaks these stunning words, 00:05:59.000 --> 00:06:03.000 come to me, come to me. 00:06:03.000 --> 00:06:07.000 He hasn't come to proclaim an ethic. 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:18.000 He hasn't come to say, here are 25 rules and regulations that you are to embrace and commit yourself to and sign up to. 00:06:18.000 --> 00:06:22.000 He says, come to me, to me. 00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:27.000 And I will give you rest. 00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:34.000 There is an unembarrassed supernaturalism about these words of Jesus. 00:06:34.000 --> 00:06:40.000 But there is also, did you notice, an unqualified invitation. 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:47.000 He says, come to me, all you who are weary and burdened. 00:06:47.000 --> 00:07:00.000 The first word weary means someone who is tired, someone who has laboured hard and long, 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:07.000 who has been borne down by the struggle of life. 00:07:07.000 --> 00:07:17.000 And to be burdened as someone who is overwhelmed with cares and concerns and fears and disappointments. 00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:22.000 And Jesus is actually saying, come to me, everyone, everywhere. 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:28.000 No matter who you are or what you are, come to me. 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:34.000 Because I am the heaven sent remedy for your deepest need. 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:38.000 He goes on to say, and you will have rest for your souls. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:40.000 Because that's the rest that we need. 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:43.000 Our greatest need before God. 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:49.000 Is to have peace with God. 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:57.000 To have that rest that doesn't rise or fall with the circumstances of life. 00:07:57.000 --> 00:08:09.000 That doesn't ebb and flow when troubles and trials and disappointments perhaps engulf us. 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:20.000 The rest that we need is that internal rest of our souls knowing that we have, because of Jesus, 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:24.000 the smile of God's acceptance upon us. 00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:29.000 And Jesus makes this large hearted, personal invitation. 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:33.000 Actually the invitation is really a command. 00:08:33.000 --> 00:08:39.000 When he says come, it's an imperative verb. 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:44.000 He is commanding us as the Lord from heaven to come. 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:46.000 He's not making a suggestion. 00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:52.000 He's not saying, if you reflect upon it and you consider it might be a good thing to do. 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:54.000 He is summoning us. 00:08:54.000 --> 00:09:04.000 And in summoning us, he is saying to us, the arms of God are open wide. 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:09.000 In fact the Bible tells us that God stands all the day long. 00:09:09.000 --> 00:09:16.000 Not just waiting for men and women and boys and girls to come to him. 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:23.000 Because in Jesus Christ, God has not simply sat back and waited for us to come. 00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:27.000 He has come in person to seek and to save the lost. 00:09:27.000 --> 00:09:30.000 And in Jesus Christ, God has not simply sat back and waited for us to come. 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:31.000 And in Jesus' day were appalled with Jesus. 00:09:31.000 --> 00:09:34.000 They said, this man welcomes sinners. 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:39.000 But they didn't understand Jesus. 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:42.000 Jesus didn't come just to welcome sinners. 00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:45.000 Jesus came to run after sinners. 00:09:45.000 --> 00:09:50.000 He came to seek us out. 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:57.000 And he says to these people, come to me, O you who are weary and burdened. 00:09:57.000 --> 00:10:06.000 Because I am the remedy given by God to give you peace with God. 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:09.000 And that is the rest for your souls. 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:16.000 Maybe you are here today and you would willingly acknowledge, yes, Ian, you are right. 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:19.000 I have got this need and that need and this other need. 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:22.000 And the needs concern me and they burden me. 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:35.000 But do you know that your greatest need, towering above all other needs, is the need to be right with God. 00:10:35.000 --> 00:10:40.000 To know that you have his smile of acceptance on you. 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:48.000 To know that if you were to die ere this day ended, all would be well with you. 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:59.000 Winston Churchill, as he lay dying, was heard to say, I believe that man has an immortal soul. 00:10:59.000 --> 00:11:06.000 But I don't know when I die whether I will be conscious or unconscious. 00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:09.000 He should have known. 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:12.000 He had a Bible. 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:23.000 And the Bible tells us that when we die, we do not lapse into eternal oblivion or to eternal unconsciousness. 00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:28.000 We either depart to be with Christ in the glory of God. 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:38.000 Or we are cast forever from his presence into what the Bible calls unimaginably outer darkness. 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:41.000 Impenetrable darkness. 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:54.000 When Jesus spoke these words, they must have sounded strange to the people listening for this reason. 00:11:54.000 --> 00:12:03.000 Because in the previous verses, Matthew tells us that Jesus has been announcing judgment and condemnation. 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:12.000 From verse 20 to verse 24, Jesus began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done. 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:13.000 Because they did not repent. 00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:15.000 They did not turn to God. 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:19.000 And Jesus says, Woe to you Bethsaida. 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:21.000 Woe to you Chorazin. 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:23.000 Woe to you Capernaum. 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:25.000 These were religious cities. 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:26.000 Privileged cities. 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:32.000 They were people who possessed the word of God. 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:36.000 But Jesus here is announcing judgment and condemnation upon them. 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:40.000 In fact, he says, it will be better for Sodom. 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:41.000 Sodom. 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:44.000 On the day of judgment than for you. 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:48.000 So Jesus is announcing judgment and condemnation. 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:50.000 But no. 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:54.000 Instead of saying, therefore depart from me. 00:12:54.000 --> 00:12:56.000 I want nothing more to do with you. 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:58.000 I've washed my hands of you. 00:12:58.000 --> 00:13:02.000 You refuse to take my words to heart. 00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:04.000 You refuse to receive me. 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:07.000 The one sent from the Father in heaven. 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:10.000 He doesn't do that. 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:13.000 He says, come to me. 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:15.000 Come to me. 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:17.000 And I'm gentle and lowly at heart. 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:23.000 You see, God did not send his son into the world. 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:25.000 To condemn the world. 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:27.000 John 3 verse 17. 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:29.000 But to save the world through him. 00:13:29.000 --> 00:13:31.000 Through him. 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:33.000 The great first movement of the good news of God. 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:35.000 The great first movement of the good news of God. 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:37.000 Is to tell us. 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:39.000 That in Jesus Christ. 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:41.000 God has come. 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:43.000 In love. 00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:45.000 In mercy. 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:47.000 In kindness. 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:49.000 God has come. 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:49.000 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:51.000 To rescue us. 00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:53.000 To restore us to himself. 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:55.000 The first great movement. 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:57.000 Of the Christian gospel. 00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:59.000 Is a movement of mercy. 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:03.000 And so even as Jesus. 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:05.000 Announces. 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:07.000 Judgment and condemnation. 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:09.000 There is this caveat. 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:11.000 But if you come to me. 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:13.000 If you come. 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:15.000 To me. 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:17.000 I will give you rest. 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:19.000 For your souls. 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:21.000 I will restore you. 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:23.000 To the friendship. 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:25.000 And fellowship with God. 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:27.000 I will fit you. 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:29.000 For the presence. 00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:31.000 And the glory. 00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:33.000 Of God. 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:37.000 Maybe you are thinking. 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:39.000 Well Ian. 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:41.000 Okay. 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:43.000 But. 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:45.000 What does it actually mean. 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:47.000 To come to him. 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:49.000 What does that mean. 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:51.000 You know. 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:53.000 Sometimes you. 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:55.000 You read a sentence. 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:57.000 You know. 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:59.000 You can tell. 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:01.000 Which part of grammar. 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:03.000 They are all about. 00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:03.000 00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:04.000 You think. 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:05.000 What does it actually mean. 00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:05.000 00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:06.000 To me. 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:07.000 Well. 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:08.000 There are two things. 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:09.000 Number one. 00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:10.000 It means to come. 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:11.000 To him. 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:12.000 You are not coming. 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:13.000 To a church. 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:15.000 Although it is good. 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:16.000 To go to church. 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:18.000 You are not even coming. 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:19.000 To the bible. 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:21.000 You are not even coming. 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:22.000 To pray. 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:24.000 All of these are. 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:25.000 These are great. 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:26.000 And vital. 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:27.000 And good. 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:28.000 But. 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:29.000 You are to come. 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:30.000 To him. 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:32.000 The Christian faith. 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:33.000 Is about. 00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:35.000 A relationship. 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:36.000 A personal. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:38.000 Relationship. 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:39.000 With the son of God. 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:40.000 Jesus Christ. 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:43.000 It is about belonging. 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:44.000 To him. 00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:46.000 It is about. 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:47.000 Believing. 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:48.000 In him. 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:50.000 It is about trusting. 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:51.000 Him. 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:52.000 It is about following. 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:53.000 Him. 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:57.000 Come to me. 00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:59.000 Because he. 00:15:59.000 --> 00:16:00.000 Is the sent one. 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:02.000 Of God. 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:04.000 He is the savior. 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:05.000 Given for the life. 00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:06.000 Of the world. 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:07.000 He is the one. 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:08.000 Who. 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:09.000 By his blood. 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.000 Shedding. 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:11.000 On Calvary's cross. 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:12.000 Would. 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:13.000 Deal. 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:14.000 With the sin. 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:15.000 That separates us. 00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:16.000 From God. 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:17.000 God will lay. 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:18.000 On him. 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:19.000 The iniquity. 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:20.000 Of us all. 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:23.000 Come to me. 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:24.000 Come to me. 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:25.000 It is all about me. 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:26.000 The egoism. 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:27.000 Is breathtaking. 00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:30.000 Absolutely breathtaking. 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:31.000 Jesus. 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:33.000 Didn't come to preach. 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:34.000 An ethic. 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:35.000 He came to preach himself. 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:38.000 I am. 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:39.000 The light. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:40.000 Of the world. 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:42.000 I am. 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:43.000 The resurrection. 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:44.000 And the life. 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:45.000 I am. 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:46.000 The way. 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:47.000 The truth. 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:48.000 And the life. 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:49.000 You know what he is saying. 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:50.000 It is all about me. 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:53.000 It is all. 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:54.000 About me. 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:57.000 So coming to Christ. 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:58.000 Is coming. 00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:59.000 To Jesus. 00:16:59.000 --> 00:17:00.000 Christ. 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:02.000 But what does it mean. 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:03.000 To come. 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:05.000 To Jesus Christ. 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:06.000 Christ. 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:09.000 Well it means. 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:10.000 What it says. 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:11.000 You. 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:13.000 Come to him. 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:16.000 You rest. 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:17.000 The weight. 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:18.000 Of all that you are. 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:20.000 On the grace. 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:21.000 Mercy. 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:22.000 And love. 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:23.000 Of all that he is. 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:25.000 You come to him. 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:27.000 As you are. 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:28.000 Not first. 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:28.000 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:29.000 To tidy up. 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:30.000 Your life. 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:31.000 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:32.000 Thinking. 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:32.000 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:33.000 Yes. 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:34.000 Come to Jesus. 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:35.000 But first. 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:36.000 I will. 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:37.000 Put away. 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:38.000 That sin. 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:39.000 And I will. 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:40.000 I will. 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:41.000 Put away. 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:42.000 That sin. 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:43.000 No. 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:44.000 You can't. 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:45.000 Really. 00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:46.000 Put away. 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:47.000 Sin. 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:48.000 Until you come. 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:49.000 To Jesus Christ. 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:50.000 You. 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:52.000 Are the sent. 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:52.000 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:53.000 Of God. 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:56.000 You are the one. 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:57.000 Who alone. 00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:58.000 Can make me. 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:59.000 Right. 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:00.000 With God. 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:01.000 And I come. 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:02.000 To cast. 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:02.000 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:02.000 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:03.000 That I have. 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:04.000 I am. 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:05.000 Upon you. 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:06.000 The Bible. 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:06.000 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:07.000 As many. 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:08.000 As. 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:09.000 Received him. 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:10.000 That's. 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:11.000 To come. 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:12.000 To Christ. 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:13.000 As. 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:14.000 He is. 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:15.000 Offered. 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:16.000 To us. 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:17.000 Held. 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:18.000 To us. 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:19.000 Pleadingly. 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:20.000 By God. 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:22.000 In the Bible. 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:23.000 It's quite. 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:24.000 Remarkable. 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:25.000 That God. 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:26.000 The Lord. 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:27.000 Of glory. 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:28.000 Stoops. 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:29.000 Down. 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:30.000 And. 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:31.000 Pleads. 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:32.000 To come. 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:33.000 To him. 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:34.000 To come. 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.000 To him. 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:36.000 Some years ago. 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:36.000 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:37.000 I. 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:38.000 Heard. 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:39.000 These words. 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:40.000 Written by. 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:41.000 A. 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:42.000 Scottish minister. 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:43.000 Towards the end. 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:44.000 Of the 19th century. 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:44.000 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:45.000 Horatius Bonner. 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:47.000 Upon a life. 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:49.000 I did not live. 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:50.000 A death. 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:52.000 I did not die. 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:54.000 Another's life. 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:56.000 Another's death. 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:58.000 I stake. 00:18:58.000 --> 00:18:59.000 My whole. 00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:00.000 Eternity. 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:01.000 That's what it means. 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:01.000 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:03.000 To Jesus Christ. 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:04.000 To say. 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:05.000 With the hymn writer. 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:05.000 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:06.000 Refuge. 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:07.000 Have. 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.000 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:08.000 None. 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:09.000 Hangs. 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:10.000 My. 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:11.000 Helpless. 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:12.000 Soul. 00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:13.000 On. 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:14.000 The. 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:15.000 Because. 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:16.000 Our hope. 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:17.000 Before God. 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:18.000 Does not lie. 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:19.000 In self-improvement. 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:20.000 It doesn't lie. 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:21.000 In our church. 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:22.000 Attendance. 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:23.000 Vital. 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:24.000 For our spiritual. 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:25.000 Nurture. 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:26.000 Though that be. 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:27.000 Before God. 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:28.000 Rests. 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:29.000 In Jesus Christ. 00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:31.000 To come to Christ. 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:32.000 Is to take. 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.000 Shelter. 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:34.000 In the shadow. 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:36.000 Of Calvary's cross. 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:37.000 And to say. 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:39.000 Here is where I stand. 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:40.000 Before God. 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:42.000 I've got nothing. 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:43.000 To give him. 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:45.000 But my trust. 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:46.000 Is in a savior. 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:47.000 Who has done. 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:48.000 Everything. 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:49.000 That I could never do. 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:51.000 It would take. 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:52.000 The cross. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:53.000 And resurrection. 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:55.000 For. 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:56.000 These words. 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:57.000 Of Jesus. 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:58.000 To be understood. 00:19:58.000 --> 00:20:00.000 In their fullness. 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:02.000 But I want to leave you. 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:03.000 Just with these. 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:04.000 This. 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:05.000 Last thought. 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:07.000 This is the only place. 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:08.000 In the gospels. 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:09.000 I think. 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:10.000 Where Jesus. 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:12.000 Draws attention. 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:14.000 To his own. 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:15.000 Temperament. 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:16.000 Psychology. 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:17.000 And personality. 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:20.000 And what is it. 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:21.000 He tells us. 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:22.000 About himself. 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:23.000 This. 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:24.000 Holy one. 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:25.000 Who has come. 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:26.000 From the glory. 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:27.000 Of God. 00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:29.000 Into the fallenness. 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:30.000 Of this world. 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:31.000 What does he want us. 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:32.000 To know about him. 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:36.000 I'm gentle. 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:37.000 And lowly. 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:38.000 In hearts. 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:41.000 The common people. 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:42.000 We are told. 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:43.000 Hurt him gladly. 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:45.000 And Jesus is saying. 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:46.000 No matter how. 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:47.000 Broken. 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:48.000 Dysfunctional. 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:49.000 Disordered. 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:50.000 Your life is. 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:51.000 I'm gentle. 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:52.000 I'll be gentle. 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:53.000 With you. 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:55.000 I won't be brus. 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:57.000 I won't be clinical. 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:58.000 I won't be cold. 00:20:58.000 --> 00:21:00.000 I won't be authoritarian. 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:01.000 And so he says. 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:02.000 When you take. 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:03.000 My yoke upon you. 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:05.000 It's a wonderful picture of. 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:05.000 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:07.000 How oxen would be yoked in pairs. 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:08.000 And here you have. 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:09.000 The Lord of glory. 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:10.000 In our flesh. 00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:11.000 And poor little. 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:12.000 Ian Hamilton. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:14.000 And Jesus says. 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:16.000 Take my yoke upon you. 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:17.000 And you think. 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:19.000 This is just too much. 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:20.000 He says. 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:21.000 No, no, no, no. 00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:22.000 Not. 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:23.000 I'm gentle. 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:25.000 And lowly of heart. 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:27.000 I'll be kind to you. 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:30.000 I'll be gentle with you. 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:33.000 I won't handle you roughly. 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:37.000 Come to me. 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:38.000 You know. 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:41.000 It really is all about Jesus. 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:44.000 It really is all about Jesus. 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:48.000 That's our primary need. 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:51.000 I'll close with these words of Jesus. 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:52.000 From Mark chapter 8. 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:54.000 What does it profit a man. 00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:55.000 A woman. 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:57.000 To gain the whole world. 00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:58.000 But lose their soul. 00:21:58.000 --> 00:22:03.000 What does it profit us. 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:07.000 To have all our hopes and aspirations realized. 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:11.000 And to find ere we breathe our last breath. 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:17.000 I'm an unforgiven son. 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:22.000 And entering eternity without hope and without God. 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:24.000 And what does Jesus say. 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:26.000 Come to me. 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:29.000 For whoever comes to me. 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:34.000 I will never, never turn away. 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:35.000 Away. 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:37.000 Thank you.