WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.080 Please take your copy of God's Word and turn to Matthew chapter 11. 00:00:09.679 --> 00:00:13.480 This morning we're taking a scheduled break from our study of the book of James. 00:00:13.480 --> 00:00:19.320 As I'd like to share with you the meditation of my heart over the past couple of months. 00:00:21.839 --> 00:00:26.660 Our text for today will be Matthew chapter 11 verses 20 through 30. 00:00:26.660 --> 00:00:34.320 And while you get yourself to this place in your Bible, I'll ask you a couple of questions and make a couple of opening remarks. 00:00:38.480 --> 00:00:44.820 Do you find yourself tired this morning? 00:00:46.039 --> 00:00:53.340 I mean, deep down in your core, are you just absolutely exhausted? 00:00:53.340 --> 00:00:58.680 I think the general answer to that question would be yes. 00:01:00.940 --> 00:01:03.920 Most of us have way too much to do. 00:01:04.200 --> 00:01:06.079 We have too many things on our plate. 00:01:06.200 --> 00:01:10.719 It seems impossible to accomplish the things before us. 00:01:11.580 --> 00:01:16.340 We are frenetic, trying to pack in all the tasks of any given day or week. 00:01:16.340 --> 00:01:39.260 There are jobs to be worked, meetings to be scheduled and had, projects to complete, children to be schooled, clothes to wash, grass to cut, cars to maintain, relationships to be built and restored, people to check in on, things to be learned, emails to write, classes to attend, classes to be taught, events to plan. 00:01:39.260 --> 00:01:43.020 And the list goes on and on. 00:01:44.380 --> 00:01:49.620 Those are the things that popped into my mind as fast as I could type them when I wrote this introduction. 00:01:50.200 --> 00:01:53.540 So many things to do. 00:01:53.540 --> 00:02:09.759 In addition to all of the matters given to a regular person in a regular life, we've been navigating a time of civil and medical and political and ideological unrest. 00:02:10.700 --> 00:02:16.080 I think our foundations just feel so shaky right now. 00:02:17.080 --> 00:02:22.659 And so I think we have reasons to just feel worn out. 00:02:24.539 --> 00:02:28.639 Most of you know that a number of weeks ago I took a one month sabbatical. 00:02:29.340 --> 00:02:32.659 And this is a normal part of my rhythms as a pastor. 00:02:32.840 --> 00:02:38.579 We have elders who love me and care for my soul and have said, you will do this every year. 00:02:38.739 --> 00:02:39.599 So it's normative. 00:02:39.780 --> 00:02:42.060 It's on the schedule each year. 00:02:42.560 --> 00:02:47.340 And I told you before I took this break that it wasn't because of anything wrong with me. 00:02:47.340 --> 00:02:54.280 I wanted to assure you that I wasn't walking through any sort of crisis of faith or otherwise. 00:02:54.560 --> 00:02:58.560 And this was an honest assessment of my state at the time. 00:02:58.560 --> 00:03:04.879 But I really wasn't aware of just how very tired I had become. 00:03:06.140 --> 00:03:13.319 In my last week before I was officially off, the final days of prepping, scrambling to make sure everything would be covered in my absence, 00:03:14.060 --> 00:03:17.259 a frightening phrase popped into my mind. 00:03:17.259 --> 00:03:20.340 And I don't want to do this anymore. 00:03:21.759 --> 00:03:23.560 And I've been a pastor here for 12 years. 00:03:23.659 --> 00:03:24.719 I've never had that thought. 00:03:24.799 --> 00:03:27.799 There have been challenging seasons, times that I go, oh, how am I going to get through it? 00:03:27.819 --> 00:03:28.659 Oh, it'll be by grace. 00:03:29.359 --> 00:03:36.699 There's been moments that I've taken sabbaticals where I just felt like I was falling across a finish line to get to that point. 00:03:36.739 --> 00:03:40.060 But I've never thought, I just don't want to do it anymore. 00:03:40.060 --> 00:03:44.740 I felt ready to go on that sabbatical and to never come back. 00:03:45.860 --> 00:03:48.979 I began to entertain how I would transition out of my role. 00:03:49.159 --> 00:03:49.580 I'm a planner. 00:03:49.740 --> 00:03:53.159 You all know who would step into it, what I would do next. 00:03:53.599 --> 00:03:56.520 And it just kept rolling over this phrase in my mind. 00:03:56.580 --> 00:03:58.580 I don't want to do this anymore. 00:04:00.060 --> 00:04:02.420 I spent about a week in this state. 00:04:02.419 --> 00:04:12.000 And then God, because he loves me and is merciful toward me, reminded me of something our Lord Jesus Christ said. 00:04:12.759 --> 00:04:15.560 It's found in verse 28 of Matthew chapter 11. 00:04:16.899 --> 00:04:24.759 He said, come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 00:04:24.759 --> 00:04:32.659 A bit at a time, the phrase, I don't want to do this anymore, became replaced with Matthew 11, 28. 00:04:33.339 --> 00:04:35.420 This was the phrase running through my mind. 00:04:35.539 --> 00:04:41.199 Come to me, all who are labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 00:04:41.259 --> 00:04:42.480 And I meditated on this. 00:04:42.539 --> 00:04:45.659 What does it mean to come to Jesus for rest? 00:04:45.719 --> 00:04:47.879 And it was very good for my soul. 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:55.259 So I just imagine, as I've been feeling tired, that I'm not alone in this. 00:04:56.300 --> 00:05:01.500 And so I want to invite you this morning to just stop for a bit. 00:05:02.740 --> 00:05:06.540 I think for many of us, being at church on a Sunday morning is another task. 00:05:06.620 --> 00:05:08.560 It's another thing we know we're supposed to do. 00:05:09.079 --> 00:05:10.980 We've been told that it's a good thing to do. 00:05:11.040 --> 00:05:13.279 We've experienced it as a good thing to do. 00:05:13.839 --> 00:05:16.300 There's a struggle within us when we wake up in the morning. 00:05:16.300 --> 00:05:26.680 There are some Sundays I am thankful that God gave me responsibilities so that I would keep moving and show up and be here with you all. 00:05:27.960 --> 00:05:32.639 When we come to church, often we get another set of things we know we're supposed to be doing, right? 00:05:32.699 --> 00:05:35.560 More tasks to add on top. 00:05:35.639 --> 00:05:39.980 And those things are good things and should be considered and done. 00:05:40.960 --> 00:05:43.879 But this morning, I just want you to stop for a bit. 00:05:43.879 --> 00:05:49.079 Come and hear the call of Jesus for us to rest in him. 00:05:50.040 --> 00:05:57.159 I want to show you today and remind myself afresh that we can rest from our work. 00:05:57.160 --> 00:06:03.939 And that when we do work, we can work from a place of rest. 00:06:05.439 --> 00:06:10.920 In order to grasp the meaning of chapter 11 and verse 28, we need some context. 00:06:11.040 --> 00:06:17.080 So we're going to back up to verse 20 and read down through verse 30. 00:06:17.079 --> 00:06:22.240 With all that I've said in mind, let me remind you, beloved, that this is God's word to us. 00:06:22.959 --> 00:06:26.180 It was written for his glory and our good. 00:06:26.959 --> 00:06:33.199 So we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands. 00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:35.019 Matthew 11, beginning in verse 20. 00:06:35.019 --> 00:06:44.500 Then Jesus began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works have been done because they did not repent. 00:06:44.500 --> 00:06:48.259 Woe to you, Chorazin, woe to you, Bethsaida. 00:06:48.899 --> 00:06:56.040 For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 00:06:57.139 --> 00:07:01.759 But I tell you, it would be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:05.839 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? 00:07:06.660 --> 00:07:08.779 You will be brought down to Hades. 00:07:09.279 --> 00:07:14.399 For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 00:07:15.360 --> 00:07:20.319 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you. 00:07:21.800 --> 00:07:24.220 At that time, Jesus declared, 00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:32.180 I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children. 00:07:32.740 --> 00:07:35.279 Yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 00:07:36.300 --> 00:07:41.399 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, 00:07:41.399 --> 00:07:46.879 and no one knows the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 00:07:48.019 --> 00:07:53.620 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 00:07:53.620 --> 00:08:01.860 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. 00:08:02.480 --> 00:08:06.540 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 00:08:06.540 --> 00:08:16.460 Now, we won't unpack the entirety of all these verses this morning, but I want to draw your attention particularly to verse 28. 00:08:17.319 --> 00:08:20.500 In it we find a great invitation. 00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:29.800 Come to me, all who are lady and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 00:08:29.800 --> 00:08:35.779 This is such a great invitation for at least two reasons. 00:08:36.860 --> 00:08:44.960 Number one, Jesus' invitation is a great invitation because he offers us rest from our greatest problem. 00:08:46.500 --> 00:08:53.139 Jesus speaks such comforting words in the conclusion of our text, but not all of his words are comforting. 00:08:53.519 --> 00:08:56.539 We must back up to verse 20 and read from there. 00:08:56.539 --> 00:08:59.399 What has he been talking about? 00:09:00.219 --> 00:09:04.279 He's been denouncing these woes is what we find. 00:09:04.879 --> 00:09:09.159 Woe to you, Chorazin and Bethsaida and Capernaum. 00:09:09.439 --> 00:09:12.779 You have been wicked and you have been unrepentant. 00:09:13.699 --> 00:09:17.980 These are all Jewish cities in which, as Matthew here records for us in verse 20, 00:09:18.959 --> 00:09:21.980 most of Jesus' miracles have been performed. 00:09:21.980 --> 00:09:34.279 Jesus juxtaposes their unbelief against how the Gentile cities of Tyre and Sidon and the ancient city of Sodom would have responded had such miracles been performed among them. 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:38.560 So the text starts with judgment. 00:09:38.559 --> 00:09:46.879 Now, so that we don't lose sight of the most important thing here, we don't want to get caught up in the miracle performing. 00:09:46.979 --> 00:09:54.159 The point that Jesus is making is that he came with power and he preached a message. 00:09:54.959 --> 00:09:59.799 A message that these denounced cities did not respond to. 00:09:59.799 --> 00:10:09.299 Many in our day are seeking new signs, wanting some taste of the metaphysical in order to believe. 00:10:10.099 --> 00:10:18.039 But God has given us his son, the Lord Jesus Christ, the very one speaking these words in Matthew 11. 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:24.059 We have the incarnation and we have the resurrection. 00:10:24.059 --> 00:10:28.559 Do we need more miracles than these to believe in Christ? 00:10:28.899 --> 00:10:33.159 It suggests to you that we need nothing further. 00:10:34.299 --> 00:10:38.099 Look at what Jesus says just a chapter later in Matthew's gospel. 00:10:38.239 --> 00:10:42.579 This is Matthew chapter 12, beginning in verse 38 and following. 00:10:43.699 --> 00:10:46.679 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him saying, 00:10:47.519 --> 00:10:49.739 Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you. 00:10:49.740 --> 00:10:51.799 But he answered them, 00:10:52.799 --> 00:10:56.200 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, 00:10:56.720 --> 00:11:01.639 but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 00:11:02.500 --> 00:11:06.659 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, 00:11:07.120 --> 00:11:12.180 so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 00:11:12.779 --> 00:11:17.000 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:19.639 for they repented at the preaching of Jonah. 00:11:19.759 --> 00:11:24.399 And behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 00:11:25.159 --> 00:11:27.019 So they're seeking for a sign. 00:11:27.100 --> 00:11:30.159 And he says the sign you'll have is the sign of Jonah. 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:31.820 And how is it that this is significant? 00:11:31.919 --> 00:11:36.179 It's because Jonah points them to Christ. 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:41.340 He's using the scripture to say you need the Christ. 00:11:41.340 --> 00:11:46.340 And of course, we know that this Christ is Jesus. 00:11:47.980 --> 00:11:54.060 Something greater than Jonah, the fulfillment of the type that Jonah was. 00:11:54.920 --> 00:11:59.500 He is God with us, his incarnation. 00:12:00.320 --> 00:12:06.300 And the sign of Jonah that he was three days in the belly of the great fish. 00:12:06.299 --> 00:12:12.419 So will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 00:12:12.859 --> 00:12:16.959 We have the sign, the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:12:17.879 --> 00:12:21.079 And he came and he preached a message. 00:12:21.759 --> 00:12:24.120 Matthew records in chapter 4 and verse 17. 00:12:25.039 --> 00:12:27.599 From that time, Jesus began to preach, saying, 00:12:28.399 --> 00:12:32.659 Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:36.539 What is repentance? 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:42.000 It's a word used often amongst Christians and in church gatherings. 00:12:43.139 --> 00:12:47.860 Repentance is recognizing one's offense against a most holy God, 00:12:48.679 --> 00:12:51.279 feeling remorse for the offense, 00:12:51.679 --> 00:12:56.819 and seeking to satisfy the consequence of the offense. 00:12:57.299 --> 00:12:59.740 Repentance is recognizing your sinfulness 00:12:59.740 --> 00:13:03.519 and turning away from it. 00:13:04.159 --> 00:13:08.120 But if we are to satisfy the consequence of the offense, 00:13:08.259 --> 00:13:10.220 if we are to seek that out, 00:13:10.960 --> 00:13:13.240 we will find ourselves woefully lacking. 00:13:13.360 --> 00:13:15.379 We will never be able to do enough good 00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:18.960 to outweigh the bad that we have done. 00:13:19.620 --> 00:13:20.740 Apart from Christ, 00:13:21.399 --> 00:13:22.399 I am not okay, 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:24.960 and you are not okay. 00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:28.800 We cannot place our lives on a scale 00:13:28.800 --> 00:13:33.879 and be found with anything good of ourselves. 00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:36.639 Paul writes in Romans chapter 3, 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:37.680 verse 10 and following, 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:39.920 None is righteous, 00:13:40.180 --> 00:13:42.259 no, not one. 00:13:43.060 --> 00:13:44.180 No one understands, 00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:45.680 no one seeks for God. 00:13:46.100 --> 00:13:47.280 All have turned aside, 00:13:47.400 --> 00:13:49.400 together they have become worthless. 00:13:50.220 --> 00:13:51.840 No one does good, 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:54.840 not even one. 00:13:56.280 --> 00:13:58.340 And just in case you find some creative way 00:13:58.340 --> 00:13:59.639 to wiggle through that 00:13:59.639 --> 00:14:01.500 and to feel righteous at the end of it, 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:03.240 he adds in verse 23, 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:08.620 All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 00:14:09.440 --> 00:14:10.460 Apart from Christ, 00:14:10.680 --> 00:14:13.920 we are hopelessly lost. 00:14:15.940 --> 00:14:17.680 So we must repent. 00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:20.019 The kingdom of God is at hand. 00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:25.699 We cannot work ourselves into God's favor. 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:29.279 And this repentance that we must have, 00:14:29.340 --> 00:14:31.819 it begins with humility. 00:14:32.559 --> 00:14:36.039 It begins with recognizing this reality. 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:37.059 We can't do it. 00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:38.399 It's impossible. 00:14:39.079 --> 00:14:39.639 We cannot. 00:14:41.299 --> 00:14:42.799 Every religion in the world 00:14:42.799 --> 00:14:44.279 teaches you some method 00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:47.199 by which you can climb up to the top of the mountain 00:14:47.199 --> 00:14:48.819 to meet with God. 00:14:48.820 --> 00:14:52.040 And Christianity says nothing of the sort. 00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:54.920 Christianity says you cannot climb, 00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:57.200 but God came down the mountain 00:14:57.200 --> 00:14:58.520 to meet with you. 00:15:00.400 --> 00:15:03.080 Jesus tells a parable in Luke chapter 18, 00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:05.120 verse 9 and following. 00:15:05.280 --> 00:15:06.620 Jesus also told this parable 00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:08.020 to some who trusted in themselves 00:15:08.020 --> 00:15:09.260 that they were righteous 00:15:09.260 --> 00:15:11.660 and treated others with contempt. 00:15:12.700 --> 00:15:14.360 Two men went up into the temple to pray, 00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:16.700 one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 00:15:16.700 --> 00:15:20.640 The Pharisee standing by himself prayed thus, 00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:23.360 God, I thank you that I'm not like other men, 00:15:23.480 --> 00:15:25.560 extortioners, unjust, adulterers, 00:15:25.580 --> 00:15:27.340 or even like this tax collector. 00:15:28.060 --> 00:15:29.759 I fast twice a week. 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:31.940 I give tithes of all that I get. 00:15:32.900 --> 00:15:35.560 But the tax collector standing far off 00:15:35.560 --> 00:15:38.120 will not even lift up his eyes to heaven, 00:15:38.259 --> 00:15:39.600 but beat his breast saying, 00:15:39.759 --> 00:15:42.320 God, be merciful to me, a sinner. 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:46.180 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified 00:15:46.180 --> 00:15:47.280 rather than the other. 00:15:48.040 --> 00:15:51.000 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, 00:15:51.420 --> 00:15:53.200 but the one who humbles himself 00:15:53.200 --> 00:15:55.100 will be exalted. 00:15:56.080 --> 00:15:58.580 We need Christ. 00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:03.720 Isaac Watts was a late 17th, early 18th century. 00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:07.480 Hymnus wrote the following of this parable, 00:16:07.580 --> 00:16:11.100 Jesus tells in Luke chapter 18. 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:15.860 Saints, at your heavenly Father's word, 00:16:16.700 --> 00:16:18.899 give up your comforts to the Lord. 00:16:19.800 --> 00:16:21.560 Behold how sinners disagree, 00:16:21.700 --> 00:16:23.720 the publican and Pharisee. 00:16:25.060 --> 00:16:26.920 One doeth his righteousness proclaim, 00:16:27.240 --> 00:16:30.399 the other owns his guilt and shame. 00:16:30.399 --> 00:16:34.399 This man at humble distance stands 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:37.059 and cries for grace with lifted hands 00:16:37.059 --> 00:16:40.019 that boldly rises near the throne 00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:42.879 and talks of duties he has done. 00:16:44.059 --> 00:16:46.879 The Lord their different language knows 00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:49.299 and different answers he bestows. 00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:53.799 The humble soul with grace he crowns 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:57.500 whilst on the proud his anger frowns. 00:16:57.500 --> 00:17:01.419 Dear Father, let me never be joined 00:17:01.419 --> 00:17:03.100 with the boasting Pharisee. 00:17:03.779 --> 00:17:05.720 I have no merits of my own, 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:08.539 but plead the sufferings of thy son. 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:12.680 We have sinned against an infinite God 00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:14.339 whose holiness is infinite, 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:17.359 and therefore our offense against him 00:17:17.359 --> 00:17:19.420 is infinite, 00:17:19.900 --> 00:17:22.539 which is why we need the infinite sacrifice 00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:24.140 of Jesus Christ to satisfy 00:17:24.140 --> 00:17:27.380 the consequence of the offense. 00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:29.599 You see, friends, 00:17:29.700 --> 00:17:33.339 God expects perfection from us, 00:17:33.859 --> 00:17:37.640 but he extends to us that perfection 00:17:37.640 --> 00:17:40.740 in the person and work of Jesus Christ. 00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:44.779 Upon humble admission of our offense against God 00:17:44.779 --> 00:17:46.160 and placing our faith 00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:47.720 in the saving work of Jesus Christ, 00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:50.140 God not only forgives us our sins, 00:17:50.140 --> 00:17:53.880 but also gives us the righteousness of Jesus. 00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:59.580 The doctrinal term for this is double imputation. 00:18:00.900 --> 00:18:02.820 Christ takes our punishment. 00:18:03.020 --> 00:18:06.500 He gives to us his righteousness. 00:18:08.080 --> 00:18:10.920 So Jesus extends to us a great invitation 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:15.080 because he offers us rest from our greatest problem. 00:18:15.079 --> 00:18:19.240 And because we can rest eternally, 00:18:19.599 --> 00:18:21.099 you're asking, 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:23.399 you started this by asking if we were tired, 00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:25.099 and I'm not hearing anything about that yet. 00:18:26.539 --> 00:18:28.599 Because we can rest eternally, 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:31.259 we can rest temporally. 00:18:31.919 --> 00:18:33.819 We can rest in the here and now 00:18:33.819 --> 00:18:35.579 because our greatest problem 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:39.839 has been fixed if we are in Christ. 00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:42.819 You and I do not have to labor 00:18:42.819 --> 00:18:45.579 to find ourselves approved before God. 00:18:46.179 --> 00:18:49.839 Our consciences can be without guilt. 00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:53.959 We can quiet our souls 00:18:53.959 --> 00:18:56.959 because we're accepted by God in Christ. 00:18:57.699 --> 00:19:00.399 If you have placed saving faith in Jesus Christ, 00:19:00.939 --> 00:19:02.019 you are approved, 00:19:02.359 --> 00:19:04.619 and now any work that you do 00:19:04.619 --> 00:19:06.859 comes as a grateful outflow 00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:09.479 of what he has done for us. 00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:11.839 We can rest from our work. 00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:14.039 And when we work, 00:19:15.079 --> 00:19:17.979 we can work from rest. 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:21.359 Those who are not in Christ 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:23.219 cannot rest. 00:19:23.219 --> 00:19:27.500 They have no true rest for their souls. 00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:31.000 Isaiah chapter 57 and verse 20 says, 00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:34.219 but the wicked are like the tossing sea 00:19:34.220 --> 00:19:37.039 for it cannot be quiet 00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:41.299 and its waters toss up mire and dirt. 00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:44.799 If God is pleased with you, 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:48.860 you can and you should rest 00:19:48.860 --> 00:19:51.039 in the temporal, right? 00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:54.319 Psalm 127 and verse 2 says, 00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:56.180 it is vain, it is in vain 00:19:56.180 --> 00:19:57.440 that you rise up early 00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:59.220 and go late to rest, 00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:02.279 eating the bread of anxious toil. 00:20:02.279 --> 00:20:07.099 For he gives to his beloved sleep. 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:11.799 He gives to his beloved sleep. 00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:14.500 We are finite. 00:20:14.899 --> 00:20:16.079 We are not infinite. 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:19.319 We need to spend approximately 00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:22.819 a third of our lives sleeping. 00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:27.819 What a reminder that we are not God. 00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:31.579 But I will tell you that I far too often 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:33.419 act as if I am. 00:20:34.139 --> 00:20:37.200 Act like I'm not going to run out of energy. 00:20:37.919 --> 00:20:42.079 Act as if my humanity has been set aside 00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:44.439 when it has not. 00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:48.179 I am an embodied soul. 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:52.339 And my body is failing, right? 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:55.259 Bit by bit by bit. 00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:59.839 God is not unaware of your human frailty 00:20:59.839 --> 00:21:02.779 and he intends rest for you. 00:21:03.180 --> 00:21:06.640 We need regular rhythms of physical rest. 00:21:06.859 --> 00:21:08.319 God himself, who needs no rest, 00:21:08.400 --> 00:21:09.759 modeled this for us. 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:11.299 That there would be a day, 00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:12.500 one in seven, 00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:16.559 that we would intentionally set aside for rest. 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:20.099 We're certainly instructed by Psalm 127 00:21:20.099 --> 00:21:23.759 that we should lay down and sleep at night. 00:21:24.459 --> 00:21:26.199 Beloved, I'll tell you that these times 00:21:26.199 --> 00:21:27.779 can be worshipful 00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:30.619 as we lay down control 00:21:30.619 --> 00:21:32.679 and anxiety for the future 00:21:32.679 --> 00:21:34.879 and entrust ourselves to our God 00:21:34.879 --> 00:21:37.179 and his good promises. 00:21:37.899 --> 00:21:40.719 It's an act of faith to go to sleep. 00:21:41.399 --> 00:21:43.959 It's an act of faith to take a day off in seven 00:21:43.959 --> 00:21:44.759 to say, you know what? 00:21:45.059 --> 00:21:46.980 The things that I feel like can't wait, 00:21:47.439 --> 00:21:48.059 can wait. 00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:50.779 God is pleased with me. 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:53.279 I don't have to run around seeking his pleasure. 00:21:53.359 --> 00:21:56.319 I certainly don't need the pleasure of people 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:58.779 if God is for me. 00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:02.139 Our physical rest here declares 00:22:02.139 --> 00:22:04.519 that we are at rest spiritually 00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:09.659 and one day be forever at rest. 00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:12.359 So I want to challenge you 00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:13.559 when you lay down in the evening. 00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:15.940 That's one of the sweetest moments of my day, 00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:17.779 that first moment when you lay down. 00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:20.359 And before it gets painful to be laying down, 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:23.779 older people know what I'm talking about. 00:22:24.919 --> 00:22:26.359 Before you start tossing and turning, 00:22:26.419 --> 00:22:27.419 that initial moment 00:22:27.419 --> 00:22:30.039 and you kind of like sink in to the bed 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:31.799 and your muscles just relax for a moment, 00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:34.919 think about the forever rest that will be ours. 00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:37.599 And trust yourself to God in that moment. 00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:39.719 Lord, this was a day. 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:42.480 Were you pleased with me today? 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:43.879 Did I do all that I could 00:22:43.879 --> 00:22:47.219 in thankful response to what you've done for me today 00:22:47.219 --> 00:22:48.519 and then go to sleep? 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:51.899 Wake up and start anew. 00:22:53.819 --> 00:22:57.639 George Whitefield, great evangelist, 00:22:57.699 --> 00:22:58.099 once said, 00:22:58.099 --> 00:23:00.819 how sweet is rest after fatigue. 00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:03.539 How sweet will heaven be 00:23:03.539 --> 00:23:06.859 when our toilsome journey is ended. 00:23:08.599 --> 00:23:10.199 And then Spurgeon once said, 00:23:10.699 --> 00:23:12.500 rest time is not waste time. 00:23:13.199 --> 00:23:15.619 It is economy to gather fresh strength. 00:23:16.159 --> 00:23:18.679 It is wisdom to take occasional furlough. 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:20.220 In the long run, 00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:25.240 we shall do more by sometimes doing less. 00:23:27.340 --> 00:23:28.400 We are finite, 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:30.820 but our God reigns. 00:23:31.820 --> 00:23:32.960 And if we are in him, 00:23:33.080 --> 00:23:34.480 we have nothing to fear, 00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:36.580 nothing to be concerned about. 00:23:36.840 --> 00:23:39.920 We are his and he is ours 00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:43.580 and therefore we can rest. 00:23:44.620 --> 00:23:46.920 So Jesus' invitation is a great invitation, right? 00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:50.440 Because it's a solution to our greatest problem. 00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:53.920 Secondly, Jesus' invitation is a great invitation 00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:57.740 because he offers us rest in the greatest person. 00:23:59.080 --> 00:24:02.039 Jesus invites us to come to him, 00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:05.140 all who labor and are heavy laden, 00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:08.560 and he will give to you rest. 00:24:09.860 --> 00:24:11.840 Jesus makes some astounding claims 00:24:11.840 --> 00:24:13.240 about himself in this text. 00:24:13.360 --> 00:24:15.100 We can't unpack in their entirety, 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:16.360 but I just want to point them out to you 00:24:16.359 --> 00:24:19.059 quickly, perhaps for some further study. 00:24:19.619 --> 00:24:21.719 First, he says that he is the son of God, right? 00:24:21.719 --> 00:24:23.779 Not a new claim in Matthew's gospel, 00:24:23.919 --> 00:24:25.439 but it's an astounding one all the same. 00:24:25.479 --> 00:24:26.500 And he says it again here, 00:24:26.899 --> 00:24:28.059 first part of verse 27, 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:30.479 all things have been hammered over to me by my father 00:24:30.479 --> 00:24:33.000 and no one knows the son except the father 00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:35.119 and no one knows the father except the son 00:24:35.119 --> 00:24:39.779 and anyone to whom the son chooses to reveal him, right? 00:24:40.139 --> 00:24:43.579 Jesus is the son of God, right? 00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:48.159 And he either is the son of God or he's a lunatic. 00:24:48.399 --> 00:24:51.439 They're really the options that are before us. 00:24:51.879 --> 00:24:52.599 One of the two. 00:24:53.179 --> 00:24:54.099 He's the son of God. 00:24:54.859 --> 00:24:59.399 Number two, he states that he possesses all authority. 00:24:59.679 --> 00:25:00.960 Still there in verse 27. 00:25:01.199 --> 00:25:04.819 All things have been handed over to me. 00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:09.839 We are so tempted to think that that excludes something in our lives. 00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:15.700 Not a single thing isn't under Jesus's authority. 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:17.579 He says in Matthew 28, verse 18, 00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:20.939 all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. 00:25:21.079 --> 00:25:23.759 This includes everything. 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:29.019 I tend to have a kind of boss mentality about God. 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:31.200 Like I got this one. 00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:33.940 I know how he would want me to act in this case. 00:25:34.180 --> 00:25:38.119 I tend to run out self-sufficiently so often. 00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:40.220 And I need to be brought back. 00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:43.099 And I need to be reminded that I am finite, 00:25:43.339 --> 00:25:44.240 that he is infinite, 00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:45.660 that he can handle all things. 00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:48.779 He's the only one with the power to handle all things. 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:53.220 All things have been handed over to Jesus by his father. 00:25:53.379 --> 00:25:59.859 And all authority on heaven and on earth has been given to him. 00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:05.220 Third, he has the power to save. 00:26:06.399 --> 00:26:08.119 Now for me particularly as a pastor, 00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:12.879 the work that I do is to teach God's word 00:26:12.879 --> 00:26:16.519 for the sake of seeing people's souls change, right? 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:20.940 I want to see people converted, death to life, enemies to friends. 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:23.579 I want to see people grow up in Christ. 00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:27.940 But I don't have the power to make that happen. 00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:31.359 And I'm glad for that when I'm at my best. 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:34.720 I struggle with that when I'm not. 00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:38.799 I met with a pastor friend not too long ago. 00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:41.579 And I've got a piece of property we've been doing some work on. 00:26:41.639 --> 00:26:42.599 And I've been cutting down trees. 00:26:42.639 --> 00:26:44.160 And I was talking about cutting down trees. 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:46.840 And he said, I can tell you're really enjoying doing that. 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:49.019 And I said just off the cuff, I said, 00:26:49.060 --> 00:26:50.460 you know what I think I enjoy about it most? 00:26:50.920 --> 00:26:52.160 That when I cut the tree down, 00:26:52.360 --> 00:26:54.300 no one can come and pick the tree back up 00:26:54.300 --> 00:26:55.519 and put it back on the stump. 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:57.180 It is done. 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:58.140 It is an un... 00:26:58.140 --> 00:27:01.980 You cannot reverse the work that has been accomplished. 00:27:02.380 --> 00:27:03.580 And he said, this was his response. 00:27:03.680 --> 00:27:05.940 He goes, pastoring can be hard, can't it? 00:27:06.400 --> 00:27:08.900 I'm like, man, you read right through the metaphor. 00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:09.700 Yeah. 00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:12.220 Yeah, it can be. 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:17.120 But when I recognize that I don't have control, 00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:20.680 if I end there, that's dismal. 00:27:21.620 --> 00:27:24.960 But if I recognize that there is one who has control 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:27.880 and he's much more qualified for the task, 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:30.039 then that's a wonderful thing. 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:33.960 Jesus has the power to save. 00:27:34.339 --> 00:27:35.360 Last part of verse 27. 00:27:35.359 --> 00:27:37.240 No one knows the father except the son 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:42.179 and anyone to whom the son chooses to reveal him. 00:27:43.379 --> 00:27:46.059 My work as a pastor is to be faithful 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:47.539 to what God has called me to do. 00:27:47.659 --> 00:27:48.919 And he works, right? 00:27:48.979 --> 00:27:51.559 Just like Paul said, he planted a potless water. 00:27:51.699 --> 00:27:54.240 God brought the growth. 00:27:55.939 --> 00:28:00.779 Fourth thing, Jesus says that he is gentle and lowly. 00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:05.899 Verse 29 says, take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 00:28:06.440 --> 00:28:09.460 for I am gentle and lowly in heart, 00:28:09.619 --> 00:28:13.019 and you will find rest for your souls. 00:28:14.440 --> 00:28:16.460 I'm going to commend to you a book 00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:18.440 that some of you may already be familiar with. 00:28:18.859 --> 00:28:21.779 It's a book primarily on this passage, 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:24.519 chapter 11 and verse 29, 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:27.339 and it's called Gentle and Lowly. 00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:29.259 It's by a man named Dane Ortlund. 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:30.379 I've got a copy of it here. 00:28:30.440 --> 00:28:31.160 I'm just going to show you 00:28:31.160 --> 00:28:32.559 what the cover of it looks like. 00:28:33.619 --> 00:28:35.900 There are approximately 50 of these 00:28:35.900 --> 00:28:37.180 sitting out in the hallway right now. 00:28:37.480 --> 00:28:39.599 So if you would like to take this book home, 00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:41.799 I'd encourage you to take it, give it a read. 00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:44.619 I think you'll find yourself encouraged by it. 00:28:45.559 --> 00:28:46.559 Dane Ortlund in this book 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:48.539 heavily cites a Puritan work 00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:52.079 entitled The Heart of Christ by Thomas Goodwin. 00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:57.019 And they both labor to help their readers see 00:28:57.019 --> 00:29:00.960 that this is the only place that Jesus tells us 00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:03.960 who he is at his very core, 00:29:04.679 --> 00:29:07.819 gentle and lowly in heart. 00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:11.419 Jesus is gentle. 00:29:11.579 --> 00:29:16.059 This Greek word is translated as meek in Matthew 5, 5. 00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:18.960 So power restrained, 00:29:19.339 --> 00:29:21.079 and it is humble. 00:29:21.079 --> 00:29:25.000 Zechariah 9, 9 is the place that this is translated. 00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:30.659 Jesus possesses all authority and all power. 00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:33.619 Undoubtedly, we've made that point already. 00:29:34.659 --> 00:29:38.099 Jesus could smite you in your sin, right? 00:29:38.139 --> 00:29:40.079 And he would be just for doing so. 00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:43.980 But he says that his heart is gentle toward you 00:29:43.980 --> 00:29:46.480 and he invites you to come. 00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:47.819 That's astounding. 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:49.579 That is incredible, right? 00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:51.139 The one who will come, 00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:52.099 he'll return, 00:29:52.379 --> 00:29:54.519 and he'll judge the earth, right? 00:29:54.819 --> 00:29:57.519 Calls to you who are tired, 00:29:57.939 --> 00:29:59.279 who are worn out, 00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:01.039 who are sick of laboring 00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:03.980 to be found acceptable by God. 00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:05.000 He says to you, 00:30:05.480 --> 00:30:05.759 come, 00:30:06.679 --> 00:30:09.039 I am gentle and lowly in heart. 00:30:09.539 --> 00:30:11.259 Learn from me. 00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:14.400 Him being lowly. 00:30:14.400 --> 00:30:16.279 The point of this Greek word is to communicate 00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:19.319 that Jesus is accessible. 00:30:19.920 --> 00:30:22.379 He's saying that he's not in such a high status 00:30:22.379 --> 00:30:24.480 that you can't come to him. 00:30:24.839 --> 00:30:28.299 He is the king of the universe, right? 00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:29.819 He sits at the place of honor 00:30:29.819 --> 00:30:31.400 next to the right hand of the Father, 00:30:31.400 --> 00:30:33.920 and he rules over all things. 00:30:34.040 --> 00:30:36.420 But the repentant can approach him 00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:41.460 and in him we will find rest for our souls. 00:30:43.100 --> 00:30:46.400 Jesus is not unable to sympathize with us 00:30:46.400 --> 00:30:47.920 in our weakness. 00:30:48.640 --> 00:30:50.120 Having become fully man, 00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:52.080 he experienced your pain 00:30:52.080 --> 00:30:54.980 and your exhaustion, right? 00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:57.539 He has at his heart 00:30:57.539 --> 00:31:01.660 a care and a concern for you. 00:31:02.900 --> 00:31:05.079 Jesus grew tired, John 4, 6. 00:31:05.339 --> 00:31:07.460 He got thirsty, John 19, 28. 00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:09.099 And hungry, Matthew 4, 2. 00:31:09.920 --> 00:31:12.920 He became physically weak. 00:31:13.279 --> 00:31:15.799 He also needed rest, Matthew 4, 11. 00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:18.880 Luke 23 and verse 26. 00:31:19.860 --> 00:31:23.480 This, beloved, is our Savior. 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:27.039 I too often wrongly think of him 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:28.740 as my boss, right? 00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:29.960 Give me a list of commands. 00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:31.839 Now go and go and go and go 00:31:31.839 --> 00:31:33.160 and go and go and go. 00:31:33.339 --> 00:31:35.680 And he is more aware of how weak I am 00:31:35.680 --> 00:31:36.599 than I am aware. 00:31:37.559 --> 00:31:39.279 He says rather to me, 00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:43.700 I have a light burden for you, right? 00:31:43.799 --> 00:31:44.700 Come to me. 00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:47.720 You'll find rest for your soul. 00:31:49.279 --> 00:31:50.079 Thomas Goodwin, 00:31:50.620 --> 00:31:51.940 being cited by Dane Ortlund, 00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:53.680 wrote, 00:31:53.820 --> 00:31:55.279 men are apt to have 00:31:55.279 --> 00:31:57.700 contrary conceits of Christ, 00:31:58.140 --> 00:31:59.299 but he tells them 00:31:59.299 --> 00:32:01.019 his disposition there 00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:03.740 by preventing such hard thoughts of him 00:32:03.740 --> 00:32:05.759 to allure them unto him the more. 00:32:06.820 --> 00:32:08.460 We are apt to think that he, 00:32:08.759 --> 00:32:09.980 being so holy, 00:32:10.600 --> 00:32:12.420 is therefore of severe 00:32:12.420 --> 00:32:14.940 and sour disposition against sinners 00:32:14.940 --> 00:32:17.880 and not able to bear them. 00:32:17.880 --> 00:32:20.200 No, says he, 00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:21.860 I am meek. 00:32:22.540 --> 00:32:24.260 Gentleness is my nature 00:32:24.260 --> 00:32:25.820 and temper. 00:32:27.100 --> 00:32:28.480 The author of Hebrews wrote 00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:29.960 in Hebrews 4 and verse 15, 00:32:30.080 --> 00:32:31.520 for we don't have a high priest 00:32:31.520 --> 00:32:33.240 who is unable to sympathize 00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:34.040 with our weaknesses, 00:32:34.560 --> 00:32:36.220 but one who in every respect 00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:37.880 has been tempted as we are, 00:32:38.360 --> 00:32:39.340 yet without sin. 00:32:40.380 --> 00:32:40.920 So, beloved, 00:32:41.020 --> 00:32:41.760 you can go to Jesus 00:32:41.760 --> 00:32:43.000 with all of your hurts 00:32:43.000 --> 00:32:45.280 and all of your struggles. 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:46.899 Even as we work 00:32:46.899 --> 00:32:48.000 to see the kingdom of God 00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:49.339 fully realized, 00:32:49.460 --> 00:32:50.259 and Christians ought to be 00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:51.200 the busiest people 00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:52.279 on the planet 00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:52.779 because we have 00:32:52.779 --> 00:32:54.099 normal life stuff to do 00:32:54.099 --> 00:32:56.279 and kingdom of God stuff to do. 00:32:57.139 --> 00:32:58.039 There's a lot of people 00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:59.559 chilling this morning. 00:33:01.539 --> 00:33:03.079 But Jesus promises us, 00:33:03.099 --> 00:33:05.059 and this is such a good meditation for me, 00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:06.500 Luke 12 and 32, 00:33:06.859 --> 00:33:07.539 fear not, 00:33:08.259 --> 00:33:09.039 little flock, 00:33:09.920 --> 00:33:11.119 for it is your Father's 00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:12.059 good pleasure 00:33:12.059 --> 00:33:14.179 to give you the kingdom. 00:33:15.700 --> 00:33:17.139 If we would just be faithful 00:33:17.139 --> 00:33:18.559 and do the things 00:33:18.559 --> 00:33:19.740 that he's asked us to do, 00:33:19.839 --> 00:33:22.759 it is going to come to pass. 00:33:23.659 --> 00:33:24.879 So Jesus' invitation 00:33:24.879 --> 00:33:25.899 is a great invitation 00:33:25.899 --> 00:33:27.460 because he offers us rest 00:33:27.460 --> 00:33:28.759 in himself. 00:33:29.899 --> 00:33:31.240 The Bible also uses 00:33:31.240 --> 00:33:32.440 the metaphor of thirst 00:33:32.440 --> 00:33:34.240 to express our need of rest 00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:35.619 in God. 00:33:35.839 --> 00:33:36.599 And this in closing, 00:33:37.740 --> 00:33:39.019 Jeremiah chapter 2, 00:33:39.339 --> 00:33:40.440 beginning in verse 12, 00:33:40.440 --> 00:33:42.259 Be appalled, O heavens, 00:33:42.360 --> 00:33:42.840 at this. 00:33:42.940 --> 00:33:43.539 Be shocked. 00:33:43.620 --> 00:33:44.700 Be utterly desolate, 00:33:44.820 --> 00:33:46.000 declares the Lord. 00:33:46.880 --> 00:33:48.059 For my people have committed 00:33:48.059 --> 00:33:49.140 two evils. 00:33:49.980 --> 00:33:51.180 They have forsaken me, 00:33:51.279 --> 00:33:53.340 the fountain of living waters, 00:33:54.120 --> 00:33:55.700 and hewed out cisterns 00:33:55.700 --> 00:33:56.420 for themselves, 00:33:56.620 --> 00:33:57.840 broken cisterns 00:33:57.840 --> 00:33:58.820 that can hold 00:33:58.820 --> 00:34:00.500 no water. 00:34:01.779 --> 00:34:02.779 Hear the words of Jesus 00:34:02.779 --> 00:34:04.140 in John chapter 7, 00:34:04.299 --> 00:34:05.600 beginning in verse 37. 00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:07.580 On the last day of the feast, 00:34:07.660 --> 00:34:08.260 the great day, 00:34:08.400 --> 00:34:09.179 Jesus stood up 00:34:09.179 --> 00:34:10.159 and cried out, 00:34:11.099 --> 00:34:12.599 If anyone thirsts, 00:34:13.039 --> 00:34:14.239 let him come to me 00:34:14.239 --> 00:34:15.279 and drink. 00:34:16.079 --> 00:34:17.399 Whoever believes in me, 00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:18.679 as the scripture has said, 00:34:18.779 --> 00:34:19.819 out of his heart 00:34:19.819 --> 00:34:21.119 will flow rivers 00:34:21.119 --> 00:34:23.859 of living water. 00:34:24.519 --> 00:34:27.019 We can find rest 00:34:27.019 --> 00:34:28.879 in Christ. 00:34:30.279 --> 00:34:31.259 Francis Bevan, 00:34:31.639 --> 00:34:32.819 19th century hymnist, 00:34:32.940 --> 00:34:34.519 wrote a song called, 00:34:34.639 --> 00:34:35.299 O Christ, 00:34:35.300 --> 00:34:35.980 Christ in thee, 00:34:36.080 --> 00:34:37.460 my soul hath found. 00:34:38.460 --> 00:34:39.680 It's four verses 00:34:39.680 --> 00:34:41.080 and a refrain. 00:34:41.460 --> 00:34:42.300 I want to read it for you 00:34:42.300 --> 00:34:43.039 and then I'll close 00:34:43.039 --> 00:34:43.519 with some prayer. 00:34:45.160 --> 00:34:46.539 O Christ in thee, 00:34:46.660 --> 00:34:48.019 my soul hath found, 00:34:48.280 --> 00:34:50.180 and found in thee alone. 00:34:50.820 --> 00:34:51.580 The peace, 00:34:52.140 --> 00:34:52.620 the joy, 00:34:52.720 --> 00:34:53.820 I sought so long, 00:34:53.900 --> 00:34:54.500 the bliss, 00:34:54.880 --> 00:34:56.019 till now unknown. 00:34:56.900 --> 00:34:58.700 I sighed for rest 00:34:58.700 --> 00:34:59.420 and happiness. 00:34:59.940 --> 00:35:01.560 I yearned for them, 00:35:01.720 --> 00:35:02.519 not thee. 00:35:02.519 --> 00:35:04.440 But while I passed 00:35:04.440 --> 00:35:05.440 my Savior by, 00:35:05.559 --> 00:35:07.820 his love laid hold on me. 00:35:08.800 --> 00:35:10.639 I tried the broken cisterns, 00:35:10.820 --> 00:35:11.119 ah, 00:35:11.440 --> 00:35:13.320 but how the waters failed. 00:35:13.880 --> 00:35:15.619 Even as I stooped to drink, 00:35:15.739 --> 00:35:17.500 they fled and mocked me 00:35:17.500 --> 00:35:18.519 as I wailed. 00:35:19.659 --> 00:35:21.000 The pleasures lost, 00:35:21.280 --> 00:35:22.659 I sadly mourned, 00:35:22.739 --> 00:35:25.000 but never wept for thee. 00:35:25.860 --> 00:35:26.759 Till grace, 00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:28.679 the sightless eyes received 00:35:28.679 --> 00:35:31.099 thy loveliness to see. 00:35:31.099 --> 00:35:32.759 And this is the refrain. 00:35:33.460 --> 00:35:35.079 Now none but Christ 00:35:35.079 --> 00:35:36.059 can satisfy. 00:35:36.679 --> 00:35:38.199 None other name for me. 00:35:38.779 --> 00:35:40.179 There's love and life 00:35:40.179 --> 00:35:41.460 and lasting joy. 00:35:41.619 --> 00:35:42.279 Christ Jesus 00:35:42.279 --> 00:35:43.839 found in thee. 00:35:44.259 --> 00:35:45.019 Let's pray together.