1. Good Evening,
Greetings…
Series of “Lessons From Matthew.”
This last week we looked at the important message the Messiah had to teach concerning the Baptist.
How there were none greater than John leading up to the kingdom but the least in the kingdom of heaven was greater than John.
That great discourse leads us to our lesson today on how Jesus will bring “Rest For Your Soul.” (SLIDE)

2. REST F O R
SOUL
YOUR
After teaching the disciples this powerful lesson concerning those in the “church” He turns His attention on those that will first find “no rest for their souls.” (SLIDE)

3. The
Unrepentant
Cities
Let’s read Matthew 11: (SLIDE)

4. “Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! 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. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”
There are a number of things worthy of our consideration from this text.
First it should be pointed out that history actually bears out what Jesus says here in vs 21.
Tyre and Sidon did happily accept the gospel. (Acts 21:3; Acts 27:3).
Secondly there is an interesting statement that, I think, needs more discussion.
Verse 24 says “…it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment…”
There can be no doubt this is talking about the “final judgment” as Sodom has already been destroyed.
The Scriptures seem replete with statements about there being various degrees of punishment.
Luke 12:47-48 indicates that the one who knows better will have a more severe punishment than the one that did not know better.
2 Peter 2:21 indicates it would be better to have “never known the way of righteousness” than to know it and turn from it.
Having condemned the unrepentant cities Jesus not explains those cities and others could find…(SLIDE)
Matthew 11:20-24

5. Rest For
YOUR
SOUL
Jesus did not “give up heaven” for a time to become flesh just to “destroy His creation.”
No He came to seek and save the lost and provide rest for the soul that is distraught in sin. (SLIDE)

6. “At that time Jesus declared, ‘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; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 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.’”
I want us to focus on verses for a moment. (SLIDE)
Matthew 11:25-30

7. “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.”
From heaven Jesus continues to offer this wonderful invitation!!
Once again I want us to focus on a few lessons here.
First Jesus makes this offer to everyone. (SLIDE)
This isn’t for just the few it is for everyone (Titus 2:11)
Second, this offer isn’t physical wealth or health but “rest.” (SLIDE)
It’s a rest from the chaos of sin and the pain it causes.
Psalm 116:7 “Return to your rest, o my soul, for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.”
It’s a rest that was bought at a steep price, the blood of Christ.
1 Corinthians 6:20 “for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (same in 1 Corinthians 7:23)
When sin builds in us our soul is troubled and distraught.
Psalm 51 “David’s plea for mercy and forgiveness after his recognition of sin with Bathsheba.”
1 John 1:9 “There is only one why we our rest in Christ and that is through repentance and confession of those sins.”
Third, notice we are not becoming “yoke free” but upgrading the yoke we will bear. (SLIDE)
Let it never be forgotten, we are either under the yoke of Christ or the yoke of sin!!!
Matthew 11:28-30

8. REST F O R
SOUL
YOUR

9. God’s Plan of Salvation
Study God’s Word
Have Faith In Jesus
Repent/Turn To God
Confess Jesus As Lord
Obey The Gospel
Live A Faithful Life
Romans 10:17
Hebrews 11:6
Acts 17:30
Matthew 10:32
Romans 6:3-5
1 John 1:7

10. God’s Plan of Salvation
Study God’s Word
Romans 10:17

11. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Romans 10:17

12. God’s Plan of Salvation
Study God’s Word
Have Faith In Jesus
Romans 10:17
Hebrews 11:6

13. “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6

14. God’s Plan of Salvation
Study God’s Word
Have Faith In Jesus
Repent/Turn To God
Romans 10:17
Hebrews 11:6
Acts 17:30

15. “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent”
Acts 17:30

16. God’s Plan of Salvation
Study God’s Word
Have Faith In Jesus
Repent/Turn To God
Confess Jesus As Lord
Romans 10:17
Hebrews 11:6
Acts 17:30
Matthew 10:32

17. “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 10:32

18. God’s Plan of Salvation
Study God’s Word
Have Faith In Jesus
Repent/Turn To God
Confess Jesus As Lord
Obey The Gospel
Romans 10:17
Hebrews 11:6
Acts 17:30
Matthew 10:32
Romans 6:3-5

19. “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”
Romans 6:3-5

20. God’s Plan of Salvation
Study God’s Word
Have Faith In Jesus
Repent/Turn To God
Confess Jesus As Lord
Obey The Gospel
Live A Faithful Life
Romans 10:17
Hebrews 11:6
Acts 17:30
Matthew 10:32
Romans 6:3-5
1 John 1:7

21. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”
1 John 1:7