An Irresistible Invitation

Title: An Irresistible Invitation

Text: Matthew 11:25-30

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²⁵ 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.” 

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Outline:

Big Idea— God reveals himself to the child-like, and God himself is what the child-like need.

1. Don’t miss the significance of the Gospel! (25-26)

2. Don’t miss the significance of Jesus’ Identity! (27)

3. Don’t miss the significance of Jesus’ invitation! (28-30)

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1. Don’t miss the significance of the Gospel! (25-26)

²⁵ 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.

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Go and tell John what you hear and see: ⁵ the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. ⁶ And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” (Mt 11:4–6)

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2. Don’t miss the significance of Jesus’ identity! (27)

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.

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3. Don’t miss the significance of Jesus’ invitation! (28-30)

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.” 

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They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger (Mt 23:4).

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“Now, compared with the hundreds of Jewish laws, there are fewer commands from Christ to carry. True. But there is something to carry. Let’s not push the Sermon on the Mount, the parables, and the Great Commission off our backs. Those teachings bring rest. Rest comes from working. Rest comes from laboring. Rest comes from obedience. Rest comes in seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Rest comes from God’s will being done on earth as it is in Heaven.”

— Douglas O’Donnell