Rest Is a Gift
Jesus promises a deep, safe, holy, and everlasting rest to those who come to Him, quitting every other hope and trusting in Him.
The preacher delves into the significance of 'dei' in the Bible, emphasizing that it denotes what is not optional but necessary, conveying a sense of inevitability and inward constraint. 'Dei' is used extensively in the New Testament to highlight moral fitness, divine destinies, and obligations. The sermon explores how 'dei' is crucial in understanding the qualifications for overseers and the divine decrees such as the preaching of the gospel to all nations and the resurrection of Christ. It concludes with a call for believers to live in holy conduct and godliness as a necessity, not an option.
Text
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew I 1:28)
We who are saved find rest in Jesus. Those who are not saved will receive rest if they come to Him, for here He promises to "give" it. Nothing can be freer than a gift; let us gladly accept what He gladly gives. You are not to buy it, nor to borrow it, but to receive it as a gift. You labor under the lash of ambition, covetousness, lust, or anxiety: He will set you free from this iron bondage and give you rest. You are "laden," yes, "heavy laden" with sin, fear, care, remorse, fear of death; but if you come to Him He will unload you. He carried the crushing mass of our sin that we might no longer carry it.
He made Himself the great Burden-bearer, that every laden one might cease from bowing down under the enormous pressure.
Jesus gives rest. It is so. Will you believe it? Will you put it to the test? Will you do so at once? Come to Jesus by quitting every other hope, by thinking of Him, believing God's testimony about Him, and trusting everything with Him. If you thus come to Him the rest which He wilt give you will be deep, safe, holy, and everlasting. He gives a rest which develops into heaven, and He gives it this day to all who come to Him.
Sermon Outline
- The Gift of Rest
- The Burden of Sin
- Receiving Rest
- Come to Jesus, quitting every other hope
- Trust in Jesus, believing God's testimony about Him
- Rest will be deep, safe, holy, and everlasting
Key Quotes
“Nothing can be freer than a gift; let us gladly accept what He gladly gives.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“He made Himself the great Burden-bearer, that every laden one might cease from bowing down under the enormous pressure.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“He gives a rest which develops into heaven, and He gives it this day to all who come to Him.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Come to Jesus, quitting every other hope, and trust in Him, believing God's testimony about Him.
- Receive the gift of rest by trusting in Jesus and His promise to give it to you.
- Experience deep, safe, holy, and everlasting rest by surrendering to Jesus and His burden-bearing power.