Sermon Notes
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“Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day. You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.”
— Dallas Willard
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Matthew 11:16-30 NIV
16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
17 ‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”
20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
27 All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Isaiah 55:1-3 NIV
1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.”
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“Jesus realizes that the most restful gift he can give the tired is a new way to carry life, a fresh way to bear responsibilities … a ‘way’ of carrying life that will give more rest than the way we have been living.”
— Frederick Dale Bruner
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Series Resources
Dive deeper into the Gospel of Matthew with additional resources from our teaching team.
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Discussion Igniters
(1) What is your go-to way to rest?
(2) Read Matthew 11:20–30. What stands out to you about what Jesus says?
(3) When have you made life harder for yourself by doing it your way instead of the way of Jesus?
(4) When has following the way of Jesus brought you a sense of ease and lightness, even in the midst of life’s challenges?
(5) What does rest for your soul look like in your life, and what is one thing you can do this week to begin to experience that?