What made Jesus so popular? What set Him apart from the other teachers of His day. Why did multitudes search Him out and follow Him?
        One thing that set Him apart was obviously His miracles. Multitudes sought for Him because they had heard that He had the power to heal, cast out demons and calm the sea. We might also say it was because of the way He taught. Matthew says that His teaching style was different from the scribes and Pharisees in that He taught as one having authority (Matt. 7:28-29). But I suggest that, in addition to these reasons, Jesus was popular because of His ability to connect with the needs of His audience.
        This is definitely seen in the passage that we often refer to as the Great Invitation: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matt. 11:28-30).
        Rest was something that surely appealed to these people. The Jews of the first century were laboring under a double burden. They were under the rule and taxation of a foreign nation - Rome. And, instead of helping to lighten the load, their own religious leaders only made their burden heavier. Jesus appeals to these Jews by offering them the one thing that all of them desperately wanted - rest.
        I believe the Lord's invitation has the same appeal today that it did 2,000 years ago. Since the fall of Adam, mankind has been laboring under the burden of sin. We are tired and in need of rest. We labor physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Some of us grow tired of the little things in life. But others are weary from much serious burdens: a life threatening disease, a family crisis or money problems. Whatever it is, we can sympathize with these Jews. We know what it is like to need rest.
        Sometimes people who respond to the Lord's invitation leave disappointed and dissatisfied. They are confused about the kind of rest Jesus is offering them. Let's consider some things that Jesus is offering rest from, and why should we come to Him?

1. Rest from the traditions and opinions of men. These Jews were burdened with a law that none of them could keep. Peter said it was a yoke that neither they nor their fathers could bear (Acts 15:10). What made it even worse were traditions that were added by men; "And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men" (Matt. 15:8-9).
        Many sincere, religious minded people today have placed themselves at the mercy of religious teachers. They are influenced by the opinions of friends and loved ones. They listen to the doctrines and creeds of men rather than to the word of God. No wonder people are confused about religion.
        Jesus offers rest from all of this confusion. "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free'" (John 8:31-32).
        Jesus came to bear witness to the truth. He is the way, truth and life. If we listen to the thoughts and opinions of men, that is what we will have. But if we listen to the word of God we will understand what the will of God is (Eph. 5:17).
We don't have to take the preacher's word for it. We don't have to wonder if we are saved or doing right. If we abide in the Lord's word we have the truth, and this truth sets us free from a dependence upon the opinions and traditions of men. It gives us rest from confusion and uncertainty.

2. Rest from sin. Man's greatest need is rest from sin. Sin brought every evil thing we experience into this world. We will suffer as long as we live in a world of sin.
        Jesus offers rest from the bondage of sin. Continuing in John 8 - "Jesus answered them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed'" (John 8:34-36). Sin has the power to make us a slave, to draw us in and bind us. Jesus has the power to set us free from that. We are set free from the bondage of sin when we obey the gospel (Rom. 6:17-18).
        Jesus also sets us free from the guilt of sin. So many people today carry the burden of a guilty conscience. They are scarred and crippled emotionally because of things they have done in the past. But, thanks to Jesus, it doesn't have to be this way. Paul told the Christians in Corinth, who had been guilty of various sins, "And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:11). We are washed of our sins by the blood of Christ. At that point we are sanctified, set apart from those in the sinful world around us. We are also justified. The word "justified" simply means to pronounce innocent. We had been guilty of sins, but the moment we became a Christian we were pronounced, "Not Guilty."
        Jesus sets us free from the condemnation of sin. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" (Rom. 8:1). Condemnation comes to those who are guilty of sin. With our sins washed away in the blood of Christ, there is no future condemnation in judgment.

3. Rest from fear and worry. The Christian life is not an easy life. Jesus never leaves the impression that it is. He has a yoke to bear and burden to carry (Matt. 11:30). But, one of the blessings of being a child of God is that we are free from some of the worries and uncertainties that others have to face.
        Jesus tells us that we can trust in God to take care of us. "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things" (Matt. 6:31-32). People without God have a reason to worry. They don't have anyone to depend on, and are overwhelmed with the responsibility of providing for themselves. But Christians have a heavenly Father who loves them and takes care of them. Proof of this is seen in the way He takes care of His creation.
        Someone might respond that God is nothing more than a crutch for those who are not strong enough to stand on their own two feet. This is not the case. There is nothing wrong with being mature, responsible and standing on your own two feet. But thanks to Jesus, we never have to stand alone.

Conclusion: Jesus doesn't offer rest from physical labors, the struggles of everyday life, temptations, or the temporal consequences of our sins. But He does offer rest from the opinions of men, the bondage, guilt and condemnation of sin, and the need to worry. This rest is offered, but we have to take it. Will you? If we can help you, please contact us.

Introduction:
        The Lord's Great Invitation is one of the most hopeful and most welcoming passages in the Bible. It offers the one thing that man desperately needs - rest.
        But there is another side to the Lord's Great Invitation. This rest is only promised to those who "come", "take" and "learn". We must respond.
        Although it is "easy" and "light", the Lord says that a part of the rest He offers is carrying a "yoke" and bearing a "burden."
        I want us to identify what the yoke of the Lord is and consider how the burden can be considered light.

I. What is a Yoke?
        Those listening to Jesus were quite familiar with a yoke. A yoke is a wooden bar or frame used to team animals like oxen at the neck for the purpose of pulling and working together.
        Those who crafted yokes did their best to make sure they fit just right, so that while the animal was carrying a heavy burden, it would not irritate their neck.
        Both words in our text, yoke and burden, have a connotation of a load to pull or of something to bear or carry.

II. What is the Lord's Yoke and Burden?
        v. 29 - "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me." The yoke and burden are things that we learn from Jesus. The requirements and responsibilities that accompany discipleship.

A. Matthew 16:24
        1. Deny Self - deny self will, surrender our will to the Lord's. Lay down our yoke and pick up His.
        2. Take Up Cross - the cross was a sign of intense suffering. To take up the cross means to be willing to share in the Lord's suffering.
Must be willing to suffer persecution, loss of family, friends, job, our own will. Must take it and bear up under it.
        3. Follow Me - Follow the Lord's teachings, example, and direction in life.

III. How is His Burden Light?
        The Lord assures us that this burden is light. But we have a hard time seeing it that way. Burdens, by their very nature, are heavy and hard.
        For some considering the requirements of discipleship, these are not easy sacrifices to make. Many start out with good intentions, only to give up and turn away from the Lord. They did not find it light and easy.

        Before we dismiss this Great Invitation, we need to give the Lord the benefit of the doubt. He knows what He is talking about. There is a burden involved, but compared to the burden of sin, it is light and easy. How is this burden light?

1. We Bear It With A Clear Conscience.
        Those in sin have a troubled conscience. Unless they are hardened and callused, something in them tells them they aren't right. Memories of past sins and failures haunt them
        2 Cor. 5:17 - we are new creatures in Christ, the old things of the past are gone. We get an opportunity to start over.
        The burden is light because we know that our sins are forgiven. And, we know that if we sin again, we have an avenue through which we can receive the forgiveness of those sins as well - Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9.

2. We Bear It With God's Help.
        Hebrews 13:5-6 - God will never leave us alone. We always have His guidance, provision and help. We are assured of this by considering his dealings with faithful men and women in the Bible.
        1 Cor. 10:13 - God is there, providing a way of escape when we are tempted. With His help, no burden is so strong that we can't endure it.

3. We Bear It With Hope.
        If this life is all that there is, Christians who deny themselves and take on the Lord's yoke are the most pitiable (1 Cor. 15:19).
        But this life is not all there is. Whatever the burden we are called upon to bear, if fails in comparison to the blessings of the eternal rest that we are promised in heaven.
        2 Cor. 4:17-18 - the things we see and experience are only temporary. Heaven is eternal. We must look past the troubles of this life - Romans 8:18.

4. We Bear It In Love.
        Love lightens any load, makes any trial or adversity easier to endure. It is not that the burden is easier within itself, but it becomes easy when we carry it in love.
Genesis 29:20 - Jacob served seven years for Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days because of his love for her.
        1 John 5:3 - no commandment is a burden if we want to obey because we love God. A Christian who sees obedience as a burden has not matured in love.

5. The Longer We Bear It, The Lighter It Becomes.
        That which requires effort at first is later done with ease and enjoyment.
        - Old habits are broken and new habits are formed.
        - We grow. Understanding why we do something makes it easier to comply with.
        We won't appreciate or understand this point until we experience it ourselves. Every long-time Christian understands that it is true.

Conclusion:
        Perhaps you are at a point in which you just can't find the joy in serving the Lord. Perhaps, because of things that have happened to you, or because you have taken your eyes off the Lord, the burden of Christian duty has become more than you can bear. Look again at the promises that accompany the duty.
        If you have not responded to the Lord's Invitation, please know that there is more than just receiving rest. We must come, take and learn. If you are ready to do this, to start over, we are ready to help you.

Introduction:
        Why did Paul feel indebted to all men? Did they all hold something over on him? No, if anything Paul was owed because of the treatment he had received in spreading the gospel. But he didn't see it that way.
        As a recipient of the benefits of knowing Christ, he felt indebted to share that with all men. He was indebted to all because he was indebted to Christ.

        This passage helps to remind each of us that we are a debtor to our brethren. We are our brother's keeper. There are some things that we, by virtue of the simple fact that we are Christians, owe our brethren.

I. Love
        Romans 13:8-10 - There are books, seminars and commercials offering the ability to get us out of debt. Some debts can and should be paid off, but the obligation to love our brother is a perpetual debt. It is never paid off. Why? Love does the greatest good in accomplishing God's will.
        John 13:34-35 - to love another wasn't new. But to love another "as I have loved you" was. This comes after Jesus took a towel and washed His disciples' feet like a servant. This love is more than sentiment, it is sacrificial service to others.
        How many of us have a "feet washing" mentality?

II. Provocation
        Hebrews 10:24 - The particular Greek word here is very intense in its meaning. Vine says it is "a sharpening of the feeling or action."
    It is only used twice in the New Testament:
        1. Acts 15:39 - describes the contention between Paul and Barnabas.
        2. Hebrews 10:24 - describes the action we should take to "sharpen the feeling and action" of our brethren unto love and good works.

        Consider one another - what motives do we have when we look one another over? Covetousness, lust, envy, a critical eye? It is easy to find a problem and to run a person down. Instead, we ought to constantly be evaluating one another's needs and asking ourselves "How can I help you to do more and better?" We need to find ways to sharpen our brother's resolve, focus and determination to do better.

III. Exhortation
        Hebrews 10:25 - There are times when I need to do more than encourage my brethren to do better. There are times when it is absolutely essential that I give my brethren the kind of encouragement that will allow them to just hang on!
        1 Cor. 14:26 - our items of worship (singing, praying, teaching) are not just offered up as praise to God, they are also exhortation to one another.
        The Greek word literally means "to call to one's side." To put the arm around the shoulder. Offering what ever encouragement is needed to keep that person on track.

IV. Consolation
        Romans 12:15 - Sometimes things get so bad that it is not enough to offer strength and comfort, it is a matter of literally sitting down and crying with somebody.
        As goes the world, so goes the church. There are people in the Lord's church today who are suffering from things that few of us are even able to comprehend. Things that don't have a "quick fix."
        Divorce, desertion, sexual abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, physical abuse, problems with their children, grown children falling away, dying parent, your own death, etc.

        There are times when brethren don't need the criticism, the cold hard facts, told what we would do if we were them, or even told that it will all work out. We need to develop the sensitivity and concern to simply give these brethren what they need - a shoulder to cry on.

V. Restoration
        Galatians 6:1 - what do we do when we notice that a brother is falling away? Their attendance has become sporadic, then they quit coming, and soon drop off of our radar screen. We have an obligation, debt, responsibility to leave the 99 and go after the one who has strayed from the fold.
        "That's the elders' job!" Are the elders the only ones who are spiritually minded or gentle? James 5:19-20 - "someone" doesn't specify elders.

        We are good at standing and watching disasters happen. Unfortunately, not enough of us are good at stepping in and helping. When a brother is falling away he is dying spiritually, he will lose his eternal soul. Love, the Golden Rule, demand that I do for them what I would want them to do for me if the tables were turned - restore them.

Conclusion:
        This list could be multiplied, but this is enough to consider for now.
        What do I owe my brethren? Among other things…
            Love
            Provocation
            Exhortation
            Consolation
            Restoration

        No leader is without his critics. Jephthah soon discovers who his critics are: Judges 12:1-7.
        Apparently, the people of Ephraim had been summoned, but had delayed in coming. They left Jephthah to fight alone. But now that Jephthah had the victory, they were upset that they were left out and sought to repair their pride and ego. Jephthah accepts the challenge and kills 42,000 Ephraimites.

        Criticizing seems to be one of America's great past times. A lot of people do it, they see it as their right to get something off their chest and give someone a piece of their mind.
        But critics aren't new. Anyone who ever did anything got criticized for it.
        Should a Christian be a critic? Is it right for a Christian to constantly serve up negative, unrealistic criticism? What are some lessons we need to learn from Jephthah's critics?

I. Critics Don't Offer Help When It Is Needed
        Judges 12:2 - They had been summoned to fight, but when Jephthah saw they weren't coming, he had to go on without them.
        The same is true with the work of the Lord. The gospel has to be spread, Bible classes have to be prepared and taught, people need help NOW. The time to get involved with the work is when it needs to be done, not after it is over and you realize you were left out and the only thing left to do is criticize.
        Criticism is sometimes done in an effort to relieve guilt or bad feelings. We try to make ourselves feel better by making others feel worse.
        Ephraim should have answered Jephthah's call for help. Church members must answer the elder's call for involvement.

II. The Work Goes On Without You
        God didn't need the people of Ephraim in order to defeat the Ammonites. He had a courageous leader and a group of dedicated men who would follow him. The Ephraimites thought they would hold out and take a little pleasure in watching Jephthah struggle without their help. Turns out he didn't need it.
        This is a great shot to our pride, but the Lord's work does not depend on any one individual. The power in the kingdom of God is not Christians, but the gospel (Romans 1:16).
        When some Christians get their feelings hurt, they think, "I'll show them. They will see how important I was." People who think like this aren't important to the church.
I know of one church where some members withheld their contribution over a period of time out of protest. It made little difference.
        If we are hard workers in the church, we will be missed - but others will take up the slack. If we weren't workers, we won't really be missed. If all we did was criticize - people will actually be glad that we are gone! Which do we want to be?

III. Critics Think They Are God's Real Servants
        Don't think so? Just ask them. They will tell you.
        "I'm keeping the church pure." They see their role like that of a watch dog, they are quick to put a stop to things that they believe are wrong.
        I understand the importance, and the sentiment, but this is actually a very prideful statement.
        A critic isn't keeping the church pure:

1. A critic is a source of discouragement to those who are actually working.
2. Critics are setting a bad example. They are influencing others to be critics, which is doing anything but keeping the church pure.

        James 1:27, 2:14-26 - true religion is found in spiritual service, involvement; not in criticism.
        Some criticize to appear to be wise or involved. James 3:13 - true wisdom is shown in works, not words.
        Criticism is respected when it comes from a respectable person. We all appreciate constructive criticism, even if it is a little hard to take at times. But the ranting and nitpicking of a non-involved critic is discouraging at best.

IV. No One Can Steal Glory From God's True Servants
        Ephraim wanted the glory of the victory. They sought to get it by killing Jephthah.
        Some Christians are missing in the hard work, but are present to receive the honor. Galatians 6:3-5
        God knows who His true servants are - Hebrews 6:10.
        Those who refuse to get involved will not be honored: Judges 5:23, Nehemiah 3:5

V. Before We Criticize…

1. Why am I doing this? Is it really to help them or the situation, or am I just doing this to make myself feel better?
2. Do I have a right to criticize? Was I available to help the situation before, but refused?
3. Have I examined myself? Matthew 7:1-5 - it is not right for me to give criticism that I am not willing to take. What can people criticize about me? My attitude or involvement.
4. What will I say? What we say and how we say it often makes all the difference in the world. Our words have power:
Proverbs12:18 - some words pierce like a sword.
Proverbs 16:24 - some words are good to both soul and body.
5. Will it glorify God? 1 Cor. 10:31 - Who's glory are we seeking? Are we saying something to help the cause of Christ or just to be heard?

Conclusion:
        There are times when things need to be said, and when things need to be pointed out. Nothing is positive all the time. But no one appreciates a constant critic. Let's be careful with our attitude.

Introduction:
        Ezekiel prophesied at a very hard time in Israel's history. He was carried away with the second band of exiles. It was eleven years before Jerusalem was destroyed and the last captives came to Babylon.
        During this eleven years, hopes were high among the captives that they would soon be set free and would rejoin their brethren in their homeland. God used Ezekiel to tell them that this would not happen. On the contrary, those still in Judah would soon be joining them, and their Temple would be destroyed.
God foretold Judah's doom through a series of visions that Ezekiel saw. In showing the abominations of the people, God demonstrated His righteousness and showed the people that He was the Lord.

Body:
        vs. 1-3 - Chapter eight begins with the elders of Judah sitting with Ezekiel in his house. Suddenly, God appeared to the prophet and took him in the Spirit to the Temple in Jerusalem.

       vs. 3-6 - First, God shows the prophet an image that has been set up in the Temple. We do not know for certain what this image was. Perhaps it was Asherah, a Canaanite goddess set up by Manasseh (2 Kings 21:3-7). Whatever it was, it was a form of idolatry that provoked God to jealousy. But things were worse…

        vs. 7-12 - Next, the prophet is brought to hole in the wall and is instructed to dig through. He finds a door, opens it, and enters a room with drawings of animals representing Egyptian idols covering the wall.
In this room were seventy men of Israel who were worshipping these idols. This number is significant. Moses took seventy men with him to represent the nation if Israel as God gave him the covenant on Mt. Sinai. These seventy men represent the nation as it has turned their back upon God and His covenant.
The leaders were secretly worshipping their idols in darkness. But things were even worse…

        vs. 13-14 - Next, the prophet looks out the door and sees the women of Judah involved in a pagan ritual. Tammuz was the Babylonian god of vegetation. The weeping was for his death, followed a few days later by a celebration of new life. This celebration of fertility included fornication. But things were even worse...

        vs. 15-16 - Next, he sees 25 men on the east side of the Temple worshipping the sun. Perhaps these men represented the priests. There were 24 orders within the priesthood. Add the High Priest and that makes 25. They had turned their back upon the Temple to worship the sun.

        vs. 17-18 - God tells Ezekiel that he has a just cause for bring destruction upon Jerusalem. They are the ones who have provoked the Lord to anger and have brought violence upon the land with their abominations.
        God's glory had left the Temple - Ezek. 11:22-25.

        Are there any practical lessons in this chapter for us today?

I. God is a Jealous God vs. 3-6

        This idol is referred to as the image of jealousy.
        Idolatry was the biggest problem that the prophets had to deal with.

A. God demands first place - Exodus 20:3-5. An idol is anything that we put before God in our hearts. He won't accept anything but first place.

B. Temple was being misused. It was the house built for God to dwell in and establish Him name among the people of Israel. Now it housed an idol.
How many times is the house of God (church) misused today?
Social, political, education, entertainment programs.

C. Sin forces God out. "To make Me go far from My sanctuary."
They thought God had already departed, but in reality they were kicking God out of His own house.
The presence of sin forces God to leave. Sin in the church will force God out of it. Sin in our lives severs our fellowship with God.

II. We Can't Hide Our Sins vs. 7-12

These elders weren't so brazen as to worship idols before the people. They did it in the privacy of their own homes.
The people didn't know what their leaders were doing. Ezekiel and the captives didn't know - but God knew.
Heb. 4:13 - we must always remember that nothing is hidden from God.
Gal. 6:7-8 - hiding sins does not remove the consequences.
We must repent, confess, and pray for forgiveness.

III. Righteous People Are Outraged By Sinful Activity vs. 13-14

Only in the NKJV does Ezekiel say that this is to his dismay. It upset him to see the daughters of Judah involved in idol worship.
How do we react when we learn that a Christian is caught up in sin?
Do we rejoice, spread it through gossip, do we mourn?
Do we even care? They didn't - Jeremiah 6:15.
Psalm 119:104 - do we hate every false way?
Acts 17:16 - is our spirit provoked within us when we see people sin?

IV. We Can Turn Our Back On God vs. 15-16

James 4:4 - anytime we turn our hearts to the sinful pleasures and affections of the world we have turned our backs upon God.
Some will defend the unfaithfulness of their friends or children. Will say, "He is still a good person, she is just struggling right now." Where are they? They have turned their back upon God.

V. Sin Brings Certain Punishment vs. 17-18

They made light of their sins. Thought it was a trivial mater.
Disaster wasn't coming upon them because God had deserted them. They brought it upon themselves. Sin has a penalty, inescapable consequences.

Conclusion:

God departed the Temple and left his people to be carried off as captives, not because He didn't love them, but because of they stopped loving Him!
We may be living under a different covenant, but we serve the same God.

He is a jealous God.
We can't hide anything from Him.
He takes our sin seriously, even if we don't.
If we turn our backs on Him, He will turn His wrath upon us.

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