Today is Western Sunday at Joy Fellowship. It is nice to see everyone here dressed up in their western attire. This is the 3rd Western Sunday we have had at Joy Fellowship and I honestly cannot remember why we started doing it. It is also Labor Day weekend which is the unofficial end of summer.
This morning the Lord woke me up with this scripture which will be our key verse of the message today:
Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
This is labor day weekend and as some of us have tomorrow off work for Labor Day we should remember why we Celebrate this holiday.
Why We Celebrate
- Honoring Workers: It recognizes how hardworking people build and strengthen the country. [1, 2]
- Labor Movement History: It remembers the fight for better pay, safe conditions, and the 8-hour workday during the Industrial Revolution. [1]
- Federal Recognition: President Grover Cleveland made it a national holiday in 1894 after a turbulent railroad strike. You can learn more about its past from the U.S. Department of Labor. [1, 2]
But when we hear the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30 he is talking about more than just physical labor. Jesus is talking about the labor and burdens we carry in our lives that no amount of physical rest can relieve you from. As we look at verse 28 I want to start by really understanding the word labour
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
This Greek word Jesus spoke here Kap-e-a-ho is used several other times in God’s word. Lets look at just a few of these other uses:
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled G2872 all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour G2872 among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
For therefore we G2872 both labour G2872 and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
Revelation 2
King James Version
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
***The first point of the Message is: Jesus is calling for you to come to him.
***Now that we understand the word labour. Lets look at the next important phrase: “heavy laden”
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
φορτίζω
Transliteration
phortizō (Key)
Pronunciation
for-tid'-zo
***Besides Matthew 11:28 this phrase is only used one other time in the new testament:
And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade G5412 men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.
to place a burden upon, to load: to load one with a burden (of rites and unwarranted precepts), 'heavy laden' (with the burdensome requirements of the Mosaic law and of tradition, and with the consciousness of sin),
Paul writing to the Galatians had to address this heavy laden burden of religion that was crushing the new believers. Here are three core points of Paul’s letter:
- Salvation by Faith: Paul teaches them that people are made right with God (justified) only through faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the Jewish law.
- No Extra Rules: He wrote because false teachers were telling non-Jewish (Gentile) believers they had to follow Jewish laws and get circumcised to be saved. Paul says adding rules ruins the true message of grace
- Spiritual Freedom: Christ sets believers free from religious legalism so they can love and serve others.
Galatians 3:10-14
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
***The first point of the Message is: Jesus is calling for you to come to him.
***The 2nd point of the message: Jesus brings freedom from the heavy burden of religion.
***Now that we understand the word labour, and the phrase: “heavy laden” lets talk about the next important word in this passage of scripture: Rest
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
ἀναπαύω
Transliteration
anapauō (Key)
Pronunciation
an-ap-ow'-o
Outline of Biblical Usage [?]
- to cause or permit one to cease from any movement or labour in order to recover and collect his strength
- to give rest, refresh, to give one's self rest, take rest
- to keep quiet, of calm and patient expectation
***I want to show you in scripture the context of the kind of rest Jesus is speaking about. During Jesus ministry his cousin John the Baptist is locked away in prison by King Herod because of his wife, Herodias. You see John was preaching against her and King Herod’s relationship because: Unlawful Marriage: Herod divorced his own wife and married Herodias, who had divorced Herod's half-brother (Philip), making the union adulterous under biblical law. It was at a party for Herod that the daughter of Herodias danced for him and made him happy.
Mark 6:22-34
22 And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.
23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.
24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.
25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.
26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.
27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
28 And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.
29 And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.
31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.
33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.
34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
Revelation 6:9-11
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Revelation 14:13-16
King James Version
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
***The first point of the Message is: Jesus is calling for you to come to him.
***The 2nd point of the message: Jesus brings freedom from the heavy burden of religion.
***The 3rd point of the message: Jesus gives us true rest and peace for our souls.
John 14:27
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
***Now as promised. 7 Ways God is like a cowboy”
- A cowboy knows his herd — God knows His people
John 10:14
“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”
And John 10:3 says:
“…he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.”
God doesn't just know the herd—He knows every one of us by name.
- A cowboy goes looking for the one that wandered off
Luke 15:4–6:
“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine…and go after that which is lost, until he find it?”
And when he finds it:
“…he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.”
Jesus isn't a Shepherd who sits at the ranch waiting for the lost sheep to figure out how to get home. He goes looking for it.
- A cowboy leads the herd to where it needs to go
Psalm 23:1–3:
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.”
A good cowboy doesn't just get behind the cattle and make noise. He needs to know where they're going—where there's water, where there's pasture, where there's safety.
God knows where He's leading us even when we don't know the trail.
Proverbs 3:5–6: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart… and he shall direct thy paths.”
- A cowboy protects the herd from danger
The kids in Kingdom Kids today are learning about David. Last night Beverly and I watched the David movie. In the scene were David is speaking to Saul about his qualifications to go and fight Goliath he talks how God helped him protect his father’s sheep from danger:
1 Samuel 17:34–35:
34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.David didn't say, Well, we've still got 99.
He went after the predator and rescued the sheep.
Jesus then says in John 10:11:
“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
David risked his life for the sheep. Jesus gave His life for the sheep.
- God sometimes has to use the rod
Psalm 23 doesn't just say God has green pastures and still waters.
Psalm 23:4:
“Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
“Sometimes we want a God who will give us green pastures, still waters and a nice sunset—but we don't want Him carrying the rod.”
Hebrews 12:6:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
A good shepherd loves the sheep too much to let them wander into danger without correction.
- Cowboys understand branding — and Scripture does too
Historically, a brand identifies ownership.
Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:19:
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
And Ephesians 1:13 says believers are: 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
“The cowboy's brand says, ‘This one belongs to me.’ And when you have been redeemed by Jesus Christ, God says, ‘This one is Mine.’”
That also connects beautifully to Galatians 6:17 where Paul says: 17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
- Cowboys know something about roundups — and God's planning one
Jesus says in John 10:16:
“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring…and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” You and I we are the other sheep Jesus is talking about. Jesus is bringing us home.
Then you could move to 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, when God's people are ultimately gathered to Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
“There's one final roundup coming. The Good Shepherd is gathering His people home.”
This brings us back to Psalm 23:
“And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
***In closing today I want to invite the worship team back up and they are going to help me with my county song.
This song is called Look to Him. It was written and sung by a dear friend of ours: Jesse Evatte who went to be with the Lord in July of 2017.