Matthew 11:25-30

Matthew 11:25-30

Today's sermon was on rest at church.  Very appropriate that I would be reading about Jesus being our true rest.

I have had a very exhausting week.  I was thinking about how refreshed I felt after going on a trip to Mexico and I realized that's because I got rest.  

How does one rest and find a break when you have four children constantly at your feet or interrupting your time reading and thinking and praying with God.  

(Literally being interrupted by my children right now)

Yet I try and push through.  To get to that moment of peace and rest with The Lord.  I think part of it must be a season?  

It's crazy though, Jesus says learn from Him because His yoke was easy and burden light.  Jesus load that He carried was not easy or light... But He says it was.  Was it His attitude?  His focus and compassion on His mission that made it easy?  He was living out the calling and purpose marked on His life.  And He took time to rest and pray when faced with difficult things...

My calling and mission marked on my life:  my children and my neighborhood.  It is so strong and when I am in the midst of living it out well I feel like I'm thriving.  But I struggle.  My heart gets heavy aching longing for support and people to do it with.  

Please Lord.  Help bless my rest times that I may be refreshed and help my awake times to be fruitful.  

Matthew 11:20-24

Matthew 11:20-24

Jesus rebukes cities that His mighty work has been done but they did not repent:

Chorazin, Bethsaida, Capernaum

Places used of example, that if Jesus work had been done there they would have repented:  Tyre, Sidon, in sack clothe and ashes

Even in Sodom:  He says if His work had been done there it would still remain to this day.  

The outcome for these three places are going to worse than what happened in Sodom.  

Application:  

Be aware of the mighty work He has done in my life and teach it to my children.  

Respond to Jesus daily.  Don't be a dead city.  

I have been struggling a lot with depression the last two weeks.  I know there is a hormonal battle in me but I hate the way it affects me and how I respond to my children.  Lord please be my strength when I am weak.  I need you... 

I love you Lord, 

Kari

Matthew 11:16-19

Matthew 11:16-19

Criticisms of Jesus and John the Baptist

John:  that he didn't eat or drink and accusations of having a demon in him.  

Jesus: that He did eat and drink accusations:  of being a glutton and a winebibber  was a friend of tax collectors and sinners.  

This generation:  did not dance when the music was played and did not lament when it was time for mourning. 

Application:  

Don't miss out on the seasons of life and what God is doing in front of me.  Ecclesiastes 3 talks about seasons for everything.  Live all those moments.  

And don't misread other people or assume.  Seek to care about others the way Jesus did.  

Be a child of wisdom.  

Matthew 11:12-15

Matthew 11:12-15

Application:  the world and heaven is not the way it should be :(  

Receive the words that John and Jesus are saying.  Listen to what they are saying.  Listen to what the prophets and the law said before.  What was said is going to be fulfilled through Jesus.  

Pay attention.  

Matthew 11:7-11

Matthew 11:7-11

John the Baptist

People did not come to reeds shaken by the wind in the wilderness

People did not come to see a man clothed in soft garments

They came out to see a prophet.  

John's job:  was to be a messenger from God. He was to prepare the way for Jesus.  

There was no prophet greater born as a prophet than John the Baptist.  

Application:  

John had a job to do and it was to represent God to the world.  It wasn't about him.  It was for the furthering of the kingdom of God.  It was sacrificial.  To have said things that landed him in prison, He spoke truth.  He spoke what He was told to by God.  

God asks that of us too.  We are to be doing our job to further the kingdom of God wherever He has it whatever Hr puts in front of us.  To be His messengers.  And the best message we get to share is the work He did and is continuing to do in my life.  For me that is where sharing my testimony is my opportunity to share what God has done in my life.  

Even to my children, yes stories from the Bible is important to tell them.  But also share lessons I learned as I grew up.  

Matthew 1:1-6

Matthew 11:1-6

John the Baptist is in prison inquiring is Jesus the Messiah.  Is He the coming One.  

Jesus response was blind are seeing lame are walking lepers are clean and the deaf hear dead are raised from the dead poor get to hear the gospel.  

Jesus was doing healing in people's lives.  But He was also preparing for the eternal kingdom which would change for eternity when He died on the cross and rose again.  

Maybe John was discouraged in prison?  Hoping he would be set free?  I don't know...  

My own application:  

Don't forget the work Jesus has done in my life.  And don't get discouraged to think that He is done.  

I have my four children and today was a struggle for me and two of my girls.  And I sometimes lose sight of the miracle God did to bring them into me and nicks family, and ultimately into His family.  Remember His faithfulness.  Tell it to my children.  Show them His love and cups of water instead of frustrations.  They need love.  So badly.  

Please Lord do a work in me.  I struggle with feelings of wanting to give up with a day like today.  Help me persevere.  

Matthew 10:40-42

Matthew 10:40-42

Father receives Jesus = you receive Jesus the Father receives you. 

Fundamental truth.  You need Jesus to obtain the Father.  

Receive:  to take hold of grasp a verb.  

Receive the prophet.  Receive the righteous man.  

Give little ones a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple will by no means lose his reward.

Hebrews 6:9-12

God doesn't forget our labor of love.  Show it in His name. 

How:  with diligence, minister to the saints, work and labor.  Show the same diligence.  Don't become sluggish, imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.  

Application

Lord help me not become sluggish or lose heart in giving my children cups of cold water.  It's not just a labor, it's a labor of LOVE.  

I need Your love to show them that.  May Your Spirit be present in me and shine You through to them.  I want them to know You!!!  :)

Matthew 10:34-39

Matthew 10:34-39

Jesus was not coming to bring peace but the sword.  Families divided against each other.  People who don't agree. 

Enemies.  Division.  People in your own household. 

He says you have to love Him more than your own father mother son or daughter.  If you choose them over Him you aren't worthy of Him.  

You have to take up the cross, follow after Him, lose your life for Him.  

He promises when you lose life for His sake you will find life.   

Application:

I definitely sadly understand this passage.  For nick and I to have family that put us down or choose to walk away from the truth is heart breaking.  But we have chosen to love Jesus more.  To not compromise on accepting things just so we could all live in peace together.  And the sad thing is even though we wouldn't accept certain things or choices it doesn't mean that we don't love them.  But we have found some of those that have turned away from God and truth, actually are the ones that push us away and don't want us a part of their lives.  It is sad.  Because when you do follow Jesus, He does fill you with peace.  But for those that don't accept Him, it brings discord with those who share Him.  

Ephesians 2:14. He Himself is our peace.  He broke down the wall of separation for us to access Him

 

Philippians 4:7. His peace which is beyond understanding guards hearts and minds in Him.  

And I think that is where He concludes that when you choose Him and give up your life that you will find life in Him.  That is the life worth living.  This is truth.  

Matthew 10:32-33

Matthew 10:32-33

Jesus makes a very clear simple strong statement here.  

We are to confess Him before men.  Not to deny Him.  Whoever confesses Him He will confess before His Father in heaven.  Whoever denies Him He will deny in heaven. 

Application:  acknowledge Him before men :). Don't live in fear of man.  Continuing from prior verses our fear should be placed in the one who can send a soul to hell.  Not in man.  

Matthew 10:27-31

Matthew 10:27-31

Jesus says the things He taught quietly to them they are to share to the world in the light for all to see

Our fear isn't to be of those who kill the body, our fear is to be of the One who send the body and soul to hell.  

We are of value to Him.  He knows the numbers of our head.  

Application

Don't be afraid to say Jesus name to the world.  Shine it out for the whole world to see.  Don't live in fear of man.  Live in fear of God.  

Matthew 10:24-26

Matthew 10:24-26

Servants and disciples are not over those who are their masters.

Goal is not higher power:  it's to become like them.  

Jesus tells them just like how He is being accused of being Beelzebub.  Since they are His disciples He warns them it is very likely they will be accused of the same thing. 

He tells them to not fear.  Jesus promises things that are covered will be revealed and hidden things will be made known.  

Application:  

King Jesus didn't come to be be served. He came to serve people and care for those that needed it.  

Our goal isn't power or authority, it's to serve.  

And we should not fear about those who would accuse us of being workers of satan.  God promises to reveal truth in all things.  

Matthew 10:16-20

Matthew 10:16-20

Summary:  we are told when we get sent out, we will be delivered before men and scourged, we will be brought before governors and kings.

It's for Jesus sake.  It's our opportunity to speak for Jesus.  

We don't have to worry about what to say.  It isn't us who speaks, it is the Spirit of our Father who speaks in us.  He will give us the words

Application: 

Hard things are opportunities to speak of God to those around us.  Be wise with my words to make sure I'm edifying, And when I'm not sure of I should say something ask God for the words... 

It's my time to testify :). 

Matthew 10:5-15

Matthew 10:5-15

Disciples assignment: go to The Lost sheep of the house of Israel.  

Heal the sick, cleanse lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons, share what you have freely received.  

These are God's chosen people that the disciples are being sent to minister to.  

He instructs for those who receive it for peace to come upon it (to bless it with peace). But for those who do not hear the word or receive the word when departing to have the peace return to them (take back the blessing). To leave it and shake off their feet and leave.

And the warning for those who didn't listen is that it is more tolerable in the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than in the land that did not accept their word. 

Okay wow.  That is some pretty intense leading.  And it spoke personally to me today so what I am writing is personal application that I am still sorting through and need to pray more about.  

I have people in my life that have heard the Word, heard the truth, and turned away from it.  They were born into a family that loved Jesus and then they turned away from it, or made Him to fit what they want to believe as truth, make Him fit to them instead of come under submission to Him and His Word and His leadership and His Spirit.  

That is a lot like the chosen Israelites.  They heard the stories and so many of them chose not to listen and follow.  

Last night I had begun praying a prayer for a few of these people in my life, that God would bless them.  And I had to stop and take back the blessing and instead pray for them to turn back to Him.  It hurt having to change that and I wasn't sure if it was right but Nick confirmed that it was right and okay.  It makes me sad because I want them to be blessed, but I want them to love and follow Jesus more.  Reading this confirmed it was the right choice, even if it wasn't easy.  I think the hardest part for me is to shake off my feet and leave.  I want so badly these people to want to follow Him, and to see them healed and cleansed and to see them brought back to life in Christ, and to see any demonic influence in them or around them to be cast out.  

But they have to want it too.  I can't make them choose that.  And I can't pray for blessing either.  

I think the saddest part is that the judgment that can come on them :(. That breaks my heart more than anything.  

Lord please show me who I can bring your healing life and freedom to and bring me those that are longing and willing...  And be with those that aren't, please set them free.  

Matthew 10:1-4

Matthew 10:1-4

Jesus disciples

Simon Peter

Andrew (Peter's brother)

James (son of zebedee)

John (James brother)

Philip

Bartholomew

Thomas

Matthew (tax collector) (I think same one called in Matthew 9:9)

James (son of alpheus)

Labnaeus (surname Thaddaeus)

Simon (Cananite)

Judas iscariot (betrayer)

Jesus gave them the power over unclean spirits to cast them out, healing over sickness and diseases.  

These men followed Jesus around and imitated Jesus.  They listened watched and learned what He was teaching.  

Application: influence

Who do I encounter on a daily basis that I have the opportunity to influence?  Keep my eyes open, pray for opportunity, don't put limitations on who I could encourage.  

Matthew 9:35-38

Matthew 9:35-38

What Jesus was doing: teaching the gospel in all the cities and villages healing every sickness and disease from among the people.  

What Jesus saw:  the multitudes and sickness, diseases, weary, scattered sheep without a shepherd.  

What He felt:  compassion

What He pointed out to His disciples: 

The harvest is plentiful, workers are few.  

Instruction:  pray for The Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest

Application:  pray for workers.  

May my compassion for others be a direction into leading into helping reap the harvest.  I long for a compassionate heart like Christ.  

Matthew 9:32-34

Matthew 9:32-34

Jesus casts out a demon of a man who was mute.  After the demon came out the mute spoke.  

Multitudes were amazed

Pharisees judged and called Jesus ruler of the demons

Application:

How much we miss out on when we let our judgement get in the way of the work God may be doing in a person's life.  Or when we misjudge a person's actions.  

A man was set free from not being able to speak and instead of praising Jesus men chose to judge Him.  

When unsure about something, take it to the Scripture and take it to the Holy Spirit inside me and seek out the truth before judgment.  

Matthew 9:27-31

Matthew 9:27-31

Jesus heals two blind men

They had complete faith that Jesus could heal them.  They followed Him even though they could t see.  They asked for mercy.  And Jesus gave mercy and touched their eyes.  He opened their eyes.  

And despite

What He told them they went and told others about what He had done.  

Application

It amazes me how selfless Jesus was, and He never complained or had a bad attitude.  I am tired.  I have not been getting much of a break for awhile now and I still have to keep pushing ahead and getting things done and honestly I'm exhausted.  It is hard to have all the daily pressures on me and expectations of what I should be doing on me.  It has been almost two weeks since I went out to do errands on my own without children and over the weekends we have had a lot going on and it doesnt stop anytime soon.  So besides when I am at home and the kids are in bed and I don't have anything to do, I have not had a break.

So where I am at right now, the good thing is that I am getting things done.  The bad thing is today, not with a joyful happy heart.  I am looking to get past things instead of enjoying doing things. 

That's what I have to work at changing.  When I  am doing things to do it for The Lord and not for men.  To give continuously the way Jesus did.  

I need Your strength Lord.  Desperately :(. 

I need to recognize that the time Jesus took to touch those blind men's eyes and heal them was a small chunk of time for Him, but that one little gesture changed their lives forever.  Help me be looking through Your eyes Lord. 

Jesus please may I have a fresh filling of your Spirit.  

Matthew 9:18-26

Matthew 9:18-26

Two ladies

One was a daughter of a ruler

One was a women who had bled for 12 years

One had no one but herself to approach Jesus

One had her dad to approach Jesus.

One believed that if she just touched Jesus's garment she would be healed

One has a father that believed Jesus could bring her back to life.  

Jesus is the one who healed both of them.  

Both who asked had great faith and confidence.  

Application:  listen to what God tells me to ask of Him.  Ask in His will and in His time.