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Jesus, The Source Of Spiritual Rest
– Matthew Eleven
The
Lord Jesus gave commandments and a commission to the apostles. (Matthew 10) Now
by example, preaching, teaching and work He showed them how to do their work.
"Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples
that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities."
(Matthew 11:1)
At
this time John the Baptist was in prison. His only crime was preaching the
truth. He must have been terribly discouraged. He sent some from prison to
Jesus to ask, "Art thou he that should come, or do we look for
another?" Jesus' answer was very unique. He told them to tell John that,
"The blind receive their sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed,
and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel
preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in
me." (Matthew 11:2-6)
Jesus
described the sterling character of John the Baptist. He said that there had
not been born anyone greater than he, yet He said, "he
that is least in the kingdom is greater than John." Jesus pronounced very
severe woes upon Chorazin,
A man called
John – Matthew 11:1-6: John the Baptist was a great servant of God. But, even great servants
can doubt and need reassurance. He asked, "Are You the Coming One, or do
we look for another?" (Matthew 11:3) Are you Christ? Are you the Savior?
Are you the Messiah? John said if Jesus was not the Christ they would look for
another. How wonderful it is when people are looking for the Messiah. Jesus
wanted John to know that He was the long expected Messiah. He told the two
disciples to, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The
blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the
dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed
is he who is not offended because of Me."
(Matthew 11:4-6)
A most
unusual man – Matthew 11:7-19: John was one of God's greatest servants. Jesus used
this occasion to say some things concerning his character and ministry. He gave
His approval to the good work done by John. He said, "Assuredly, I say to
you, among those born to women there has not risen one
greater than John the Baptist." Yet He said, "He who is least in the
kingdom of heaven is greater than he." (Matthew 11:11) John was great, but
he was not born under the New Covenant. This is because he lived and died
before the completion of Jesus' work at the cross and His resurrection.
Therefore, he did not enjoy the benefits of the New Covenant and being a
citizen in the church. (Hebrews 8:6-13) Jesus said, "He who is least in
the kingdom of heaven is greater than John."
If
when they first went out to John in the wilderness they thought they might find
an unstable, and an unreliable man they were very mistaken. John did not dress
in soft cloth or live delicately like a king but he did stand strongly for
God's truth. John was that Elijah that was to come. He was a prophet and far
more than a prophet. He spoke of the Christ in very simple language and from
close proximity. He was God's messenger preparing the way for the Christ. He
did his work well! In spite of that many were not pleased with John. Some have
a heart to criticize, and they will find something to criticize. They would not
be pleased by either John or by Jesus.
A message of
repentance – Matthew 11:20-24:
The Lord pronounced woes
upon the cities where most of His mighty works were done because they did not
repent. "Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty
works had been done, because they did not repent." (Matthew 11:20) Jesus
urged these people to change their hearts and lives, to leave their sins and
turn to God. Repentance is a change of heart or mind leading to a change in
action. It is a decision to cease doing wrong and to begin doing right. When a person repents his life changes completely. One is a
sinner before repentance and is headed toward hell. After repentance and
baptism one is righteous and lives for God.
A means of
rest – Matthew 11:25-30:
There are many ways Christ
benefits our lives and there are many blessings that come through the gospel.
No blessing is greater than "rest for your soul" which is obtained as
one comes to Jesus. He promised, "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." (Matthew 11:28-30) Those that
"labor and are heavy laden" are invited to come to Jesus for rest.
Only
those who truly feel the burden of sin will come. We should come to Jesus as
(1) Savior, "And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son
to be the Saviour of the world." (1 John
"Will
you come; will you come, with your poor broken heart, burdened and sin
oppressed? Lay it down at the feet of your Saviour and Lord: Jesus will give
you rest, O happy rest, sweet, happy rest! Jesus will give you rest." Will
you come to Jesus by hearing God's word and believing John 6:44-45, repenting
of sins Acts 2:38, confessing Christ and being baptized? (Acts 8:36-39) If
sinners come to Christ and stay with Him they obtain rest for their soul.
- - -
- Charles Box
News & Notes
1. Prayer
List: In Need Of Prayers: Jerry Barr, Linda Bender, Dawn Bradley, Emily
Cain, Marie Curlee, Benjamin Faulkenberry, Evie Fisher, Roy Goodwin, Montine
Hardin, Evan Hartsell, Billy Heartsill, Andy Hobbie (to have surgery), Darrell
Jones, Mary Lawrence, Carson O’Connor, Julian Olive, Steve Osborne, Mary
Powell, John Reynolds, Ottey Simno,
Peggy Stabler, Roger Strange, Doris Taylor, Bobby Terrell, and Leroy Waller. Crowne
Health Care: Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, and Iva Lou Wright.
2. Married:
On Thursday, March 8th Kenyan Maxwell and Kasie
(Kasandra) Ramos were married at the
3. Sympathy Expressed: Our
love and sympathy is express to Linda and Denver Reynolds in the death of Bobby
Blackmon. Send cards to: Linda & Denver Reynolds,
4. Please
Pray For: The following people are serving in Iraq: Sam Sanders, son of
Jerry Sanders, Jason Godwin, son of Barbara Walker, Michael Howell, grandson of
Clifford and Ella Mae McCarter, Kimberly Williams, cousin of Marie Owens and
Brenda Herring, and Taylor Bodie, grandson-in-law of William & Margaret Pierce.
Pray for them often!
5. Special Prayer Request:
Becky McCreary has a friend in Tennessee Becky Bale. She is going through some
very difficult times and needs our prayers.
6. Birthdays: Celebrating
birthdays this week are: March 11th George Lewis, March
12h Dot Killingsworth and Meaghan Till, March 13th William
Phillips, March 15th Aidenn Faulk, March 16th Mary
Alexander, Betty Hobbie, and Reese Raybon, and March 17th Janice
Box.
7. Thank You: Thanks to the
“Secret Pals” and all other ladies that hosted the banquet to honor our Bible
Teachers. God bless both our teachers and those that honored them.
8. 2007 Church Budget: Our
Elders have challenged us with a weekly budget of $6,427.38 for 2007. If we all
give as God has blessed us that will be no problem. “But this I say: He who
sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also
reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not
grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (II Corinthians
9:6-7)
9. Resource Room: (a) The
resource room is in need of a few items: strawberry baskets, detergent scoops,
clothes pins, calendars, plastic oranges or grapefruit bags, and magazines. If
you have any questions please see Lisa Bagents. (b) Supplies for new bulletin boards are in the resource room.
Please try to have the bulletin boards completed by the end of the month.
10. Put
These Dates On Your Calendar: (a) Mar 11-14 – Grady Church of Christ
– Gospel Meeting – Speaker Brent Missildine – See bulletin board for more
details. (b) Mar 18-21 – Century
Church of Christ, Century,
11. Kelly Windham Visits: We
were very pleased with the sound Bible lesson Kelly presented. We wish him well
at the Northwest Florida School of Biblical Studies. It is good to have a small
part in his support.
Three Steps To Heaven
Hell was not prepared for us (Matthew 25:41); rather heaven was
(John 14:2-3). Anyone who does the will of the Father can go there (Revelation
As you aim your sights toward a heavenly reward, the first step
you must make is the step “out of self.”
Jesus told His disciples that if they would follow Him, it would require self
denial. “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross, and follow me” (Matthew
The next logical step for one to take after deciding to follow
Christ is the step “into Christ.”
After the first step, this one should be very easy to follow, but it is not
completed until one has heard the gospel (Romans
The last step to be made on the journey to heaven is the step “into glory.” Paul said, “that flesh and blood cannot inherit the
- - - - Darrell Powell
A Christless life is the ultimate bankruptcy.
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!
(334-382-3001)