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The Most Awesome Religion
Pastor Jon had an interesting conversation recently with someone who commented, "That is the most awesome religion I have ever heard of." It was that conversation that prompted the thoughts shared in the sermon this week as he reflected on this man's words, and God's word to us.
So, what is the most awesome religion you have ever heard of? Is it ours? What makes it so? What makes our our religion so awesome? Pastor Jon finds the heart of what we believe expressed well in the passage to the right. Take a few moments to read and reflect on it in both versions, and listen for what it is that God most wants you to notice in those words.
Questions to think about are:
What happens when we get the means and the ends confused? How did this happen for the people Jesus was speaking of? How does this happen for us?
What happens when we are more quick to notice the failings of others, than we are to bask in the grace of God that continues to embrace us even as we struggle.
How does getting the means and ends mixed up cause us to define the "boundary markers" of our community in the wrong ways?
How do these passages cast additional light on this passage in terms of what the yoke is that God invites us to take up? Galatians 5:6, 6:15, Romans 4:17, 1 Cor 13:1-3.
If you would like to listen to the sermon again, or perhaps for the first time, you can access our sermon library by clicking here.
Matthew 11:25-30
NIV
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.”
Matthew 11:25-30
The Message
25-26 Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: “Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.”
27 Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. “The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I’m not keeping it to myself; I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen.
28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Spiritual Exercise: Take a few moments in the morning, or whenever you have a few moments each day, to stop as ask yourself, where am I mad, glad, sad, fearful, or hurt? Give it a little un-rushed time. You will be amazed at what surfaces. Then spend some time with God in scripture as you listen both to what scripture says, and what you hear surfacing in your heart, as you allow Jesus to bring healing to you there and give you rest. In the presence of Jesus is a safe place to do that.
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