MATTHEW 11 V 28

 

I Wonder if there is anyone in who can stand up and say, ‘I have no worries in my life?’  If there is, would you like to stand up so we can all admire you?

 There must be very few Christians or non- Christians who have not experienced some worry, some anxiety. We need hardly ask whether worry harms. Worry can be defined as a disturbance of the mind, and the consequence  of that can be severe. Hair turns grey or falls out; loss of sleep and appetite; mental reaction; even lead to an early grave.

 There are so many fears in modern life..  The man in his 40s fearing redundancy. Young managers worried at having to constantly achieve ridiculously high targets.  The business man working such hours he hardly has little time to see his family. Students living away from home for the first time, to live in a busy city, where temptations are everywhere.

 There is the fear of marriage breakdown, or serious illness. The lack of moral purity and behaviour, has caused enormous worry when one partner has left a marriage, to give their attention to someone new, leaving their first love bereft, especially when a woman is the victim and left with children to care for without the same financial and moral support.  In these modern times people act as if no act is sinful, immoral or illicit, and we hear pathetic explanations about not being able to resist the temptations.  I can’t imagine the pain and distress that could be caused.  If my wife had left me, I dread to think of my reaction

 What is the answer for the growing number of older people, frightened to venture out of their homes?  A fear of losing someone dear.  These are all perils faced by people every single day. 

 As Christians we need to ask, ‘what is life all about’?  So many people, especially the young, have no meaningful purpose.  They have a hard outlook of, ‘live life to excess, get what you can out of it by any means whatever’. Wherever you look you find sadness, heartache and despair.  The Bible says the answer is that life has no meaning apart from God.  But for many God is unreal. 

 The Bible says that God is separated from us by sin.  Sin is not just immorality; it is an attitude of rebellion and independence, saying ‘I go my own way’.  Any action which contravenes the teaching of Jesus is sinful. 

 The Prodigal Son went his own way to be free and independent, but failed to find any true purpose in life, and found he was cut off from the only person who really loved him.  People worry about their bodies, and will go to extreme conditions to protect them, when in fact they will one day lose their bodies, but the soul will live on to answer to God, for which they need to worry.

 Jesus came, sent from God with the sole purpose of bringing us into a living relationship with Himself, and to all who are worried, afraid or anxious, Jesus says, ‘Come to me and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light’. He is saying let me relieve you of your burden, I will carry it for you.

So who can come?   All those who are weary and heavy laden with care.  This is a selective invitation.  You have to recognise a need and be prepared to admit it.   All who are weighed down by sin or guilt.    

 The Bible says, ‘there is no distinction since all have fallen short of the glory of God’.  It doesn’t matter what the past has been, if you repent and turn to Christ, God is ready to blot out your sins and give you a clean sheet.  We have all broken God’s laws, but if we are prepared to admit this, then Christ’s invitation is for us.

  What happens if you come?  Jesus said, ‘I will give you rest’.  These are words spoken by someone who fulfils His promises.  So many people make promises they either cannot, or have no intention, of fulfilling.  Jesus is ready to be faithful to His Word.   He says, ‘I can set you free for I am the Way, the truth, and the life. Come just as you are.  We rely on what He has done for us, and at His invitation in a spirit of simple trust. 

    You see it is not just being religious, or even coming to Church that brings peace and rest, or indeed makes you a full Christian.  A person can be baptised, confirmed and be regular at Church and not be a true Christian.  Many Church people are really unpleasant, arrogant and very un-Christian.  A true Christian is a person who believes Jesus died on a Cross for the forgiveness of sins, and by that sacrifice we can be forgiven by God when we accept that Jesus was including us in that death, and we  believe Jesus was our personal Saviour, who will help us when called upon..

 Coming to Church should be a delight, like sons and daughters coming to meet their (heavenly)Father in complete harmony, as children go their earthly parents home  In far too many Churches there are dominant personalities who, instead of looking for the good, want to put their own interpretation on matters, such interpretation not always being favourable.  In such cases it is because their own personal life is unhappy, disturbed or there is something lacking.

 In one famous promise Jesus said ‘behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and sup with Him’.  As He stands outside the door of your life, He longs to come in to make His presence and friendship real.  But the door handle is on the inside.  All you need do is turn it, in faith. 

    Jesus was brought up in the East, and there the greatest act of friendship is to dine with someone.  Jesus is offering to dine with anyone who invites Him.

 At the end of every one of his Crusades, Billy Graham asks people to make a commitment to Christ and to demonstrate that commitment to go forward to the front of the stadium.  At the same time, the choirs sing the hymn, ‘Just as I am…I come to Thee’ .    Believe His promise, take Jesus at His word, come just as you are.

 Are you worried about the future with all the anticipated eventualities? As middle age draws near there are worries as to how people will be able to cope.  The pandemic is far from over, and some of the relaxations have been granted for political reasons. Big business has already seen the chance to cash in on ever increasing greed, as world affairs give an excuse to raise prices on a lot of essential goods, with the irresistible opportunity to add even more than necessary. All the worry in the world will not be able you to influence such matters.

 Believing Christians should find it easier to meet the future with some confidence.  Paul writing to Timothy told him not to have a spirit of timidity, but strive to lead a Godly life.  Reading the New Testament can help as it urges to follow a  way of life, if we give attention to he teaching of Jesus.

 Reading the Bible may take away awful suffering from worry.  There are clear statements within which will act as a remedy, and help you to overcome what is troubling you. Just hoping all will right itself may prove to be inefficient. A lot will depend on why you are worried.  If it is from some act you wish you had not acted upon, you repent and confess to God your sin, and if you are sincere he will forgive you.  If it is the effect of having lost someone you were fond of, things will not be easy, only by time and praying for Jesus’ comfort will help, but you can’t wipe out  the memories so dominating your mind. Just rejoice in past times shared.

 For those who have concerns about past ways of life, the words of Peter to such people in his days, is helpful now.  Repent of all that bothers you, and turn to God for forgiveness and in his mercy and grace he will forgive you.  If you have hurt someone by words or deed, you should seek to heal any feelings, for worry can infiltrate into your system and the one with whom you are at odds with.

 If you have felt disappointed, or feel no one cares for you remember this passage, knowing there will be judgment one day, and all who do goodness will be welcomed into His Kingdom.

 There comes times of suffering and weakness in all our lives.  We may suffer loss, or have some seemingly impossible matter to deal with.  It is so easy to give in, but if you do give in, it can be so hard to get back.

 There are so many ill minded people who long to destroy our faith, some within positions of influence in society, and too many politicians who want to take Christianity our of the public domain.  Their words may appear attractive when you are downcast.  So if you have trusted God and for some reason nothing has happened, your faith will be under severe attack.

The Apostles  act as a warning to us, they came out of difficulties, you too can.  Think of that great hymn by Ray Palmer, ‘my faith looks up to thee.’  Above all, never let worry  lead you to a spiritual desert.  It is sad when someone loses their faith, and like many Ministers I have seen it too often.  You may think it can’t happen to you, but it can.

PRAYER

Dear God,

I come before You to lay my panic and anxiety at Your feet. When I’m crushed by my fears and worries,  remind me of Your power and Your grace. Fill me with Your peace as we trust in You and You alone. We know we can’t beat this on our own, but we also know that we have You, Lord, and You have already paid the ultimate price to carry our burdens.

For this we thank you, Amen.