THE CALL (S.T. -- Learn of Me)
(Matthew 11:28-30)
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Christians are people with callings on their lives. Not called to ministry. Not called to sing in the choir. Not called to be deacons. That's not the prime focus in the life of an educated Christian. We're just called. Before a Christian is called (receives a burden from the Lord) to do anything else, we are called to do some basic things. Unfortunately, many have callings all backwards, placing ministry, singing and other things before general calls. The most vital general call that Christians have received is the call to understand (the Greek word translated "learn" means "to understand"). That's right. We are called to comprehend and grasp that which we comprehend . . . about the Lord, that is.
In today's scripture text and the passages preceding it, we see the Lord Jesus giving a discourse about people who have been exposed to His ministry, exposed to the truth of God, and have not responded in accordance with it. People have seen His mighty works and have not repented. Their hardness of heart is condemned -- well beyond the acts and attitudes of nations and people who have sinned from long ago.
Jesus goes on to say something that, no doubt, will and has puzzled many. He thanks the Father for "hiding" the truth from those who are "wise and prudent" and revealing the truth unto "babes". He goes on speaking about revelation -- revelation about the Godhead. Lastly, He takes a sharp turn. He ends His discourse by presenting THE CALL. He exhorts those who labour and are heavy laden (carrying grievous and impossible religious burdens) to come unto Him and receive rest (Greek -- be refreshed). Jesus' call to believe and live in accordance with the gospel is referred to, in verse 30, an easy yoke and a light burden -- something easier to deal with in comparison to that which one is being called from.
In the midst of this call, however, is . . . responsibility. Many claiming to be Christians today profess their Christianity, but they are uplifting a Christianity that does not impart responsibility. Please know and understand that true Christianity charges the dwellers therein with responsibility. A promise of "rest" is made in verse 28, but "rest" is mentioned again in verse 29. The first time "rest" is mentioned, Jesus is "giving it". The second time, it appears as the result of keeping commandments -- in other words, the rest occurs as the result of following through on Jesus' exhortation.
The call, as stated earlier, challenges those who respond to it to do three things and has one qualifier. Let's take a quick look:
- THE PROXIMITY -- Come Unto Me: This
denotes a "drawing
nigh" unto Jesus. Ironically, what someone draws nigh to is marked by what
they do. Some draw nigh unto a church and the people in it. Some people draw
nigh unto philosophy. Some people draw nigh unto religious overtones. Some
people draw nigh unto church programs and functions. Others simply draw nigh
unto their own imaginations/idols. Their lives, however, will fall short
of what God has planned as a result of truly drawing nigh unto Him and the
fruit is evident (to others who are fulfilling the call). Keep in mind that
when we "come unto Him", it is the first step in fulfilling THE CALL.
NOTE: We have a tendency to get excited when people appear to draw nigh. Remember, even if a person has really drawn nigh, it is still only the first step. Some take the first step and not the next two and we get too happy sometimes just to see a person "in the number". Don't be deceived. Even tares take on this appearance. Tares will not, however, take the next two steps. Let's move on.
- THE EXCHANGE -- Take My Yoke Upon You: Once
we have "come
unto Him", we must be willing to "Take His yoke". This is a call to labor.
Why do I say that? Because that's what a "yoke" denotes -- work/labor. So
much for salvation being a "non-work oriented issue". Yes. We are saved by
grace through faith and not of works, but that's the initial state and even
then it's referring to what the scriptures refer to as "dead works" (not
works that God has commanded us to do in the process). When Jesus says "Take MY yoke",
He is giving notice to those willing to be Christians that are being called
to trade in one set of works for another. Before being born again, everyone
is carrying a yoke. Jesus wants us to take His. The first part of the call,
therefore, is referring to laboring in conjunction with, on behalf of and
subordinate to Him -- also known as . . . REPENTANCE. Remember, before we
come to Christ we are, as Colossians 1:21 says, "...alienated and enemies
in your mind by wicked works...." Repentance is denoted by a change --a change
of mind, a change of heart -- and is confirmed by a "changing of one's fruit".
A person who has not changed in heart AND action has not taken on a new yoke.
What types of "work" does Jesus call us to? When someone believes, they are commanded to be baptized. Gotta stop here for a moment. For those of you that are stubborn, that's not a "dead work". Jesus commanded it Himself and those who resist are "forbidding water". People who end up rejected regarding this subject will not be rejected because they haven't been baptized. They'll be rejected for their stubbornness and rebellion (sins likened unto witchcraft and idolatry) -- for "rewriting" Jesus' commands concerning salvation. Let's move on. He calls us to present our bodies a living sacrifice. He calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves. He calls us to constantly be in a state of readiness regarding Him and His coming. These are just a few.
The "upon you" is personal. We must be willing to take on Jesus' yoke as individuals. Many are quick to put the yoke off on others, but Jesus is calling us out as individuals.
Let's move on now to the last step and the most vital -- because it is the catalyst for everything else.
- THE ACT OF RESPONSIBILITY -- And Learn of Me: In
coming to Christ and taking His yoke, it is impossible to know for sure
that you're coming to Him and impossible to know that you have truly taken
His yoke if you omit one key element -- learning. Christians are called
to LEARN -- to learn of Christ. Interestingly and sadly, a lot of people
claiming to be Christians are learning, but they're not learning what Jesus
told them to learn. Here's a quick question. What is the gospel? Selah
(think about it for a moment). Did you say "It's the good news about Jesus?" That's the condensed
(and stereotypical) answer. Truth is that the gospel is not just the death,
burial and resurrection. It also includes Jesus' ascension and the role He
is fulfilling in the process -- leading captivity captive and giving gifts
unto men. To preach the gospel, any issues concerning the kingdom of God
are also necessary. Acts 24:25 says, "And as he reasoned of righteousness,
temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way
for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." Acts
28:30-31 says, "And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and
received all that came in unto him, {31} Preaching the kingdom of God, and
teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence,
no man forbidding him." These are examples of preaching the gospel .
When was the last time you spoke to an unsaved person about righteousness,
temperance and judgment to come??? Second Corinthians 5:11 says, "Knowing
therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest
unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences." Many of
us can't persuade men because we don't know the terror of the Lord. Since
we cannot persuade, we (denoting whoever is guilty) are very good, however,
at enticing and appealing. The problem is . . . Jesus didn't command us to
entice or appeal to anyone. He told us to go and make disciples.
Yes, the gospel is good news, but is it really good news for everybody? Selah. Isaiah 61:1 says "The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek...." You see, the gospel is only considered good news unto those who are meek -- those who are submissive, uncontentious and nonretaliatory. This short quip and the other info just prior to this, are sad but life-threatening examples of an epidemic among "Christians". Too many of us are just plain ignorant. Too many of us do not understand the Lord. As a people, (why beat around the bush), we're extremely ignorant regarding the things we should know. Do you beg to differ? Consider this, for even the scriptures declare it to be so.
The Bible states that false prophets would arise and deceive many -- right in the midst of God's people (Matthew 24:5 and 2 Peter 2:1). False prophets can't deceive people unless they are uninformed, simple-minded and without or are non-submissive to the work of the Holy Ghost (John 16:13, Romans 16:17-18, Proverbs 14:15). Second Timothy 4:1-4 encourages people in ministry to preach the word and maintain that course because a day was coming (and is now here) where people would not endure sound doctrine, but would do two unthinkable and spiritually hideous acts: 1) exalt people teaching what they want to hear (heap to themselves teachers having itching ears) and 2) turn their ears from the truth and embrace that which is fictitious (the translation for "fables", including fictitious literary works such as "Left Behind"). People will read "Left Behind" over and over and yet, know little or nothing about Colossians. People will read "Divine Revelation of Hell" and, yet, do not know or understand and cannor elaborate on what the Bible says about hell. Whose revelation do you want?!?!?
We are commanded to learn. The lack of knowledge dangerous. Hosea 4:6 declares that God's people are destroyed for being without knowledge. An even greater initial threat is in Isaiah 5:13-14 which says, "Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. {14} Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it." People go into captivity before they are destroyed. Also, hell has indeed enlarged itself, but not for the junkies, murderers and wicked people of the world. Hell enlarged itself for folks sitting up in church that are not fulfilling their call. The antidote -- LEARN OF HIM!!! We will not receive rest for our souls unless we LEARN OF HIM!
The main gist of today's message is the call to learn of the Lord Jesus. Many of us are learning, but we're learning the wrong things. Those who do not learn of Him will not find rest (peace) for their souls. Interestingly, the Bible declares that there is no rest for the wicked (Isaiah 48:22). Isaiah 26:10 says "Let favour be showed to the wicked, yet will he not LEARN righteousness : in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD."
Lastly, the danger of being uninformed just so happens to be listed in Romans 1 -- among the sins of those on the road to reprobation (Romans 1:31). "Without understanding", in the Greek, means "to be unintelligent". Interesting. With all the promises/benefits of God being discussed, one is always overlooked. Luke 8:10 says, "And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand." In addition, Proverbs 2:7 says, "He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly."
If it is given to us to know the mysteries of the kingdom, being without understanding is actually a sing, the Holy Ghost is here to lead us into all truth and God has laid up sound wisdom for the righteous, do you realize what that means for those that are lacking (those who have recently been born again somewhat excluded)?
We are called to learn . . . of Jesus. To leave this call unfulfilled is to resist God. Don't let this call fall by the wayside in your life! Uninformed Christians have the same effect as cancer. They destroy everything in their path.
Still unconvinced? Do you think I speak from "a head full of knowledge" instead of declaring the revelation/word of the Lord? Think that such a message as this is unloving? Sad if you do. Those of you that do can consider this message a warning. We'll close with this little-read passage of scripture. Hosea 4:1 says, "Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land."
God doesn't like for His people to be without truth. He doesn't like us to be without mercy (and the unknowledgeable are usually the ones without mercy). And He doesn't like for us to be without knowledge. This mindset of God's is referred to as a "controversy" -- a personal vendetta, if you will. He's not looking to destroy, however. He's looking for people who are willing to make it right -- on a personal level.
In this time of 21st century Pharisaism, God is looking for someone who is willing to: 1) come unto Him (truly come to Jesus); 2) take His yoke (be willing to serve Jesus instead of man-made rules, regulations and religious politics) and 3) learn of Him (have a very high level of understanding concerning the things of God and His word). The Pharisees would not come unto Him and do this (John 5:40). What about you?
It's time to stop buying every book on the market that looks like God. It's time to stop flying all over the country going to conferences and workshops that aren't benefitting anyone (but the bank accounts of the sponsors). It's time to stop supporting so-called gospel plays. It's time to stop exchanging edification for entertainment. It's time to stop supporting the Travesty Broadcasting Network (greatly responsible for the massive ignorance among God's people. Informed Christians wouldn't do such things. It's time to be informed. It's time to rise to the occasion of what God has called us for.
Want to make an impression on the world? God has the prescription. Deuteronomy 4:6 says, concerning the word of God, "Keep therefore and do them (His commandments); for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." We will only make an impact when we fulfill the call to LEARN OF HIM.
Folks, time is short. It's time to answer THE CALL. It's more important than your ministry. More important than your church. More important than your singing. More important than your building fund. It's more important than any other element in your life.
Until next time, keep the CALL and be blessed.
Cry Aloud: Volume 5, Issue 43 --
The Call (Learn of Me)
Copyright © 2001, CyberSaint/Scenario Ministries International
An outreach ministry of Remnant Christian Assembly, Inc. All rights reserved.
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