Peter Barnes | Matthew 11:28-30
SERMON NOTES
CHRIST’S GRACIOUS INVITATION
Jeremiah 31:23-34; Matthew 11:28-30
– Thomas Cranmer called these ‘comfortable words’.
1. Christ is gentle and approachable.
– contrast to the Pharisees (Matt. 23:4). See too Acts 15:10; Gal.5:1. Paul knew of Christ’s gentleness (2 Cor.10:1). See 1 John 5:3. Christ does what God does (Jer.31:25).
– Jesus did not reduce the burden by demanding less but more (Matt.5:20). He does not lower the bar; He fulfils it for us.
2. We are burdened with sin.
– John Newton: Bowed down beneath a load of sin,/ By Satan sorely pressed;/ By war without and fears within,/ I come to Thee for rest. Heb.13:20-21.
3. Christ bids us all come.
– John Mason: ‘Have you sins, or have you none? If you have, whither should you go, but to the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world? … Come as you are; come poor, come needy, come naked, come empty, come wretched, only come, only believe; His heart is free, His arms are open; ’tis His joy and His crown to receive you. If you are willing, He never was otherwise.’
– John 6:37. Horatius Bonar: I came to Jesus as I was,/ Weary and worn and sad;/ I found in Him a resting-place,/ And He has made me glad.