The Weightless Ease of Real Christianity | Matthew 11:25-30 | Pastor Neil McClendon

Neil McClendon, Lead Pastor Grand Parkway Baptist Church = = = = = = = = = = = = = Songs: The King Is In The Room As For Me And My House O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing At Calvary O Praise The Name (Anástasis) = = = = = = = = = = = = = The Weightless Ease of Real Christianity Matthew 11:25-30 1. Salvation is for the childlike, v. 25-26 • Romans 1:21-23 “Witnessing the pure, uncomplicated faith and joy with which she sang the words made him realize that his own intellectual pride and hyper-rationalism were keeping him from a profound truth. He realized he wanted the same genuine relationship with God that his daughter possessed, which led him to finally put his faith in Christ.” 2. Salvation requires revelation, v. 27 Two words I want to define here: 1) Salvation refers to God’s act of delivering people from sin and its consequences through faith in Jesus Christ. • Ephesians 2:8-9 Four things about salvation… a) salvation requires faith in God b) there is nothing we can do to cause our salvation c) it is a gift not the result of our works d) I have nothing to boast about 2) Revelation means an unveiling or an opening of a curtain. Two things God reveals that lead to salvation: a) Himself b) our true self 3. All are invited into a relationship with Jesus, v. 28 Learn to look for, listen for and ask two questions: a) What are you laboring for? b) What is weighing you down? Rest is the experience of sitting down on the inside and living in a state of calm and patient expectation. 4. This relationship shows itself in discipleship, v. 28-30 “The “easy yoke” of Jesus is an invitation to learn an entire lifestyle of living and working in God’s unforced rhythms of grace, bringing the Kingdom to bear on all areas of your life and the people you encounter rather than straining under heavy religious burdens.” -Dallas Willard • Matthew 23:1-4 Mental worship… 1. Do you think it is unfair for God to hide revelation from some people? If so, on what basis did they deserve it to begin with? 2. Who do you need to see more clearly: God or yourself? 3. What are you working for and what is weighing you down these days? 4. Where do you find rest for your soul? 5. What two words would you use to describe what its like to be in a relationship with Jesus?