MADEOF THE RIGHT STUFF

 

Matt 11:28-30 – Made of the Right Stuff – Feb 3-2013

 

Intro:  Today I will be focusing on a familiar portion of scripture but coming from it from a different point of view.  It is called being made of the right stuff.  What does it take to be a person of faith and a disciple of Jesus Christ?

 

1. Jesus was in a time of praise and worship.  He had just thanked the Father for Him taking the things hidden from the wise and learned and giving it to them who were like children.  It was His good pleasure to do this.

 

1. Jesus then praised the Lord because all things were committed to Him by the    

      Father.  No one can know the Son with without the Father and no one can know  

      the Father except through the Son.

2. As well no one can know the Father except whom the Son chooses to reveal Him too.

 

2. Jesus outlines here what kind of characteristics you have to be made of to fully appreciate or comprehend what is being offered.

 

1. Jesus says come, Rev 22:17 says come.  This call is still being offered today.  Come.  Don’t hesitate, shrink back.  Make a decision.  Take a step. God wants to get intimate with you and be your friend.
2. If you are weary, tired, worn out and can’t go another step.  Life does that.  The urgent and crisis have become the order of the day.  You have too many things going on.  You have more matters than moments. You are burdened.  The load you carry is too heavy.  You have been overcome by the problems of life, the expectations of others, burdened down with the cares of life.  Being made of the right stuff is recognizing you need help.  You need Jesus and His people. 
3. Jesus says I will give your rest.  Spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical.  Your prayer times, Bible moments, worship experiences all can give you rest.  Being made of the right stuff is acting on this invitation and getting the rest you need.  God promises you will find rest if your will come and lay your weariness and burdens before Him. 

 

3. Jesus says, take my yoke upon you.  In Jesus’ days most water was carried in jars fitted on a yoke that people carried.  Each yoke was fitted to the carrying capacity and body shape of the person.

 

1. Each one of us has a fitted yoke fitted to our capacity to carry and state of our being The responsibilities, opportunities and challenges you have cannot be carried by another.  God knows what you can handle and what you cannot.  Being of the right stuff is knowing and trusting God to give us our fitted yoke and carrying it with confidence, obedience and faithfulness.
2. Jesus says learn of me.  Let me be your example and role model.  I will show you how it is done.  See how I react and act.  See what I say, do and think.  Watch my life.  He is our example.  You want to see how a life for God can be lived out study the life of Christ.  See how He forgives, loves, respects and deals with others.  In Charles Sheldon’s book, the question is posed.  “What would Jesus do?”  Being made of the right stuff is looking at the life of Jesus as an example and role model.  See His faithfulness, obedience, motives, attitudes, reactions and actions. 
3. Jesus even tells you how it is done.  I am gentle.  It means to be mild or moderate. To be calm, tame or do that in others.  Make all those around you feel as comfortable as possible. 

 

4             To be humble in heart.  This work starts in the heart.  It starts there and works it way

               outwardly. 

 

1. You change because your have the Holy Spirit regenerating your heart.  You have been born      

        again and given a new nature. The old has passed away.  All things are new.

2. You are taking on the nature and characteristics of God.  You have a modest estimate of your  

        own self worth.  You want to serve, put others before yourself.  And exalt others before  

        yourself.  You do not suffer from I disease.  You refuse to let pride and selfishness to rule you

        and you rule them.  You master sin, it does not master you.  You keep connected to God   

        because He helps keep pride in check.  This is the right stuff. 

3. When you do this you will find rest for your soul.  You will have the great burdened bearer with you

 

5.    Jesus closes off by saying, my yoke is easy and my burden is light.  The right stuff is being wise

       and taking these truths and walking with them in confidence.  Jesus gives easy yokes and light

       burdens.  If you are carrying a burden right now you cannot carry it was not Jesus who gave it

       to you.  There are four sources of the burden you are carrying. You put this on yourself, the

       world did, the devil did or others.  Jesus said, I have come to set the captive free.