As we look at this series – we’ll be looking through the lens of ‘disciple’ – how did Jesus disciple the disciples? How did He go about training them to have his heart, attitudes, actions replicated within them? How is He still wanting to be doing that within us? A disciple is NOT an intern. Interns are assigned to someone to manage – and really it’s about managing their energies to accomplish tasks. The life of following after a Rabbi was one of apprenticeship & thus active 'followership'. “May the dust of your rabbi always be upon you” was a famous saying to a disciple…meaning may your proximity to the one you follow be so close that their dust rests upon you. That you would see how they see, act as they act, do as they do.
*If you've missed any of the past weekends, catch up with the sermons via our app.

There’s 4 words I’d like for you to underline in our passage, because they provide a brilliant framework that shows God’s soteriological plan, his salvation plan throughout human history.
4 key phrases in Matthew 11:27-30
(Jesus) reveals, come to me, take my yoke, learn from me

Revealer: only Christ can make God the Father fully and finally known.
God is partially known in other ways—in the order of loveliness in the created universe (Romans 1 = creation speaks of God, universal revelation); he’s partially known in the moral demands of our conscience; in the unfolding developments of history. But even though creation tells me of his glory, my conscience of his righteousness, and history of his power and providence, nobody tells me of his love for people or his plan to redeem us from our sin and brokenness, except Jesus Christ. Jesus alone is the specific revelation of God, who He is and what He’s really like.
This is why every examination into the truth of Christianity must begin with the historic person of Jesus.

QUOTE:
"Jesus Christ came to deliver us from our moral and spiritual disorders. It must be said that He also came to deliver us from our own remedies."
-AW Tozer
(ultimately: religion is our attempt to remedy our situation) - It’s why Christianity is always properly framed as about a RELATIONSHIP, NOT A RELIGION.

It’s not about us religiously working our way to God = (illust: that’s like running on a religious treadmill, you may put in a lot of miles, effort and sweat – but it ultimately gets you no where, you end up right back where you started!)
It’s us realizing that through God’s incredible kindness, He sent Jesus to search us out and rescue us through grace.
Colossians 1:13-14 -
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Christianity has always been and will always be – about having life with God & gaining a relationship with God through faith in his Son; in Jesus alone.
As we trust in Him, we are given a new posture of REST...

Matthew 11:29-30
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 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.”

What Jesus meant when he said, "Take my yoke upon you," he explains by adding, "and learn from me." To take upon us the yoke of Christ is to enter his school, to become his disciple, to regard him not only as our Savior, but also as our Lord and Teacher; which includes submitting our minds and wills to his lordship, bringing every part of our life under his sovereign control.

I love the rhythm’s of rest we see in Jesus’ life: it’s important for us as his followers to see this…
Luke 5:16
"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."
=we see Jesus withdrawing away in rhythm's of rest in the gospel accounts. Jesus modeled to his early followers the importance of pulling away, refueling, recharging – he invested many more hours of his time into the disciples (the 12), then he did into the crowds.

There is spiritual significance and importance to us learning this rhythm in our own life of following after Jesus.
That’s why disciplines like silence and solitude help us grow as disciples of Jesus. Disciples that have his heart and mind formed within us, amidst all the voices & noises that surround us and all the commotion and clutter of our culture.

Quote:
"Without solitude it is virtually impossible to live a spiritual life."
-Henri Nouwen

As disciples we’re to rest upon Jesus, rest away from the trap of religion and religious activity aimed at earning a right standing with God. We’re to find the Son, enjoy a right standing with God because or our relationship with Jesus.
We’re also to follow Jesus, learn from him – experience rhythm’s of rest to recharge and refuel with Jesus. Solitude and silence are key components and activities we can engage in to experience His rest and foster our relationship with him.

NEED PRAYER? ....we've got some of our prayer team and pastors available following service to pray with you. You can also submit your prayer request via our app. We look forward to partnering with you in prayer.

Keep it on the RADAR: AFTER-PARTY coming October 21st! Join us for a shortened service and then stick around for baptism celebration, food trucks, games, music and some fun. INVITE some friends!