August 8, 2021 - Come to Me

Follow Along with the Message

1. Doing Life

As a church family, we care about each other’s lives: what we’re celebrating, what we’re mourning, what decisions we are praying through, and everything in between (1 Thessalonians 2:8, Romans 12:10, 15). Suggested time: 10-20 minutes 

• How are you doing? 
• What can you thank God for this week?
• When were you most aware of Jesus’ presence this week? When were you least aware of Jesus’ presence this week?
• Do you have any practical needs?

2. Jesus Centered

God uses His Word to reveal Himself to us, equip us to live the good life He’s designed for us, show us our sin, and strengthen us as we follow Him (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Colossians 1:9-12, and James 1:22-25). Suggested Time: 20-40 minutes 

Primary Passages: Matthew 11:28-30; Ps. 63:1-4; Ps. 143

Restoring the Soul Series

Sermon Theme: An Invitation to Soul Rest - Kristen Windle

• When you think of rest what comes to mind?

For each of us it may be something totally different, a vacation, a nap, reading a book, not having any demands on you for a day. Yes all of these things bring us temporary rest, relief, but they fall short in offering lasting rest.

• As God's people we may need to redefine what rest actually is. 

Kristen shared Phil's definition of rest: 

Godly Rest: When your heart, soul, heart, and mind are growing in experiencing God's ease, joy, peace, love, delight, hope, and contentment in the midst of turmoil and work.

Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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."

• Jesus is gently asking us to Come to Him. He is inviting each one of us to come apart with Him to sit and be still with Him.

How does that make you feel? Do you hesitate when you ask yourself that question? Is it comforting to consider the thought of being with Jesus alone and being still or does it cause more anxiousness? 

Do you move towards God when you are tired or burned out or do you try to fix your weariness on your own? 

• True rest can only be found in Jesus. We need to get to a place where we move towards God when we are tired and when we are burned out. Throughout scripture you will find this idea of continually drawing near to God. We need to be reminded to do so when we are at our most exhausted selves. 

What can we learn from King David in the Psalms as when he was experiencing some of his lowest places in his life?

The Gift of Communion With God is Rest.

• There are many ways to draw near to God, such as prayer, worship, and reading the word. Kristen spoke on the importance of silence with God and having a sacred place as we draw near to God.   

Do you struggle with being quiet before God? Do you battle the need to accomplish something while in His presence?

• Do you have a sacred place to pause and hear his invitation to "come to me"? Are you aware of Him or His presence? Do you position yourself to hear His invitation to come and find rest?

• A yoke is made for two oxen to work together, one is the teacher and one is the learner. Jesus asks us to be yoked with Him so that He can bear our burdens. We can choose to follow Him and allow Him to take the lead and to carry our burdens or we can choose to pull and struggle against His leading. 

Do you allow Jesus to lead? Do you give Him the opportunity to bear the yoke so that you can find rest or do you attempt to bear your  burdens alone?

We will never be free of weariness and stress in this life but God offers us rest in the midst of it. As we practice making space for God in our lives, we can slowly begin to experience His rest and His voice is the one we begin to hear above all others.

3. Engaging the Heart

Jesus calls us to walk in the light, confessing our sins to God and each other. God’s Spirit works through confession and community to lead us to repentance. (Romans 3:23-24, James 5:16 and 1 John 1:5-10) Suggested Time: 10-20 minutes 

• How are you doing abiding with Jesus this week in Scripture and prayer? 
• What sin do you need to confess to God? What are you struggling to trust Jesus with this week? How can you give Him control of it? (As people confess sin, make sure to remind one another of the good news Jesus offers.)

4. Expanding the Kingdom

Just like God the Father sent Jesus on a mission of reconciliation for us, Jesus sends us out as ambassadors of His reconciliation. We are called to make disciples wherever we go. (John 20:21 and 2 Corinthians 5:18-20) Suggested time: 10-20 minutes

• People: Who in your life can you be building with right now? What does that look like during this season? 
• Plan: Are there any rhythms planned (virtual or in-person) that we can invite these friends into? What spiritual conversations do you want to initiate with them soon? 
• Pray: Let’s pray for our people by name; pray for their needs, opportunities to connect, and opportunities to have spiritual conversations that help them take next steps toward Jesus.