Abide In Jesus
And You Shall Find Rest For Your Souls
Adapted from the writings of Andrew Murray
A Goodsoil Discipleship Lesson - Bro. A. Madonio
Lesson Introduction
What this lesson teaches:
* We learn that intimacy and closeness with Jesus is what we strive for in order to achieve "peace" and "rest."
* This lesson stresses that obedience is required, as well as trust.
* The subtle flavor of "Lordship" is touched on.
Scripture references used:
* Matthew 11:28-29.
Other scripture that may be helpful:
* Exodus 33:14, Psalm 23:1-4, Psalm 119:3, Psalm 119:165, Psalm 131:1-2, Jeremiah 6:16, Mark 6:31, John 7:37-38, John 13:15, John 14:27, Romans 5:1-2, 1 Peter 3:11.
Discussion questions for study:
1. Did you read this lesson in preparation for this week's discussion?
2. What do you think it means to rest in Jesus ?
3. What do you think Jesus means when He asks us to take His yoke upon us? How can Jesus say "My yoke is easy"? And how can He say "My burden is light"? Doesn't it sound like a heavy burden, taken the yoke of Jesus? What do you think it requires on our part to take His yoke? Does it require humility or strength, rugged individual resolve or gentle yielding, common sense or faith?
4. Why do you think it is so hard for many in the church to rest in Jesus, their Lord and Savior? Could it be because it takes humility and not personal strength? Or because you must yield to Him and resist your rugged individualism. Maybe it's the fact that faith must overcome common sense? Explain your answer.
5. Can you see how "Abiding In Jesus" is another way to live out your relationship to Him? Trust Him, and feel the rest He will give.
"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."
Matthew 11:28-29
Notice that Jesus uses the word "rest" twice in this one gospel sentence; and when He uses the word "rest" He surrounds it with very warm and personal invitations that obviously imply an intimate closeness with Him.
"Come unto me"
"Take my yoke and learn from me"
Jesus desires these things for 2 reasons.
1. He loves us intensely, and . . .
2. He wants to give us rest and He wants us to find or accept His rest.
Perfect rest - What do you think this is?
The key to perfect rest is to entirely surrender your life to Jesus. You must give everything over to Him. Can you see that there is not one area of your lives that Jesus does not wish to reign and rule over and help with. Your yard work, your job, the relationships with your family, your spouse, your friends -- Jesus wants you to ask Him into your life completely - no matter how trivial you think the subject may be.
? Why do you suppose it is that we sometimes do not find rest and peace, even though we are Christians?
? Could it be that we do not understand what Jesus means when He says, "My yoke is easy?"
? How can placing the yoke of Jesus on us be easy anyway?!?!
? How can such a yoke as His give us rest?!
And the answer is . . .
Because the very moment our soul yields itself to obey the lordship of Jesus Christ, He will give you the strength and joy that will easily allow you to bear His yoke -- then you will then find the rest you have been searching for.
Do we fail to find this rest because we fail to surrender?
Remember: A full surrender means we must obey as well as trust Him, to trust Him as well as to obey Him. Why do you suppose it is sooooooo difficult to remain on the "straight path", to resist sin and sinful, harmful attitudes?
Remember again: You can not keep "right" spiritually for even a moment unless you have Jesus very near to you. The Apostle Paul speaks clearly and convincingly of this in Romans chapter 7. "For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."
You know what sin is, but just like the apostle Paul, you yourself don't have the power to conquer it alone. You may not realize how entirely and completely Jesus would take charge of you and keep you and help you. Yes, you know right from wrong, but you just can't seem to do it "right".
Does this sound like you?
It's much like the nation of Israel wandering in the desert. They were always "on the way" to the promise, never very far from their "rest" in the promised land, and yet always (for 40 years!) failing to achieve what god wanted to give them -- their "rest" in the promised land.
* Is it really that difficult to "abide in him"?
* Do you think that some people feel it is an impossible challenge to achieve this "rest"?
* Do you think it is easier simply to live apart from Him?
Think of this: Is it a labor for a child to rest in his mother's arms? So it will be with Jesus!
It is not the yoke that Jesus asks you to wear that is so difficult to bear, it is the resistance to bearing that yoke that makes our lives so difficult.
These are the gentle commands we need to obey from our lord:
"Come unto me"
"Abide in me"
"Take my yoke and learn from me"
In order to receive the blessing of "rest", we must obey.
Abiding in Jesus is nothing but giving yourself up to be ruled and taught and led, and in so doing, you will be resting in the arms of everlasting love; in the arms of Jesus.
