IMMEDIATELY IF NOT SOONER!

MT. 11:25-30

Pastor Rick Jackson

Have you ever asked someone “when do you want this?” and been given the answer, “Immediately if not sooner!”? That’s why we have instant coffee, instant oatmeal, instant grits, and any number of things because “we want it now”. Well sometimes you can’t have it now, sometimes you have to wait, sometimes you have to be patient… BUT- NOT with what we are looking at right now. You can have it now! You can have it immediately! As a point of fact, God does not want you putting this off. To what are we referring?

I. IMMEDIATE ACCEPTANCE [v. 28a] “Come unto me” - Jesus

1. Not Organizations- churches, temples, clubs, fraternal orders, secret societies, Facebook groups, etc.

2. Not Others- preachers, priests, rabbis, prophets, guides, saints, angels, psychics, psychos, etc.

3. Not Optional- [John 14:6]

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

John 1:11-12 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Come to Jesus for immediate acceptance!

II. IMMEDIATE DELIVERANCE [v. 28b] “all ye that labor and are heavy laden”

1. Deliverance from Rejection “All ye” [Titus 2:11]

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2. Deliverance from Vexation (trying to earn what cannot be earned) [Eph. 2:8-9, Titus 3:5]

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

3. Deliverance from Depression [28c, 30] get out from under your heavy load

III. IMMEDIATE DIRECTION [v. 28b]   “I will give you rest”

You do not have to guess or worry about:

1. Who to Trust [v. 28c-29a]

2. Where to Look [v. 29b, Philippians 3:10]

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

3. How to Live [v. 29c] “ye shall find rest for your souls for my yoke is easy and my burden is light”

Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.