After Keith Blackburn's class last past Wednesday, I went back and looked at Isaiah 53. I made a chart of that passage that I thought I'd share it with you. - Josh Allen
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Using some of the most beautiful words ever spoken, Jesus lovingly calls:
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:18-30) What an invitation! Jesus, the Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6), offers comfort and rest to “all” who will come. But Jesus not only said “come to Me”, He also said, “learn of Me.” To be a “disciple” is to be a “learner” (lit.), a pupil, a student of Jesus. He is the pattern for every Christian (1 Cor 11:1), the focus of every sermon (Acts 8:35), the motive for every decision (2 Cor 5:14), and the source of every blessing (Eph 1:3). To find rest, one must not only “come” to Him, but “learn” of Him. I recently read an article that told of a Christian revival in Rwanda years ago. In describing things that contributed to it’s success, the article claimed, “Christians were known for asking one another, ‘What have you learned about Jesus today?’” What an outstanding question! The pursuit of Jesus is essential to spiritual blessing. Change will not happen without it (Rom 10:17, 12:1-2). True growth can not occur in its absence. The Apostle Peter proclaimed, “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3). Are you pursing this knowledge? In other words, “What have you learned about Jesus today?” - Josh Allen (Pikeville, KY) The apostles taught that Jesus is the Christian's example in all things. To Paul, He is the pattern to imitate (1 Cor 11:1). To Peter, He is the Shepherd whose footsteps Christians are to follow (1 Peter 2:21,25). To John, He is the Servant who led by example (John 13:13-17). There are countless attributes of Jesus which are worthy of emulation, however let it be noted today that Jesus was a prayerful person.
A survey of His life reveals:
The prayer life of Jesus helps one understand the command "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Jesus was continually prayerful. He placed a priority on prayer. It was a large part of His day and His life. What an amazing (and challenging) example to follow! - Josh Allen (Pikeville, KY) |
PreacherJosh Allen has been serving the Main Street congregation since 2010. Archives
March 2018
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