TEXT:  Matt. 11:28-30

INTRODUCTION:

A.      FAVORITE PASSAGE OF MANY – MUCH COMFORT AND HOPE.

B.      LITTLE CONSIDERATION OF CONTENT – WE WILL STUDY IN CONTEXT.

I.      BACKGROUND – IMMEDIATE CONTEXT.

A.      JOHN THE BAPTIST’S DOUBTS ANSWERED.

          1.       John’s identity and mission.

          2.       Jews’ reaction – rejection.

B.      JESUS UPBRAIDS THE CITIES OF THE SELF-SECURE.

C.      vs. 25-27.  JESUS’ PRAYER AND COMMENTARY.

          1.       “hide these things from the wise” (vs. 25)

                   “no one knoweth the father” (vs. 27)

          2.       “reveal them unto babes” (vs. 25)

                   “save the Son, and he to whom the Son willeth?

D.      WHAT IS HIS POINT?  IS THIS PREDESTINATION?  FURTHER STUDY!

II.     FROM WHOM ARE THESE THINGS HIDDEN?

A.      NOT SPECIFIC PREORDAINED INDIVIDUALS, BUT A CLASS WHICH WE

          MAY JOIN OR EXCLUDE OURSELVES FROM.

          1.       “Predestination” used in the Bible (Eph. 1:4-5).

          2.       Free moral agency, choice, there, too (Josh. 24:15;  Rev. 22:17).

          3.       Deals with a specific class, not a roster of individuals.

          4.       God’s desire implies our choice (2 Pet. 3:9;  1 Tim. 2:3-4).

B.      PARABLE OF THE SOWER (Matt. 13).

          1.       Reception depends on disposition of heart.

          2.       Explanation of the parables:

                   a.       To you it is given – to them it is not (vs. 11).

                   b.       Why?  (vs. 15) ó Isaiah – They closed their minds!!  Why?

C.      2 Thess. 2:10-12.  APPLIES TO SPECIFICS OF THE GOSPEL AS WELL.

III.    TO WHOM ARE THESE THINGS REVEALED?

A.      BABES – TO WHOMSOEVER THE SON WILLETH.

                                                                             TO WHOM DOES THE SON WILL? (vs. 28-30).

B.      RELIANCE ON OUR OWN WISDOM CONDEMNED HERE (Matt. 5:3).

          1.       1 Cor. 3:18-20.  We must start from ground zero.

          2.       1 Cor. 1:21-25;  Rom. 11:33-36;  Jer. 10:23;  Prov. 16:25.

          3.       Can we lower ourselves to accept instruction from God?

                   Is our ignorance an intolerable burden? (Phil. 3:12-16).

C.      RELIANCE ON OUR OWN PERFECTION APART FROM FORGIVENESS

          – THE BURDEN OF SIN (Matt. 5:4).

          1.       2 Cor. 7:10;  Psa. 51:16-17;  Matt. 11:28;  James 4:9.

          2.       “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:9-14).

CONCLUSION:

A.      ARE YOU CONSCIOUS OF SIN YOUR LIFE?

B.      IS IT A BURDEN?