Tired, Worn Out, and Burned Out: Finding Rest in Christ's Invitation
Pastor Scott Lisea
September 23, 2024
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Main Topics Discussed
Introduction:
Question to the audience: “Are you tired? Anybody here tired?”
Emphasize that tiredness and burnout are common, especially among college students.
Week five of college: Discuss how the grind starts to set in, leading to exhaustion.
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?
Highlight how religion can sometimes feel burdensome or life-draining.
The Burden of Religion
Definition of religion: Latin for being “tied to” or “choosing over and over.”
Question: What are you tied to that feels life-sucking rather than life-giving?
Dead religion is when you feel trapped, stuck, and not uplifted.
Different forms of dead religion:
Trying to earn God’s favor but feeling like you can’t get it right.
Attempting to clean up your act before coming to God.
Creating your own spirituality that lacks substance.
Illustration from “The Mission” Movie
Story of Robert De Niro’s character:
Tied his armor and weapons together as a penance for killing his brother.
He dragged this weight as a symbol of his guilt.
Key question: What are you dragging behind you? What burdens have you tied yourself to?
Jesus’ Invitation: Recover Your Life
Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Jesus invites us to “recover” our life—implying something has been lost.
The “R” words Jesus offers:
Rescue, Revival, Redemption, Reconciliation: Emphasize how Jesus transforms lives.
Resurrection: The ultimate hope and promise of new life.
The Unforced Rhythms of Grace
Phrase Analysis: What does it mean to live in the unforced rhythms of grace?
God’s nature to forgive: It’s not hard for Him; it’s who He is.
Illustration of forgiveness: God’s grace is effortless, unlike the burdens we impose on ourselves.
Application: How can we live in these rhythms, extending grace to others?
Jesus’ Easy Yoke: An Invitation to True Life
Contrast with other yokes (teachings):
Heavy yokes of religion and expectations versus Jesus’ light yoke.
The teaching of Rabbis: Their yoke was demanding, but Jesus offers a yoke that is freeing.
Invitation: Tie your life to Jesus, and learn to seek Him first in everything (Matthew 6:33).
The True Religion – Pure and Genuine
James 1:27: “Pure and genuine religion means caring for orphans and widows and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”
Key point: Words matter; understand what true religion looks like—justice and righteousness.
Definition of Righteousness and Justice:
Root word "Tzedek" means more than legal justice; it implies caring for the vulnerable.
Justice and Righteousness in Scripture
Isaiah 10: God's call against injustice and for caring for the marginalized.
Problem in the modern church: Separating righteousness as individual and justice as systemic.
Jesus' Greatest Commandment: Love God and love your neighbor as yourself—inseparable.
What Gospel Are We Preaching?
Are we tying people down with burdens or offering freedom?
Invitation to partner with Jesus: Helping to make all things new, not just waiting for heaven.
Living Beyond Yourself
Personal Stories:
Example of helping others at a young age—offering mentorship, support, and love.
Story of friends who took in a widow and her children, showing compassion in action.
Encouragement: You don’t need a program; just respond to the Spirit’s promptings with “yes.”
The Two Key Questions
Have you tied your life to Jesus? If not, why not today?
How is this showing up in your life? Where are you seeing and serving the vulnerable around you?
Conclusion:
Challenge: Give an unqualified “yes” to God’s promptings.
Final thought: “The one who made you knows how to help you find that kind of life.”
Call to Action:
Respond to Jesus’ invitation, tie your life to Him, and live out true religion that cares for others, embodying justice and righteousness.
Biblical References
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."
Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
James 1:27 - "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
Isaiah 10:1-2 - "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless."
Matthew 22:37-39 - "Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"
1 John 4:20-21 - "Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister."
Reflection Questions
What burdens or "dead religion" practices have you tied yourself to that feel more like a weight than a source of life? How can you begin to release these burdens to Jesus?
In what ways have you tried to earn God's favor or clean yourself up before approaching Him? How does the invitation to "recover your life" challenge this mindset?
When you think about the "unforced rhythms of grace," where in your life do you struggle to extend grace to yourself or others? How can you lean into God's effortless grace this week?
Are there areas in your life where you feel you’ve taken on a heavy yoke of expectations or demands? How can you exchange that for Jesus’ light and easy yoke?
How are you living out “pure and genuine religion” by caring for others, especially the most vulnerable? What is one step you can take this week to serve or advocate for someone in need?
Daily Activities
1. Identify and Release Your Burdens
Activity: Spend time in prayer and reflection, identifying any “dead religion” or burdens that are weighing you down. Write them down on paper, and as a symbolic act of release, tear up or burn the paper.
Application: This activity helps you acknowledge what is draining your energy and invites Jesus to help you release these burdens, embracing His easy yoke.
2. Practice Grace with Others
Activity: Choose one person in your life who has hurt you or whom you find difficult to forgive. Commit to extending grace and forgiveness toward them this week, whether through a kind act, an encouraging message, or offering forgiveness in your heart.
Application: This mirrors the “unforced rhythms of grace” Jesus offers and challenges you to live out grace in a tangible way.
3. Serve the Vulnerable
Activity: Find a local organization or cause that supports orphans, widows, or those in need, and volunteer your time or resources this week. If volunteering isn’t possible, consider donating or spreading awareness about their work.
Application: This activity connects with James 1:27 and helps you experience “pure and genuine religion” by caring for the vulnerable in your community.
4. Create a "Seek First" Daily Habit
Activity: Set aside 10-15 minutes every morning to read a Bible passage, meditate, and pray. Focus on seeking God's kingdom first (Matthew 6:33) and ask God how you can prioritize Him in your daily decisions.
Application: This activity reinforces putting Jesus first in all areas of your life, making His yoke and guidance a priority.
5. Respond to the Spirit’s Promptings
Activity: Carry a small notebook or use a notes app on your phone to record any promptings you sense from the Holy Spirit throughout the week. When you feel a nudge to help someone, encourage them, or step out in faith, write it down and act on it as soon as possible.
Application: This will help you become more sensitive to God’s leading, saying “yes” to His invitations, and living out the gospel in everyday situations.
