A Yoke? (Take the Plunge, Part 1)

I found this note on my desk here at church a couple weeks ago.

Back at you Henderson!

A few weeks ago I found this object on my desk.

I wasn’t sure what to make of it. I wondered who died or if

this was a subtle message to me from someone so I picked it up

to examine it and I found this note inside:

• Patient: Ginger Bread House

• Date of Birth: 12/8/18 @ 10:40 pm

• Cause of Visit: Undetermined Illness

• Time of Death: 11:08 pm on 12-8-18 (it only lived 28 minutes)

• Cause of Death: Frosting Failure

It had three signatures – which were largely

unreadable (like most doctors’ handwriting)

so I examined the cup once again and found

this writing on the back: Hannah, Lexie,

Marcus

I’m not sure why this landed on my desk or what happened to the

remains – to get that information you will need to question the

perpetrators.

A Yoke? (Take the Plunge, Part 1)

But, from my experience with Gingerbread (which I must admit is not extensive) I would imagine after

its demise, it went for a good cause providing nourishment and joy to those who were involved with it.

And of course this is fitting for a December event as we remember the gifts of joy, peace, love, and

security we can receive through the life and death of Jesus.

I hope y’all had a good Christmas and that you gave some serious thought and thanks to the greatest gift

this world has ever known – Jesus!

New Year Ahead

Now we are looking forward to a new year. It can be a year which contains more of the same, or a year

of growth and positive change.

I’ve been thinking a lot about this recently. I’m facing some huge life changes in the near future and it’s

good to evaluate the big picture to see if what I’m doing now will get me to where I want to be.

I’m not saying I want to become super goal oriented. I’m not that driven. But I don’t want to miss

something important.

In the last several years I’ve been involved several people, many of them life-long friends, who have

grown old and are reaping now the results of how they lived their life through the years – some

continuing in the strength and vitality they cultivated through a life of positive activity and general

healthy living. And others succumbing to the results of a less active and healthy lifestyle.

I know there are factors beyond my control. I’ve known people who lived a long and productive life

maintaining unhealthy lifestyles. And, I’ve known people who did all the right things health wise, and

died younger in miserable ways.

But these are exceptions, not the general rule. It seems to be a pretty consistent law of nature that we

reap the results of our everyday habits – for better or for worse.

As I have been sitting around this Holiday season enjoying a variety of delicious Christmas treats – not all

of them on the nice and healthy list – I am coming to the conclusion that if I continue doing what I’m

doing, it will take me down a road I’d rather not travel.

For most of my life, I’ve been active and lived a reasonably healthy lifestyle. So, I have this mental image

of myself as generally fit and healthy.

This picture is jarred every time I look at myself in the mirror without my shirt on. I apologize for

subjecting you to that mental picture!

A Yoke? (Take the Plunge, Part 1)

It is jarring every time I discover I can’t do something I think I should still be able to do or don’t have the

endurance I used to. I know some of this is the inevitable result of my advancing maturity, but much of it

is not.

Now, I can relate to this in one of three ways.

1. I can say to myself it’s not that big of a deal. I’ll just enjoy my life and not worry about the

consequences. I won’t worry about what I’m doing now and just deal with whatever happens

later.

2. I can recognize that it is a big deal but say I don’t have time for it right now. I’m busy and have

lots of demands on my time and energy. But, when I retire, I’ll have more time and then I can

make this a priority.

3. Or, I can say it’s a priority I need to address right now. I know that being appropriately active and

embracing a healthy lifestyle will actually enable me to do my work more effectively because I

will feel better and have more energy.

If I was coming to you with counsel, which option would you encourage?

Option three is, of course, the best advice.

The Disney Marathon

When we lived in Florida, some of our friends decided they wanted to participate in and finish a Disney

Marathon.

It’s held each January. The course begins in Epcot, winds through the Walt Disney World properties and

theme parks and ends back at Epcot.

Our friends were not in especially good shape – but they are goal oriented. So they did the research on

getting fit – including diet, workout timetables, and incorporated lots of running.

When they started, there was no way they could run a marathon. But, little by little as they changed

their lifestyle and followed their plan they got into good shape and were able to complete the marathon

and get the medallion for it.

Many of the years we were there in Florida, Pat and I were with Forest Lake Academy’s Choir at mile

marker 26 cheering the participants on to finish strong.

I always thought it would be fun to try it – or at least the half marathon. But, I wanted to be able to do it

without all the bother of changing my lifestyle – so it never happened.

I wanted the results without the bother of the effort. Life doesn’t seem to work that way.

A Yoke? (Take the Plunge, Part 1)

Principles of Change

These principles don’t just apply to health, they apply to every part of our existence.

If you want to become debt free, you can’t do it by just keeping on doing what you’ve been doing. You

have to make some changes in your lifestyle and attitudes. You have to change how deal with money.

It has often been said – I’m not sure who said it, but it has been said by the people who say these kind of

things:

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.

Results, or consequences, are the cumulative effect of hundreds of seemingly insignificant choices we

make day by day.

In terms of our physical life, it is the little changes we consistently make each day that can add up to

better health.

In terms of finance, it’s been said – by those same people who say these sorts of things:

If you want to save a million dollars you have to find a million ways to save a dollar.

It rarely happens in one big chunk.

Our Spiritual Life

This is also true in our Spiritual Life. It’s success is dependent on hundreds of seemingly insignificant

choices we make day after day. Yet, it seems that we insist on living our life the way we always have

while expecting Jesus to make a difference.

We all know the invitation and promise Jesus made when He said:

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take

my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find

rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

(Matthew 11:28-30, NLT)

This is actually one of our most quoted promises.

But, when I am brutally honest with myself, I know the rest Jesus offers seems difficult to obtain. More

often than not I keep carrying the burdens and am exhausted and weighed down.

I sometimes wonder what is wrong with me, or maybe even give in to feelings of doubt and

hopelessness. I imagine that perhaps this promise is not for me and that I am destined to be plagued

with burdens and weighed down with care until Jesus comes

I don’t think I’m alone in this.

A Yoke? (Take the Plunge, Part 1)

We know what we should be experiencing as followers of Jesus, we read all the promises, we listen to

the sermons, we attempt to pray – yet the peace and rest Jesus offers seems just out of reach.

It seems as difficult as running a marathon or as climbing out of thousands of dollars of debt.

What is the answer? Why are we not experiencing what Jesus describes and promises?

Jesus’ Lifestyle

The answer is both simple and difficult. Let’s look at the passage again:

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take

my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find

rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

(Matthew 11:28-30, NLT)

The answer is found in this one short sentence:

“… Take my yoke upon you …” (Matthew 11:29,

NLT)

For those who may not be familiar with a yoke, at first

glance, it doesn’t seem to promote rest. It is a tool that

joins two or more animals together for the purpose of

sharing the load and creating greater power.

Two powerful bulls, yoked together, creates much more power than one alone.

It is also used to train younger animals. It is placed in a

yoke with a larger, more experienced animal. This way it

learns the best way to work from the older wiser one –

who is also bearing more of the load.

Do you understand what Jesus is saying?

He is telling you that in order to find rest you must be

following His lead. He is saying you must adjust your

lifestyle and do things His way.

But He is not just telling you to make a change, He’s saying He will take responsibility for teaching you

what changes to make and how to make them. And not only that, He says as long as you’ll stay

connected to Him, He’ll do the heavy lifting.

Let’s read it again:

A Yoke? (Take the Plunge, Part 1)

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest …”

(Matthew 11:28-30, NLT)

This is the promise. This is what Jesus wants to give you. And then, He tells you how to find it:

“… Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you

will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

(Matthew 11:28-30, NLT)

You find that rest by stepping into a partnership with Jesus where He leads you and teaches you how to

live. The “rest” comes as you continually say yes to His instructions and trust your life and future to His

care.

You cannot keep living your life the way you’re living it and expect things to be different than they are. If

you’re not finding the rest Jesus offers, your life is out of alignment with His will. And the only way it will

change is by inviting Him to take control and then saying yes to every change He asks for.

Take the Plunge

When I was in college I was a lifeguard and taught swimming. There are certain principles of swimming

we can talk about while we stay dry.

But, in order to really learn to swim, you have to take the plunge. You have to get in the water and start

putting into practice what you are being taught. You’ll never learn to swim without getting into the

water.

Your life with Jesus is like this. You can learn a lot by reading about it, discussing it, and observing others

in action. But you will never experience what Jesus is offering without actively participating. You must

take the plunge!

This is where we’ll be spending our Sabbaths over the next several weeks.

• We’ll explore how to stay connected with Jesus and how to learn from Him.

• We’ll look at the broad principles of this new lifestyle.

• We’ll examine how to develop the habits of trusting and following Jesus in the hundreds of little,

seemingly insignificant decisions made each day.

But, in order to move from learning about it to experiencing it you must put it into practice – if you only

watch from the sidelines you’ll never experience the rest Jesus offers.

For today, at least dip your toe in the water. Tell Jesus you want to take this plunge and ask Him to come

along side of you to teach you how.

A Yoke? (Take the Plunge, Part 1)

Ask Him to communicate to you in a way you can understand. And then when He communicates with

you, be prepared to say “Yes Lord!”

Learning and following healthy habits will make you more healthy.

Understanding and applying financial principles can help you live debt free.

But, taking the plunge into a life with Jesus will not only allow you to live here with confidence in His

love and a peace you can hardly imagine* – it will take you to an incredible eternity in a place that will

blow your mind.**

What are you waiting for? Take the Plunge!

_______________

* See Philippians 4:4-7

** See Revelation 21-22

A Yoke? (Take the Plunge, Part 1)

Notes

Text you find in this color is a link to more information. It may take you to the Bible verse in context

and/or in several different translations utilizing BibleGateway.com. In some cases, it may take you to

a website where there is additional information. And, it may take you to a PDF copy of previous

sermons in this series.

Scripture References

Jeremiah 31:33-34 (NLT): “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that

time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be

their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one

another, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,”

declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

(Jeremiah 31:33-34, NIV)

Ezekiel 36:25-27 (NLT): “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth

will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and

I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender,

responsive heart. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be

careful to obey my regulations.”

(Ezekiel 36:25-27, NLT)

Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT): Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry

heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am

humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and

the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NLT)

Matthew 11:28-30 (the Message): “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to

me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk

with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay

anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and

lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30, the Message)

John 3:14-17 (NLT): “And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the

Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who

believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge

the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:14-17, NLT)

John 6:28-29 (NLT): They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?”

A Yoke? (Take the Plunge, Part 1)

Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

(John 6:28-29, NLT)

2 Corinthians 5:11-21 NLT): Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work

hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too. 12 Are we

commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you

can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere

heart. 13 If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is

for your benefit. 14 Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all,

we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who

receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died

and was raised for them.

16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of

Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! 17 This means that

anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has

begun!

18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has

given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to

himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message

of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We

speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned,

to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

(2 Corinthians 5:11-21, NLT)

Galatians 2:17-21 (NLT): But suppose we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ

and then we are found guilty because we have abandoned the law. Would that mean Christ has

led us into sin? Absolutely not! 18 Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already

tore down. 19 For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law – I stopped

trying to meet all its requirements – so that I might live for God. 20 My old self has been crucified

with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by

trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not treat the grace of

God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no

need for Christ to die. (Galatians 2:17-21, NLT)

Ephesians 2:1-10 (NLT): Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil – the commander of the

powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey

God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our

sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

A Yoke? (Take the Plunge, Part 1)

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because

of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you

have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in

the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future

ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he

has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from

God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about

it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the

good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:1-10, NLT)

Ephesians 3:14-21 (NLT): When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the

Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources

he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in

your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long,

how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too

great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power

that comes from God.

20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish

infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus

through all generations forever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21, NLT)

Philippians 4:4-7 (NLT): Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice! 5 Let everyone see

that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank

him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can

understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 4:4-7, NLT)

Philippians 4:4-7 (the Message): Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it

as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against

them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into

prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness,

everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what

happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. (Philippians 4:4-7, the Message)

Titus 3:3-7 (NLT): Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves

to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.

A Yoke? (Take the Plunge, Part 1)

4 But – when God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the

righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a

new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us

through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us

confidence that we will inherit eternal life. (Titus 3:3-7, NLT)

E.G. White Resources

Desire of Ages, page 478: In all ages, philosophers and teachers have been presenting to the

world theories by which to satisfy the soul's need. Every heathen nation has had its great

teachers and religious systems offering some other means of redemption than Christ, turning the

eyes of men away from the Father's face, and filling their hearts with fear of Him who has given

them only blessing. The trend of their work is to rob God of that which is His own, both by

creation and by redemption. And these false teachers rob man as well. Millions of human beings

are bound down under false religions, in the bondage of slavish fear, of stolid indifference, toiling

like beasts of burden, bereft of hope or joy or aspiration here, and with only a dull fear of the

hereafter. It is the gospel of the grace of God alone that can uplift the soul. The contemplation of

the love of God manifested in His Son will stir the heart and arouse the powers of the soul as

nothing else can. Christ came that He might re-create the image of God in man; and whoever

turns men away from Christ is turning them away from the source of true development; he is

defrauding them of the hope and purpose and glory of life. He is a thief and a robber. (Desire of

Ages, page 478)

Desire of Ages, page 480: Every soul is as fully known to Jesus as if he were the only one for

whom the Saviour died. The distress of every one touches His heart. The cry for aid reaches His

ear. He came to draw all men unto Himself. He bids them, “Follow Me,” and His Spirit moves

upon their hearts to draw them to come to Him. Many refuse to be drawn. Jesus knows who they

are. He also knows who gladly hear His call, and are ready to come under His pastoral care. He

says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” He cares for each one as

if there were not another on the face of the earth.

“He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out .... And the sheep follow Him: for they

know His voice.” The Eastern shepherd does not drive his sheep. He depends not upon force or

fear; but going before, he calls them. They know his voice, and obey the call. So does the Saviour-

Shepherd with His sheep. The Scripture says, “Thou leddest Thy people like a flock by the hand of

Moses and Aaron.” Through the prophet, Jesus declares, “I have loved thee with an everlasting

love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” He compels none to follow Him. “I drew

them,” He says, “with cords of a man, with bands of love.” Psalm 77:20; Jeremiah 31:3; Hosea

11:4.

It is not the fear of punishment, or the hope of everlasting reward, that leads the disciples of

Christ to follow Him. They behold the Saviour's matchless love, revealed throughout His

A Yoke? (Take the Plunge, Part 1)

pilgrimage on earth, from the manger of Bethlehem to Calvary's cross, and the sight of Him

attracts, it softens and subdues the soul. Love awakens in the heart of the beholders. They hear

His voice, and they follow Him. (Desire of Ages, page 480)

Desire of Ages, pages 667-668: The Lord is disappointed when His people place a low estimate

upon themselves. He desires His chosen heritage to value themselves according to the price He

has placed upon them. God wanted them, else He would not have sent His Son on such an

expensive errand to redeem them. He has a use for them, and He is well pleased when they make

the very highest demands upon Him, that they may glorify His name. They may expect large

things if they have faith in His promises.

But to pray in Christ's name means much. It means that we are to accept His character, manifest

His spirit, and work His works. The Saviour's promise is given on condition. “If ye love Me,” He

says, “keep My commandments.” He saves men, not in sin, but from sin; and those who love Him

will show their love by obedience.

All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will

so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to

His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. The will, refined

and sanctified, will find its highest delight in doing His service. When we know God as it is our

privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience. Through an appreciation of

the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us.

As Christ lived the law in humanity, so we may do if we will take hold of the Strong for strength.

But we are not to place the responsibility of our duty upon others, and wait for them to tell us

what to do. We cannot depend for counsel upon humanity. The Lord will teach us our duty just as

willingly as He will teach somebody else. If we come to Him in faith, He will speak His mysteries

to us personally. Our hearts will often burn within us as One draws nigh to commune with us as

He did with Enoch. Those who decide to do nothing in any line that will displease God, will know,

after presenting their case before Him, just what course to pursue. And they will receive not only

wisdom, but strength. Power for obedience, for service, will be imparted to them, as Christ has

promised. Whatever was given to Christ – the “all things” to supply the need of fallen men – was

given to Him as the head and representative of humanity. And “whatsoever we ask, we receive

of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.”

1 John 3:22. (Desire of Ages, pages 667-668)

Desire of Ages, pages 826-827: In Christ is the tenderness of the shepherd, the affection of the

parent, and the matchless grace of the compassionate Saviour. His blessings He presents in the

most alluring terms. He is not content merely to announce these blessings; He presents them in

the most attractive way, to excite a desire to possess them. So His servants are to present the

riches of the glory of the unspeakable Gift. The wonderful love of Christ will melt and subdue

hearts, when the mere reiteration of doctrines would accomplish nothing. “Comfort ye, comfort

ye My people, saith your God.” “O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high

A Yoke? (Take the Plunge, Part 1)

mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be

not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! ... He shall feed His flock like a

shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.” Isaiah 40:1, 9-

11. Tell the people of Him who is “the Chiefest among ten thousand,” and the One “altogether

lovely.” The Song of Solomon 5:10, 16. Words alone cannot tell it. Let it be reflected in the

character and manifested in the life. Christ is sitting for His portrait in every disciple. Every one

God has predestinated to be “conformed to the image of His Son.” Romans 8:29. In every one

Christ's long-suffering love, His holiness, meekness, mercy, and truth are to be manifested to the

world.

The first disciples went forth preaching the word. They revealed Christ in their lives. And the Lord

worked with them, “confirming the word with signs following.” Mark 16:20. These disciples

prepared themselves for their work. Before the day of Pentecost they met together, and put

away all differences. They were of one accord. They believed Christ's promise that the blessing

would be given, and they prayed in faith. They did not ask for a blessing for themselves merely;

they were weighted with the burden for the salvation of souls. The gospel was to be carried to

the uttermost parts of the earth, and they claimed the endowment of power that Christ had

promised. Then it was that the Holy Spirit was poured out, and thousands were converted in a

day.

So it may be now. Instead of man's speculations, let the word of God be preached. Let Christians

put away their dissensions, and give themselves to God for the saving of the lost. Let them in

faith ask for the blessing, and it will come. The outpouring of the Spirit in apostolic days was the

“former rain,” and glorious was the result. But the “latter rain” will be more abundant. Joel 2:23.

All who consecrate soul, body, and spirit to God will be constantly receiving a new endowment of

physical and mental power. The inexhaustible supplies of heaven are at their command. Christ

gives them the breath of His own spirit, the life of His own life. The Holy Spirit puts forth its

highest energies to work in heart and mind. The grace of God enlarges and multiplies their

faculties, and every perfection of the divine nature comes to their assistance in the work of

saving souls. Through co-operation with Christ they are complete in Him, and in their human

weakness they are enabled to do the deeds of Omnipotence.

The Saviour longs to manifest His grace and stamp His character on the whole world. It is His

purchased possession, and He desires to make men free, and pure, and holy. Though Satan

works to hinder this purpose, yet through the blood shed for the world there are triumphs to be

achieved that will bring glory to God and the Lamb. Christ will not be satisfied till the victory is

complete, and “He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied.” Isaiah 53:11. All the

nations of the earth shall hear the gospel of His grace. Not all will receive His grace; but “a seed

shall serve Him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.” Psalm 22:30. “The kingdom

and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the

people of the saints of the Most High,” and “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord,

A Yoke? (Take the Plunge, Part 1)

as the waters cover the sea.” “So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His

glory from the rising of the sun.” Daniel 7:27; Isaiah 11:9; 59:19. (Desire of Ages, pages 826-827)

Steps to Christ, page 35: Study God's word prayerfully. That word presents before you, in the law

of God and the life of Christ, the great principles of holiness, without which “no man shall see the

Lord.” Hebrews 12:14. It convinces of sin; it plainly reveals the way of salvation. Give heed to it

as the voice of God speaking to your soul.

As you see the enormity of sin, as you see yourself as you really are, do not give up to despair. It

was sinners that Christ came to save. We have not to reconcile God to us, but – O wondrous love!

– God in Christ is “reconciling the world unto Himself.” 2 Corinthians 5:19. He is wooing by His

tender love the hearts of His erring children. No earthly parent could be as patient with the faults

and mistakes of his children, as is God with those He seeks to save. No one could plead more

tenderly with the transgressor. No human lips ever poured out more tender entreaties to the

wanderer than does He. All His promises, His warnings, are but the breathing of unutterable

love.

When Satan comes to tell you that you are a great sinner, look up to your Redeemer and talk of

His merits. That which will help you is to look to His light. Acknowledge your sin, but tell the

enemy that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” and that you may be saved by His

matchless love. 1 Timothy 1:15. Jesus asked Simon a question in regard to two debtors. One

owed his Lord a small sum, and the other owed him a very large sum; but he forgave them both,

and Christ asked Simon which debtor would love his Lord most. Simon answered, “He to whom

he forgave most.” Luke 7:43. We have been great sinners, but Christ died that we might be

forgiven. The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf. Those to

whom He has forgiven most will love Him most, and will stand nearest to His throne to praise

Him for His great love and infinite sacrifice. It is when we most fully comprehend the love of God

that we best realize the sinfulness of sin. When we see the length of the chain that was let down

for us, when we understand something of the infinite sacrifice that Christ has made in our behalf,

the heart is melted with tenderness and contrition. (Steps to Christ, page 35)

Steps to Christ, pages 52-55: Now that you have given yourself to Jesus, do not draw back, do

not take yourself away from Him, but day by day say, “I am Christ's; I have given myself to Him;”

and ask Him to give you His Spirit and keep you by His grace. As it is by giving yourself to God,

and believing Him, that you become His child, so you are to live in Him. The apostle says, “As ye

have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him.” Colossians 2:6.

Some seem to feel that they must be on probation, and must prove to the Lord that they are

reformed, before they can claim His blessing. But they may claim the blessing of God even now.

They must have His grace, the Spirit of Christ, to help their infirmities, or they cannot resist evil.

Jesus loves to have us come to Him just as we are, sinful, helpless, dependent. We may come

with all our weakness, our folly, our sinfulness, and fall at His feet in penitence. It is His glory to

encircle us in the arms of His love and to bind up our wounds, to cleanse us from all impurity.

A Yoke? (Take the Plunge, Part 1)

Here is where thousands fail; they do not believe that Jesus pardons them personally,

individually. They do not take God at His word. It is the privilege of all who comply with the

conditions to know for themselves that pardon is freely extended for every sin. Put away the

suspicion that God's promises are not meant for you. They are for every repentant transgressor.

Strength and grace have been provided through Christ to be brought by ministering angels to

every believing soul. None are so sinful that they cannot find strength, purity, and righteousness

in Jesus, who died for them. He is waiting to strip them of their garments stained and polluted

with sin, and to put upon them the white robes of righteousness; He bids them live and not die.

God does not deal with us as finite men deal with one another. His thoughts are thoughts of

mercy, love, and tenderest compassion. He says, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the

unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon

him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy

transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins.” Isaiah 55:7; 44:22.

“I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves,

and live ye.” Ezekiel 18:32. Satan is ready to steal away the blessed assurances of God. He

desires to take every glimmer of hope and every ray of light from the soul; but you must not

permit him to do this. Do not give ear to the tempter, but say, “Jesus has died that I might live.

He loves me, and wills not that I should perish. I have a compassionate heavenly Father; and

although I have abused His love, though the blessings He has given me have been squandered, I

will arise, and go to my Father, and say, ‘I have sinned against heaven, and before Thee, and am

no more worthy to be called Thy son: make me as one of Thy hired servants.’” The parable tells

you how the wanderer will be received: “When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him,

and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” Luke 15:18-20.

But even this parable, tender and touching as it is, comes short of expressing the infinite

compassion of the heavenly Father. The Lord declares by His prophet, “I have loved thee with an

everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3. While the

sinner is yet far from the Father's house, wasting his substance in a strange country, the Father's

heart is yearning over him; and every longing awakened in the soul to return to God is but the

tender pleading of His Spirit, wooing, entreating, drawing the wanderer to his Father's heart of

love.

With the rich promises of the Bible before you, can you give place to doubt? Can you believe that

when the poor sinner longs to return, longs to forsake his sins, the Lord sternly withholds him

from coming to His feet in repentance? Away with such thoughts! Nothing can hurt your own

soul more than to entertain such a conception of our heavenly Father. He hates sin, but He loves

the sinner, and He gave Himself in the person of Christ, that all who would might be saved and

have eternal blessedness in the kingdom of glory. What stronger or more tender language could

have been employed than He has chosen in which to express His love toward us? He declares,

A Yoke? (Take the Plunge, Part 1)

“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her

womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.” Isaiah 49:15.

Look up, you that are doubting and trembling; for Jesus lives to make intercession for us. Thank

God for the gift of His dear Son and pray that He may not have died for you in vain. The Spirit

invites you today. Come with your whole heart to Jesus, and you may claim His blessing.

As you read the promises, remember they are the expression of unutterable love and pity. The

great heart of Infinite Love is drawn toward the sinner with boundless compassion. “We have

redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Ephesians 1:7. Yes, only believe that God

is your helper. He wants to restore His moral image in man. As you draw near to Him with

confession and repentance, He will draw near to you with mercy and forgiveness. (Steps to

Christ, pages 52-55)