Whenever I hear this famous passage from Paul about this war going on inside of us all, I think two things – comfort that this is not just me; that I am not weird, and, this is me for sure I’m involved. I know the war is very much raging in my life.

This sounds almost one of the ‘out-or-body’ experiences people have told me about when they went in for the operation – they could see themselves on the table as the surgeons worked away and they had no power to influence the outcome either way.

Some spiritual power is at work leveraging my human desires and needs and weaknesses against my good intentions to serve and love the Lord. Paul names the spiritual power ‘sin’. He truly delights; find joy and meaning and great satisfaction in living out those good 10 commandments but is constantly undone from within. This is very frustrating!!

Those ten commandment that are given to be our guide and protector for flourishing human life together and great witness to the grace of God in the world become something that just kills us – accuses us, shows up our failure.

We either rail against that law with frustration and anger as we try and escape, go it alone, live life my way, ignore the Lord and hope he goes away, or we crumble in a heap of self-pity and self-harm feeling totally lost.

No wonder Paul just switches to prayer! It is all you can do. Staying in the logic and the confusion and frustration of the brain is too depressing. He looks up. He cries out.

Have you felt that moment, friend? Or is this depth of prayer not where you have been yet?

Don’t worry if you haven’t been there yet. You’ll get there. This war will bring you to your knees eventually – when you stop feeling sorry for yourself or blaming your parents or siblings or work mates or teachers or politicians…..

There is a reason why Paul owns up to his very own battle. He wants you to know it is real and this moment of frustration and confusion and anxiety is not the end.

He says where it can lead you:

Ahh. Jesus knows the war and feels the battle. He lived it, suffered it, and lived through it all; and more deeply and more darkly than you ever will thanks be to his resurrection victory over this spiritual power at work in us still.

But do you trust him in your darkest war with its most frustrating cry for help? Will you trust him when you finally get to the end of you?

Many didn’t. Many still don’t.

Jesus tells us we can be like kids playing at the train park.

We don’t know what we want. We don’t know where to turn. We don’t know how to join in Jesus’ song of life.

We don’t know whether we should join in a sad song of lament and loss – a funeral dirge, for this failure; this inability; this shame. We don’t know whether we should break into a party song to make it all go away – a DJ on the dancefloor wedding tune.

They were critical of John the Baptist who was deeply serious about fiery hearted about God’s promised coming judgment to finally deal with all that was wrong in the world.

They were just as critical of Jesus who announced the joy of a new day and new way to live as human beings in a new era of hope and joy which was a lot like a wedding feast – Jesus eating and drinking to the extent that we might call him a boozer and a glutton.

So, which song of God is to be sung today, friend. In your pride do you just keep on singing those party songs hoping it will all go away and you will overcome, or do you stay in your shame and endlessly sing the dirge of self-blame.

You could just sit there. Just decide to just not sing any of his tunes because you want to song YOUR tune, not his.

With the force of a frustrated Stadium of World Cup soccer fans at the mistakes of the team, I will yell out for you:

This man. This voice. This love  …

Friend, you stop doing and start to hum along. He is leading the new song of hope and love.

Let yourself rest a while here. Let your heart sing. Rest here in his gifts. Rest here among his people. Rest here in his presence where two or three of his other children gather.

In the sad song of loss and lament and shame

Jesus is our rest.

In our attempts to gloss over our sins and deny our inabilities.

Jesus is our rest.

To fulfil our need to be clear, be consistent, be honest, be open and keep growing and living in faith together.

Jesus is our rest.

Amen

Individual Bible Study: Jesus Is Our Rest

Purpose: To reflect personally on the inner struggle Paul describes, to bring weariness and failure honestly before Jesus, and to receive again his promise: “I will give you rest.”

1. Begin in Prayer

Lord Jesus, I come to you honestly, with my weariness, confusion, failure and longing for peace. Open your Word to me. Show me where I am trying to carry what only you can carry. Teach me to receive your rest. Amen.

2. Read the Scriptures Slowly

• Romans 7:15-25a
• Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

As you read, notice the movement from struggle and frustration to rescue and rest. Underline or write down one phrase that names your struggle and one phrase that names Jesus’ promise.

3. Notice the Inner War

1. Where do you recognise Paul’s words in your own life: “I do not do the good I want”?
2. What good thing do you genuinely want to do, but often find difficult to live out?
3. When you fail, are you more likely to blame others, excuse yourself, hide, become angry, or collapse into shame?
4. What does Paul’s honesty give you permission to bring honestly before God today?

4. Move from Self-Rescue to Jesus’ Rescue

Paul does not solve the struggle by trying harder. He cries out: “Who will rescue me from this body of death?” Then he answers: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

1. What are you currently trying to fix, carry or overcome in your own strength?
2. What would it mean to stop pretending, stop performing, and cry out to Jesus for rescue?
3. How does Jesus’ cross and resurrection speak into the battle you are facing?

5. Hear Jesus’ Invitation

Read Matthew 11:28-30 again slowly. Imagine Jesus speaking these words directly to you: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

1. What burden are you carrying today?
2. What kind of rest do you most need: forgiveness, peace, courage, honesty, patience, trust, or hope?
3. Where might Jesus be inviting you to learn from him as one who is gentle and humble in heart?

6. Personal Response

Complete these sentences as honestly as you can:

• Lord Jesus, I am weary of…
• I keep trying to rescue myself by…
• I hear you inviting me to…
• Today I receive from you…

7. A Simple Practice for the Week

Each day this week, pause for one minute and pray: “Jesus, I cannot rescue myself. Thank you that you are my rest.” Then name one burden and entrust it to him.

8. Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you that you know the war within me and do not turn away from me. Thank you that you have entered the struggle, carried sin and death, and risen in victory. Rescue me from self-reliance, shame and despair. Teach me to come to you, take your yoke, and find rest for my soul. Amen.

LATEST BULLETIN

LIVE STREAMS

PASTOR’S SERMONS

WORSHIP TIMES