Sermon Outlines

By Frederick F. Schwindt, Evangelist

CHRIST'S YOKE

1. The hearers were familiar with this gracious invitation of this metaphor:
   1. They smarted under the yoke of bondage for many years - Lev. 26:13; Deut. 28:48
   2. They knew the yoke of affliction - Lam. 3:27
   3. They knew the yoke of severe punishment - Lam. 1:14
2. Our Saviour was well informed of the attempts by the Jews to cast off the yoke of the Romans:

1. Purpose of that yoke:
   1. It is God's means of restraint. A yoke is placed on the neck of an ox to restrain him, and at the same time enable him to do useful service to his master.
   2. When we place our lives under the restraint of the doctrine of Christ, we become true yokefellows in the service of the gospel - Phil. 4:3
2. The yoke of Christ in contrast to the yoke of man-made traditions:
   1. The yoke of human traditions enslaves and is at times unbearable - Matt. 23:4; Acts 15:10; Gal. 5:1
   2. But of the yoke of the gospel of Christ, Jesus says "my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
3. What makes the yoke of Christ easy?
   1. It is the absence of sin and its effects upon the burden bearer - John 8:36
   2. It is our association with him, who knows our every care - Isa. 53:3
   3. Are you weary and heavy laden? Cast all your cares upon Jesus; he careth for you - 1 Pet. 5:7
4. The lesson the Lord seeks to communicate:
   1. The aim of the yoke is to give him the control of our energies and talents.
   2. To use these gifts in the service of soul winning.
   3. Finally the yoke of Christ keeps us from coming under the yoke and bondage of sin.

1. Rest - "I will give you rest":
   1. Rest from sin - Matt. 1:21; John 8:36
   2. Rest of assurance - 1 Tim. 1:15; Rom. 8:31-33
   3. Rest of security - John 10:28; Rom. 8:1-3
2. We become partakers of His nature:
   1. That was Paul's great aim - Phil. 3:8-12; 2 Cor. 3:18
   2. He is able to create in us His own image - 2 Pet. 1:2-7; Gal. 1:15, 16
   3. This experience must come to us before our Lord comes the second time - 1 John 3:1-4
3. The Lord wants us to learn the difference between His yoke and the yoke that Satan puts us under when we yield to him:
   1. We think of the yoke of the Pharisees. Our Lord told them what their yoke, that burdens the people, is like.
   2. Read carefully - Matt. 23:4; Acts 15:10. They themselves would not think for one moment to carry the yoke that they had placed upon their victims.
   3. The yoke of Christ is easy because it is made of love, truth, and righteousness.
4. The invitation of our Lord is both singular and incomparable:
   1. No other theorist of religion has ever been known to extend such an invitation to anyone.
   2. The reason is most obvious; no other teacher had either the capacity or the power to make such a promise.
   3. What shall we do with this heavenly invitation? Accept it and make the Master of our life our pattern to copy.