This episode of International Gospel Hour brings a deep, fulfilling discussion on why coming to Jesus is not just a call, but a transformative step filled with divine strength and guidance. Host Jeff Archie walks us through Scripture, teaching us about the joyous yoke offered by Christ, which lightens the heart and renews the spirit. Experience renewal through belief, repentance, and the path of obedience, all leading toward the ultimate freedom of the soul. Discover how a life in faith can be bolstered by strong community support and the assurance of God’s ever-present power and love. Whether you are
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Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Oh, those sweet words. And an assuring study from these sweet words is just ahead on the International Gospel Hour. Stay right here.
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Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. We’re so glad you’ve decided to listen to our program today. In a world of challenges, we need God’s Word to help us face those challenges. Thank you for joining us in this period of Bible study with our speaker, Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, a broadcast of the Churches of Christ. So let’s listen today. Here’s Jeff.
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Well, thank you to our J. Webb for his kind words. And greetings to all of you. So good to have you with us today for our studies here from International Gospel Hour. And I want to begin this study by sharing a couple of things with you. Number one. Everything that we offer from International Gospel Hour is free, as far as our study materials, books, and things go. If you would love to have copies of them, we will not ask for your money. We appreciate your dedication in listening, your search for truth. That is the Word of God, John 17, 17. And second, with that being said, how about a free book, courtesy of our friends at Apologetics Press. We want to send you absolutely free a copy of Reasons to Believe by Eric Lyons and Kyle Butt of Apologetics Press. Now, all you have to do to receive this book, call us toll free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name and address and just say, reasons. That’s all you have to do. I mean, that’s it. You can also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the contact tab, and leave us the same information. Your name, your address, and just type reasons in the message box. And we will be more than happy to send you the free book, courtesy of our friends at ApologeticsPress.org, Reasons to Believe. I’ll give you another reason to believe. It’s Jesus Christ. He is the reason. And one reason to believe Him were the words that He said from Matthew 11, 28-30. Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me. For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Oh, when I see verse 30, I think of that beautiful hymn, His yoke is easy, his burden is light. I found it so, I found it so. Now, friends, you know now why I preach more than I sing. But it’s just a beautiful song, and I hope that today, rendition was okay let me get back to what we are here for the promise of coming to jesus christ for our lives to be lightened is always there 24 7 he is the one master we should serve and none other and when i see those words from matthew 11 28 through 30 here’s what else i see When one is heavy laden, one’s load can be lightened by the Christ for rest. When another yoke is offered, to think of the yoke of oxen, the yoke that went upon two oxen to pull his one. Well, when another yoke is offered, it’s not to make my load heavier, but rather to help me lighten the load that I have. Remember, his yoke is easy and his burden is light. I also see rest for my soul, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. The blessing of believing in Jesus Christ, the foundation that as we come to Him, to believe in Him, and when we believe in Christ, that embraces all of obedience within, because when I believe in Christ, I’m going to believe in His teaching of repentance and its necessity, Luke 13, verse 3. I’m going to believe in confessing Him as Peter did in Matthew 16, 16, as the eunuch did in Acts 8, 37. With the mouth confession is made unto salvation, Romans 10, verse 10. And I’m going to be baptized because I believe in Jesus and He commanded it in Mark 16, 16, when He said, He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. Tie in other texts like Acts 2.38 and Acts 22.16 and 1 Peter 3.21. And that adds me to the church that we read of in the New Testament just like it was in Acts 2. That simple. Then I begin a faithful walk. I’m going to walk faithful. I’m going to serve others with my life of faith. And that life of faith is expressed in the actions that I bring forth. James chapter 2. No, no, friends. Not works that a man does to be saved, but works that a saved man does expressing his faith as he walks in the light where Jesus is in the light. 1 John 1 and verse 7. You see what all happens when one comes to Jesus. But what else is there for the faithful child of God? Now, friend, if you’re struggling in life, Maybe it needs to come back where you need to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ and to cast your care upon him, 1 Peter 5, 7. To come to him. To move where you are to Christ. And I want you to see what else remains for the Christian in just about 30 seconds. But first, here is our Jay Webb with a few words about our work at International Gospel Hour.
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Did you know since 1934 the IGH has been heard over the radio? We are one of the longest running weekly religious programs in the history of American radio. We are blessed to remain on the air through gracious giving of congregations of Churches of Christ, faithful Christians, and devoted friends. That’s why you will never hear us asking for money from you, our listeners. Our study material is free, always has been, always will be. Thank you for listening.
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Friends, rest helps when one comes to Jesus. Psalm 46.1, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. How about from the book of Proverbs, in Proverbs 14.26, In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge. What about Proverbs 18.11, The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and is safe. So when one comes to Jesus, there’s the assurance of the place of refuge. Do we look at God and say, look how big my problems are? Or do we look at our problems and say, look how big my God is? Friends, may it be the latter more than the former. You see, Jesus desired physical rest. We see that in Mark 6, 31. And sometimes pausing and refreshing with physical help or physical rest will help us. And when one comes to Jesus in obedience to his will, that rest is available. Here’s another one. One is lifted when one comes to Jesus. Psalm 54, 4, Behold, God is mine helper, the Lord is with them that uphold my soul. In 2 Timothy 2 and verse 22, Paul told the young man Timothy, But follow righteousness, charity, faith, peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. So when one comes to Jesus, well, there are others that have come to Jesus as well. That’s why Paul told the churches in Galatians, Galatians 6 and verse 2, Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. So you see, there’s rest available. One is lifted and encouraged by fellow Christians. How about this? God will strengthen when one comes to Jesus. See, we are in Christ from obeying the gospel of Christ. And when one comes to Jesus, there is a strength provided for his children. What shall we say then to these things, if God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8.31 Now, building off our previous point of others that are with us, let’s be reminded of the strength of numbers in this thought. Us, if God be for us, who can be against us? Here’s a fourth one. Power will grow when one comes to Jesus. There is a strength, and as we said, God will strengthen. Well, let’s build on that strength and that power. In Ephesians 3, 20 and 21, Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Did you catch that? He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all, keeps building the power. And when God rests that power upon us, that’s where Paul would say in his most challenging of times, whether he is humbled, whether he is strengthened or raised or abased or abound, as the words that he used in Philippians 4, he said, I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me, such strength, meaning it develops more and more. In my days where I would work out a lot, I would realize to tone or to build, I had to add a little bit more each time to my weights to continue to grow and mature. That’s the idea of the Christian whose power will grow from God. When one comes to Jesus. Here’s a fifth one. Cares will lighten when one comes to Jesus. Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon him, for he cares for you. 1 Peter 5, 7. Written there to the Christian. Now put all that together. Casting our care upon him, our cares will lighten. It lightens us for better rest. It lightens us to help properly. It lightens us because the Father strengthens. It lightens us for divine power and strength to increase. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4.10 So the Christian will humble himself in God’s sight, knowing that when one is weak, then one is strong through Christ, 2 Corinthians 12, verses 7-10. Friends, do you see all that is available to the one that is a Christian? Do you need to know more of God’s will for your life to help you through the things of which we have discussed? I defer once again to our J-Web, and here is the free Bible study we will send you by mail.
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Our well-received Bible study course by mail is available to everyone absolutely free. Would you like to try it? All you do is call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say, Home Study. That’s it. That’s all you have to do. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the Contact tab and leave us the same information, name, address, and type Home Study in the message box. At your own pace, you can study the Bible in your own home. Again, it’s free. Give it a try. And it’s from your friends here at International Gospel Hour.
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Friends, what great assurance one has when one comes to Jesus in obedience to His will through faith, repentance, confession, and baptism, and added to His church. My, what all God provides to those who will come to Jesus Christ. We hope this study has been profitable today, and thank you for joining me for our studies here from the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, as always, keep listening.
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Thank you for listening today. May this study prompt your search of God’s Word for His will in your life. To assist you in your study or to listen to our other programs, please visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com. To God be the glory.