Sermon Notes: "I Must Tell Jesus"

Well folks, I had to skip church today due to having a bit of a sinus/cough/tummy issue today, and I really didn't want to share it with everyone else.

So the "Sermon Notes" will be my own thoughts as I sit here this morning, thinking about and praying for our church while I am unable to be there.

I am sad that I am missing singing with the choir the following song, "I Must Tell Jesus", 

but here it is, so we can all sing along...

I Must Tell Jesus

I must tell Jesus

All of my trials

I cannot bear these burdens alone

In my distress

He kindly will help me

He ever cares and loves His own

I must tell Jesus

All of my troubles

He’s a kind and compassionate friend

If I but ask Him

He will deliver

Make of my troubles

Quickly an end

I must tell Jesus

I must tell Jesus

I cannot bear these burdens alone

I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus

Jesus can help me, Jesus alone

Tempted and tried I need a great savior

One who can help my burdens to bear

I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus

He all my cares and sorrows will share

I must tell Jesus

I must tell Jesus

I cannot bear these burdens alone

I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus

Jesus can help me, Jesus alone

Songwriters: Composer & Author Trad / Travis Cottrell / PUBLIC DOMAIN UNIDENTIFIED .

I Must Tell Jesus lyrics © WORD MUSIC, LLC

What a joy and privilege we have as God's children to take our burdens to Jesus in prayer.  

Philippians 4: 6-7 tells us:

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, 

let your requests be made known to God;

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

This is the believer's joy and great privilege, to be able to take our burdens to the Lord in prayer, and know that He will hear us and listen...and actually carry our burdens on His shoulder.  Listen to what Jesus told His disciples:

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

I wonder how many of us are needlessly carrying burdens that are too heavy for us to bear because we just either don't know how to give them over to Jesus, or, because of pride, we think we can handle it by ourselves.  Pride is one of those sins that God hates...(Proverbs 6:16-19), and also we are told that 

"Pride goes before destruction, 

and a haughty spirit before a fall." 

Proverbs 16:18

Jesus wants us to bring our burdens to Him...He not only died for our sins, but also for all these burdens that drag us down and keep us from living a victorious and abundant life.  

There is another favorite old hymn that speaks to this:

What A Friend We Have in Jesus 

What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged—

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful,

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness;

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge—

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,

Thou wilt find a solace there.

I pray that you have found this precious friend, Jesus Christ, and that you know you can run to Him in prayer at any time, and "In His arms He'll take and shield thee; Thou wilt find a solace there!"