Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano Tx.
My name is Chris Fluitt.

Summer Playlist Title 

Last week – Crazy Peace for your Crazy Life

-Ever try to relax… and end up feeling more exhausted?
-Ever sit down to rest… and suddenly you remember everything you forgot to do.
-Ever lie down for a nap… and your brain starts binge-watching your to-do list.
-Ever take a vacation—only to come home needing a vacation from your vacation.

R and R – Rest and Relaxation.

We know we need it… but it does not seem to work.

So let’s ask the real question:
What does real rest and relaxation actually look like?

We live in a grind culture that rewards hustle and glorifies exhaustion.

You’re expected to be always on, always reachable, always producing.

We even have slogans to celebrate it:

“Just Do It.”   “No Days Off.”

“Sleep when you’re dead.”

“Rise and grind.”  “Work hard, play hard.”

What Hustle is costing us:

🔹 Burnout is at an all-time high (WHO)
The World Health Organization officially classifies it as an “occupational phenomenon.”

🔹 62% of young adults (18–34) say they feel “completely worn out” (APA) by trying to keep up with daily demands. – According to the American Psychological Association, 

🔹 A recent Sleep Foundation study found that 40% of Millennials and Gen Z report chronic sleep issues, including insomnia and fatigue-related symptoms.

🔹 Americans take fewer vacations – 55% don’t even use all their paid time off.

We have apps to help us sleep, smartwatches to track our heart rates, and coffee and other drugs to get us through… but it’s still not enough.

The truth?
You can’t stream, scroll, or schedule your way out of soul exhaustion.

There’s a rest we need that goes deeper than naps or vacations.

What does God say about all of this?

Matthew 11:28-30 (Our Bible By Heart Memory Verse)

…one of the most powerful things Jesus ever said—especially for people who feel worn out.

Matthew 11:28–30 (NIV)

This isn’t just about physical rest. Jesus says He will give you rest for your soul—this is deep, inner exhaustion that Jesus offers.

But let’s look closer at one key word:

“Take my yoke upon you…”

We hear “yoke” and think oxen, farming equipment, right?

I have heard many messages about letting Jesus share the load. Learning to walk instep with Jesus. Valid points to be made and applied to your life.

But in Jesus’ culture, a “yoke” was also a common metaphor for a rabbi’s teachings. Jesus says “come learn of me.”

A Yoke is a Teaching
Learning the teacher’s yoke is learning their interpretation of Scripture, their way of seeing the world, their way of life.

When Jesus says, “Take my yoke”, He’s saying:

“Take on my way of living. Let my teaching reshape how you carry life.”

Because the truth is, everyone’s carrying a yoke—a way of thinking, reacting, performing, believing.

Religion has a yoke…
Politics has a yoke…
Society has a yoke…
Success and popularity has a yoke…
Hustle culture has a yoke…

These yokes are heavy.

The hustle. The pressure. The comparisons. The guilt. The never-enoughness.

But Jesus says,

“My teaching is different. My pace is different. My rhythm is different.”

“Follow me, and I will show you how to live light… and free… and whole.”

3 Steps to Real R&R

1. Choose a New Teacher

When you take on Jesus’ yoke, you’re choosing Him as your teacher—not culture, not hustle, not fear.

The world teaches stress, status, and self-promotion.
Jesus teaches rest, humility, and purpose. You must choose which teacher you’ll follow. LEARN THE DIFFERENCE.

2. Learn a Better Way to Live

Jesus offers a new way, one grounded in grace, peace, and rest.

(Matthew 11:29)

Are you Learning from Jesus?
Are you becoming more like Him?
Are you applying His teaching?
Are you studying His Word?

Following Jesus reshapes how you handle time, pressure, and people. He’s not just giving advice—He’s forming a new lifestyle.

3. Let Go of What’s Not Yours to Carry

His yoke is light—not because life is easy, but because He carries what was never yours to bear.

Jesus will carry your sorrows, burdens, and grief. Life will be instantly lighter when you stop carrying expectations and burdens Jesus never asked you to pick up.

Let me ask you something:

Whose yoke have you been carrying?

-The culture that says your value is in what you produce?

-That internal voice that says you’re lazy if you slow down?

-The fear that rest is irresponsible?

What if you’ve been following the wrong teacher… and it’s slowly wearing you out?

Jesus offers something radically different. Not just a break from the grind, but a new way to live.

He’s not saying, “Take a nap or a day off.”

He’s saying, “Let me teach you how to breathe again. Let me show you how to live unburdened.”

Let me be honest…

-The more I multitask, the more scattered I feel.

-The more I try to keep up, the more I fall behind.

-The more I chase rest through entertainment, distraction, or escape… the more exhausted I become.

But when I slow down… when I come to Jesus… when I actually sit at His feet and learn from Him—something shifts.

That’s the rest I need. And that’s the rest He’s offering you today.

Time for Action

1. Schedule Time with the Teacher

Jesus says, “Come to me… learn from me.” Real rest starts by making space for His voice in your daily life.
Set intentional time to read His Word, pray, reflect, and listen. Don’t just fit Jesus in—build your day around Him.

Join Connect Group this week and connect with others over what you are learning from Jesus.

2. Detach from Grind — Attach to Grace(Spotify QR CODE)

Access our Summer Playlist this week.
I recommend – Rest on Us by Maverick City

You’re not a machine. You’re not defined by your output. Hustle culture lies to you. Jesus tells the truth: So listen up.

3. Draw Closer – DO NOT Drift Further

How can you draw close right now?

Worship?
Prayer?
Communion?
Be still and listen for His voice?