INTRODUCTION: Many famous people lived in the 6th century BC: Daniel, Confucious, Buddha and Aesop. Aesop was a Greek writer of fables involving animals: The fox and the grapes, etc. There is the well-known story of the ant and the grasshopper. (Tell the story.) The Bible says that Christians should be as industrious as the ant, but as carefree as the grasshopper. We may carry burdens with our hands, but not in our hearts.

I. JESUS CAME TO SET US FREE (Gal. 5:1).
A. If your religion is getting you down, you've got the wrong religion.
B. Jesus did not come bringing condemnation (John 3:16-17; Luke 4:14-19).
C. David had the right attitude (Psalm 100).

II. SOME BURDENS PEOPLE CARRY:
A. Guilt over sin (Psalm 38:1-4).
Jesus especially came to set us free from that!
B. Stress and Burnout from too much work (Deut. 1:12).
God gave Moses wisdom to know how to handle too much work.
C. Grief over an unloving spouse, parent or child.
1. The family is meant to be a place of peace, refuge and happiness!
2. Such peace comes from following God's directions
D. The burden of old age, weakness, bad health and abandonment (Psalm 90:9-12)
1. Old age CAN be a difficult trial.
2. Listen to God, be wise, number your days, prepare, trust, set your heart on heaven.

CONCLUSION: Whatever your burdens, Jesus will give you relief, if you trust in Him, and take His advice (Matthew 11:28-30).