Music from today
-Rise and Sing
-Living Hope
-Death Couldn't Hold You Down
-Beautiful Again

Hope Road

Luke 24:13-35 ESV
13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,
14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.
15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.
16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad.
18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,
20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.
22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,
23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”
25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.


28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther,
29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.
31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.
32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”
33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,
34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”
35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

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EXPERIENCING HOPE AND RESURRECTION POWER IN THE MIDST OF CONFUSION AND DISCOURAGEMENT


1: INVITE GOD IN

Luke 24 ESV
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther,
29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.

- Cleopas and his companion listened to what Jesus said and invited Him and Jesus revealed Himself to them
- Have you invited the Lord into your life? That’s how you begin a relationship with God
- He’ll be with on the road forward if you invite Him in…He promises to be with us when we do.

- He’s near the broken hearted

Psalm 34:18 ESV
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.


2: SURRENDER YOUR EXPECTATIONS

Luke 24 ESV
19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,
20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.

- their agenda drove their expectations
- do you have your heart set on a certain outcome MORE than you do on what God wants to do in you and through the circumstances you find yourself?
- John 4:34 ESV - Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.

3: SEEK GOD’S PERSPECTIVE

- the two disciples on the road to Emmaus needed to see their circumstances from God’s perspective
- They failed to understand what God had said in His Word concerning the Messiah

25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.


Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

- we have the same opportunity to share God’s vantage point by reading our only reliable source of truth…the 66 books of the Bible.
- set aside 10 min a day in God’s word to start


4: TRUST GOD’S TIMING

30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.
31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.


-God in His perfect wisdom did not allow these followers to recognize Jesus until the time was right.
- growth usually requires a journey and journeys take time


2 Peter 3:8-9 ESV
8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.