Because He Lives Week 1 – I Can Face Tomorrow
Read
Luke 24:13-35
13 Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. 15 And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus himself came near and began to walk along with them. 16 But they were prevented from recognizing him. 17 Then he asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking?” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged. 18 The one named Cleopas answered him, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked them. So, they said to him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet powerful in action and speech before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him. 21 But we were hoping that he was the one who was about to redeem Israel. Besides all this, it’s the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb, 23 and when they didn’t find his body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said 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 they didn’t see him.” 25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures. 28 They came near the village where they were going, and he gave the impression that he was going farther. 29 But they urged him, “Stay with us, because it’s almost evening, and now the day is almost over.” So, he went in to stay with them. 30 It was as he reclined at the table with them that he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?” 33 That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those with them gathered together, 34 who said, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Summary
Welcome back to Community Group, I pray all of you had a great Easter Worshipping and spending time with your families. I want to thank all of you that were praying for my family as we traveled to Houston for the arrival of our first grandchild. Kaladin Carter Medina was born on March 29th the day after his father’s birthday. He is doing well and we are so thankful to the Lord for this next generation of our family.
This week we began a new sermon series entitled; Because He Lives. Growing up I learned all my hymns in Spanish so I know the hymn as Porque El Vive. If you have ever been at our McAllen Campus, or if you have heard Pastor Chris preach, he like to reference old church hymns. I love modern Christian Worship, but I must admit, I love the words of many of the old hymns. This series is based on the hymn Because He Lives. I would ask that you take the time to listen to this hymn and maybe even sing it as a group. Pay close attention to the words. The next four weeks we will be using varies phrases of the hymn as sermon titles. This is week one and we will be looking at, Because He Lives I CAN FACE TOMORROW. If you have your Bible we will be in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 24 verses 13-35.
We have three points to look at. The first point is REDEMPTION and we find this in verses 13-24.
13 Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. 15 And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus himself came near and began to walk along with them. 16 But they were prevented from recognizing him. 17 Then he asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking?” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged. 18 The one named Cleopas answered him, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked them. So, they said to him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet powerful in action and speech before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him. 21 But we were hoping that he was the one who was about to redeem Israel. Besides all this, it’s the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb, 23 and when they didn’t find his body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said 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 they didn’t see him.”
In this passage we see several important things. First, we see that they were prevented from recognizing who He was. As they spoke, they said “we had hoped.” Had hoped, their redemption was limited to this kingdom. They had settled for a limited view of the Savior. In the hymn we read, “because He lives”, not because He lived. We have REDEMPTION because He lives. And as we celebrated Easter last week, it allows us to understand that the resurrection of Jesus is what redeems us and it is what can REDEEM the entire world.
Our second point was RESTORATION and we find that in verses 25-29.
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures. 28 They came near the village where they were going, and he gave the impression that he was going farther. 29 But they urged him, “Stay with us, because it’s almost evening, and now the day is almost over.”
So, he went in to stay with them. After they had spoken, it was now time for Jesus to explain. He wanted them to have the right view of the savior. They had the head knowledge, but they lacked the correct understanding of what scripture had said would happen. He gave them the right view of the kingdom, a kingdom not limited to this world. We also lose hope when we don’t see things correctly through the lens of scripture. As we read scripture, it cannot be ME centered, it must be HE centered. Scripture is about Jesus, but it is for us. The Bible is not a roadmap for life, it’s not about me, it’s all about Jesus. As you read and understand scripture, your view of the Savior changes.
Our final point RECONCILIATION, is found in verses 30-35.
30 It was as he reclined at the table with them that he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?” 33 That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those with them gathered together, 34 who said, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
In this section of scripture, Jesus leads them from the grave to the table. The table is where they experienced communion and fellowship, and as he broke the bread they realized who He was. They said to themselves “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while He was talking”. Our hearts should burn as we hear the scriptures.
They had urged Jesus to stay with them because it was getting dark and it was not safe to travel. However, as they realized what had happened, they returned to Jerusalem that very hour. They no longer were afraid of the darkness. Because He Lives, they could face tomorrow with hope. Because He lives, all fear was gone!
Discussion
How did you celebrate your REDEMTION this past week? Share
Have you ever lost hope that a situation would ever change? Share
Have you ever experienced RESTORATION in your life? Share
Has scripture ever slain your fears? Share
How does your RECONCILIATION with God allow you to face tomorrow? Share
Announcements
Join me as we pray, that everyone who calls BT their Church will be a part of our Renovation Initiative.
Pray that we meet and exceed our secondary financial goal.
We are planning a series to promote Community, please help me pray for new CG leaders that will lead new CG’s that will form during this next series!
Let’s continue to pray for each other and send prayer requests through our WhatsApp thread. If you are a CG Leader and are not on our WhatsApp thread please contact Meichelle at meichelle.vasquez@bt.church
Pastor Isuaro Medina
Isauro.medina@bt.church
Cell: (956) 984-9380
