Encounter on the Road (2)

Welcome/Series Recap/Prayer

The Power of a Story-

My Favorite Story to Tell- Camping in January

We all have a story to tell, more importantly we all have God moments in our lives, Testimonies to Tell.

We all have moments like the testimony we just heard where Weve encoutered the divine and it has left our hearts burning within us.

This morning, as we walk through the testimony of Cleopas we will discover that sharing testimony is like telling a story.

The Ingredients of a Story

who- Whos telling the story, Who is involved? Who are you telling this story to?

When- When did the event or series of events take place?

Where- did this happen?

What- happened, what emotions did you and others feel?, What lead to this event?

Why- Why is this story important? Why did it change the teller? And why should it change me?

Illustration: Baking a cake, Unprepared for A Sermons

Imagine- baking a cake without eggs or sugar. (it wouldnt turn out right)

How can we share testimony that is powerful and moving,

Story of the Preacher who wasnt ready on sunday,

a young man came up and said I want what you have.

Cleopas’ Testimony told by Luke

Who

Who is telling this story- The Gospel writer Luke, but this is not his story but a story that he heard, but notice how Luke makes it his own story.

Who is involved-

Cleopas- a disciple of Jesus not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible. vs 18.

An unamed Disciple.

A unknown man- Luke lets us in on a secret that this third person is actually Jesus. vs 15.

Sometimes the who is the most important part of the testimony

In the 1940s a group of students were touring historical religous places in england. Teacher found student praying Do it again Lord.

When-

Luke tells us that, this happend just a few days after the resurrection of Jesus. That is only a few days after Jesus was brutally executed on a Cross.

Where

The text also tells us that this happened on a road to another village called Emmaus, that was about 7 miles from Jerusalem. Exactly where Jesus said he would meet them.

What

What was the background thats important to the story. Luke tells us this in versess 19-24.

The background makes the testimony more powerful.

Jess texted me that she found pants on her cart at work in College.

Marvin shared for 10 years to move from being a bread delivery man.

What happened?

Two men were walking. Approached by a third Jesus. And He asked them what they were talking about. This conversation turned into a lesson about the scriptures and Jesus. They shared a meal. And when they broke bread. He disappeared. Then they ran back to share the details with the others.

What were the feelings? Beginning was a mixture of sadness about what transpire. A sadness we can all relate to this week with the passing of Drew. Then there is surprise. Then there is sense of desire for them to have Jesus stay. Then amazement and excitement.

Why

We see the way of this testimony in verses 34 and 35. It confirms that Jesus is alive. He rose from the dead and what the women and Peter shared was true.

Every testimony is a proof that God is working and alive in the world. They point others to God’s work in our lives

Testimonies not only strenthen our faith and trust in God, but they strengthen the faith of others. In many ways it keeps the faith community thriving.

That is why, if we have a testimony it is a story that we absolutly must share. share it church. Testimony is like telling a story.

Testimony: Sharing Our Stories

Share YOUR story, not someone else’s, share your part of another persons story.

1 minute God momenent- it can be a story you would share at a dinner table

What is the Spirit calling us to share? What are the places that we can practice testimony and 1 minute God moments this week?