3.31.2024 Worship Easter

Good morning.

When asked if you would stand with me for the reading of the word of the Lord this morning.

This morning will be reading from The Book of Romans chapter 6 verses 5 and 6. If you would please read it with me. For if we have been United with him in a death, like he is we will certainly also be United with him in a resurrection like his for we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of ruled by sin might be done away with that. We should no longer be slaves to sin. Hey, man, you may be seated. Well, good morning Eastside church family. Today is a beautiful day man. I want to welcome all of you here to our family this morning as well as welcome. All of you who are watching online. I see a few faces that I don't normally get to see and that makes my heart glad so for those of you visit with us. We're so glad that you're here this morning. I will tell you this week has been an incredible week for me and my family I'll take one thing that happened yesterday that one thing that serve let me know about the one thing that happened yesterday is that my oldest son the one that made me a dad turned an adult yesterday. He turned 18 years old. So my oldest son Colby I am still trying to figure out what that even looks like or feels like I don't know. Makes me feel old as what it does. But I will tell you it's been an incredible week for my family this last week. We have been able to attend all of the the Holy Week services that have taken place and Snyder this week and I will tell you I have been encouraged a man. I know several of you had a chance to do it with us. The worship was great. The teaching every place that we went to the teaching was wonderful to Fellowship was incredible. And I said this on Thursday when we had the opportunity to do sit here and I'll say it again. How incredible is it that we get to be a part of a little town called Snyder that has such an incredible ministerial Alliance very strong minister alliance in Snyder. And so we have so many questions from so many different backgrounds that are willing to come together and I just have to believe that that puts a big old smile on my face. I'm so thankful that we have that come to me whenever I see Christians getting together like we saw this last week as we went to different congregations. It is a testimony. To the power of the very thing that you are going to be talking about this morning. And that is the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ Resurrection to preach on the Resurrection Sunday, cuz it's the same thing every single year. Are you kidding me? There are so many aspects of so many things that we talked about about Resurrection for me when I think about Resurrection one of the reasons why I love preaching about it is because to me Resurrection is all about new beginnings and new starts. Now you think about the story for those of you who went through? Holy week last week. We left off on Friday. We call it good Friday. Why because that's a good day for us. Right? That's the day that Jesus was put into the tomb and then what happens on the very next day the Sabbath day. He's in the Tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. The Bible said he's there for three days and three nights and then we know that on this morning, which is the first day of the week Sunday morning on the biblical calendar is the Feast of first fruits and we know that he's called what in the Bible that Jesus is called our first fruits, right? Because he's the beginning of what's to come later. He's the first one it's raised from the dead and we who hope in Christ believe that one day we too are also going to be what raised from the dead. That's what this is all about. I don't have any power points this morning. So I'm going to go old-school. I'm going to ask you to take out your Bibles and turn with me to the Book of Luke turn with me to the Book of Luke this morning. We're going to be in Luke chapter 24 verse 1 through 12, and then we're going to be in the versus following going with you two. With me, this is the account. Of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let's read it together Luke 24 1312 on the first day of the week very early in the morning the women took the spices that they had prepared and they went to the tomb and they found the stone rolled away from the tomb and when they had entered they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus and while they were wondering about this suddenly Two Men and close that gleamed like lightning Stood Beside them and in their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground. But the men said to them, why do you look for the living among the dead? He's not here. He has risen remember how we told you these things while he was still with you and Galilee the son of man must be delivered over to the hands of Sinners to be crucified. And on the third day be raised again. That's what Jesus said. So he's reminding him verse 8. And they remember this words and they came back to the two more from the tomb. They told all these things to the 11 and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene Johanna Mary the mother of James and the others that were with him who told them till they told this to the apostles, but I didn't believe it women because their words to them seemed like nonsense Peter have ever got up and he ran to the tomb and bending over he saw the strips of linen linen line by themselves and he went away wondering to himself what it happened now. Right here for just a moment. A little bit later on and verses 36 through 48. Jesus is going to finally appear to his disciples and there's not going to be any doubt among them whatsoever whether or not Jesus raise from the dead even later on doubting Thomas is going to be able to put his hand right there at the place where Jesus was pierced in his side in his hands and his feet and he's going to believe but before we get to that point, I love Luke's account because Luke when he's writing his gospel story. He recalls a story that happened, but the other three gospel writers don't include And it's the story about these two disciples that were on their way back from Passover. They're not part of the 12. We don't think with their part of the 12, but there's these two disciples on their way back to a city called Emmaus and I want to focus on this story this morning because it it it it it includes a few things that I think will be some good reminders for us on this Resurrection Sunday fiction when we find them their dejected they're depressed, right? They haven't had any news about the resurrection yet. They're on their way back from Passover to a city called Emmaus and one guy's name is listed for you and verse 18. His name is Calliope us Clippers. Now, who's the other disciple? We don't know some people conjecture. It might have been one of the 12. Some people conjecture that it might been cleared up as his wife. It really doesn't matter. The point is what happens along the journey. That's the point that I want to get into this morning. So we're going to look at verses 13 through 16. And when we do if you remember I told you a moment ago what is resurrection all about? Well, it's about a lot of things but one thing that Resurrection is about is about new beginnings and Fresh Starts. Now when we open up the verses in verses 13 through 16, we don't find disciples with happy hearts. In fact we to find we find disciples with broken hearts. I want you to read it with me Luke 24 13 through 16

and that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus that was about seven miles from Jerusalem and they were talking with each other about everything that happened. Now what happened at that they're on their way back there walking along Seven Mile journey, and they're talking about the crucifixion about the events that happened with Jesus was crucified. They're talking about that strange darkness that appeared over the land for 3 hours. They're talking about the temple that was rent and half and they're trying to figure out in their mind what in the world does all this stuff mean? Look at verse 15. As they talk and discuss these things with each other. Jesus himself came walking up and walked along with them looking for 16th, but they were kept from recognizing him. Not want you to get the picture here. What's happening in the story? These two disciples. Do we find Walking The Seven Mile Road to Emmaus. They have committed their lives to following Christ. The Bible says that they are committed. They are Disciples of Jesus. They believe in Jesus, they believe in his teachings. They believe in his mission. They believe in the things that he was going to do and what he said was going to happen. They had placed all of their hopes and their dreams and this man as the Messiah. Again, what did they believe was going to happen? They thought Christ Jesus was going to go into wrong that he was going to start eskina, but it was going to be like a political rebellion. And so here they are with all their hopes all their dream and now he's dead.

Do you think these men were discouraged?

Do you think they were probably walking along with their heads held pretty low feeling very dejected not even wondering what to believe wondering whether or not they were even going to be able to believe anything after this. So Jesus comes up and he starts walking right along with them and they don't recognize it and some people ask me. What does that even mean? And here's the answer. I don't know.

But somehow in his resurrected body, Jesus is able to I don't want to use Syfy words here, but he's able to cloak himself right? He's able to to make it in such a way so that they don't recognize him. And the point is is it he wants to have a little conversation with them for a moment without them knowing who he is to see what they feel about what has occurred. continue with me the verse 17 Yes, then what are you discussing together as you walk along? They stood still. And their faces were downcast and one of them named Clippers asked him. Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem, he doesn't know the things that have happened in these days. They look at Jesus in like where you been guy? Right. I mean everybody knows about this again bees were people that were on the way back from Passover. There's Caravans of people leaving Jerusalem going to the cities. What happened at the cross was literally a buzz of the town and everybody and anybody was talking about this and I love what Jesus does in the very next burst. And burst 19th. It's almost nonchalant to me. I don't know. Maybe it's it's a me. It's almost a slightly humorous, but Jesus looked at him because what things Almost like it's nothing. Right? What things?

I would imagine they would have been liking are you serious? You know, I can't believe this until they start telling Jesus everything that happened. They start relaying to him all the events that happened over the course of the last few days. Look a 19 with me. About Jesus of Nazareth. They replied he was a prophet powerful in word and deed before God and all the people and the chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death and they crucified him. But we had hoped. But he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more it's the third day since all of this took place and in addition some of our women amazed Estates, they went to the tomb early this morning, but didn't find his body. They came and they told us that the bait seen a vision of angels who said he was alive, then some of our companions one of the to him and they found it just like the woman and said just like the women that said, but they didn't see Jesus. Can hear it? all that turmoil and inside of our hearts Did you notice what they say? in verse 21 Let me read it for you. One more time. It says we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. Listen to church want to stop by here and just tell you something whenever you start talking about Hope and the past tense. You're in trouble. Because hope for the soul is like food for the body. You can't go without hope for too long. If you start to not have hope in your life. If you start to lose hope and your faith in the in your Christianity in your walk with Christ, then I will tell you over time. You become disillusioned. You start to lose your face. You start to lose interest in life and engaging in life and and and I can't help but think that maybe perhaps maybe there's somebody this morning. Inside this room right now. They can identify with these disciples. I know what it's like I've been down that road before. I've been on that road before where you feel like. Hope is lost where you feel like. Hope it's maybe a thing of the past.

You walk a lonely road and you see sad that's written across your face because of things that have happened in your life.

I know what it's like to have hopes and dreams. Sometimes they don't go the way that you wanted to go. We all have hopes and dreams some of you have hopes about finding that perfect spouse one day. Some of you have hopes and dreams about the spouse that you have right now cuz your marriage isn't working out the way that you want it to and you have hopes and dreams that maybe over time God can turn that around. Maybe you got hopes and dreams about your kids when they grow up. I know I do. Some of you got kids that have already moved out and you got hopes and dreams because they're not following the Lord's hand. So you're praying everyday you got hopes and dreams of hopefully they'll turn around and come back to Christ one day.

Some of you got hopes and dreams about getting out of debt. I'm getting into a place in life where you don't feel so much stress or you got hopes and dreams of maybe getting healed of that disease of that thing that's been bothering you for a long time because you want to be a better place in Life or maybe you want to break that cycle of addiction is just wearing you out left and right we all got hopes and dreams and here's the thing.

when they go unfulfilled

or even worse yet Windows dreams become shattered, or they don't get fulfilled the way we hope they do. It can be very very discouraging. And sometimes it can be outright devastating but Church, here's what I want you to see from the text and this is what I find comforting. Is that even though these two disciples don't realize it yet. Jesus was walking with them on the road with me. He was walking with them through its he was listening to them. He was empathizing with their sorrows and you know what that tells me that tells me is that no matter how difficult life gets no matter how discouraging that road may be as we are on that road the promise of scripture. Is that while you are walking that road. Jesus says, I will never leave you and I will never forsake you. So even though you were in the midst of it, even if you can't see him or recognize him in the midst of your circumstances, I promise you that if you have faith in Christ God promises you that he is right there with you. every step of the way

So as we begin the story we see disciples with broken hearts. But they come into contact with Christ. And when they come into contact with Christ, it changes everything it's not just Christ. It's the Risen Christ and what I want to say to you this morning if it when you you personally when you come into contact with the Risen Christ, it changes everything. And it will transform your hearts and if you notice in the text here, they go from having broken hearts after they meet Christ to having burning hearts. Have some heartburn the good kind different kind of heartburn read with me. Luke 24 pick up with me and verse 25. It says they walked. He said to them how foolish you are. Now, I have never walked with a stranger who just turned to me and said man. You're a fool. That would have been a bit jarring to me. But anyway, he said of them how foolish you are and how slow to believe all the prophets have spoken. Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter into his glory and beginning with Moses and the prophets. He explain to them. What was said in all the scriptures concerning himself. How amazing would that has been to be able to have a 7 Mi long Bible study with Jesus himself. Come on to have him open up the scriptures take a note to the whole way there, right? But man, could you imagine what that would have been like? I wonder if Jesus was started right there in Genesis chapter 3 and started with that very first prophecy that God gave me cuz I'm going to send the send it down from the from the line of abib and eventually down the road. He's going to bruise your heel, but you're going to crush his head. I wondered if Jesus was started right there. And then Trace that theme throughout the scriptures. And I wonder if maybe he would have stopped and lingered at Genesis 22 for a little while and talked about Abraham on Mount Moriah taking his only son and and sacrificing his son right there and talk about how that was a picture of what Jesus just got through doing that weekend on the very same spot. I wonder if I wonder if he would have kept on and it talked about the Passover in and how the Passover that they just celebrated points to Jesus Christ in every single way. He could have talked about the levitical sacrifices in the Tabernacle ceremonies in and the day of atonement and he could have talked about the bronze serpent sting put up on a pole and how that was like him being put up on a pole and everybody who look to the son on the cross. I can find the healing that they want. I mean goodness gracious. He could have stopped at Isaiah chapter 53, which predicted the entire crucifixion for some 22, which predicted the entire crucifixion. Oh my goodness. Could you imagine what that Bible study must have been like

good thing to have 7 miles to walk a man. Because there's so much the Bible goes on to say in verse 32. That before they even realize who they're talking to just hearing the scriptures just hearing him talk about the scriptures in such a way that the Bible says that it's set their hearts on fire. Look at it verse 32 with me. They asked each other were not our hearts burning with us while he talked with us on the road and open the scriptures to us. Feature to listen when they see the revelation of the word of God, it changes their perspective. I want to tell you something Church the Bible does the same thing today? I've been a mystery for a long time. I will have people come in my office and they are depressed and they want to end it all and they hate the world and they hate life and I and I began to talk to him. You know, why because the thinking is all messed up and come in from the world is like coming in from the mudder mud all in their brains all messed up and the Bible said that we need the washing of the word of God to get our mind straight so that we start thinking things the way that we need to think them. So we start feeling the way that we need to feel on the inside and then folks listen pick up the word of God and bring it. You don't even have to know where you're going to start man. I've had people to throw the Bible on the bed open up and guess what the word it was right. There was a war that they needed for that day to change their life. There's something about the word of God it stirs. I sucked it rekindles us and when we meet the Holy Spirit right in the midst of that word. I promise you he will get Revelation to your spirit. He will speak to your soul and things will begin to change on the inside of you. Charles Stanley I once told a woman. They received a lengthy letter from her fiance who is off at War. And this young lady was about to be married to this young man when he got back from the war she treasured this letter more than any other letter in her possession. In fact, all of her friends and families to make fun of her because everywhere she went she had the letter with her. Albert, I'm starting to get Raditz and patents and whatnot and within a couple of months. She had that thing memorized she'd even need to walk around the letter anymore. She can just start quoting it from beginning to the very end. Do you know why she did that?

Because she was in love with the author. And the author was in love with her. If you read the word of God all the time, if you read it like a textbook, the only thing is going to lead to is a big head. But when you see it as a love letter by Jesus for Jesus for you, it will lead you to having a Burning Heart. So they see Christ in the scriptures first and I think that's important because you know, what you and me as much as I would love to be able to pray and see the Lord Jesus appear before you and I right now. I don't know that that's going to happen today. But what I do know that I have in front of me at all times is the holy scriptures and I have the Holy Spirit to illuminate those scriptures and speak to me no matter what my circumstances are the first Jesus open the scriptures he open their eyes and when he did their broken hearts became burning hearts and filing now, they're burning hearts are about to become buoyant parts. They finally arrived at the city. and verse 28 And I love this because Jesus acted as though he's going to keep doing Bible study. Talk to you later. See you later. I'm going to head on and the two disciples are like dude. Did you say? right because they think they sense that this is their their hearts are burning they want more of this and they still can you at least stay and have dinner with us pick up with me at Luke 24 verse 30

When he was at the table with him, he took bread. McCabe Banks He broke it and he began to give it to them and it says been there. I've been their eyes were opened and they recognized him. And he disappeared from their site.

First they saw him in the scriptures. Then I saw him face to face. And seeing Jesus is what made all the difference. Seeing Jesus is what transformed their broken hearts and the burning hearts and from burning Hearts 2 blind hearts look at 4:33, then they got up and they returned at once to Jerusalem and there they found the 11 and those with them assemble together and saying it is true and then the two told what it happened on the way and how Jesus was recognized by then when he broke the bread.

I'll say it one more time. The resurrection is all about New Beginnings. What about Fresh Starts? And for these two disciples they were on the road to Emmaus when they finally saw Jesus their hearts were revived and their Spirits were renewed. And you know what? The best part is Easter what we call Resurrection Sunday promises to do the same for you and me. He may not appear to you physically like you did on the road to Damascus. He will show you self. He will show himself to you. However, if you are willing to pursue him, the Bible says and Deuteronomy chapter 4 verse 29, if you search for him with all of your heart, you will find him, you know where you can find him. You can find them in the pages of scripture. You can still find him in the breaking of the bread. You can hear him in the preaching of the word this morning. You can see him and the lives of those around you right now with big beaming Smiles on their faces because they're carrying around the hope of the Resurrection on the inside of your heart. You can see him on the cross. You can see him even better in the empty tomb and you can experience him in the presence of the Holy Spirit. And the last question I want to ask this morning is do you have the Holy Spirit? Some people don't know what they have the Holy Spirit. Here's how you get the Holy Spirit. Are you willing to give your life to Christ this morning? Are you willing to repent and change your life from wrong to right? Maybe this morning? You know what she said. I need a good holiday. This is a better time than other. Let's do it. Now be willing to change your life from wrong to write in the Bible gives the commandant be baptized for the Forgiveness of your sins. Why because it's a reenactment of the death bell Resurrection. It's a reenactment of Easter. And the Bible makes a promise. He will place his holy spirit on the inside of you and he will be with you even until the very end of the age. That's a good promise for Easter a man. I'm going to ask the elders their wives deacons and their wives if you would stand up be willing to serve this morning and to pray with any who need prayer go ahead and do that. I'm going to ask you to think about the invitation right now as Together We Stand and sing.