Make Jesus the Center of your life

Jesus is the central focus of Scripture and our worship

play turkey game

Riddles are tough… right?

Sometimes we struggle to see the message in front of us.

But then when we get the message, when we solve the riddle, what was confusing suddenly makes perfect sense!

__________________

How is your life like that? How is my life like that?

How does life feel like a puzzle or a riddle that we can’t seem to figure out?

Or how does life feel like a story?

We know stories have a beginning, middle, and an end.

If God is using my life for His story, then where do I fit? Am I in the beginning, middle, or end of God’s story?

Does God even want me in His story? How does this work?

J.R.R. Tolkien wrote the greatest story of all time when he wrote the Lord of the Rings.

How many of you are familiar with those movies/stories?

“You know, coming home, and finding things all right, though not quite the same — like old Mr Bilbo. But those aren't always the best tales to hear, though they may be the best tales to get landed in! I wonder what sort of a tale we've fallen into?”

Samwise Gamgee

First of all… LOTR is the greatest work of literature ever written by man. And it’s not even debateable. If you want to get real nerdy and have a debate about it, I’ll happily embark on that challenge with you any time and any place.

I will also promise, my nerdiness will win. And I’m unashamed about that.

Second, and most important.

I think this quote sums up much of our thoughs about life.

“I wonder what sort of a tale we’ve fallen into?”

In everything God has ever done throughout history and with everything he will do in the future, here we are. Somewhere in the middle?

But where do I fit?

Let’s read Luke 24 this morning and discuss it.

Look on the screen or turn in your books to page 87

We didn’t read it, but vs. 15 says, “Jesus Himself came near and began to walk along with them...”

The man questioning the two travelers was Jesus, but the two travelers didn’t know that.

So Jesus asks them, “What are yall arguing about?”

So then they summarize the events that have happened over the last week.

Fromwhat we read, do you think these two men feel “peace” over what has occursed?

NO they seem pretty stressed, confused, and have lots of questions.

How do these men describe Jesus?

from Nazareth (nazarene)

Prophet

powerful in action and speech

“We hoped he was the one who was about to redeem Israel”… Lk 24:21

Its important to notice here that these men did not fully grasp Jesus’ identity.

Nothing is said about Jesus being the “Son of God.”

But here is what they have heard that day

Women didn’t find Jesus’ body at the tomb.

The women say a vision of angels who said Jesus was alive.

Men disciples did find the tomb empty.

SO let me ask:

Why does God allow them to be confused and sad?

Couldn’t Jesus have calmed their sadness and confusion immediatley by revealing himself?

Why does God do that to us?

I’ll be honest guys, you won’t hear me complain about this or talk about this alot.

I had 2 knee surgeries on my left knee 13 years ago. I’m 31 now, so I was 18 then.

I’ve been having issues with it for years, but I finally went to the doctor this week and they did find some further issues that may require surgery or a procedure.

I got a further test done Friday to confirm a plan of action moving forward.

Why do I have to deal with a junk knee at 31?

every moment is a teachable moment. Are you teachable?

We always have something to learn, we never know it all.

So if your asking questions, “God why are you doing this?” Are you really interested in learning or are you just blowing smoke? complaining?

2. Hebrews 13:5 says, “never will I leave you nor forsake you.”

3. Joshua 1, Joshua is leading Israel after Moses. It’s kinda like coming in to replace Tom Brady as QB… how do you do that? It’s impossible.

But God tells Joshua 3 times, “Be Strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, for the Lord you God is with you wherever you go.”

You see, sometimes I think we complain about what we are going through, but we forget who is walking with us through the difficulties.

In other words, we focus on the problems, and not on who is with us in those problems.

Jesus is always with us.

Psalm 23, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want… Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me.”

These disciples were sharing their problems with Jesus, but they didn’t realize they were WITH JESUS.

Jesus is the central focus of Scritpure.

In other words, everything in God’s Word points to Jesus.

Because of That, Jesus deserves all our worship. ALl our praise.

In vs. 27 it says, “Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted for them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”

Did you get it…

Jesus, goes WAY back to Exodus an begins highlighting the Scriptures and how they point to Him.

How do we do that?

When you read the Bible ask this, “Does anything in this passage point directly to Jesus?”

Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Does anything in this passage foreshadow Jesus?

Genesis 22 - Sacrifice of Isaac.

God would never ask man to do what He himself was going to do for man.

God gave us this narrative to prove His love for us. He would give up His one and only son for us.

How does the gospel shape my understanding of God’s word?

Matthew 4:4, “But he answered, ‘It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of GOd.’”

Deuteronomy 8:3 “Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes form the mouth of GOd.”

Jesus shows us the importance of connecting Scripture. The Old Testament impacts the New Tstament just as much as the New Testament impacts the Old Testament.

Practice, Practice, Practice. How do I understand Scripture better? Spend more time in it.

But the Most important Part of all is going back to what we said a moment ago.

All Scripture points to Jesus.

The Bible is for us. It’s is God’s revelation of Himself to us.

One of the best parts is, even though we have all we need to know about God through Scriture, God is still using you.

God wants to continue His story through you.

YOu may not understand the trials and difficult things you’re going through like the men walking to Emmaus…

But don’t miss who is walking with you through the trials.

If Jesus is central to your life.

If we are worshiping Him

We may still miss Him, but I pray we always look for Him.

Look to him.

Spend time with Him.

Trust Him.

He is not silent. He wants to be known. DO you know HIm?