WEBVTT 00:00:00.880 --> 00:00:02.080 Good morning. 00:00:03.120 --> 00:00:07.599 I have a couple things to say before we pray and jump into Luke chapter 24. 00:00:07.679 --> 00:00:10.240 First of all, congrats to our Lady Texans. 00:00:10.320 --> 00:00:12.880 They won the state championship in soccer. 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:17.839 Proud of them, very proud of them. 00:00:17.920 --> 00:00:20.800 If you see, there's a couple ladies here that were playing on that team. 00:00:20.879 --> 00:00:22.480 So if you see them, give them a big hug. 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:25.280 Second of all, if you have your phone, take it out real quick. 00:00:25.519 --> 00:00:28.079 I think there may be a slide here. 00:00:28.800 --> 00:00:30.160 I want you to scan this. 00:00:30.239 --> 00:00:32.320 Now, here's what I'm asking you not to do. 00:00:32.399 --> 00:00:34.719 Don't take this survey during the sermon. 00:00:34.799 --> 00:00:35.119 All right. 00:00:35.280 --> 00:00:36.640 Please don't do that. 00:00:37.119 --> 00:00:46.240 But if you'll scan this, maybe make an alarm on your phone to take this sometime this afternoon, or even if it pops up later in the week, I want to let you know what's going on with that. 00:00:46.399 --> 00:00:49.840 It's it's a survey, it's about 18 questions. 00:00:50.000 --> 00:00:51.039 It took me about 10 minutes. 00:00:51.119 --> 00:01:05.519 It may take you 10 to 15 minutes, but all year, since January, our pastor team, our elder team, we have four elders here, we have been praying and seeking the Lord for a vision moving forward in the next five, 10, 15 years. 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:06.959 What's the vision? 00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:10.719 How are we going to fulfill God's call on us as a church family? 00:01:10.959 --> 00:01:13.439 And some of you have been praying very diligently for us. 00:01:13.599 --> 00:01:14.319 Thank you for that. 00:01:14.560 --> 00:01:16.319 Some of you have even fasted and prayed. 00:01:16.480 --> 00:01:17.439 Thank you for that. 00:01:17.680 --> 00:01:25.680 We have been hearing from the Lord, and we've got a good sense of what God is going to call us to do as a church. 00:01:25.920 --> 00:01:29.120 But here's the deal: we want to hear from y'all too, right? 00:01:29.439 --> 00:01:37.680 There are some finishing touches, uh, the way that we're going to communicate these things, the way we're going to put them in front of our church family at the quarterly family meeting here in a couple weeks. 00:01:37.840 --> 00:01:41.040 And before we do any of that, we want to hear from you. 00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:45.599 And so would you please, would you please take a moment, 10, 15 minutes? 00:01:45.760 --> 00:01:50.719 There are some great conversation starters there that we could hear from the church family. 00:01:50.879 --> 00:01:52.719 There's some priorities, scriptures. 00:01:52.799 --> 00:01:55.840 Uh, here are things that we think are important in every Christian's life. 00:01:55.920 --> 00:02:01.120 Uh, it would be a great help to us if you would take time and fill out that survey. 00:02:01.200 --> 00:02:03.040 So thank you for taking a look at that. 00:02:03.200 --> 00:02:04.959 Let's open to Luke chapter 24. 00:02:05.040 --> 00:02:07.760 I'm gonna pray before we get going this morning. 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:16.159 And just in God's goodness, I was able to catch up with our old college pastor this past week. 00:02:16.319 --> 00:02:22.080 He's a pastor in Tennessee, and he's hanging out with his grandkids out in Tennessee. 00:02:22.159 --> 00:02:27.840 But 25 plus years ago, he was the college pastor at Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin, Texas. 00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:39.439 And I got to be at a meeting with him, and it was really good to catch up with him, and I want to pray for him and his ministry at Salem Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, and then we'll jump right into Luke 24. 00:02:39.919 --> 00:02:43.360 Lord, thank you for everything that you are doing in our lives. 00:02:44.080 --> 00:02:47.120 Thank you for small blessings of catching up with old friends. 00:02:47.199 --> 00:02:56.159 And right now I pray for Pastor Allen and I ask God that as he stands to preach multiple times today, would he preach in your strength, in your power? 00:02:56.319 --> 00:02:59.280 Would he be bold with the truth of the gospel? 00:02:59.520 --> 00:03:06.159 Lord, would you be helping people to have new eyes to see Jesus? 00:03:06.800 --> 00:03:10.719 Would you be helping people to surrender their lives to you? 00:03:10.800 --> 00:03:13.280 Would you be helping people to make that next step in their faith journey? 00:03:13.360 --> 00:03:24.879 And would you use Alan and the truth that he's preaching this morning and so many other leaders at Salem Baptist Church, our brothers and sisters, even though they're states away, would you use them to see your kingdom come and your will be done? 00:03:25.039 --> 00:03:26.719 And I pray that in Jesus' name. 00:03:26.960 --> 00:03:27.520 Amen. 00:03:27.759 --> 00:03:28.400 Amen. 00:03:29.039 --> 00:03:40.400 All right, in Luke chapter 24, we see two uh followers of Jesus on the road to Emmaus, and they are in the presence of greatness and don't even know it. 00:03:40.639 --> 00:03:45.199 I wonder, have you ever been in front of somebody famous and you didn't know they were famous? 00:03:45.439 --> 00:03:47.759 I have a brief story to share. 00:03:47.919 --> 00:03:48.879 I love playing golf. 00:03:48.960 --> 00:03:54.240 I don't get to play golf as much as I used to in New Mexico, but I still get to play occasionally. 00:03:54.319 --> 00:03:56.560 And last fall I was with a couple church members. 00:03:56.639 --> 00:04:03.360 We drove all the way to Lano, Texas, because it's less expensive to play golf if you make the drive to Lano, all right? 00:04:04.240 --> 00:04:12.159 We drive all the way over there and we're playing around with golf, we're really enjoying ourselves, and we're on the 18th tee, and this group comes from behind us and they say, We're not even gonna play the 18th T. 00:04:12.319 --> 00:04:15.919 We're gonna go in and we're gonna grab a bite to eat, and uh, we're just gonna watch you tee off. 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:16.959 I said, No big deal. 00:04:17.120 --> 00:04:18.639 I'm not the best golfer in the world. 00:04:18.720 --> 00:04:27.600 In fact, I think on the tea box I'm under average, and it did not matter to me that people were watching until I shanked the ball. 00:04:28.160 --> 00:04:34.720 And everybody laughed, and I had to tee it up again, and I hit one fairly decent in the fairway, not very long. 00:04:34.959 --> 00:04:42.480 And later in the car ride, the church members that I was playing with said, Aaron, did you know that that was a that was a professional golfer? 00:04:42.879 --> 00:04:44.560 He's a retired professional golfer. 00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:45.759 His name is Rich Beam. 00:04:45.839 --> 00:04:47.360 I don't know if you know who Rich Beam is. 00:04:47.519 --> 00:04:48.480 Here's a picture of him. 00:04:48.560 --> 00:04:50.319 Uh here's what I learned. 00:04:50.480 --> 00:04:57.360 He beat Tiger Woods by one stroke in the 2002 PGA championship. 00:04:57.439 --> 00:05:00.399 And he watched me tee off and shanked the ball. 00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:02.480 And I didn't even go pick it up. 00:05:03.279 --> 00:05:06.800 I was in the presence of greatness and did not know it. 00:05:06.879 --> 00:05:08.560 I don't know if you're watching the Masters. 00:05:08.720 --> 00:05:10.480 Maybe golf is on your mind. 00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:12.959 It was certainly on mine as I prepared for this sermon. 00:05:13.199 --> 00:05:19.040 Being in the presence of someone that really knew what they were doing, even though I had no clue. 00:05:19.759 --> 00:05:24.959 I think that's where these two followers of Jesus find themselves, walking on the road to Emmaus. 00:05:25.120 --> 00:05:27.519 They did not know that they were in the presence of greatness. 00:05:27.680 --> 00:05:31.199 Let's look at it in Luke chapter 24, starting in verse 13. 00:05:31.839 --> 00:05:32.959 It says this. 00:06:03.040 --> 00:06:05.680 And they stood still, looking sad. 00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:17.600 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, Are you the only visitor to Jerusal to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened in these days? 00:06:18.000 --> 00:06:19.839 And he said to them, What things? 00:06:20.959 --> 00:06:37.439 And they said to him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet, mighty indeed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 00:06:38.240 --> 00:06:42.800 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. 00:06:43.519 --> 00:06:47.839 Yes, and besides all this, it's now the third day since these things happened. 00:06:48.079 --> 00:06:51.839 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. 00:06:52.079 --> 00:07:03.360 They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:10.160 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women said, but him they did not see. 00:07:10.560 --> 00:07:19.199 And he said to them, Oh foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:25.600 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory? 00:07:25.920 --> 00:07:34.399 And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 00:07:35.199 --> 00:07:38.079 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. 00:07:38.319 --> 00:07:48.160 He acted as if he were going further, but they urged him strongly, saying, Stay with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent. 00:07:48.480 --> 00:07:55.040 So he went in to stay with them, and when he was at the table with them, he took the bread and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to them. 00:07:55.519 --> 00:08:00.319 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. 00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:02.000 And he vanished from their sight. 00:08:02.160 --> 00:08:10.399 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? 00:08:10.560 --> 00:08:22.399 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem, and they found the eleven, and those who were with them gathered together, saying, The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon. 00:08:22.800 --> 00:08:29.439 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of bread. 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:40.799 He is not here, he's risen. 00:08:41.039 --> 00:08:48.240 And now these two followers of Jesus, who still, I think, are doubtful that the resurrection even happened. 00:08:48.480 --> 00:08:50.080 They were slow of heart to believe. 00:08:50.159 --> 00:08:57.440 They were sad having a conversation about man, wouldn't it have been great if Jesus was who he said he was? 00:08:57.679 --> 00:09:06.159 Wouldn't it have been great if he would have redeemed Israel and brought us back to a mighty nation not under the Roman rule and Roman oppression? 00:09:06.320 --> 00:09:07.279 Wouldn't it have been great? 00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:11.279 And who do they meet on the road but Jesus Himself? 00:09:12.240 --> 00:09:17.679 They're having this debate, and Jesus comes in and says, Tell me more about what you're talking about. 00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:25.120 Clearly, they show that they don't have the hope in the resurrected king who's seated at the right hand of the Father. 00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:30.240 They're sad, they're in despair, and they're arguing. 00:09:30.320 --> 00:09:39.039 They did not know that Jesus truly claimed the victory he said he would, not in his death, but in his resurrection. 00:09:40.080 --> 00:09:40.879 They didn't know. 00:09:41.120 --> 00:09:43.840 So as you're taking notes, I hope you'll write this down. 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:50.000 The first thing we see this morning is we need to recognize the true identity of Jesus. 00:09:51.200 --> 00:09:58.720 Verse 19 and 20, it says they believed him to be a prophet, mighty indeed and word. 00:09:58.879 --> 00:10:00.399 He was a great man. 00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:05.840 But they didn't understand truly that he was king. 00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:15.919 Truly, that he would raise from the grave as he said he would, and that they should continue to follow all the things that Jesus had taught and preached. 00:10:17.440 --> 00:10:21.360 There's irony here that Jesus conceals his identity. 00:10:26.159 --> 00:10:31.919 They think that he was a great man, but don't you don't you believe that he was so much more? 00:10:32.320 --> 00:10:34.960 Don't you believe that he is so much more? 00:10:36.320 --> 00:10:46.159 They didn't understand that not only would Jesus redeem Israel, but he would be redemption for everyone who would turn to him and trust in him. 00:10:46.559 --> 00:10:48.080 That's what the Old Testament says. 00:10:48.159 --> 00:10:50.240 In Daniel chapter 7, it says this. 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:17.200 And his kingdom is one that shall not be destroyed. 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:24.000 They're speaking to Jesus and say, We had hoped he was gonna lead us. 00:11:24.639 --> 00:11:27.759 We had hoped that he was gonna restore Israel. 00:11:27.919 --> 00:11:29.120 We had hoped. 00:11:30.080 --> 00:11:37.519 Yet they don't understand that he that does, did, and does so much more than restores Israel. 00:11:37.840 --> 00:11:43.440 He truly is sovereign king over all nations, just as the Old Testament had said. 00:11:44.639 --> 00:11:50.320 My question for all of us this morning is have we recognized the true identity of Jesus? 00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:56.720 He's holy, he's perfect, he is the only way to redemption. 00:11:56.879 --> 00:12:01.919 My sin is heavy, but his grace is amazing. 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:04.720 Do we understand the victory that he had? 00:12:04.960 --> 00:12:07.759 He said this in Luke chapter 22. 00:12:08.080 --> 00:12:13.200 He says, But from now on, the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of power of God. 00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:20.159 And later, when Peter is preaching in Acts chapter 2, this is what was said about Jesus. 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:35.919 This Jesus God raised, and of that we are all witnesses, being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 00:12:36.159 --> 00:12:47.039 And in verse 36 it says, Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. 00:12:47.200 --> 00:12:50.799 I just wonder how you would answer this question, honestly. 00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:54.399 Is Jesus Lord over your life? 00:12:55.840 --> 00:12:59.759 Have you come face to face to recognize he deserves it all? 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:03.039 He's the only one that has purchased our forgiveness. 00:13:03.440 --> 00:13:06.559 And in surrender has said, Jesus, you be King. 00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:10.559 Have you recognized the true identity of Christ? 00:13:11.440 --> 00:13:22.159 As you continue in this passage, verse 21 through 26, they're continuing to have this conversation with Jesus, and Jesus tells them, Oh, you foolish ones, slow of heart. 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:28.480 Taking notes right down, don't be slow of heart to believe the resurrection. 00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:35.759 Don't be like Cleopus and this other follower and say, Ah, we had hoped, but I'm not really sure. 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:38.879 These women came, but it was an idol tale. 00:13:40.399 --> 00:13:45.279 If you walked into church this morning with some doubts, that's okay, you're in good company. 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:47.519 Thomas doubted Jesus. 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:50.000 Thomas said, I'm not sure it's really you. 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:54.559 Let me put my hands in your scars. 00:13:56.480 --> 00:13:58.080 Peter doubted. 00:13:58.320 --> 00:14:00.879 As he's walking on water, Jesus says, Come out to me. 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:03.039 And Peter takes his eyes off of Jesus. 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:04.480 He starts to sink into the water. 00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:06.000 He's doubting Jesus. 00:14:06.159 --> 00:14:11.440 If you are doubting that the resurrection ever really happened, you are in good company. 00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:15.919 But my encouragement to you is don't be slow of heart. 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:19.519 Take those doubts to the Lord. 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:21.840 Let him handle them today. 00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:26.879 They had been told that Jesus defeated death. 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:28.240 Right? 00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:32.559 They talk about these ladies that came and said, they amazed us with this information. 00:14:33.360 --> 00:14:35.600 But I don't think they believed the ladies. 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:40.639 You remember from last week that the disciples thought it was an idle tale. 00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:42.240 I'm not sure that's true. 00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:48.879 They say, even others from our company talking about Peter who ran to the empty tomb. 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:52.559 Others saw that the tomb was empty, but we don't know where Jesus is. 00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:54.639 We're not really sure that this happened. 00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:03.279 Don't you remember? 00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:09.360 Jesus said he had to suffer many things, and then the kingdom would be ushered in. 00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:14.399 Jesus said he had to go to the cross and then he would raise three days later. 00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:16.960 Don't you remember they were slow of heart? 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:22.000 I'm curious. 00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:31.679 In my own life, how many times Jesus would have said, Aaron, you're so foolish. 00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:35.759 It's right here. 00:15:36.720 --> 00:15:38.799 I've already taught you everything you need to know. 00:15:38.960 --> 00:15:40.799 Aaron, don't be so foolish. 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:53.120 But if you were honest, I wonder, I wonder if you could identify with that same statement that God may have said to you, Don't be so foolish. 00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:58.879 The scripture had told us, and we read again from the Old Testament, that Jesus would suffer. 00:15:59.039 --> 00:16:06.080 This this statement in verse 26, it really becomes the key to understanding all of the gospels and all of the scriptures, really. 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:09.519 The kingdom comes through suffering. 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:14.960 Christ paid it all that we might have life abundantly. 00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:23.519 So Isaiah 53, we we should know this, we should hold it in our hearts, and these followers should have known this. 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:36.879 Talks of Jesus in a prophecy, saying, He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, and as one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised. 00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:38.879 And we esteemed him not. 00:16:39.200 --> 00:16:48.480 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:52.000 But he was pierced for our transgressions. 00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:54.000 He was crushed for our iniquities. 00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:59.519 Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and by his wounds we are healed. 00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:08.319 All we like sheep have gone astray, and we have turned everyone to his own way, and the Lord laid upon him the iniquity of us all. 00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:42.720 You can put your faith in him today. 00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:46.559 Don't be slow of heart to believe the resurrection. 00:17:47.599 --> 00:17:52.799 Next, verse 27 is one of my favorite scriptures in all of the gospels. 00:17:53.200 --> 00:18:04.160 When Jesus shows these two followers that all of the scriptures have been pointing to him, I would challenge us all to realize the importance of the scriptures. 00:18:04.400 --> 00:18:05.599 Look at verse 27. 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:13.599 Beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:31.119 Later, here in verse 44, it says, Then he said to them, These are my words, and I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written, everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. 00:18:31.359 --> 00:18:34.960 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. 00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:46.640 A Savior is coming, a redeemer is coming. 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:50.240 Jesus was never the backup plan of God the Father. 00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:54.799 It was never Adam and Eve in the garden saying, Guys, I wish he wouldn't have done that. 00:18:54.960 --> 00:18:57.519 Now I'm gonna have to go back to the drawing board. 00:18:58.160 --> 00:19:02.960 Let's go to the conference room, the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit on the whiteboard and make a plan. 00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:05.039 Jesus was always plan A. 00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:06.079 Always. 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:09.359 And the scripture's been showing us that. 00:19:09.599 --> 00:19:17.279 From Genesis all the way through, the prophets and the Psalms, all the way through, Jesus says, it's always been pointing to me. 00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:41.359 Genesis 3.15 is a passage I love to talk about Adam and Eve had sinned, they walked in pride, they faced the punishment, the due consequence, yet God gives a whisper and says, Eve, your seed is going to crush the seed of the serpent. 00:19:42.880 --> 00:19:48.000 I don't know if you're aware of this, but we have about a dozen of these out in the resource center. 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:50.400 I talked about this at our family conference. 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:51.920 Fantastic book. 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:54.000 It's written by a guy named Kevin DeYoung. 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:58.480 The biggest story ever told, how the snake crusher brings us back into the garden. 00:19:58.720 --> 00:20:03.039 If you have little kids and you read to them, would you get this on the way out? 00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:04.880 Go to the resource center, grab it. 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:14.240 I want to read you just a few pages because I think it's so appropriate to remind us the importance of all the scripture that's been pointing forward to Jesus. 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:18.559 All the law, the prophets, the psalms, always pointing forward to Jesus. 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:23.920 This is what one pastor has to say about Genesis chapter 3. 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:26.000 I'll start here in the middle of the story. 00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:38.480 Being near to God and having him draw near to us would not be easy any longer. 00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:42.000 God was not happy with Adam and Eve. 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:44.079 He wasn't happy with the snake either. 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:48.559 God put a curse on the man and the woman and the snake and everything else. 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:54.000 He kicked Adam and Eve out of the garden paradise he had made for them. 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:58.720 It wasn't possible for a people who were so bad to live with God. 00:20:58.960 --> 00:21:00.799 They had to go. 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:49.119 Fantastic promise. 00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:54.480 Genesis 3, this promise that Jesus would crush the head of the serpent. 00:21:54.640 --> 00:21:59.759 Even Genesis 12, this promise to Abraham that one of his descendants would bless all the nations. 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:04.079 You go on and on. 00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:05.759 Abraham and Isaac. 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:07.519 Isaac wasn't sacrificed. 00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:09.599 There was a substitute lamb. 00:22:09.839 --> 00:22:11.519 Read through the Psalms. 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:14.880 Not a bone of his body would be broken. 00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:17.920 Salvation would come in Christ alone. 00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:22.640 Realize the importance of scripture in your life. 00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:26.240 It is a thing that draws us back to the promises that Jesus made. 00:22:26.400 --> 00:22:32.640 It is a thing that draws us into believing the hope that we have in who God is. 00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:36.240 Because we're reminded of God's character in the scriptures. 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:38.400 Psalm 119 teaches us this. 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:50.720 It's the longest Psalm out of all 150 Psalms, and so many times, dozens of times, there is this emphasis that the word is true, that God's word reminds us of promises. 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:52.240 How can a man keep his way pure? 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:56.480 By guarding it according to God's word and hiding God's word in our hearts. 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:58.319 Just three other references. 00:22:59.119 --> 00:23:03.440 119, 103, God's word is sweeter than honey. 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:08.160 Psalm 119.105, God's word is a lamp unto my feet. 00:23:08.640 --> 00:23:15.039 Psalm 119, 111, God's testimonies are the joy of my heart. 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:26.640 Do you realize the importance of scripture in your life to remind you who he is and all the things he's done and all the things he's still doing in your life? 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:33.200 There have been a few times that we've encouraged ministry, Gideon ministry, the handout Bibles. 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:41.680 A few of our church members have jumped into that ministry, given Bibles at Texas State and given Bibles, trying to give Bibles here in Wimberly at Market Days. 00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:49.119 Did you know that the Gideon's International they've given away two and a half billion Bibles? 00:23:51.359 --> 00:23:52.319 That's a big deal. 00:23:53.680 --> 00:24:05.359 I remember meeting one in New Mexico at their banquet, and they told me this story of a guy in Zimbabwe who's giving away Bibles, giving away Bibles, giving away Bibles. 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:07.200 One guy named Mr. 00:24:08.640 --> 00:24:09.839 Kambarami. 00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:12.160 I might be saying that wrong. 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:19.039 So he had a passion to put God's word in people's hands, and one time he met this guy, the guy said, I'm not gonna read that. 00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:25.519 I'll be honest with you, if you give me that Bible, I'm just gonna use the pages and roll cigarettes because it's really nice paper-to-roll cigarettes. 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:31.359 This Gideon said, here's a deal I'll make with you. 00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:38.400 You can use this Bible to roll cigarettes if you will read each page before you smoke it. 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:46.799 If you'll just read each page, and the Gideon Bible is typically the New Testament, Psalms, Proverbs, New Testament, and so he says, I'll do that. 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:51.200 I'll read each page, I'll roll it up, and then I'll smoke it. 00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:54.000 He came across this guy later. 00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:55.599 This is this happened in 2015. 00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:57.119 I love this testimony. 00:24:57.359 --> 00:25:08.319 Came across this guy later, it says, Well, I smoked my way through Matthew, I smoked my way through Mark, and I smoked my way through Luke. 00:25:09.119 --> 00:25:16.480 But when I got to John 3.16, I could not smoke any more of the Bible because my life was changed forever. 00:25:16.880 --> 00:25:17.519 Amen. 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:19.599 Do we see the Amen? 00:25:19.839 --> 00:25:20.319 Amen. 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:25.200 Do we see the power of the scripture in our lives? 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:33.119 Because Jesus meets these two men and he opens their eyes and says, Don't you understand that from all eternity it's been pointing towards me? 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:35.920 I am the Savior that you've been waiting for. 00:25:36.880 --> 00:25:42.319 If you're a Christian in the room, what priority are you giving the Bible in your life? 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:48.640 Do you truly understand that the Scripture increases your gratitude for the gospel? 00:25:49.680 --> 00:25:55.119 Or could it be that the Scriptures would fuel your affection for Jesus? 00:25:56.000 --> 00:26:04.880 Or getting into the word might increase your patience with your spouse, or make you a better parent, or a better friend. 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:08.880 Getting into the word could lead you to change your attitude at work. 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:14.079 Making the scriptures a priority would remind you of the importance of forgiveness. 00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:18.799 Do you realize the importance of the scripture? 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:29.920 And if you're not yet a Christian, would you, similar to this guy in Zimbabwe, would you be committed to seek and find the Lord right in the word? 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:33.519 You would know Jesus in his true identity. 00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:36.079 Realize the importance of the scriptures. 00:26:37.359 --> 00:26:43.279 Lastly, as we come to a close, ask Jesus to open your eyes today. 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:46.880 Listen, verse 31 through the end. 00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:53.119 Their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight. 00:26:53.359 --> 00:27:04.880 And they said to each other, Did not our hearts burn within us while we talked, while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us all the scriptures, and they go and they tell the disciples, It's true. 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:19.519 Thousands of people in very few days give their life to Jesus at Pentecost. 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:33.759 They understand that Jesus did die, Jesus did raise from the grave, that he offers new life, and even 2,000 years later, millions and millions of Christians have believed in the scripture. 00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:41.519 I wonder, I wonder if you're still yet to believe Jesus, if he might open your eyes today. 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:45.599 And you would ask him, Jesus, give me new eyes to see. 00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:47.759 Do you see the contrast? 00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:51.920 Verse 31 before their eyes were opened, they were sad. 00:27:52.720 --> 00:27:56.480 They were arguing and said, We thought, we thought he was gonna restore us. 00:27:56.640 --> 00:27:58.559 We thought we would have so much hope. 00:27:58.799 --> 00:28:08.319 But then after their eyes are opened, they're they're rescued from ignorance and they find identity in Christ. 00:28:09.599 --> 00:28:18.559 They're rescued from foolishness and faithlessness, they're rescued from their despair and their hopelessness to delight in who Jesus is. 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:25.680 Can you see how life changes when your eyes are opened to see Jesus? 00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:28.960 You know, Paul says it later in 1 Corinthians. 00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:31.200 This is the most important thing. 00:28:31.440 --> 00:28:44.720 He says, I delivered to you as of first importance what I received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with their scriptures. 00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:48.880 Would you ask Jesus to give you new eyes to see him? 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:54.880 I love what it says as they talk to each other in verse 32. 00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:56.240 Our hearts were burning within us. 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:59.440 We knew something was going on, but our eyes were closed. 00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:01.440 We we sensed something. 00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:08.079 And I truly believe this is a foreshadowing of what would happen in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit drops down. 00:29:09.359 --> 00:29:12.880 And all these signs and wonders are happening when the church gets started. 00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:15.200 We knew something. 00:29:16.160 --> 00:29:25.920 I wonder if you walked in a church, when you read the Bible, when you hear other Christians sing these songs, and you sit under preaching that there's something going on. 00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:32.240 You can't quite put your finger on it, but but your heart is burning within you because there's a spiritual experience happening. 00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:33.759 Would you ask? 00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:37.759 Would you ask Jesus to open your eyes to see the truth? 00:29:38.640 --> 00:29:39.839 Would you ask it? 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:43.920 Now I started the day talking about golf. 00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:48.480 I was not embarrassed around Rich Beam. 00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:51.920 I shanked the ball and it really didn't matter. 00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:54.240 Until my eyes were opened. 00:29:54.559 --> 00:30:00.799 And the church members I was golfing with said, hey, that's a guy that beat Tiger Woods in the early 2000s. 00:30:01.599 --> 00:30:04.079 I was pretty embarrassed once I learned that. 00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:08.960 It's like, gosh, he must have thought I am the worst ever. 00:30:10.559 --> 00:30:12.160 Now here's the reality. 00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:25.200 If you're having your eyes open to see Jesus for the first time, I'm sure the weight of sin and the weight of guilt and the weight of shame can be pretty embarrassing. 00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:29.279 See, before you knew that Jesus was real, it didn't really matter about your sin. 00:30:29.839 --> 00:30:39.920 But once you believe he actually died and rose, once you believe he is who he said he was, there is a sense of guilt and shame. 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:42.880 Gosh, that's really embarrassing to me. 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:52.079 I never, I never gave any attention to living for God's honor or God's glory, and I've wasted all this time. 00:30:52.640 --> 00:30:54.720 I walked in so much sin. 00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:56.960 That's embarrassing. 00:30:57.920 --> 00:31:00.000 But you know what the beauty of the gospel is? 00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:03.039 Jesus paid it all. 00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:04.160 That's right. 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:06.240 Jesus paid it all. 00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:15.440 He got on the cross and he spilled his blood and he said, I am bearing the punishment so that you don't have to. 00:31:18.480 --> 00:31:29.440 And maybe if you're struggling with that sense of guilt and shame, you would come to the cross, lay it down, and just say, Jesus, thank you for dying for me. 00:31:31.039 --> 00:31:34.079 I want the rest of my life to honor you. 00:31:34.319 --> 00:31:38.720 And I want to show a sense of gratitude for all that you've given to me. 00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:41.440 That's the beauty of the cross. 00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:46.079 So if you need to come to Christ today, come and speak to me. 00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:48.240 Speak to someone you came to church with. 00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:49.599 I say this a lot. 00:31:50.160 --> 00:31:52.000 Go out in this beautiful property we have. 00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:53.440 I know it's wet and soggy today. 00:31:53.519 --> 00:31:54.559 Praise God for the rain. 00:31:55.680 --> 00:31:59.279 But go on a walk and have a conversation and say, God, thank you. 00:31:59.839 --> 00:32:02.160 I'm getting new eyes to see Jesus today. 00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:03.200 Thank you. 00:32:03.440 --> 00:32:04.079 Thank you. 00:32:04.319 --> 00:32:04.880 Thank you. 00:32:05.119 --> 00:32:06.000 Thank you. 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:10.880 And if you are a Christian, maybe just these reminders are helpful for us. 00:32:11.359 --> 00:32:14.319 That we need to recognize the true identity of Christ. 00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:20.079 We don't need to be slow of heart to believe in the resurrection or any other promise that Jesus made. 00:32:20.400 --> 00:32:23.759 And we do need to realize the importance of the scripture in our lives. 00:32:23.920 --> 00:32:27.440 And we make a commitment to be disciplined to get into the word. 00:32:28.880 --> 00:32:33.519 There's some way for all of us to respond today based off of the truths that we've heard. 00:32:33.599 --> 00:32:34.559 How will you respond? 00:32:34.640 --> 00:32:36.880 What will look different in your life? 00:32:37.440 --> 00:32:40.640 Because we remembered some things from Luke 24. 00:32:40.880 --> 00:32:41.759 Let's pray. 00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:47.759 Lord, thank you so much for a day to worship you, to look to you. 00:32:48.160 --> 00:32:57.759 Thank you for an opportunity, even to be reminded that all of the scriptures, all the way back into Genesis, have been pointing to you, Jesus. 00:32:58.640 --> 00:33:04.559 And now for 2,000 years, we've been remembering the cross and resurrection. 00:33:05.839 --> 00:33:09.680 It has been the highlight of all human history. 00:33:12.799 --> 00:33:24.799 I pray, God, as we respond to you, that you would show us very specifically things in our lives that we need to turn back to you. 00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:28.880 Open eyes in this response time. 00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:31.279 Do heart work. 00:33:32.160 --> 00:33:33.440 We are yours. 00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:37.680 And so we invite you to do all kinds of business in this moment. 00:33:38.079 --> 00:33:39.839 We pray that in Jesus' name. 00:33:40.160 --> 00:33:40.799 Amen.