SERMON: NEW BEGINNINGS, AGAIN...

13 June 2010

I. Introduction
-- if you have your Bibles with you, I would invite you to turn with me to Luke 24:13-35

13. Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.
14. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.
15. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;
16. but they were kept from recognizing him.
17. He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast.
18. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
19. "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.
20. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;
21. but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.
22. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning
23. but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.
24. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."
25. He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26. Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"
27. And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther.
29. But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.
30. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.
31. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
32. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
33. They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together
34. and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon."
35. Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

-- well, here we are again -- ten years ago I stood on this spot and read to you this exact same passage from the Book of Luke as I ended my first message in this church
-- we began that day in 1 Corinthians 3 as I shared with you my thoughts on Paul's message to the Corinthian church concerning following human teachers -- just as we discussed last week, Paul's concern in this passage was that the church at Corinth had elevated earthly leaders to unseemly positions and that they were becoming divided because some would only listen to the teachings of Paul -- while others would only follow Apollos -- and still others, Peter
-- I used this passage as a springboard to the start of my ministry here -- and just as Paul pointed out that it was God who raised up each of these men and who gifted them in different ways in order to accomplish different purposes in the church, I told you that I could not be another Allen Carmichael or another Fred Foster or do what any of the other former pastors had done
-- we talked about how God moved pastors in order to build upon the foundation that He had built in the church -- and how every pastor had something to offer -- even if it was not exactly what you expected or wanted
-- I told you I didn't know how God wanted to use me -- or where He was leading the church at that time -- but I made you two promises on that first Sunday ten years ago
-- first, I promised to be myself and not to try to be Allen or Fred or any other pastor -- I promised to use the gifts and talents that God had given me to do the best I could to faithfully serve you as your pastor for as long as God allowed
-- and, secondly, I promised to let God lead through His word -- to base all my sermons and all that I did on the Word of God and nothing else
-- and, then, I challenged you to make a commitment to me -- do you remember what it was? -- I challenged you to bring your Bibles and to check everything I said and everything I did and everything this church did against the Word of God -- I told you that you were to be like the Bereans that Luke mentions in the Book of Acts -- men who would go home each night after Paul preached and who checked what he said against the Scriptures
-- I told you that this Bible was to be your guide and that, if we let it, it would be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path
-- and then I turned to this passage in Luke 24 that has probably become very familiar to you over the past ten years -- the story of the two disciples leaving Jerusalem on the road to Emmaus after Jesus' death on the cross
-- this passage has always been a personal favorite of mine -- and I can honestly say that it has changed my life
-- it is a passage that speaks of transition -- of new beginnings -- of new journeys -- of new experiences with Christ
-- and, just as we looked at it as I began my ministry here, I would like to look at it again -- as my part in this great adventure with you comes to a close and as another prepares to take my place

II. Scripture Lesson (Luke 24:13-35)
-- so, let's share together the word of God from the gospel of Luke again this morning
-- before we turn back to this passage, let me give you the background of this passage and remind you once again of one of the key elements to understanding scripture that I have tried to impress upon you for ten years
-- context, context, context -- never take the word of God out of context -- never allow anyone to share with you the word of God out of context -- but always make sure you know and understand the background of a passage -- know who the passage was originally written to and what they would have understood from this passage before you ask the Holy Spirit to help you apply it to your life
-- with that said, let me give you the context of this passage

-- the good doctor Luke -- Paul's traveling companion -- wrote this letter that we call the Gospel of Luke for one main reason -- to make sure that early believers had the true and complete story of Jesus' life so that they might know with certainty the things they had been taught and could live out God's truth in their own lives
-- in this particular passage, Luke is continuing to tell us what happened after the chaos of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday -- Jesus had been betrayed into the hands of the Chief Priests by one of His own disciples -- He had been tortured and crucified and died -- and He had been buried in a borrowed tomb in a garden not far from Calvary -- that was about as much as these two disciples on the Emmaus Road knew
-- they had heard that the women went to the tomb and found it empty -- they knew that Peter and John had gone to the tomb and found it in the same way -- but they didn't know why -- they didn't understand the meaning of the empty tomb
-- all they knew was that Jesus was dead -- and all they had dreamed and believed about Jesus was dead too -- all they knew was that the disciples had scattered and the priests were persecuting them -- and while some of the disciples hid in the upper room out of fear of the authorities, these two did the only thing that made sense to them at the time -- they left Jerusalem

-- look at verse 13

13. Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.
14. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.
15. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;
16. but they were kept from recognizing him.
17. He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast.
18. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
19. "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.
20. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;
21. but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.
22. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning
23. but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.
24. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."
25. He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26. Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"
27. And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.


-- What was Emmaus? -- we know from the text that it was a village about seven miles from Jerusalem -- you can go to Israel today and see Emmaus -- or at least the ruins of Emmaus -- that is the historical and physical fact
-- But, Emmaus was something else spiritually to these two disciples -- it was the place of new beginnings -- it was the start of a new journey for them
-- as the Sabbath ended and it became lawful for Jews to travel again, Cleopas and his companion hit the road and started on a new adventure together -- they didn't know what to make of the events of the past three days -- they didn't understand what was going on -- and so they walked down this road together -- talking and discussing everything that had happened and trying to make sense of what God was doing through the death of Jesus
-- as they are walking along trying to make sense of life, they were joined by Jesus Himself -- He opens the scriptures to them and reveals to them the story of their life -- sharing with them the truth of what they had been going through and explaining how it all fit together and how everything was going to work out for good in their lives because they loved and believed in God

-- in a very real sense, isn't this what church is all about? -- isn't this what we have been doing together for the past ten years? -- as I look back on the last ten years, I can see that we've been on a journey -- and on this journey, we have done exactly what Cleopas and the other disciple are doing here in these verses -- we've talked and we've discussed everything that is going on in our lives -- and we've tried to make sense of what God was doing in us and through us along the way
-- we've laughed -- we've cried -- we have seen new friends join us in our journey -- and we've said goodbye to loved ones -- we've rejoiced over the good times -- and we've been saddened over the bad
-- over the past ten years, we have been through so much together -- September 11th -- the tsunami of 2004 -- Hurricanes Charlie and Ivan and Katrina -- earthquakes in Haiti and Chile and China and Japan -- flooding in our own country and even in our own local area -- many, many natural disasters
-- we've seen wars start and wars end -- we've seen Bethlehem occupied by terrorists as Israel fought for its own survival -- we've seen our own men and women fight in Iraq and Afghanistan -- and, most recently, we've watched as an oil spill in the Gulf has threatened our economy and our way of life
-- we've shared in the glory and triumph of six different Olympic games -- the election of two presidents -- the birth and baptism of our own children and grandchildren -- and the graduation of our seniors -- we've worshiped at revivals and we've been filled with both fellowship and food time and time again -- at homecomings and fifth Sunday revivals and just because it was time to have another covered dish
-- we've been through two bishops and four district superintendents -- we've had 10 charge conferences and we've filled out enough reports and sent enough paper to the South Georgia Conference for a lifetime
-- but through it all, we have journeyed together with one goal and one purpose in mind -- to share life with one another as we sought to follow God with all our hearts and all our minds and all our strength -- and as we have walked along, talking and discussing the events of our lives, Jesus Himself has joined us in the journey
-- if that isn't the church, then I don't know what is -- if that isn't life, then I don't know what is

-- verse 28

28. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther.
29. But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.
30. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.
31. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
32. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
33. They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together
34. and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon."
35. Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

-- Even though these two disciples had been discussing spiritual things among themselves, the real truth came from Jesus
-- as Jesus broke the bread with Cleopas and his friend at the meal that night, their eyes were opened -- they finally understood as they recognized Jesus in their midst -- they understood what the cross was all about -- they understood what the resurrection meant -- and they understood what they had to do
-- notice that Luke tells us that when the disciples finally made it to Emmaus that Jesus acted as if He were going farther -- why? -- why did He do that?
-- Jesus always had a purpose for what He did -- He never did anything without there being a deeper meaning involved -- in this case, I think He was trying to let the disciples, and us, know that our journey is never done so long as we are here on earth
-- we might come to forks in the road -- we might come to a place where our paths diverge -- we might see the end of one adventure -- but all that means is that a new one is beginning -- all that means is that the journey continues
-- that was certainly true for Cleopas and his friend as they headed back to Jerusalem to share the good news of the risen Christ with those hungry for the Word
-- and this is certainly true for you and for me -- for a while we shared the road together -- but now our paths diverge -- Kim and Brooke and I are beginning our own new adventure and my time of walking with you is coming to an end
-- soon another will join you on the road -- another will share your journey -- and just think of this -- if we have been through so much over the last ten years, who knows where you and Jacque will go together? -- who knows what great adventures you will share? -- what great truths you will uncover?
-- but one thing is for sure -- your journey with Christ continues -- and I thank you for letting me be a part of it for the time we had together

-- as I end my time with you, I could think of no better way to do so than to share with you Holy Communion one more time -- this sacrament has deep meaning to all of us -- not only does it open our eyes and remind us of what Jesus has done for us -- of His body and blood that was given so that we might have life
-- but it reminds us that we are one -- that even though we make take different paths -- that even though we may tread different roads -- we are still family -- we are still one in Christ
-- and so, as we close in prayer, let us go to the Lord and rejoice in what He has done for us in the past and what He will do through us in the future as we prepare our hearts to receive Holy Communion together
-- as always, as the last hymn is played, the altar is open for any who wish to respond -- and after the hymn ends, we will share together in the Lord's Supper
-- let us pray