276 00:29:00.265 --> 00:29:02.405 All right, well if we haven't had the chance 277 00:29:02.425 --> 00:29:04.005 to meet, my name is Matt. 278 00:29:04.245 --> 00:29:05.645 I get to serve the good people 279 00:29:05.705 --> 00:29:08.765 of God's country in Fuqua Verina, North Carolina. 280 00:29:09.385 --> 00:29:11.445 That's right. Uh, 281 00:29:11.445 --> 00:29:14.205 and lemme tell y'all something, God is moving in 282 00:29:14.205 --> 00:29:16.285 and among our church, in our church family. 283 00:29:16.545 --> 00:29:19.085 He is moving in big ways in every single 284 00:29:19.345 --> 00:29:21.365 of the five communities that we are in. 285 00:29:21.625 --> 00:29:23.245 And glory to God for that. 286 00:29:23.505 --> 00:29:26.085 As we all go about the business of being a church 287 00:29:26.105 --> 00:29:29.805 and a family that loves God follows Jesus and shares hope. 288 00:29:29.995 --> 00:29:33.045 Amen. Alright, well we got some work to do tonight. 289 00:29:33.045 --> 00:29:34.165 So I'm just gonna jump in. 290 00:29:34.335 --> 00:29:36.325 First thing I got a confession to make, 291 00:29:36.845 --> 00:29:39.645 I was in a band in high school called Fish Bait. 292 00:29:40.515 --> 00:29:44.645 Yeah, that's funny. Spelled Fish. BATE. 293 00:29:44.925 --> 00:29:46.085 I don't know why we did that. 294 00:29:46.425 --> 00:29:50.045 Uh, my dad, a very sweet man, redneck marketing genius, 295 00:29:50.395 --> 00:29:54.005 made us t-shirts that said Fish bait, the Lord's Lure. 296 00:29:54.545 --> 00:29:55.885 You got that right? Yeah. 297 00:29:55.945 --> 00:29:57.325 We existed to make fishers 298 00:29:57.325 --> 00:30:00.965 of men an extremely mediocre music locally. 299 00:30:01.225 --> 00:30:02.285 We were known in the high school, 300 00:30:02.385 --> 00:30:03.885 we were known as stink bait. 301 00:30:04.265 --> 00:30:06.445 So, you know, and it, and it stung a little bit. 302 00:30:06.545 --> 00:30:07.725 It hurt still maybe. 303 00:30:08.905 --> 00:30:11.405 But we played a total of like three events in two years. 304 00:30:11.425 --> 00:30:13.965 We played three events and the last event 305 00:30:13.965 --> 00:30:17.485 that we played was December 31st, 1999. 306 00:30:17.985 --> 00:30:20.325 Now, I realize that may not be significant to you. 307 00:30:20.665 --> 00:30:23.885 So let me take you back In 1999, 308 00:30:23.885 --> 00:30:25.285 there was this looming threat 309 00:30:25.355 --> 00:30:27.685 that all technology was gonna black out. 310 00:30:27.905 --> 00:30:31.285 And we are going to reenter the Dark Age at midnight, 311 00:30:31.525 --> 00:30:33.205 December 31st, 1999 312 00:30:33.205 --> 00:30:36.085 because the computers across the world 313 00:30:36.675 --> 00:30:38.445 were not prepared for the millennium. 314 00:30:38.835 --> 00:30:41.565 They had a digit, two digits for the year 99, 315 00:30:41.745 --> 00:30:44.845 and they couldn't roll over for the 2 0 0 0. 316 00:30:44.945 --> 00:30:47.965 The computers are like, no way. We're out. We melt. 317 00:30:48.505 --> 00:30:50.645 So, and maybe for the first time, 318 00:30:50.645 --> 00:30:51.925 this is when the media was like, Hey, 319 00:30:51.925 --> 00:30:54.645 we can strike unnecessary fear into all of humanity. 320 00:30:55.025 --> 00:30:56.765 And it worked alright. 321 00:30:56.765 --> 00:31:00.365 There was massive fear that the Y 2K bug would impact any 322 00:31:00.625 --> 00:31:04.285 and all infrastructure in civilization from the financial 323 00:31:04.285 --> 00:31:06.605 world to the healthcare and hospitals, utilities, 324 00:31:06.605 --> 00:31:09.125 transportation, communication, everything. 325 00:31:09.825 --> 00:31:12.485 So much so that Fishbait was invited 326 00:31:12.485 --> 00:31:14.485 to play at a New Year's Eve party 327 00:31:14.795 --> 00:31:17.685 that was nearly like a last chance of redemption 328 00:31:17.705 --> 00:31:19.365 before the digital world ends. 329 00:31:19.905 --> 00:31:24.805 All right, so on December 31st, 1990 9, 11 50 9:00 PM the 330 00:31:24.885 --> 00:31:27.805 clock is ticking, clock strikes, 331 00:31:27.965 --> 00:31:30.645 midnight ding clock keeps ticking. 332 00:31:31.755 --> 00:31:33.725 That was it. We drank some lemonade 333 00:31:33.725 --> 00:31:37.045 and went home like anti-climactic to say the least. 334 00:31:37.065 --> 00:31:38.405 The most significant impact 335 00:31:38.825 --> 00:31:41.645 of the Y 2K fear was this massive e effort. 336 00:31:41.985 --> 00:31:45.565 The expense in preparing and the, for this potential issue. 337 00:31:45.785 --> 00:31:47.605 In all honesty, I was in West Texas, 338 00:31:47.995 --> 00:31:50.165 like we had minimal technology to begin with. 339 00:31:50.485 --> 00:31:51.965 I was a junior in high school 340 00:31:52.425 --> 00:31:54.925 and I was like, oh, I guess they were wrong. 341 00:31:55.825 --> 00:31:57.805 And all of this fear and preparation 342 00:31:58.345 --> 00:31:59.805 and then nothing really happened. 343 00:32:00.075 --> 00:32:03.485 It's been 25 years since the Y 2K bug 344 00:32:03.625 --> 00:32:06.365 and it still gets mocked to this day, right? 345 00:32:07.065 --> 00:32:10.285 But it turns out all that preparation actually worked. 346 00:32:11.025 --> 00:32:12.645 The impact of the bug was minimal. 347 00:32:13.045 --> 00:32:14.405 Software engineers, programmers, 348 00:32:14.765 --> 00:32:16.805 hardware developers addressed the problem 349 00:32:17.185 --> 00:32:18.685 and saved the digital world. 350 00:32:19.185 --> 00:32:22.925 But most of us were like, well, guess they were wrong. 351 00:32:23.985 --> 00:32:26.085 The reality is most people didn't understand the 352 00:32:26.085 --> 00:32:27.765 mission that was at hand. 353 00:32:27.875 --> 00:32:29.765 What was the mission? Well, companies 354 00:32:29.765 --> 00:32:33.085 and world governments spent billions of dollars, billions 355 00:32:33.085 --> 00:32:35.165 of man hours on software upgrades, 356 00:32:35.315 --> 00:32:37.685 testing contingency plans, and the updates. 357 00:32:37.705 --> 00:32:40.965 So when the date turned from 99 to 2000, 358 00:32:41.265 --> 00:32:42.685 the clock just rolled over. 359 00:32:43.345 --> 00:32:44.685 The mission was successful. 360 00:32:45.385 --> 00:32:47.765 That's essentially the experience we're gonna read about 361 00:32:47.855 --> 00:32:49.485 today on the road to Emmaus. 362 00:32:49.995 --> 00:32:52.245 When we don't understand the mission, 363 00:32:52.875 --> 00:32:54.205 then we can miss the Messiah. 364 00:32:54.225 --> 00:32:58.325 All right, we're gonna be in Luke 24 13 to start, 365 00:32:58.625 --> 00:33:00.125 and I'll remind you, this is exactly 366 00:33:00.125 --> 00:33:01.405 where we left off last week. 367 00:33:01.835 --> 00:33:04.205 Mary, Mary and Joanna went to the empty tombs. 368 00:33:04.205 --> 00:33:06.445 Some angels are there in their lightning suits 369 00:33:06.505 --> 00:33:09.125 and they say, why do you look for the living among the dead? 370 00:33:09.265 --> 00:33:13.085 He is not here. He is risen. And the church said, amen. 371 00:33:13.185 --> 00:33:15.485 All right. Then the ladies filled with hope, 372 00:33:15.685 --> 00:33:18.405 understanding the resurrection, went to the apostles 373 00:33:18.745 --> 00:33:21.125 and they said, Hey, he is alive, he has risen. 374 00:33:21.225 --> 00:33:24.245 And the men disregarded the ladies nearly entirely. 375 00:33:24.985 --> 00:33:28.005 So real quick, women were the first to the tomb. 376 00:33:28.595 --> 00:33:30.525 They were first to believe in the resurrection. 377 00:33:30.525 --> 00:33:31.925 They were the first gospel. 378 00:33:32.005 --> 00:33:34.445 Missionaries, girls mature faster than boys. 379 00:33:34.835 --> 00:33:37.005 They break less stuff. At least in my house. 380 00:33:37.155 --> 00:33:39.325 They're way less likely to be incarcerated 381 00:33:39.345 --> 00:33:40.605 or die by playing with fire. 382 00:33:41.185 --> 00:33:44.005 Fellas. Listen to these women. Alright? 383 00:33:44.545 --> 00:33:47.645 And the lady said, amen. All right, there it is. 384 00:33:48.055 --> 00:33:50.005 We're warming up. Luke 24 13. 385 00:33:50.435 --> 00:33:54.365 This is the scripture that very day two of them were going 386 00:33:54.365 --> 00:33:57.725 to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 387 00:33:58.105 --> 00:34:00.965 And they were talking with each other about all these 388 00:34:00.965 --> 00:34:02.205 things that had happened. 389 00:34:03.645 --> 00:34:05.995 Understand, it is still Easter Sunday. 390 00:34:06.815 --> 00:34:09.795 The sun has not set since the women had seen 391 00:34:09.795 --> 00:34:10.955 the angels since. 392 00:34:11.005 --> 00:34:14.355 Peter ran to the empty tomb and saw the linens laying there. 393 00:34:14.535 --> 00:34:17.915 And these two, these two faithful Jews were walking back 394 00:34:17.915 --> 00:34:19.995 to their village called Emmaus. 395 00:34:20.195 --> 00:34:22.555 A short walk, seven miles, like the distance 396 00:34:22.555 --> 00:34:24.275 between Duke and UNC. 397 00:34:24.775 --> 00:34:26.555 Who are the two that are walking? Who are we talking about? 398 00:34:26.935 --> 00:34:29.115 We learn one of their names in verse 18. 399 00:34:29.775 --> 00:34:30.995 His name is Cleopas, 400 00:34:31.735 --> 00:34:33.395 but we never really know exactly 401 00:34:33.575 --> 00:34:35.115 who the second person is with him. 402 00:34:35.275 --> 00:34:36.715 A lot of people think it is his wife. 403 00:34:37.045 --> 00:34:39.515 We're gonna refer to them as these two faithful Jews. 404 00:34:39.615 --> 00:34:42.155 All right? And they're walking back from Jerusalem 405 00:34:42.295 --> 00:34:43.715 to a Emmaus to celebrate. 406 00:34:44.015 --> 00:34:46.315 But they had been in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. 407 00:34:47.455 --> 00:34:50.115 Why are the Jews celebrating Passover? 408 00:34:50.165 --> 00:34:51.475 We're gonna spend some time on this 409 00:34:51.475 --> 00:34:53.555 because I think it's extremely important for us 410 00:34:53.895 --> 00:34:54.955 to understand where we're going. 411 00:34:55.295 --> 00:34:58.635 The Passover celebration commemorates the liberation 412 00:34:58.735 --> 00:35:00.915 of the Hebrew people, the Jews, 413 00:35:01.045 --> 00:35:03.675 God's chosen people were enslaved in Egypt. 414 00:35:04.135 --> 00:35:07.315 God chooses Moses to let his people, uh, 415 00:35:07.495 --> 00:35:08.875 the lead his people to freedom. 416 00:35:09.125 --> 00:35:12.435 Y'all remember the song, right? Pharaoh? Pharaoh. Oh, oh. 417 00:35:12.875 --> 00:35:14.675 I told y'all we were called stink bait for a reason. 418 00:35:15.195 --> 00:35:16.635 I knew you weren't coming with me on that one. 419 00:35:17.505 --> 00:35:19.595 Pharaoh refuses to free Israel. 420 00:35:19.815 --> 00:35:23.235 So God then sends 10 plagues to persuade Pharaoh 421 00:35:23.885 --> 00:35:25.275 there was a plague of frogs. 422 00:35:25.355 --> 00:35:27.435 A plague of flies, A plague of lice 423 00:35:27.775 --> 00:35:29.995 so far sounds like daycare, right? 424 00:35:30.965 --> 00:35:32.315 Shout out to the daycare workers. 425 00:35:32.705 --> 00:35:33.995 They're probably fighting a plague, 426 00:35:34.035 --> 00:35:35.035 a hand foot mouth right now. 427 00:35:35.055 --> 00:35:38.605 Who knows? Then there are boils, a plague of hell, 428 00:35:38.605 --> 00:35:40.125 three days of absolute darkness. 429 00:35:40.145 --> 00:35:42.285 And then the 10th plague was the death 430 00:35:42.305 --> 00:35:44.765 of all the firstborn children in Egypt, 431 00:35:44.765 --> 00:35:46.845 which would include Pharaoh's son. 432 00:35:47.625 --> 00:35:50.765 In Exodus 12, the Jews are commanded to take the blood 433 00:35:50.765 --> 00:35:52.885 of a lamb and put it on their doorframe. 434 00:35:53.485 --> 00:35:57.205 Scripture says The Lord will pass over the door 435 00:35:57.225 --> 00:36:00.245 and will not allow the destroyer into your houses 436 00:36:00.375 --> 00:36:01.845 protecting their firstborn. 437 00:36:02.145 --> 00:36:04.485 If there was a blood of the lamb on the doorframe, 438 00:36:05.655 --> 00:36:07.205 death would pass over them. 439 00:36:07.465 --> 00:36:09.205 And after this plague and the fear of the Lord, 440 00:36:09.205 --> 00:36:11.485 Pharaoh allowed the Jews to be set free. 441 00:36:12.645 --> 00:36:16.765 1400 years later in the lifetime of Jesus, now passed over 442 00:36:16.765 --> 00:36:20.205 to the Jews, was still celebrated, celebrated annually. 443 00:36:20.705 --> 00:36:24.325 It symbolized freedom, liberation, the the provision 444 00:36:24.505 --> 00:36:26.485 of a loving God and self-determination 445 00:36:26.485 --> 00:36:27.645 of God's chosen people. 446 00:36:28.295 --> 00:36:31.325 Jesus himself, born a Jew, had been to the temple 447 00:36:31.465 --> 00:36:33.165 for Passover throughout his life. 448 00:36:33.825 --> 00:36:35.925 In John two, early in his ministry, 449 00:36:35.925 --> 00:36:37.805 Jesus is in Jerusalem for Passover. 450 00:36:38.345 --> 00:36:39.445 And he goes to the temple 451 00:36:39.745 --> 00:36:41.805 and he has this wild interaction I want us 452 00:36:41.805 --> 00:36:43.325 to look at with these Jewish leaders. 453 00:36:43.325 --> 00:36:46.045 This is John two 14. Jesus walks into the temple. 454 00:36:46.425 --> 00:36:49.885 He finds people selling ox and sheep and pigeons, verse 15 455 00:36:50.105 --> 00:36:52.365 and making a whip of cords. 456 00:36:52.705 --> 00:36:54.285 He drove them all out of the temple 457 00:36:54.555 --> 00:36:56.125 with the sheep and the oxen. 458 00:36:56.465 --> 00:36:59.245 Now I picture Jesus probably used this whip of cords 459 00:36:59.245 --> 00:37:00.925 for the livestock, and I kind of wanted 460 00:37:00.925 --> 00:37:02.165 to see him just smack somebody 461 00:37:02.585 --> 00:37:05.165 and he poured out the coins of the money changers 462 00:37:05.165 --> 00:37:06.285 and overturned their tables. 463 00:37:06.865 --> 00:37:10.285 He told those who sold the pigeons, take these things away. 464 00:37:10.545 --> 00:37:13.805 Do not make my father's house a house of trade. 465 00:37:14.305 --> 00:37:16.525 He is not just stirring up the pot, 466 00:37:16.525 --> 00:37:18.405 here he is dumping it on the floor. 467 00:37:18.785 --> 00:37:21.245 The temple was a sacred place designed 468 00:37:21.245 --> 00:37:22.805 for worship, designed for prayer. 469 00:37:23.015 --> 00:37:26.485 Jesus declares that the temple is not a house of trade, 470 00:37:27.945 --> 00:37:29.965 it is not a place of transaction. 471 00:37:30.345 --> 00:37:31.845 And the religious leaders, they respond, 472 00:37:31.985 --> 00:37:33.205 who do you think you are? 473 00:37:33.745 --> 00:37:35.565 And Jesus answers. He doesn't answer 474 00:37:35.565 --> 00:37:36.765 their question, but he answers. 475 00:37:36.825 --> 00:37:38.605 He says, destroy this temple. 476 00:37:38.945 --> 00:37:41.125 And in three days I will raise it again. 477 00:37:42.025 --> 00:37:45.605 And the Jews said, it took us 46 years to build this temple. 478 00:37:45.905 --> 00:37:48.005 You. What do you mean you'll raise it in three days? 479 00:37:48.665 --> 00:37:50.485 And Jesus again doesn't respond to that. 480 00:37:50.825 --> 00:37:52.285 The writer John says this, 481 00:37:52.305 --> 00:37:55.405 but he was speaking about the temple of his body. 482 00:37:56.225 --> 00:37:58.165 For any English majors out there, we call 483 00:37:58.165 --> 00:37:59.325 that foreshadowing. 484 00:37:59.495 --> 00:38:00.805 Jesus has gone into the temple. 485 00:38:00.865 --> 00:38:03.005 He cleans it out of transactional religion. 486 00:38:03.425 --> 00:38:06.445 He foreshadows his death and resurrection. 487 00:38:07.175 --> 00:38:10.085 Three years later, Matthew 21, it's holy week. 488 00:38:10.495 --> 00:38:13.005 Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. 489 00:38:13.285 --> 00:38:16.525 Momentum is building that Jesus might be the Messiah. 490 00:38:16.525 --> 00:38:21.205 They're calling out Hosanna Messiah, save us. Matthew 2112. 491 00:38:22.385 --> 00:38:26.365 And Jesus entered the temple and he drove out all who sold 492 00:38:26.385 --> 00:38:27.405 and bought in the temple. 493 00:38:27.475 --> 00:38:30.645 This is a different occurrence of this a second time, right? 494 00:38:30.945 --> 00:38:33.205 And he overturned the tables of the money changers 495 00:38:33.205 --> 00:38:34.765 and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 496 00:38:34.865 --> 00:38:36.725 And he said to them, it is written. 497 00:38:37.425 --> 00:38:40.125 My house shall be called a house of prayer. 498 00:38:40.425 --> 00:38:42.165 But you make it a den of robbers. 499 00:38:42.935 --> 00:38:47.405 Jesus is opposing this heartless transactional religion. 500 00:38:48.105 --> 00:38:50.525 The temple was intended for worship and for prayer. 501 00:38:50.945 --> 00:38:53.925 My house shall be called a house of prayer. 502 00:38:54.305 --> 00:38:56.525 But you make it a den of robbers. 503 00:38:56.745 --> 00:38:58.285 You take what is not yours 504 00:38:59.295 --> 00:39:02.115 and you treat it as a place of heartless transaction. 505 00:39:02.115 --> 00:39:05.195 Church. How often do we do this? 506 00:39:06.755 --> 00:39:08.895 How often do we show? We just go to church so 507 00:39:08.895 --> 00:39:11.455 that we can check the thing off the box, we read more, 508 00:39:11.485 --> 00:39:13.855 pray more, give more, serve more just so 509 00:39:13.855 --> 00:39:15.295 that God won't be mad at us. 510 00:39:16.185 --> 00:39:19.975 Jesus has always been after our hearts. That's the mission. 511 00:39:20.715 --> 00:39:22.815 But we misunderstand the mission of God. 512 00:39:22.955 --> 00:39:25.615 And when we do that, we can miss the Messiah. 513 00:39:26.595 --> 00:39:29.415 If Jesus is referring to his body as a temple, 514 00:39:31.245 --> 00:39:32.695 what does that mean for our bodies? 515 00:39:33.925 --> 00:39:35.865 If Jesus' body is the temple 516 00:39:35.925 --> 00:39:38.185 and the temple is intended for prayer 517 00:39:38.725 --> 00:39:42.625 and for worship, what is the implication for our bodies? 518 00:39:42.805 --> 00:39:45.385 Better yet, what does that mean for our church buildings? 519 00:39:45.715 --> 00:39:48.745 Right? Modern day Temple Church is not, 520 00:39:48.925 --> 00:39:51.345 has it never been a building? 521 00:39:51.955 --> 00:39:53.225 We've seen that in Fuqua. 522 00:39:53.245 --> 00:39:54.945 We launched without a place to meet. 523 00:39:55.165 --> 00:39:58.265 The church is a collection of people of God 524 00:39:58.865 --> 00:40:01.025 gathered together to build up the kingdom of God. 525 00:40:01.175 --> 00:40:03.705 Amen. But we sometimes 526 00:40:04.445 --> 00:40:08.185 we misunderstand the mission just like these two on the road 527 00:40:08.185 --> 00:40:11.545 to Emmaus, this Jewish couple walking back home. 528 00:40:12.175 --> 00:40:15.665 They've witnessed all the drama of the last week, the arrest 529 00:40:15.685 --> 00:40:19.105 of Jesus, the painful, shameful death of Jesus, 530 00:40:19.525 --> 00:40:23.745 and they're absolutely dejected, discouraged, 531 00:40:23.745 --> 00:40:25.625 disappointed, confused. 532 00:40:26.805 --> 00:40:30.185 If Jesus was the Messiah, how is he dead? 533 00:40:31.565 --> 00:40:34.305 You think they understand the mission that Jesus was on? 534 00:40:35.365 --> 00:40:36.905 Not yet, not yet. 535 00:40:37.455 --> 00:40:40.905 Luke 24 15, while they were talking 536 00:40:41.005 --> 00:40:44.825 and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near 537 00:40:45.165 --> 00:40:47.745 and went with them, but their eyes were 538 00:40:47.745 --> 00:40:48.985 kept from recognizing him. 539 00:40:49.035 --> 00:40:53.825 Jesus veiled their eyes from seeing who he was. That's wild. 540 00:40:54.285 --> 00:40:56.545 But also he was dead yesterday. 541 00:40:57.265 --> 00:40:58.585 Anything is possible at this point. 542 00:40:58.845 --> 00:41:03.025 We know that when we are in a place of pain, of grief, 543 00:41:03.085 --> 00:41:06.985 of disappointment, our perspective is completely skewed. 544 00:41:07.645 --> 00:41:08.985 And that's where these two are. 545 00:41:11.125 --> 00:41:12.975 They're blind to the mission of God, 546 00:41:13.525 --> 00:41:16.295 therefore they are blind to the Messiah. 547 00:41:16.985 --> 00:41:20.695 Verse 17. And he says to them, what is this conversation 548 00:41:20.695 --> 00:41:23.615 that you were holding with each other as you walk? 549 00:41:23.615 --> 00:41:24.655 They've been walking and talking 550 00:41:25.635 --> 00:41:27.135 and they stopped dead in their tracks. 551 00:41:28.165 --> 00:41:30.015 They stood still looking sad. 552 00:41:30.365 --> 00:41:32.135 Then one of them named Cleopas answered, 553 00:41:33.385 --> 00:41:35.405 are you the only visitor to Jerusalem 554 00:41:35.505 --> 00:41:36.805 who does not know the things 555 00:41:36.805 --> 00:41:38.485 that have happened there in these days? 556 00:41:39.505 --> 00:41:43.045 And Jesus provocateur says, what things? 557 00:41:44.385 --> 00:41:47.765 And they say to him, concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man 558 00:41:47.765 --> 00:41:50.965 who is a prophet, mighty indeed and word before God. 559 00:41:51.025 --> 00:41:54.085 And all the people and all our chief priests 560 00:41:54.085 --> 00:41:57.245 and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death 561 00:41:57.785 --> 00:41:58.925 and crucified him. 562 00:42:00.145 --> 00:42:04.325 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. 563 00:42:05.105 --> 00:42:09.265 But we were wrong. Our leaders, our chief priests, those 564 00:42:09.265 --> 00:42:11.665 who were supposed to care for us, guide us. 565 00:42:11.735 --> 00:42:14.785 They delivered who we thought was to be our Messiah. 566 00:42:15.735 --> 00:42:17.705 They condemned him to death and they killed him. 567 00:42:19.285 --> 00:42:22.425 The Jews have been counting on a messiah for generations. 568 00:42:23.165 --> 00:42:26.505 The word Messiah is Hebrew. It's part of our theology. 569 00:42:26.685 --> 00:42:29.305 But in the lexicon of language of the world, 570 00:42:29.805 --> 00:42:34.465 it is derived from this idea a savior is coming to save us. 571 00:42:35.685 --> 00:42:37.945 The redemption that they are looking for was 572 00:42:37.945 --> 00:42:42.225 that a messiah would reign on this earth, one 573 00:42:42.225 --> 00:42:45.185 that would align the forces, unify the culture 574 00:42:45.445 --> 00:42:47.225 and establish strength and dominion. 575 00:42:47.605 --> 00:42:48.905 The expectation was 576 00:42:49.015 --> 00:42:51.745 that the Messiah they were waiting on would rule 577 00:42:51.765 --> 00:42:52.785 and carry authority. 578 00:42:53.575 --> 00:42:55.905 He'd be a political power with the military force 579 00:42:56.205 --> 00:42:58.785 and that would bring redemption to Israel. 580 00:43:00.425 --> 00:43:01.785 Ultimately, the Jewish people of that time 581 00:43:01.785 --> 00:43:04.585 and the devout Jews of the day are still waiting on a 582 00:43:04.775 --> 00:43:07.945 Messiah that would validate them as a people. 583 00:43:08.015 --> 00:43:10.225 They misunderstood the mission. 584 00:43:11.425 --> 00:43:15.125 That's why these two feel dejected and disappointed. 585 00:43:16.065 --> 00:43:18.325 And without the Messiah, they are left alone. 586 00:43:19.115 --> 00:43:21.885 They expected redemption, they expected validation. 587 00:43:21.885 --> 00:43:25.485 And in Jesus' death, yet again, 588 00:43:26.235 --> 00:43:28.165 they are unworthy and insecure. 589 00:43:29.335 --> 00:43:32.365 Y'all, we see this same type of behavior 590 00:43:32.465 --> 00:43:34.445 and thought all over our world. 591 00:43:35.165 --> 00:43:37.245 I mean, if we just look at our political system, 592 00:43:37.865 --> 00:43:39.885 if my candidate wins, then I win. 593 00:43:40.105 --> 00:43:41.925 I'm superior. You're wrong. I'm right. 594 00:43:43.845 --> 00:43:48.665 In a sin curse world, our identity, our validation gets tied 595 00:43:48.725 --> 00:43:51.465 to things as silly as a political party 596 00:43:51.685 --> 00:43:52.945 or a political personality. 597 00:43:53.205 --> 00:43:56.225 Now listen to me. It is not my personality to step on toes, 598 00:43:56.225 --> 00:43:57.945 y'all, but stomp, stomp right here. 599 00:43:58.245 --> 00:44:00.545 Our individual validation does not come 600 00:44:00.545 --> 00:44:01.825 from cultural authority. 601 00:44:02.805 --> 00:44:04.985 All of us made in the image of God, 602 00:44:05.205 --> 00:44:07.625 and that is where our value comes from. 603 00:44:09.455 --> 00:44:13.435 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. 604 00:44:14.895 --> 00:44:19.755 Now that Jesus is dead, their hope of redemption is dead. 605 00:44:20.365 --> 00:44:25.355 Their hope of validation is dead. Their hope is dead. 606 00:44:27.095 --> 00:44:29.875 God clearly had one mission for the Savior, for the Messiah, 607 00:44:30.135 --> 00:44:32.205 but the followers of Jesus, the Jewish people, 608 00:44:32.265 --> 00:44:35.125 the government, the crowds, they all got it wrong. 609 00:44:35.915 --> 00:44:37.165 They missed the Messiah. 610 00:44:37.865 --> 00:44:39.685 And in their sadness they said, oh, 611 00:44:40.735 --> 00:44:44.045 wrong Messiah, false redemption. 612 00:44:45.205 --> 00:44:47.505 We needed a messiah that meets our expectations 613 00:44:47.525 --> 00:44:49.225 and our requirements our way. 614 00:44:50.015 --> 00:44:51.545 They misunderstood the mission 615 00:44:52.045 --> 00:44:53.545 and they are missing the Messiah 616 00:44:53.605 --> 00:44:55.545 who is standing right in front of them. 617 00:44:56.705 --> 00:44:59.565 If there's a live option for us all to do this, 618 00:45:00.315 --> 00:45:02.325 whether you've been in the church for a long time 619 00:45:02.705 --> 00:45:04.965 or you were just exploring who Jesus is 620 00:45:05.185 --> 00:45:07.165 and you've heard have some preconceived notions about 621 00:45:07.165 --> 00:45:08.405 what the church is, 622 00:45:08.785 --> 00:45:11.365 we can all misunderstand the mission of God. 623 00:45:11.665 --> 00:45:14.885 And in so doing, we can all miss the Messiah. 624 00:45:15.625 --> 00:45:17.165 We can make a messiah out of anything. 625 00:45:17.265 --> 00:45:19.085 Our hearts, our idol factories. 626 00:45:19.395 --> 00:45:22.845 When I was in my twenties, I met a guy named Pete. 627 00:45:23.305 --> 00:45:25.925 And Pete was the epitome of the man. 628 00:45:26.005 --> 00:45:28.645 I remember thinking, I just wanna be like Pete. 629 00:45:28.985 --> 00:45:32.525 Do what Pete does. He was manly, he was godly, 630 00:45:32.925 --> 00:45:33.965 charismatic, compelling. 631 00:45:33.965 --> 00:45:35.845 Everything he did turned to gold. 632 00:45:35.905 --> 00:45:38.565 People loved him, kids loved him, everybody loved Pete. 633 00:45:40.055 --> 00:45:44.145 Pete, like all of us subject to sin of our hearts. 634 00:45:44.765 --> 00:45:47.305 And Pete is one of those leaders of the faith 635 00:45:47.925 --> 00:45:49.025 who had a moral failure 636 00:45:49.245 --> 00:45:51.425 and he will finish his life in prison. 637 00:45:53.185 --> 00:45:56.765 We can make a messiah out of any man anytime. 638 00:45:58.145 --> 00:46:00.725 Not just men. Though we can make a messiah out of anything. 639 00:46:01.345 --> 00:46:05.885 Status, income, our ability to provide for our family, 640 00:46:05.955 --> 00:46:09.965 influence, acceptance, education, our accomplishments, 641 00:46:11.115 --> 00:46:15.205 control, self-reliance, autonomy, self-righteousness, look, 642 00:46:15.345 --> 00:46:16.645 you name it, every single one 643 00:46:16.645 --> 00:46:19.365 of those things has popped up in my life in the last year. 644 00:46:20.465 --> 00:46:22.805 We put the, any time we put the weight of victory 645 00:46:23.985 --> 00:46:28.165 on the things of this world, they will always let us down. 646 00:46:29.665 --> 00:46:32.525 We can look for Messiahs in anyone and anything. 647 00:46:32.745 --> 00:46:35.725 If we just had another kid, maybe it would fix our marriage. 648 00:46:35.825 --> 00:46:38.325 If I just had a partner, then maybe I would be happy. 649 00:46:38.505 --> 00:46:40.965 If he would just show me more affection, 650 00:46:41.355 --> 00:46:42.685 then I wouldn't be so bitter. 651 00:46:42.745 --> 00:46:46.085 If she just trusted me, then I wouldn't shut down all 652 00:46:46.085 --> 00:46:48.805 of us on some search for validation, 653 00:46:49.925 --> 00:46:51.515 which also means all 654 00:46:51.515 --> 00:46:55.235 of us at some point living in absolute insecurity, 655 00:46:56.485 --> 00:46:58.135 this couple on the road to Emmaus, 656 00:46:58.405 --> 00:47:00.855 they've lost hope in their security. 657 00:47:02.005 --> 00:47:03.855 They've lost confidence 658 00:47:04.315 --> 00:47:06.095 and they're speaking to the only one 659 00:47:06.115 --> 00:47:07.135 who could give it to them. 660 00:47:08.285 --> 00:47:10.335 It's worth noting we can look 661 00:47:10.335 --> 00:47:13.015 for these things in other people and in circumstances, 662 00:47:13.315 --> 00:47:15.375 and Jesus can be right here the whole time 663 00:47:15.945 --> 00:47:19.735 using hard circumstances, using broken people to reveal 664 00:47:19.875 --> 00:47:23.455 to us the security that comes from only him. 665 00:47:23.875 --> 00:47:26.735 If we misunderstand the mission, his mission, 666 00:47:27.525 --> 00:47:28.975 then we can miss the Messiah. 667 00:47:30.295 --> 00:47:31.555 So here's a question for you. 668 00:47:33.575 --> 00:47:37.515 Who or what is your messiah that you are waiting on? 669 00:47:39.065 --> 00:47:42.855 Verse 21. Cleopas continues talking with Jesus. 670 00:47:42.955 --> 00:47:45.415 He explains, it's been three days since Jesus was killed 671 00:47:45.525 --> 00:47:48.655 with some women went to the tomb and saw that it was empty. 672 00:47:48.655 --> 00:47:52.055 They saw some angels desk dressed and dazzling attire, 673 00:47:52.755 --> 00:47:54.335 and they said, Jesus is alive. 674 00:47:54.635 --> 00:47:57.175 And this is where Jesus kind of, he takes a beat 675 00:47:57.175 --> 00:47:58.455 and he says, I think I've heard enough. 676 00:47:59.795 --> 00:48:02.455 And he says to them, verse 25, oh foolish ones 677 00:48:03.195 --> 00:48:05.095 and slow of hard to believe all 678 00:48:05.095 --> 00:48:06.655 that the prophets have spoken. 679 00:48:07.915 --> 00:48:09.135 Was it not necessary 680 00:48:09.485 --> 00:48:11.855 that the Christ would suffer these things 681 00:48:11.955 --> 00:48:14.615 and enter into, enter into His glory? 682 00:48:15.275 --> 00:48:17.975 You of little faith, you with slow hearts? 683 00:48:18.105 --> 00:48:22.545 Don't you remember, let me remind you, verse 27. 684 00:48:22.545 --> 00:48:24.665 This is my favorite verse in this whole text. 685 00:48:25.485 --> 00:48:27.025 And beginning with Moses 686 00:48:27.205 --> 00:48:29.225 and all the prophets, he interpreted 687 00:48:29.225 --> 00:48:31.705 to them in all the scriptures, the things 688 00:48:32.075 --> 00:48:33.545 concerning himself. 689 00:48:34.765 --> 00:48:37.555 Jesus has their eyes blinded to see who he is. 690 00:48:37.575 --> 00:48:40.115 He acknowledges that their hearts are slow to believe, 691 00:48:40.615 --> 00:48:42.155 but God is patient. 692 00:48:42.175 --> 00:48:47.035 Church Jesus fully intends to help them see. 693 00:48:47.535 --> 00:48:48.875 But notice the priority here. 694 00:48:48.875 --> 00:48:51.795 Before he opened their physical eyes, he wanted 695 00:48:51.815 --> 00:48:54.115 to open the eyes of their hearts. 696 00:48:54.255 --> 00:48:58.075 And he begins to remind them of the 300 different prophecies 697 00:48:58.245 --> 00:48:59.275 concerning Jesus. 698 00:48:59.685 --> 00:49:02.195 Jesus walks them through the scriptures. 699 00:49:02.195 --> 00:49:05.435 They are blind to who he is, leading them to discovery, 700 00:49:06.575 --> 00:49:08.275 to discover the mission of God, 701 00:49:08.275 --> 00:49:11.275 helping them see the Messiah, reminding them 702 00:49:11.275 --> 00:49:13.355 that there was a promise made to Abraham, 703 00:49:13.695 --> 00:49:14.755 the father of the Jews. 704 00:49:15.195 --> 00:49:17.115 I will make of you a great nation 705 00:49:17.335 --> 00:49:19.675 and I will bless you so that you will be a blessing. 706 00:49:19.855 --> 00:49:23.475 And in you, all families of the earth shall be blessed. 707 00:49:23.975 --> 00:49:26.515 Not just the Jews, not just the chosen people of God, 708 00:49:26.695 --> 00:49:28.835 but all families of the world. 709 00:49:29.015 --> 00:49:30.195 And he doesn't stop there. 710 00:49:30.565 --> 00:49:33.675 Jesus explained everything from Moses through the prophets. 711 00:49:34.025 --> 00:49:38.675 John 5 46 says, Jesus says, Moses wrote about me. 712 00:49:39.685 --> 00:49:41.435 Jesus says, I am the true 713 00:49:41.495 --> 00:49:44.635 and better blood of the lamb sacrifice for Passover 714 00:49:45.015 --> 00:49:47.555 and declaring that he is the lamb of God. 715 00:49:47.725 --> 00:49:50.995 Later, Paul writes one Corinthians five, seven, for Christ 716 00:49:51.575 --> 00:49:54.355 our Passover lamb has been crucified. 717 00:49:55.135 --> 00:50:00.115 He explained the prophecies like Isaiah 53 written 700 years 718 00:50:00.115 --> 00:50:01.635 before Jesus was crucified. 719 00:50:01.655 --> 00:50:04.795 We sang it last week, your cross, my freedom, 720 00:50:05.105 --> 00:50:06.795 your stripes, my healing. 721 00:50:06.935 --> 00:50:11.795 Isaiah 53, 5. By his stripes, we are healed. 722 00:50:13.695 --> 00:50:17.035 He explained everything that happened concerning himself, 723 00:50:17.505 --> 00:50:18.515 born of aversion. 724 00:50:18.515 --> 00:50:21.915 He is fully God and fully man. He explained his baptism. 725 00:50:22.355 --> 00:50:24.835 Scripture says this, and when Jesus was baptized, 726 00:50:25.225 --> 00:50:27.035 immediately went up from the water 727 00:50:27.145 --> 00:50:30.525 and behold the heavens were open to him 728 00:50:31.105 --> 00:50:32.205 and he saw the spirit 729 00:50:32.205 --> 00:50:35.125 of God descending like a dove coming to rest on him. 730 00:50:35.265 --> 00:50:39.405 And behold, a voice from heaven said, this is my beloved son 731 00:50:39.635 --> 00:50:41.245 with whom I am well pleased. 732 00:50:41.505 --> 00:50:43.765 He reminded them of the healing of the lame, 733 00:50:43.785 --> 00:50:45.285 the sick and the blind. 734 00:50:45.585 --> 00:50:48.685 He said, remember, I stood in the temple. 735 00:50:49.085 --> 00:50:50.245 I turned the tables over, 736 00:50:50.565 --> 00:50:53.085 declared my father's house will be a house 737 00:50:53.225 --> 00:50:54.565 of prayer because of me. 738 00:50:54.625 --> 00:50:56.925 People don't need to go into a tent of meeting 739 00:50:56.945 --> 00:50:57.965 to see the high priest. 740 00:50:58.485 --> 00:51:01.205 I am the better high priest because of me. 741 00:51:01.205 --> 00:51:03.405 People don't need to go into a confession booth 742 00:51:03.545 --> 00:51:04.645 to access the Father. 743 00:51:04.985 --> 00:51:06.525 I'm the way, the truth and the life. 744 00:51:06.525 --> 00:51:08.805 Nobody gets to the Father except through me. 745 00:51:09.625 --> 00:51:11.685 My followers don't need to buy pigeons 746 00:51:11.865 --> 00:51:13.165 for sacrifice at the temple. 747 00:51:13.725 --> 00:51:17.085 I am the temple. They did destroy this temple. 748 00:51:17.145 --> 00:51:18.525 And in three days I raised it. 749 00:51:18.645 --> 00:51:23.325 I am the resurrection and the life. He reminded them. 750 00:51:23.755 --> 00:51:28.685 Yeah, he reminded them that everything 751 00:51:28.685 --> 00:51:31.045 that has happened that made them feel 752 00:51:31.445 --> 00:51:33.125 defeated needed to happen. 753 00:51:34.445 --> 00:51:36.765 I needed to be handed over to the religious leaders. 754 00:51:37.045 --> 00:51:40.245 I needed to be crucified because I am the resurrection. 755 00:51:40.425 --> 00:51:42.045 My death is not final. 756 00:51:42.585 --> 00:51:45.245 The chief priest and the scribes played right into my 757 00:51:45.245 --> 00:51:47.125 father's hands who sent me to do this. 758 00:51:47.785 --> 00:51:48.965 And it's for that reason. 759 00:51:49.145 --> 00:51:52.805 Hebrew says Jesus Christ, for the joy that was set 760 00:51:52.805 --> 00:51:56.005 before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, 761 00:51:56.025 --> 00:51:58.165 and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 762 00:51:58.535 --> 00:52:00.365 Jesus understood the mission 763 00:52:01.925 --> 00:52:05.965 and it's in this moment, it's in this declaration 764 00:52:05.985 --> 00:52:08.765 and this understanding that Jesus is vindicated. 765 00:52:09.425 --> 00:52:12.885 Sunday has come church, everything that was said about him. 766 00:52:12.895 --> 00:52:14.885 Every prophecy, every prediction, 767 00:52:14.975 --> 00:52:16.525 every doubt thrown his way, 768 00:52:16.705 --> 00:52:18.845 the religious leaders continually challenge him 769 00:52:18.915 --> 00:52:20.045 over and over and over. 770 00:52:20.525 --> 00:52:22.845 Challenging his authority, challenging his teaching, 771 00:52:23.725 --> 00:52:25.205 challenging through a lens of hypocrisy, 772 00:52:25.315 --> 00:52:26.765 through a lens of legalism. 773 00:52:27.265 --> 00:52:29.765 Ask questions. How can you heal somebody on the Sabbath? 774 00:52:30.825 --> 00:52:32.445 And he is breaking through the law. 775 00:52:32.465 --> 00:52:33.965 He says, I am the Sabbath. 776 00:52:34.195 --> 00:52:36.605 Come to me, all of you who are weary 777 00:52:36.605 --> 00:52:40.685 and heavy laden, learn from me for I am gentle and lowly 778 00:52:40.865 --> 00:52:42.805 and you will find rest for your souls. 779 00:52:42.935 --> 00:52:45.005 Everything has changed. 780 00:52:46.425 --> 00:52:47.965 He is who he said he was. 781 00:52:48.905 --> 00:52:50.725 He has done what he said he would do. 782 00:52:51.465 --> 00:52:54.685 He did not come to just redeem Israel on this earth. 783 00:52:54.825 --> 00:52:57.125 He came to redeem the world. 784 00:52:57.825 --> 00:52:58.965 Not just the Jewish people, 785 00:52:59.225 --> 00:53:01.205 but everyone from every background. 786 00:53:02.085 --> 00:53:05.125 Everyone abused, everyone overlooked, everyone over unseen. 787 00:53:05.545 --> 00:53:09.685 He came to redeem us all. And as they hear this, 788 00:53:11.015 --> 00:53:14.555 Their Doubt is waning, 789 00:53:15.325 --> 00:53:18.475 their faith is growing and their hope is exploding. 790 00:53:18.475 --> 00:53:22.235 Verse 29, they say, stay with us for this toward evening 791 00:53:22.255 --> 00:53:23.755 and the day is now far spent. 792 00:53:24.135 --> 00:53:25.525 So he went in to stay with them. 793 00:53:26.065 --> 00:53:29.205 And when he was at the table with them, he took the bread 794 00:53:29.945 --> 00:53:32.245 and he blessed it and he broke it and he gave it to them. 795 00:53:32.635 --> 00:53:35.885 Look, church, it's been 72 hours since Jesus sat 796 00:53:35.885 --> 00:53:37.565 with his disciples for the last supper. 797 00:53:38.065 --> 00:53:40.085 He lifted up the bread. You remember he broke it. 798 00:53:40.085 --> 00:53:42.645 He said, this is my body broken for you. 799 00:53:43.225 --> 00:53:45.565 And now he sits in the home of Cleopas 800 00:53:45.975 --> 00:53:47.925 after enduring the suffering, 801 00:53:48.095 --> 00:53:51.605 after being raised from the grave as a guest in their house. 802 00:53:51.665 --> 00:53:54.725 And he breaks the bread and he blesses at verse 31. 803 00:53:55.625 --> 00:53:59.655 And their eyes were opened and they recognized him 804 00:54:00.905 --> 00:54:02.525 and he vanished from their sight. 805 00:54:03.515 --> 00:54:06.965 They have been with him for hours now. Their eyes are open. 806 00:54:06.995 --> 00:54:08.925 They see him physically for a moment, 807 00:54:09.025 --> 00:54:10.485 and he vanished from their sight. 808 00:54:10.875 --> 00:54:13.645 There's a reason that Paul writes, walk by faith 809 00:54:13.905 --> 00:54:14.965 and not by sight. 810 00:54:15.015 --> 00:54:18.005 Jesus led them to discovery, revealed himself 811 00:54:18.005 --> 00:54:19.365 through the scriptures. 812 00:54:20.425 --> 00:54:23.365 The mission of God is that by grace we are saved 813 00:54:23.365 --> 00:54:24.485 through faith. 814 00:54:25.225 --> 00:54:28.405 Simple belief. And then as they're, 815 00:54:28.755 --> 00:54:31.125 they're left there at the table, they say to each other, 816 00:54:31.625 --> 00:54:34.885 did not our hearts burn within us while he talked 817 00:54:34.885 --> 00:54:37.805 to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures, 818 00:54:37.875 --> 00:54:40.525 they have gone through this whole experience, 819 00:54:40.835 --> 00:54:44.525 this walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus being beginning in doubt 820 00:54:44.545 --> 00:54:47.525 and fear and confusion, misunderstanding the mission 821 00:54:47.785 --> 00:54:49.725 and completely missing the Messiah. 822 00:54:50.265 --> 00:54:53.765 And Jesus comes to them, do you not know you slow of heart. 823 00:54:54.225 --> 00:54:57.245 And here they say, did not our hearts burn, 824 00:54:58.705 --> 00:55:01.245 did not our passion and fire ignite. 825 00:55:01.825 --> 00:55:04.245 The Messiah has come, the Savior has risen, 826 00:55:04.345 --> 00:55:05.765 and he is vindicated. 827 00:55:05.985 --> 00:55:08.405 And all of humanity is now validated. 828 00:55:08.975 --> 00:55:10.925 Everything has changed. Now. 829 00:55:10.925 --> 00:55:12.565 They see their eyes have been open, 830 00:55:12.815 --> 00:55:15.885 their hearts understand the mission that God was on. 831 00:55:16.065 --> 00:55:20.365 And they have seen the Messiah, the lost world now has hope. 832 00:55:20.625 --> 00:55:24.965 The darkness now has light. What was once lost can be found. 833 00:55:25.875 --> 00:55:29.405 Slow hearts can now burn dead spiritually. 834 00:55:29.475 --> 00:55:31.845 Dead people can now be resurrected. 835 00:55:32.835 --> 00:55:34.725 When we finally see the Messiah 836 00:55:34.785 --> 00:55:38.565 and the fullness of God's plan, it changes everything. 837 00:55:39.185 --> 00:55:40.285 The story closes. 838 00:55:41.795 --> 00:55:43.565 They rise up from the table in the middle 839 00:55:43.565 --> 00:55:46.565 of the night returning seven miles back to Jerusalem 840 00:55:46.565 --> 00:55:49.125 to find the 11 disciples so they can declare 841 00:55:49.125 --> 00:55:50.245 that Jesus has risen. 842 00:55:50.385 --> 00:55:52.325 And when they get there, they find out 843 00:55:52.325 --> 00:55:54.965 that Jesus has already revealed himself to Peter. 844 00:55:55.475 --> 00:55:57.845 This is Luke 24, verse 36. 845 00:55:58.175 --> 00:55:59.965 While they were talking about these things, 846 00:56:00.015 --> 00:56:04.365 Jesus himself stood among them and said, peace to you. 847 00:56:05.305 --> 00:56:07.965 And they're frightened in that moment by his presence. 848 00:56:07.965 --> 00:56:11.165 And he shows them his hands, he shows them his feet. 849 00:56:11.185 --> 00:56:13.445 He actually asks for something to eat. 850 00:56:14.465 --> 00:56:16.405 And then he clarifies to ensure 851 00:56:16.755 --> 00:56:18.645 that they understand the mission 852 00:56:19.475 --> 00:56:21.045 that their eyes would be opened. 853 00:56:21.555 --> 00:56:24.245 Thus, it is written that the Christ should suffer 854 00:56:24.465 --> 00:56:26.525 and on the third day rise from the dead. 855 00:56:26.665 --> 00:56:28.485 And that repentance for the forgiveness 856 00:56:28.785 --> 00:56:32.685 of sin should be proclaimed in his name to all nations. 857 00:56:33.915 --> 00:56:37.565 When we see our Messiah, when we see Jesus, 858 00:56:38.795 --> 00:56:40.605 then we can understand the mission 859 00:56:41.435 --> 00:56:44.365 that this life is not about our vindication. 860 00:56:44.835 --> 00:56:48.765 It's not about our validation in the life, in the burial 861 00:56:48.765 --> 00:56:50.245 and the resurrection of Jesus. 862 00:56:51.305 --> 00:56:53.285 We are commissioned to go out into the world 863 00:56:53.285 --> 00:56:57.435 and let them know that everything has changed today. 864 00:56:58.545 --> 00:57:00.835 Well, this weekend around the church, 865 00:57:02.055 --> 00:57:04.715 we are celebrating 49 different baptisms. 866 00:57:05.865 --> 00:57:10.235 Amen. 49 souls who are taking a step, declaring a step 867 00:57:10.235 --> 00:57:13.355 of obedience, declaring that they don't understand it all 868 00:57:13.355 --> 00:57:15.595 and they don't have to, but they understand the mission 869 00:57:15.595 --> 00:57:18.395 of God because they're recipients of having a messiah. 870 00:57:19.375 --> 00:57:20.715 And when we baptize people 871 00:57:20.715 --> 00:57:23.395 and we celebrate people, they're lowered into the water 872 00:57:23.495 --> 00:57:25.035 and we say buried with Christ, 873 00:57:25.705 --> 00:57:28.195 symbolizing being buried in the tomb with Jesus. 874 00:57:28.415 --> 00:57:30.555 And then as they come out, there's a declaration buried 875 00:57:30.555 --> 00:57:32.635 with Christ and raised to new life. 876 00:57:32.935 --> 00:57:35.955 And the church will celebrate and the angels will celebrate. 877 00:57:36.135 --> 00:57:39.275 And our father, by faith in Christ will say, this is my son 878 00:57:39.455 --> 00:57:41.915 and this is my daughter with whom I am well pleased 879 00:57:41.915 --> 00:57:44.075 because of what Christ did on the cross 880 00:57:44.135 --> 00:57:45.635 and the power of the resurrection. 881 00:57:51.335 --> 00:57:54.615 So the question for you 882 00:57:57.215 --> 00:57:58.795 is, do you see the Messiah? 883 00:58:01.125 --> 00:58:02.495 Have you believed in your heart? 884 00:58:02.495 --> 00:58:03.855 Have you confessed with your mouth 885 00:58:03.855 --> 00:58:05.975 that Jesus Christ is the Lord? 886 00:58:08.195 --> 00:58:11.935 And if you have, then maybe it's time to leave the table 887 00:58:12.315 --> 00:58:16.615 to run to the river of life, to run to the baptism waters. 888 00:58:20.835 --> 00:58:24.055 And maybe you've been following Jesus for a long time 889 00:58:25.515 --> 00:58:28.295 and you find yourself being slow of heart. 890 00:58:29.945 --> 00:58:34.575 Don't you remember? Do you see the Messiah in your despair? 891 00:58:35.635 --> 00:58:38.135 You see the Messiah in your everyday life? 892 00:58:39.355 --> 00:58:40.735 Do you understand your mission? 893 00:58:40.735 --> 00:58:44.255 That there is a world around us that does not have the hope 894 00:58:44.285 --> 00:58:48.775 that we have, but Jesus has changed everything. 895 00:58:50.385 --> 00:58:53.005 Is it time for you to leave the table run 896 00:58:53.065 --> 00:58:55.805 and tell someone that God so loved the world 897 00:58:55.995 --> 00:58:57.285 that he gave his one 898 00:58:57.285 --> 00:59:00.925 and only son who would ever believe in him would not perish 899 00:59:01.705 --> 00:59:05.165 but have everlasting eternal and abundant life. 900 00:59:06.825 --> 00:59:09.645 Our Messiah meets us in our misunderstanding. 901 00:59:10.385 --> 00:59:11.725 He meets us in our grief 902 00:59:12.785 --> 00:59:16.725 or confusion, our brokenness, even when we are slow 903 00:59:16.725 --> 00:59:20.565 of heart, even when we aren't aware that he's right there. 904 00:59:21.555 --> 00:59:25.245 Because he came not just to redeem Israel on this earth, 905 00:59:25.345 --> 00:59:27.085 he came to redeem everyone. 906 00:59:27.505 --> 00:59:30.445 The overlook, the downcast, the abuse, the anxious. 907 00:59:30.865 --> 00:59:34.165 And this church is the good news of great joy 908 00:59:34.225 --> 00:59:35.405 for all of creation. 909 00:59:38.455 --> 00:59:42.775 But we have to remember a couple weeks ago 910 00:59:44.335 --> 00:59:45.415 I was feeling despair. 911 00:59:45.615 --> 00:59:46.895 I don't have another word for it. 912 00:59:47.775 --> 00:59:49.335 Defeated might be the actual right word. 913 00:59:49.495 --> 00:59:51.735 I was, am I depressed? What's going on here? 914 00:59:52.355 --> 00:59:53.695 And I was crying out to God. 915 00:59:53.775 --> 00:59:55.895 I was just over the course of several days, God, 916 00:59:55.895 --> 00:59:56.935 what is wrong with me? 917 00:59:58.995 --> 01:00:01.095 And because he is good, he reminded me of a verse. 918 01:00:02.845 --> 01:00:05.855 This is Romans 8 34. 919 01:00:08.935 --> 01:00:13.075 Christ Jesus is the one who died more than that, 920 01:00:13.375 --> 01:00:14.075 who was raised, 921 01:00:18.455 --> 01:00:19.955 who is at the right hand of God, 922 01:00:20.055 --> 01:00:22.075 who indeed is interceding for us. 923 01:00:22.855 --> 01:00:24.915 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ, 924 01:00:25.165 --> 01:00:29.355 shall tribulation, shall distress, 925 01:00:30.075 --> 01:00:32.315 persecution, famine, nakedness, or danger 926 01:00:32.335 --> 01:00:35.675 or sword as it is written for your sake. 927 01:00:36.765 --> 01:00:38.625 We are being killed all the day long. 928 01:00:40.715 --> 01:00:42.575 We are regarded as sheep to the slaughter. 929 01:00:43.915 --> 01:00:46.935 No, no, in all things. 930 01:00:48.315 --> 01:00:50.455 We are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 931 01:00:51.315 --> 01:00:54.855 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels 932 01:00:54.995 --> 01:00:57.535 nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, 933 01:00:57.795 --> 01:00:59.855 nor powers, nor heights, nor death, 934 01:00:59.915 --> 01:01:02.815 nor anything else in all of creation, will be able 935 01:01:02.815 --> 01:01:07.495 to separate us from the love of God, Jesus Christ our Lord. 936 01:01:10.405 --> 01:01:14.825 Here's the deal. Y'all do not miss the mission 937 01:01:14.885 --> 01:01:18.785 of God because he desperately wants you 938 01:01:19.045 --> 01:01:20.625 to see him as Messiah. 939 01:01:21.355 --> 01:01:26.025 Let's pray. Father, 940 01:01:26.085 --> 01:01:30.465 you are good Lord, we thank you 941 01:01:30.465 --> 01:01:34.385 that you are a God of provision the Passover lamb. 942 01:01:35.655 --> 01:01:38.715 God, I pray that you would open the eyes of our hearts, 943 01:01:38.715 --> 01:01:41.635 Lord, that we might see you for your purposes, 944 01:01:41.705 --> 01:01:43.315 your kingdom to your glory. 945 01:01:43.625 --> 01:01:46.355 Lord, we pray for our communities, the five communities 946 01:01:46.385 --> 01:01:48.715 that this church your bride sits in. 947 01:01:48.715 --> 01:01:52.115 Lord, we pray for a movement of eyes 948 01:01:52.115 --> 01:01:53.795 that are open to who you are. 949 01:01:55.095 --> 01:01:56.795 Not for the credit of this church, 950 01:01:56.895 --> 01:01:58.875 but God who the glory of your name 951 01:01:58.875 --> 01:02:00.275 and for your kingdom to come. 952 01:02:00.615 --> 01:02:04.355 God, that we would be people who our eyes are open to you, 953 01:02:05.455 --> 01:02:07.435 God, that you would manifest in our lives, 954 01:02:07.435 --> 01:02:10.355 that we would be people who walk by the Spirit, 955 01:02:10.455 --> 01:02:12.235 who walk in goodness and kindness 956 01:02:12.615 --> 01:02:14.555 and patience and gentleness. 957 01:02:14.625 --> 01:02:18.835 Lord God, we pray for those who don't know you, Lord, 958 01:02:18.855 --> 01:02:21.445 for opportunity for us to be bold enough 959 01:02:21.705 --> 01:02:23.485 to say everything has changed 960 01:02:23.485 --> 01:02:27.045 because Christ has risen God, we thank you 961 01:02:27.155 --> 01:02:28.845 that you are a God of provision. 962 01:02:28.915 --> 01:02:31.885 Lord, give us steel in our spines, God, 963 01:02:31.915 --> 01:02:33.965 that we would be able to stand boldly 964 01:02:33.965 --> 01:02:38.405 and say, Christ, Jesus is my messiah and he can be yours. 965 01:02:39.305 --> 01:02:43.205 God, we come to you begging open. 966 01:02:43.875 --> 01:02:45.165 Open the eyes of our hearts. 967 01:02:45.625 --> 01:02:48.125 We pray these things in Jesus name. We say Amen. 968 01:02:57.735 --> 01:02:59.325 Would you stay with us as we respond? 969 01:03:25.425 --> 01:03:26.605 You wanna make it your heart cry 970 01:03:36.865 --> 01:03:37.085 the 971 01:06:50.395 --> 01:06:53.085 Holy, holy, holy. 972 01:06:54.585 --> 01:06:57.765 You are holy, holy, 973 01:07:02.355 --> 01:07:05.205 holy, holy, 974 01:07:14.675 --> 01:07:19.595 holy, holy kings, Lord, Lord, 975 01:07:27.945 --> 01:07:28.235 holy, 976 01:08:35.175 --> 01:08:36.465 come on, sing to the 977 01:08:36.465 --> 01:08:38.825 King of kings, the name above all nature. 978 01:08:39.895 --> 01:08:40.185 He's 979 01:08:45.005 --> 01:08:46.265 who we wanna 980 01:09:21.215 --> 01:09:22.215 Come on y'all. Let's give 981 01:09:22.215 --> 01:09:25.585 God some praise. What a time of worship today. 982 01:09:26.045 --> 01:09:29.105 Wow. Wow. Praise God. 983 01:09:30.785 --> 01:09:33.385 I tell you what I'm, I'm a little bit like, 984 01:09:33.825 --> 01:09:36.025 I think we are gonna have to increase our paint budget 985 01:09:36.425 --> 01:09:37.785 'cause uh, pastor Matt preached the 986 01:09:37.785 --> 01:09:39.025 paint off the walls today. 987 01:09:39.025 --> 01:09:42.445 Y'all praise God. Wow. 988 01:09:44.105 --> 01:09:46.765 Uh, I am so thankful that we are a part of a church. 989 01:09:47.185 --> 01:09:50.605 Uh, we're God is moving in so many ways 990 01:09:51.305 --> 01:09:54.365 and we're very thankful for all that he is doing, all 991 01:09:54.365 --> 01:09:56.485 that he has done and all that we look forward to 992 01:09:57.025 --> 01:09:59.125 as we continue to follow him by faith. 993 01:09:59.345 --> 01:10:01.445 If you're new to hope, we want you 994 01:10:01.445 --> 01:10:03.605 to continue on the journey of following Jesus closely. 995 01:10:03.865 --> 01:10:06.405 And so there's an area here at Hope called the Next Steps 996 01:10:06.555 --> 01:10:09.405 area, uh, at our physical campuses. 997 01:10:09.455 --> 01:10:11.285 It'll be out inside one of our hallways 998 01:10:11.285 --> 01:10:12.365 and you can stop there. 999 01:10:12.785 --> 01:10:14.325 Uh, you'll give, you'll see directions 1000 01:10:14.325 --> 01:10:15.765 for the places, wherever you are. 1001 01:10:15.825 --> 01:10:18.525 And if you're watching online, just let us know in the chat 1002 01:10:18.525 --> 01:10:19.525 where you're watching from 1003 01:10:19.545 --> 01:10:21.845 and how we can serve you and that you're new. 1004 01:10:21.945 --> 01:10:24.765 And we'll encourage you to take many next steps 1005 01:10:24.865 --> 01:10:26.685 of faith in following Jesus. 1006 01:10:26.785 --> 01:10:27.925 And here's the good news. 1007 01:10:28.305 --> 01:10:31.325 You don't have to take those steps alone. 1008 01:10:31.625 --> 01:10:33.045 We are the kind of church that wants 1009 01:10:33.045 --> 01:10:35.405 to walk alongside you on this journey. 1010 01:10:35.905 --> 01:10:37.085 Now, we are very thankful 1011 01:10:37.085 --> 01:10:41.765 because, uh, just last week at Easter, we saw thousands 1012 01:10:41.765 --> 01:10:43.325 of people take a step of faith 1013 01:10:43.345 --> 01:10:45.245 and showing up to a church 1014 01:10:45.305 --> 01:10:47.045 to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. 1015 01:10:47.145 --> 01:10:49.565 And at all of our campuses collected here at Hope, 1016 01:10:50.025 --> 01:10:52.365 we saw over 10,000 people. 1017 01:10:53.035 --> 01:10:54.685 This just this last week, praise God. 1018 01:10:58.065 --> 01:11:00.285 And the celebration is not in the numbers. 1019 01:11:00.665 --> 01:11:03.365 The celebration is in the sharing of the good news 1020 01:11:03.465 --> 01:11:07.165 of Jesus Christ and the hope that that good news brings. 1021 01:11:07.865 --> 01:11:11.525 And we are also glad to share with you that man, hundreds 1022 01:11:11.525 --> 01:11:14.285 of people accepted Jesus as their Lord 1023 01:11:14.285 --> 01:11:15.725 and Savior for the very first time. 1024 01:11:15.905 --> 01:11:16.605 Praise God. 1025 01:11:21.345 --> 01:11:23.685 Now, one of the very next steps of obedience 1026 01:11:23.685 --> 01:11:26.765 after deciding to follow Jesus is a step of baptism. 1027 01:11:27.195 --> 01:11:30.245 Baptism declares to the world around you that you've decided 1028 01:11:30.245 --> 01:11:32.685 to follow Jesus and that you will not turn back. 1029 01:11:33.025 --> 01:11:35.845 And Matt shared that there are many people at our campuses 1030 01:11:35.845 --> 01:11:37.405 this weekend that are being baptized 1031 01:11:37.785 --> 01:11:40.925 and we want to invite you into that same step of faith. 1032 01:11:41.265 --> 01:11:43.285 So listen, if you've never been baptized before 1033 01:11:43.305 --> 01:11:45.245 and you have already made a decision to follow Jesus, 1034 01:11:45.425 --> 01:11:48.245 or if you just have questions about baptism, I want 1035 01:11:48.245 --> 01:11:50.805 to encourage you to simply text the word baptism 1036 01:11:51.105 --> 01:11:53.045 to the number 7 2, 9, 8 9. 1037 01:11:53.185 --> 01:11:55.365 And one of our pastors or staff members 1038 01:11:55.785 --> 01:11:58.725 or key volunteers here at Hope will reach out to you, uh, 1039 01:11:58.725 --> 01:12:00.605 to share with you what baptism is all about, 1040 01:12:00.605 --> 01:12:03.005 and hopefully to get you scheduled to take 1041 01:12:03.005 --> 01:12:04.965 that same next step of faith. 1042 01:12:05.615 --> 01:12:08.965 Y'all, we are so thankful to have the opportunity 1043 01:12:08.965 --> 01:12:11.485 to worship like this every single week, 1044 01:12:11.905 --> 01:12:14.525 and we do hope to see you back here next week. 1045 01:12:15.105 --> 01:12:16.885 We love you. God loves you, 1046 01:12:17.305 --> 01:12:19.445 and we're so glad that you're a part of the family of God. 1047 01:12:19.545 --> 01:12:20.285 God bless you. We.