Finding Hope
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Discouragement can cause fear, anxiety, confusion, sadness, anger and may just plain cause us to quit or leave. It is literally the opposite of inspiration and being encouraged. Discouragement usually hits when we are feeling pretty good about a situation and something or someone comes along and rips away our enthusiasm.
Perhaps a goal of crossfit has been to lose weight - instead of losing weight you find out that you have actually gained weight instead.
There are many things that can cause us to become discouraged and to lose hope of ever achieving our goals in crossfitness.
Discouragement is the greatest enemy for ourselves - not only physically but also spiritually. Spiritual discouragement comes from losing hope or confidence. Luke ends his Gospel account with an example of two disciples who have become discouraged. In their discouragement they head down the road. Along the way they encounter the risen Lord Jesus, He helps them find their hope again and we can learn from this encounter how we can find our hope, keep and maintain our hope even when we feel discouraged. So that we can keep on the pathway of CrossFitness.
13 Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. 15 And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus himself came near and began to walk along with them.
16 But they were prevented from recognizing him. 17 Then he asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking?” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged. 18 The one named Cleopas answered him, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked them. So they said to him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet powerful in action and speech before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him.
21 But we were hoping that he was the one who was about to redeem Israel. Besides all this, it’s the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb, 23 and when they didn’t find his body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive.
24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn’t see him.” 25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
27 Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures. 28 They came near the village where they were going, and he gave the impression that he was going farther.
29 But they urged him, “Stay with us, because it’s almost evening, and now the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 It was as he reclined at the table with them that he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight.
32 They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?” 33 That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those with them gathered together, 34 who said, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!”
35 Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. 36 As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost.
38 “Why are you troubled?” he asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” 40 Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet.
41 But while they still were amazed and in disbelief because of their joy, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 So they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence.
44 He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day,
47 and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”
50 Then he led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 And while he was blessing them, he left them and was carried up into heaven. 52 After worshiping him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they were continually in the temple praising God.
Hopeless Disciples
Hopeless Disciples
13 Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. 15 And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus himself came near and began to walk along with them.
16 But they were prevented from recognizing him. 17 Then he asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking?” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged. 18 The one named Cleopas answered him, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked them. So they said to him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet powerful in action and speech before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him.
21 But we were hoping that he was the one who was about to redeem Israel. Besides all this, it’s the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb,
23 and when they didn’t find his body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn’t see him.”
The same day that the empty tomb was discovered two of the disciples of Jesus (not of the 11) were on their way down the road, to a village called Emmaus. Emmaus is about 7 miles from Jerusalem and the belief is that these men either were from there or beyond there. As they walked on this seven mile journey they were discussing everything that had taken place. In fact we see they were discussing and arguing all of these things.
Discussing is the Greek word Homileo - in which preachers learn the discipline of homiletics - the art of preaching (delivering a sermon) and writing sermons. So the language here is that these guys were discussing at length and presenting arguments - preaching at each other what has taken place.
At this point Jesus comes near - which isn’t unusual - travellers were safer in large groups and so they wouldn’t have minded an extra companion. We read that Jesus began to walk along with them. We also see that these men were prevented from recognizing Jesus. After walking with them Jesus says “Hey what is this dispute that you are having with each other?”
The disciples stopped walking and they looked discouraged. Current events caused the disciples to become discouraged. Current events can cause us as disciples to become discouraged. Cleopas (one of the men) asked Jesus - are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesnt know the things that happened here in these days?
Jesus asks what things?
So the men share what they know about the things concerning Jesus of Nazareth. He was a prophet powerful in action and speech before God and the people. They put the responsibility on the chief priests and leaders for handing Jesus over to be sentenced to death, and they share how Jesus was crucified. Then they say something - something important for us to see. “But we WERE hoping” As in past tense meaning they no longer were hoping - they had lost hope and were discouraged.
They believed Jesus was the one who would redeem Israel but no longer thought He could or would. Even though after the third day some women went and found the tomb empty - they never found His body but instead reported seeing angels who said Jesus was alive. Some of those with us then went to the tomb - but didnt see Jesus.
Essentially in their eyes Jesus was still dead and they were without hope. Their hope in Jesus died with Him on the cross. The indication is that these men are headed back to Emmaus back from where they came from. The were on the road leaving the disciples and perhaps going back to where they were before they ever heard the name of Jesus.
Their discouragement and so often our own discouragement comes from forgetting, not knowing or not understanding what it is we do know.
Incomplete Understanding
Incomplete Understanding
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures.
28 They came near the village where they were going, and he gave the impression that he was going farther. 29 But they urged him, “Stay with us, because it’s almost evening, and now the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 It was as he reclined at the table with them that he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?” 33 That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those with them gathered together,
34 who said, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Jesus hearing their recount of the things responds in what on the surface looks like a sharp rebuke. “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Wasn’t it necessary for Messiah to suffer these things to enter into His glory?”
The original language says that the idea behind Jesus’ words is more tender and with the desire to give understanding to them. Essentially saying you have the facts right but you are missing the important things. It is possible to have the facts right but understand them wrong. Jesus says that they are slow to believe - other translations say slow of heart. The problem isn’t in their head it is in their heart. It is easy to accept that one who will redeem will come in glory - but to think one who is defeated is victorious is absurd. They believed the Messiah coming in glory but not that he must suffer, their understanding was correct but at the same time incomplete.
Incomplete understanding leads to lack of faith and hope due to bad or false expectations.
Jesus in order to show them it was necessary beginning with Moses and all the Prophets (the OT, the complete scriptures) he interpreted for them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.
Interpreted - ermenuo - we get our word Hermenuetics from it. This is the interpretation of scripture. What an awesome and wonderful exegesis they were given concerning Jesus in all of Scripture! Jesus is in all of Scripture. This is descriptive of how Jesus taught them. He interpreted not new meaning but exposed the meaning already there - which is simply letting the text speak for itself. Jesus stuck close to the text.
15 I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.
3 I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
18 Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine; he was a priest to God Most High.
4 The Lord has sworn an oath and will not take it back: “You are a priest forever according to the pattern of Melchizedek.”
24 Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.
28 “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” he said. “It will be Israel because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.”
Lion of the tribe of Judah
The voice from the burning bush
The Passover Lamb
9 So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. Whenever someone was bitten, and he looked at the bronze snake, he recovered.
Prophet Greater than Moses
Captain of the Lord’s army
Kinsmen Redeemer in Ruth
Son of David who was a king greater than David
Suffering Savior - Psalm 22
Good Shepherd Psalm 23
Isaiah’s Suffering Servant - 53
4 Yet he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains; but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds.
6 We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished him for the iniquity of us all.
26 After those sixty-two weeks the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the coming ruler will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come with a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations are decreed.
9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you; he is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
10 “Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the house of David and the residents of Jerusalem, and they will look at me whom they pierced. They will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child and weep bitterly for him as one weeps for a firstborn.
As they came near the village Jesus gave the impression that He was going on farther, but they urged Him to stay with them. Jesus accepted the invitation - as He always does. Entering in Jesus took not the seat of the guest but of the host, and he took the bread blessed it and broke it and gave it to them.
Their eyes were opened and they recognized Him as Jesus! Perhaps the way He blessed the bread or the way He broke it - we dont know. I tend to think it is because it is in this action that Jesus’ sleeve would have slid down revealing His scars. Immediately as they recognized Him, He disappeared from their sight.
They said to each other weren’t our hearts burning within us while He was talking to us and explaining scriptures to us? They went from discouraged hearts to burning hearts after spending time with Jesus and in the word!
17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.
When you are discouraged, to find hope you must go to Jesus and go to the Word! Their hearts now afire and burning within them they left immediately back 7 miles to Jerusalem. Finding the 11 and those with them. They shared and they heard that Jesus had also appeared to Simon - Peter. It is possible for Jesus to have been with Simon and these two!
Risen Reality
Risen Reality
36 As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. 38 “Why are you troubled?” he asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts?
39 Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” 40 Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 But while they still were amazed and in disbelief because of their joy, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”
42 So they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence. 44 He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
46 He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, 47 and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
As they were still speaking these things Jesus came and stood in the midst of them. He said to them “Peace to you!” These words have new meaning and greater power and application now that Jesus had risen from the dead. Peace between man and God, peace about any troubles or issues - for Christ was RISEN!
But the disciples however were not experiencing peace -they were startled and terrified, they believed they were seeing a ghost or spirit - pneuma.
Jesus responds in a way to calm them and bring them a better focus than their fears. Why are you troubled and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look not at your fears and your doubts instead look at Me - look at my hands and feet. Touch me and see - I am not a ghost I have flesh and bones. Jesus then asks something quite humorous to me - do you have anything to eat? Upon receiving fish Jesus ate it in their presence.
1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—2 that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—
Jesus really resurrected - bodily and completely. When we lose hope or we begin to be discouraged we must remember the scars He bears for us. The Gospel message is our hope that we must hold on to.
1 Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken your stand 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
Look at what Paul also writes - the eye witness testimony
5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one born at the wrong time, he also appeared to me.
27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.” 28 Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
The resurrection is essential to the faith this is why we look to the reality of the resurrection to overcome discouragement and to reignite our hope.
12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, “There is no resurrection of the dead”? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is in vain, and so is your faith.
20 But as it is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. 22 For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
These are my words I spoke to you - that everything written about Me must be fulfilled! Then Christ opened their minds to understand the scriptures. Everything written becomes necessary to be fulfilled. The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed.
10 For you will not abandon me to Sheol; you will not allow your faithful one to see decay.
2 Take words of repentance with you and return to the Lord. Say to him, “Forgive all our iniquity and accept what is good, so that we may repay you with praise from our lips.
23 I will sow her in the land for myself, and I will have compassion on Lo-ruhamah; I will say to Lo-ammi: You are my people, and he will say, “You are my God.”
Overflowing Hearts
Overflowing Hearts
48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”
50 Then he led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 And while he was blessing them, he left them and was carried up into heaven. 52 After worshiping him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they were continually in the temple praising God.
You are witnesses of these things - a witness is something you are - not something you do. As witnesses Jesus says I am sending you what my Father promised - sending upon you.
28 After this I will pour out my Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will have dreams, and your young men will see visions. 29 I will even pour out my Spirit on the male and female slaves in those days.
Burning hearts soon turn to overflowing hearts. With the passion and fire bubbling up until its overflowing and then once overflowing it becomes impossible to not be witness and to share of these things.
Jesus promises them power in this call and commission as witnesses - you will be empowered from on high. Literally dressed or put on over. lifting up his hands Jesus blessed them and while blessing them He was carried up into heaven.
The disciples worshiped Him and after doing that they returned to Jerusalem with great joy and were continually in the temple praising God.
46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts,
42 Every day in the temple, and in various homes, they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
They knew now that Jesus was God and they give Him the honor due Him. They obeyed by returning to Jerusalem to wait. They became filled with joy as they now knew and believed that He has resurrected. That joy became the song of their life.
Joy is the note that draws others to Christ. Joy is the note of an overflowing heart burning for Jesus.
They were continually in the temple praising God.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Discouragement is the greatest enemy to ourselves we overcome by finding and keeping our hope in Jesus. There is a strength that comes from hope
31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
24 Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? 25 Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.
Are you at a point of discouragement? Perhaps on your road back to Emmaus? Disappointed or feeling like Jesus didnt meet your expectations? Perhaps you have incomplete knowledge or understanding?
Go to Jesus
Go to the word
When someone has a loss of appetite physically it is an indication of physical problem. Spiritual loss of appetite indicates a spiritual problem. Does your heart yearn and burn for the word of God?
Perhaps you are discouraged by things going on and thinking God doesnt love you anymore or is mad at you. Remember to look at the scars of Jesus - those scars are reminders of His great love for you. They also remind us that this world is not what we look forward to and there is coming a time where we will be in heaven free from the not only the punishment of sin, and the power of sin, but also soon the presence of sin!
Jesus opened these disciples minds to understanding the scripture but that was after they had invited Him closer. Draw near to Jesus invite Him closer.
Jesus was made known to the disciples in the breaking of bread - let us come now and break bread with Jesus and renew our hope in His promise as we remember His sacrifice.
Communion
Communion
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.