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Introduction:

“But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel . . .” (Luke 24:21).

EACH OF US HAS EXPERIENCED THE UPS AND DOWNS OF HOPE. Some days we’re filled with hope for our future and other days it seems like all hope is lost. Indeed, hope can feel like a roller coaster, but as we’ll see in our text, hope rises when Jesus is encountered!

I hoped to get that job . . . only to miss out.

I hoped to make the team . . . only to be let down.

I hoped to get a scholarship …only to receive a letter of rejection.

We hoped to see our kids avoid some of the mistakes that other kids are making . . . only to be heart broken.

We hoped to get pregnant . . . only to miscarry again.

We hoped the cancer screening would be negative . . . only to discover the cancer had returned.

Webster defines hope as “to cherish a desire with anticipation.” There are times when hope seems certain. At other times, it seems foolish to cherish any desire with anticipation. Could God have a solution for the ups and downs of hope?

Focal Scriptures:Luke 24:13–21Psalm 130:5Isaiah 30:18John 11:33–35

Outline:IntroductionHope FadesHope RegainedHope ExperiencedHope Comes Through Encountering Jesus

Key Truth:When we encounter Jesus, His gracious, compassionate care becomes sufficient for the ups and downs of our lives. This intimacy with Christ fills us with hope and empowers our love of others.

We find hope in Jesus, who comforts us.

Colossians 3:16 Moment:

“Let the Word of Christ dwell deeply in you . . .” (Col. 3:16).

Pastor/Teacher: What personal testimony of shattered hope do you feel comfortable sharing with your congregation? Share your story here.

“I remember, like the Emmaus Road disciples, having my hopes shattered when __________________________________________________________

_____________________________

“The Lord has really risen.” Luke 24:34

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The Emmaus Road disciples surely identified with this roller coaster called “hope.” Remember that the Emmaus story occurred during what we would call Easter Sunday—only hours after the resurrection. If we look closely, we can see the rise and fall of the disciples’ hope:

Now that same day, two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.

He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 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?”

“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. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 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. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see” (Luke 24:13-24 NIV).

Interesting observations:

We don’t hear about the two disciples from Emmaus before this passage of Scripture, nor do we hear about them after. Perhaps their anonymity portrays how imperative it is that the good news of the Gospel be made known to ALL! The revelation of Christ wasn’t just for the inner circle of disciples. The Emmaus story is a critical reminder that this Good News is for all humanity.

Jesus seemed to display a very interesting human quality of humor as He replied to the men’s question: “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?” Christ simply replied, “What things?” It’s humorous to think about this interaction. He, of all people, would have known about recent events. Jesus seemed intentional about wanting the disciples to talk more about their roller coaster of experiences. Perhaps He wanted the chance to hear, care, and respond?

As we explore our own “roller coaster of hope” experiences, we, too, can move from the disciples’ state of “standing still looking sad” (Luke 24:17) to a bold expression of contagious hope. The same Emmaus disciples were later able to proclaim their hope: “The Lord has really risen” (Luke 24:34).

Reflecting on the Easter season with its hopeful truth, we must ask our-selves, “How will we continue to live a life filled with hope even beyond this season?” Insights from the Emmaus Road disciples can strengthen and empower our hope. As the Holy Spirit reveals Christ and illuminates His Word, we can stand steady through the ups and downs of life events.

The imperative of good news for all humanity is being championed in the recently released book from Broadstreet publishing:

The Politically Incorrect Jesus: Living Boldly in a Culture of Unbelief by Joe Battaglia.

“Jesus is so at odds with our culture and, at times, even the church as we casually accept society’s hell-bent inclination toward self-aggrandizement over altruism, greed in the midst of plenty, a growing dishonesty in personal relationships, the disintegration of marriage, decreasing lack of civility, and yes, the increasing moral ambivalence that suffocates our youth with sexual indulgence beyond their ability to handle it or even understand it.

Yes, Jesus has something to say to each of us about these issues. But we must listen closely to His words and not spin them to suit the prevailing moral climate brought about by political correctness.”

Click here to pre-order and receive a FREE Bible study guide.

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W6–Fresh, Frequent, Transforming Encounters with the Christ of Scripture

Experiencing Scripture:

“As many as may be the promises of God in Him [Jesus] they are yes” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Pause and ask God to reveal Jesus to you from His Word, as surely as He did with the Emmaus Road disciples.

“God, I want to see and encounter Jesus in your Word which is ‘alive and active’ (Hebrews 4:14). Thanks for hearing and answering” (John 15:7).

First, we must take notice of how the Emmaus disciples (and each of us, at times) lose hope.

I. Hope Fades

“. . . but we were hoping . . .” (Luke 24:21).

We’ve all been there. We’ve hoped for something specific, but our situation ended just like the disciples. We lost hope, were disappointed, and experienced a measure of sadness. But how did we get there? And more importantly, how do we avoid such loss of hope in the future. How do we move forward through life’s unexpected turns with hope-inspired faith? The author of Hebrews points us toward the answer: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for . . .” (Hebrews 11:1). When hope fades, faith soon exits.

Hope fades when we miss seeing Jesus in our situation.

“But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him” (Luke 24:16).

In the midst of any circumstance where hope is hard to find, we need the security that our Savior is with us. Whether we’re challenged in our relationships, our job, our parenting, our finances, or health, hope can be more easily found when we recognize the presence of our Lord. If we can see Jesus with us, then there is an “object” of our faith. Without an assurance of His presence, faith is mere speculation, and hope can quickly fade. Therefore, in the midst of our darkest valleys, we need to sense His presence! We need the assurance that you and I are not alone! Let’s invite Jesus into our challenging situation. Let’s invite Him into our valley.

Hope fades when we’re asking the wrong questions.

“But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel” (Luke 24:21).

Like the Emmaus disciples, do we miss opportunities to relate to Jesus and experience His presence because we are too preoccupied with earthly concerns? The disciples were preoccupied with their own agenda and, therefore, were asking the wrong questions:

How will Jesus deal with the Roman government?

How will He defeat Caesar and restore the Kingdom of Israel?

If we’re preoccupied with the wrong questions, the more significant, relational questions often go unasked. The disciples were left asking the same rational questions that often preoccupy our hearts:

“Why did this happen?”

“Why have I been left to go through this?”

“Why have I been let down?”

Click to view trailer

A soon to be released film from Pure Flex features the intersecting stories of 12 lives and poses the penetrating question: “Would there be enough evidence to convict you of being a Christian?”

Opening March 20, 2015.

www.DoYouBelieve.com

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L–8 Disciplined, Bold, and Believing Prayer

Have you ever dwelt on questions like these during your valley experiences? If we dwell on them long enough, we, like these disciples, can’t help but lose hope.

Although we often ask rational questions during times of loss, a more significant question lies underneath our pain. We’ll likely never know the answer to many of these rational questions, but underneath them all, we can know the answer to this relational one: In the midst of loss, disappointment, disillusionment, sadness, and anxiety . . . DOES GOD REALLY CARE? If so, hope prevails!

A Community of Hope Vision: During this series, we have a specific goal—that as followers of Jesus we would become even better known as a “Community of Hope.” We want to be a place where the relational question, “Does God really care?” is answered through the testimony of OUR acceptance and compassion for others.

Hope fades when we miss embracing His Word.

“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope” (Psalm 130:5, NIV).

“And He [Jesus] said to them, O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!” (Luke 24:25).

Notice the indictment of being “slow of heart.” This phrase does not mean slow of mental assent, but slow of faith embrace. In the case of the Emmaus disciples, they sought a Deliverer and a Messiah but missed the Suffering One. They missed seeing Jesus because they missed the opportunity to faithfully embrace His Word. “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” (Luke 24:26).

Many of us can recall a challenging time in our life when Scripture came alive through the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, and this truth empowered our faith. Embracing Scripture when all else has failed can empower our faith and replenish our hope.

Engaging Fellowship

“If you ask anything in my name that will I do . . .” (John 14:14)

Either silently or in groups. Pause to make this Bible promise very real as we ask believing that Jesus would be very present during this time.

“Lord Jesus, I claim the promise that You are “with me always” (Matthew 28:20) even now in this situation. I’m asking now in Your name. Thanks for being with me.”

II. Hope Regained

As Christ led the Emmaus Road disciples back to hope, we get an over-view of five truths which can empower in us a Contagious Hope:

1. Hope is a Person, and His name is Jesus!

“Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him . . .” (Luke 24:31).

Colossians 3:16 Moment:

“Let the Word of Christ dwell deeply in you . . .” (Col. 3:16).

Pastor/Teacher: Recall a “valley” experience in your own life when you were led to a specific promise of Scripture that helped sustain your hope. Consider sharing this part of your life story as you preach/teach.

Pastor/Presenter, pause briefly to allow the congregation/participants to invite Jesus into their situation.

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Recognizing Jesus in the midst of life’s valleys makes all the difference in our experience of hope. In next week’s message, we will explore the truth that HOPE is really a person, whose name is Jesus!

2. Hope is found in His Word.

“Then beginning with Moses and with all the Prophets, He explained to them Himself in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:27).

Notice, Jesus Himself is the One who called attention to the hope and encouragement that is found as we encounter Him in the Scriptures.

3. His people encourage hope.

“They said to one another, ‘were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us’” (Luke 24:32).

These “one another” times of intentional fellowship with followers of Jesus can stir our faith and reignite our hope.

4. Hope purifies from secondary issues.

“And they got up that very hour . . . saying ‘the Lord has really risen’” (Luke 24:33–34).

As Jesus makes Himself known to us, all other issues like “Caesar and Rome” grow strangely unimportant. So it is in our life as a “divine dread” of losing hope in Him separates us from the less important issues of this world.

5. Hope empowers a purpose of sharing hope with others.

“They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of bread” (Luke 24:35).

As we experience the hope of Jesus, His love motivates us to share the goodness of His life and love with others.

A Community of Hope Vision: Many of you can understand the expression, “experienced hope becomes contagious hope.” Our vision is to be a “Community of Hope” who can minister to those who find themselves without hope. Would YOU begin to pray about your role in expressing a contagious hope as we take one more step toward becoming a Community of Hope?

III. Hope Experienced

The Emmaus disciples came to a personal experience of renewed hope. We have that same privilege available to each of us. Consider three in-sights:

1. Our invitation is essential.

“. . . and He acted as if He would go farther. But they urged Him saying, ‘Stay with us’ . . .” (Luke 24:28–29).

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The text seems to portray Jesus as the ultimate “gentleman,” who waits to be invited. He never forced Himself into the disciples’ struggles. Even at His birth, Christ could have commanded attention and exerted his right to the throne in Rome. Yet Jesus, ever the gentleman, only entered into the place that was made available: a lowly manger in Bethlehem.

Quite practically and personally, it is essential that we invite Christ into our struggles. The God who, we know, is omnipresent seems to become even more personally present when we verbalize our invitation. Our invitation then becomes a simple and profound step into hope and faith.

Experiencing Scripture

“Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! (Isaiah 30:18).

Consider the current challenges and struggles in your life. Are you losing hope in your relationships, your finances, or your health? Are you struggling at your workplace, within your family, your accomplishments, or your faith? Whatever your challenge, meditate on the Lord of Hosts, who longs to show you grace and rises to show you compassion! Invite Christ into your struggles. Make a personal request for Jesus to show Himself to you—in the midst of those challenges.

In the quietness of this time, close your eyes and imagine the resurrected Christ, who is excited to express His personal grace and divine favor just for you. Imagine Him rising to receive you with welcoming arms! Pause to picture a scene between you and Jesus! The tenderness of His expression confirms that Christ longs to give you grace. The gentleness of His voice confirms His great compassion for you. Now give Jesus thanks for such an incredible blessing—just for you! Tell Him now of your gratefulness.

2. Our yielding is imperative.

“When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them” (Luke 24:30).

Imagine that you have invited Christ into your home, and as you begin to interact, you notice something unusual. Jesus invites you to be seated and takes on the role of a gracious Host. The Savior offers prayer and then begins to serve your meal and your bread to you! So it is when we trust in His presence with us. Our experience of renewed hope can only be realized when we yield our lives to Him, His plan, and His purpose.

A significant component of our ability to become a people of compassion and “Community of Hope” will be our commitment to yield to the Holy Spirit as the Comforter, who desires to share Christ’s comfort with us (John 16:7). This yielding to the Spirit will empower our ministry of compassion to the hurting and lonely.

3. Our grateful contentment follows.

“Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32).

When we encounter Jesus, His gracious, compassionate care becomes sufficient for our lives. We no longer have to find answers to the questions of “Why?” or “Why me?” The intimacy with Christ fills our hope and fulfills our lives.

L–3 Experiencing God as He Really is through deepened intimacy with Him.

Pastors, pause now during the sermon and invite the congregation to sense the compassion of Christ.

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IV. Hope Comes Through Encountering Jesus

Scripture has encouraged our hope because we can identify with the disciples’ encounter with Jesus on the Emmaus Road. The Gospel of John shares another important encounter with Jesus that refreshes our hope. John 11 tells of the sisters, Mary and Martha and how they sought the help of Jesus on behalf of their ailing brother. For reasons only He and His Father understand, Jesus delayed his coming to Mary and Martha, and their brother, Lazarus, dies.

Mary and Martha must have had questions of “Why?” and “Why me?” Not only would they have been overcome with sorrow concerning their brother’s death, but there must have been deep disappointment that Jesus wasn’t able to come. Scripture tells us that Mary’s pain overwhelmed her, and she wept at Jesus’ feet. Then, we read a wondrous truth from Scripture:

Encountering Jesus

“When Jesus therefore saw her weeping . . . He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled and . . . Jesus wept” (John 11: 33–35).

When your heart is hurting, His heart is hurting. Even when you are disappointed in God or struggle with His response, Jesus weeps for you. Your pain moves His heart with compassion.

Imagine the tear-filled eyes of Jesus. They are not just for Mary of Bethany! They are for you! As you think about your own times of loss, disappoint-ment, or sadness, can you embrace the truth that the “God of comfort” is the same yesterday, today and forever? (2 Corinthians 1:2–4; Hebrews 13:8). Therefore, just as Jesus wept for Mary, Jesus weeps for you.

Meditate upon these few words of divine truth. As you picture Jesus weeping, just remember: His tears are for you! We find hope in Jesus, who comforts us.

Pause to allow His care to touch and impact your heart. Yield to this truth and give Him thanks.

W-6 Encountering Jesus in the Word for deepened intimacy transformation in Christ-likeness

Pastor/Presenter, pause again to invite the congregation to imagine a very personal encounter with Jesus.

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I Kneel Down

On the bloodstained ground

Where the shadow falls

Of a cross and a crown of thorns

I kneel down, I kneel down

I lift my eyes to a tear stained face

Who is this dying in my place

I kneel down, I kneel down

I come just as I am

This is my only plea

One hope in which I trust

This blood was shed for me

As you wash the stains of my guilty heart

‘Til I’m clean in every part

I kneel down, I kneel down

Wash away my shame my pain my pride

Every sin that I once denied

I kneel down, I kneel down

I come just as I am

This is my only plea

One hope in which I trust

This blood was shed for me

This is where I’ll always come

This is where I’ll always run

To worship you

This is where I’ll always come

This is where I’ll always run

To worship you

Jesus, worship Jesus

Graham Kendrick Copyright © 1999 Make Way Music, www.grahamkendrick.co.ukThe “Greatest Story Ever Sung” music video used by permission, Millennium Chorus. Executive Director—Graham Ferguson Lacey; Graham Kendrick, Composer.

May we suggest:

Music from the Millennium Chorus CD/DVD—The Greatest Story Ever Sung has been suggested for the Contagious Hope Church Resource Kit. We recommend these resources to you from award-winning com-poser, Graham Kendrick. You may find the audio or video a perfect companion for the weekly sermon or small group experience.