Do you remember friends you had during your childhood?
Have you seen them now?
They’ve surely changed how they look, some of them may be a little bit fatter, others are bald, no more hair, they’re not little anymore…they are tall….
It’s hard to recognise someone we haven’t seen for many years.
When you go on facebook and someone asks to be your friend…
You read their name you don’t recognise the person right away… but suddenly when you see their picture you say: What?! Is that my old friend from before? I remember them, but I remember them in a different way….
Yes, time changes people….time changes our appearance, the wrinkles come, the belly grows, the tiredness makes our legs sore, this is life…
Last weekend we had our Youth Summer Camp. We had an amazing time there…. Some funny thing that happened there…We were playing soccer on the sand, and I tried to run….In my mind it was all going perfectly well, but my legs did not agree with my mind… I tried running and I fell face down and I ate a lot of sand… Time changes us… I used to be fast before ,but now… rss
But also, we change when we go through some things… Whenever we fight, when we have hard times….it changes us….Sometimes is hard to recognise who we are and also who Jesus is in our lives….
When things go wrong we ask, Where is Jesus?
I’d like to read some passage of the bible with you.
It’s written in Luke:
“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 recognising 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 the only one visiting Jerusalem who does 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 they did not see Jesus.” He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognised by them when he broke the bread.”
Luke 24:13-35
Today the message is: RECOGNISE AND CHANGE IT!
Before this story takes place, Jesus was crucified on the cross. He was buried and his body was there for 3 days.
On the third day, early in the morning, Mary Magdalene went to the grave to anoint Jesus’ body, but when she arrived there, the stone at the door had been rolled away, an Angel was there and he said: “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.”
Mark 16:6 NIV
After that, she ran off and told all disciples about it, but they didn’t believe her. The disciples ran to the grave to see for themselves and they verified that Jesus was not there. But still they didn’t believe in the resurrection…
On the same day of resurrection, two young men left Jerusalem towards Emmaus, a village about 7 miles from Jerusalem.
And now, we start the message.
As they did not believe that Jesus had resurrected, these men were leaving Jerusalem to a far away place, far away from their friends and brothers. They were afraid, they were running away from the problem, they left the family of faith. They had fear of what could happen to Christ’s followers and they chose to hide.
1st lesson
RECOGNISE YOUR FEAR AND FACE IT!
These guys were running away because they were afraid of what could happen with them now Jesus was dead and his body was not in the grave.
They looked at the situation and they didn’t put their faith in Jesus. They didn’t even think about Jesus had told them before….
Fear makes you act like that….when we have fear in our hearts, it’s difficult to think, to make the right decision.
What are you afraid of?
Your family? Job? Faith? Death?…
When you fear something, you have 2 options:
F.E.A.R
Forget Everything And Run… or Face Everything And Rise!
It’s your choice.
Some people have fear of failure…It’s normal, but you have to deal with it and overcome the fear. Do not be paralysed by fear.
Someone once said: “It’s not failure itself that holds you back, it’s the fear of failure that paralyses you”.
Jesus said:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27
Today, Recognise your fear. What are you afraid of?
An answer from the government? A job you’re waiting on? or we can go even deeper…
Maybe you are afraid of the future, you’re afraid for your children, for your marriage. You are afraid of failure… to fail once again… you’ve tried before, I know… and you fell down… It’s time to recognise your fear and face it! Face it in prayer!
Bring it up in prayer to Jesus. Tell him what you’re afraid of and He will lead you into peace.
Do not let your heart be troubled! Believe In God. Believe in Jesus!
So, first lesson: Recognise the fear and face it.
2nd lesson
RECOGNISE YOUR MISTAKES AND FIX IT!
The bible says:
“They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.””
Luke 24:32-34 NIV
Those two men had committed a mistake. They thought Jesus would become the King of Jerusalem and He would kill the Romans soldiers and save the Jewish people from Rome. They were wrong.
Jesus came to deliver us from hell, to forgive us from our sins, he came to bring salvation and give us eternal life. His kingdom is in heaven and inside of those who believes in him!
Those men made a mistake and because of their confusion, they ran away to Emmaus.
When Jesus broke the bread, they recognised Jesus, and suddenly Jesus disappeared.
So, they said: Our hearts were burning while He talked to us on the road. Wow! I could feel God, I could feel his love for us….So, they got up and returned at once to Jerusalem .
Here is the point.
They had to stay in Jerusalem. It made no sense for them to go to Emmaus. They were going in a wrong direction, but once they recognised Jesus, they understood what the right direction for their lives was. They went back to Jerusalem and they spread the Good news that Jesus was alive.
They recognised their mistakes and they fixed it.
I ask you: What direction are you heading down in your life? Has God told you to go there?
What direction are you leading your family? What direction are you going with your faith?
God told to you to stay In Jerusalem, but you are going to Emmaus instead… Why?
Maybe you are walking down the wrong route. You are going to Emmaus, but God is telling you to stay in Jerusalem.
Emmaus means a place of loneliness, the place where you think you can hide yourself, in Emmaus you are far from the Church, in Emmaus you hide your talents, in Emmaus you have no fellowship with brothers and sisters, in Emmaus you are far away from God, in Emmaus you are running away from your calling, in Emmaus you allow fear to overtake you!
Say no to your pride, no to immature behaviours, recognise your mistakes and change them…change the route you’re on. Change the direction. Go back to Jerusalem. There is a Church who loves you there waiting for you! Go back to the Centre of God’s will!
Recognise your mistakes and fix it!
3rd lesson
RECOGNISE JESUS AND OBEY HIM!
When Jesus first met those two men, they didn’t recognise Jesus.
They were talking about the last news of Jerusalem. They were so shocked at these news they didn’t realise that Jesus was with them.
They were so worried about their lives, they didn’t receive Jesus’ peace.
They were so filled with problems and their doubts, that there was no space for Jesus’ presence.
How many times have we also behaved just like them?
Jesus is right beside us but we still feel alone, Jesus speaks to us but we prefer listening to our thoughts, Jesus wants to touch us but we are more interested in resolving things our way.
There are some things that blind out vision. We become completely blind and we cannot see that Jesus with us. But He is there… He is always right beside us.
Jesus said: “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””
Matthew 28:20
You are not alone. Jesus is beside you.
But, sometimes we forget about him. The circumstances come and blind us, we become too worried and we stop listening to Jesus.
Those men were like that. They were walking with Jesus, listening to him, but they didn’t recognise Jesus.
They were walking to Emmaus, in the wrong direction, they were running away, they had fear in their hearts, and because all of this, they could not listen to Jesus.
Let me tell you this:
Jesus is walking with you, but do you still feel lonely?!
Jesus is speaking to you, but you are not listening him…
Jesus is touching you, but you are looking for earthly comforts for your pain.
Jesus wants to fight for you, but you are using your strength to fight alone.
Today, is time to Recognise Jesus and obey him!
Today is time to see that standing beside you Jesus is. He is there, walking with you, helping you.
Today is time to believe in Jesus. He died for us and he resurrected on the third day and he lives! He has risen!
Today is time to listen to God’s voice and obey his commandments.
Recognise Jesus! Recognise that he is beside you!
Do you know how they recognised Jesus?
Look at what the bible says:
“When he (Jesus) was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.”
Luke 24:30
When they had Fellowship with Jesus, when they stopped their journey and paid attention on Jesus, Jesus broke the bread they finally recognised Him.
You have to stop what you are doing and start paying attention to what Jesus is doing in your life.
You want to work, but Jesus is calling you to sit at the table.
You are rushing places, but Jesus is telling you to stop and meditate on his word.
You are going to Emmaus but Jesus is telling you to stay in Jerusalem and spread the good news!
Maybe you experienced only Jesus crucification, but it’s time to experience Jesus’ resurrection too!
You know the story about the crucifixion, that he died for us to pay for our sins….
But it’s time to experience The Presence of Jesus who is alive!
He is alive! Experience the resurrection of Jesus today!
He wants to bring you life, his desire is to lead you in a good way, he has eternal life to you, He has help to give to you.
Experience The presence of the resurrected Jesus!
Recognise Jesus on the way and obey him. Amen?
So, today I invite I you to:
– Recognise your fear and face it!
Being a Son and daughter of God it is normal to failure, but it’s not normal to give up! You cannot give up! If God Calls you to do something, do it! Face your fears, overcome the fear in your life because Jesus is with you, always!
– Recognise your mistakes and fix it!
Everybody commits mistakes but you cannot get stuck at your short comings. Check what is wrong with you, what you did wrong, what you are still doing wrong, until you know what it is and how to fix it. Change the route you are going down on…
Come back to Jerusalem, stay with your spiritual family, stay in God’s presence and do not go to Emmaus, a place where you hide your talents, your calling, where you hide yourself. Recognise your mistakes…
– Recognise Jesus and obey him!
Jesus is on the way. He is walking with you. Stop what you are doing and listen his to voice. This week, take the time to stop your routine, and spend some time in God’s presence. Call your family to worship God together, to read the bible, to watch a Christian movie.
Close the door of your bedroom, and seek God. Do something different this week and you will realise that Jesus is with you, you will listen His to voice and you will be able to obey him!
The bible says:
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalms 34:4 NIV
Seek the Lord, Show him your fears, your mistakes, and ask for help. He will come and deliver you, he will come and help you to walk on the correct path.