Lets Talk
Introduction:
Over the last few weeks we have been exploring conversations that Jesus had with others. I believe we have learned things about Jesus we never knew before. Could you imagine yourself having a talk with Jesus face to face – one on one?
Thesis: Talking with Jesus changed people’s lives in the Bible. Have you talked to Jesus? Has it changed your life? We need to make time to talk to Jesus and learn from His conversations with others because it has the potential to transform our lives. Talk is cheap for most people but not for Jesus! His words came at a high price!
Scripture Text:
John 8:31-32:
31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 10:27:
27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
We need to learn to listen to the voice of the Lord if we desire to be on God’s agenda for our lives. That means listening to Him when He has a hard talk with us or with another. Jesus words always carry the potential to transform a life so we need to pay attention when he speaks. Just like the EF Hutton commercials!
Series 1: Hard Talks
Thesis: Jesus had hard conversations with others to change their lives. He challenged people to make decisions about their current life and their future. He challenged them to leave behind their current lives for a new and adventurous life. He pushed them to make decisions that would fulfill their divine destiny for God. Some listened some did not!
Scripture Verse:
Luke 9:23-27: 23Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Introduction to series:
Have you ever had to have a hard talk with someone? Have you ever been on the receiving end of a hard talk? How did it affect you? Hard talks are tough and very direct. They challenge us to take action and to make decisions about relationships, about mistakes, about our future and about our past.
Sermon 4: Easter Sunday – “Road Trip Talks” - Jesus hard conversation on the road with 2 of His disciples!
Introduction to sermon:
Have you ever been on a road trip? Have you ever just become so discouraged with were you are at that you had to get away from it all? In other words run away to another place a distant land were things have to be better than this?
I have discovered that road trips can be filled with Aha moments and even U-turns.
Running away or getting away from it all seems to be the only solution for some today. The idea hits you that a distant land has to be better than this place filled with such heartache. The thoughts surge through your mind and say, “Any place is better than this place!” or ”The grass has to be greener some where else!” “I have had enough - I am out of here!”
But we must be careful of making road trips that are focused on running away from hard times. Why? You may be thinking? Because it’s not about the place as much as it is about the relationship with the One! You know the One who is in every place and knows every conversation we have with others. He wants to talk to us about our destiny and destination. We will discover this truth today from our Bible Story.
I have discovered that Jesus has a tendency to show up on road trips to get our attention. Especially one the ones that are leading us away from His plan and purpose for our lives.
I have discovered He is here right where I am in the midst of my pain and or suffering. He is there and well the truth is He is everywhere and it’s better to have a good talk with Him were I am at, before trying to run away from Him and His plan for my life.
Thesis: Road trips in which Jesus shows up are filled with AHA moments and U-turns. If we listen to His hard talk in these moments then will change and transform our life. We need to listen to what He has to say and then let it change our perception and direction of life’s most difficult moments.
Scripture Text: Luke 24:13-35:
On the Road to Emmaus
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Jesus Appears to the Disciples – to have another hard talk
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence. 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
The Ascension – an AHA moment in time!
50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
Questions to ponder for Easter week from our handout:
1. Why didn't the disciples recognize the risen Saviors appearance?
a. Because Jesus hindered their ability to recognize Him.
2. Why didn't they recognize His voice?
a. Maybe because they were afraid, discouraged and disillusioned at everything that took place in Jerusalem.
3. Who finally recognized Him and why?
a. The both of them did when Jesus gave thanks to God for the food and then He broke the bread and handed it to them. At that moment their eyes were opened and they saw it was Jesus then Jesus disappeared. Definitely an AHA moment in time!
Our Easter story today is about 2 of Jesus disciples who have left Jerusalem due to disillusionment and fear of the unknown. They are lost on their road trip and they are bewildered at the current events that just happened in Jerusalem. They are very discouraged because life did not turn out like they thought when they first hit the road with Jesus years earlier. They expected that the long road they were on would end up in Paradise. But it turned out to lead right into a nightmare instead of Paradise. It was heart breaking, mind blowing and so different than they thought it would be. Why because it did not align with their expectations.
They have missed out on three and half years of their lives. Their road trip ended up at a dead end and a cross. They waited for Him to fulfill His promise this day - to rise - but no body – no Jesus. He did not come back as they thought so they packed up their bags and hit the road again. They wanted to put distance between them and the city of horror filled with evil religious leaders. They hit the road running away from shattered dreams.
They had time to talk with each other about their road trip with Jesus. As they are going through the painful details of the last few days a hitchhiker – hitches up with them on the road. They are unaware that He is the One they are talking about. He asks them about their conversation. So what are you guys talking about? They stop dead in their tracks – they slam the breaks on and come to a screeching halt on the road. “Are you kidding us” one says? Where have you been for the last few days – have you had you head in a hole somewhere in Jerusalem? Have you missed the biggest thing to ever scandalize the Jews in Jerusalem at Passover? You have not heard about Jesus, his trial, his torture, His death, His cross and the religious leaders evil destruction of Him? He then adds – they won! They actually killed Him and with His death all of our hope was crushed and smashed. Israel was doomed with no hope of ever being redeemed!
They reveal how disappointing and heart breaking the whole ride with Jesus was. They are emotionally spent exhausted and disillusioned. They cannot take it any more so they hit the road wandering to a new place without the visual signs of hopelessness all around.
They continue the story and tell how today is the third day and He promised to rise – but no body – nor resurrection - no hope – their dreams and hopes are totally crushed. Their women went to the tomb but no Jesus was found, only angels saying “He was risen!” They explain to the hitchhiker but you have to understand these women were out of their minds – they are disillusioned with grief and sadness and they are seeing things. Others went but found only his burial clothes – no Jesus – no beating back death – no resurrection only and empty tomb.
So here we are on the road again! But with no hope, no victory, no direction, no purpose and no Jesus! We only have heartache and discouragement.
We see that they are on the road again looking for the “You are here!” sign and “Jesus is here too!” But there are no signs! They most likely added with frustration, “Who knows where He is!” He is definitely not here with us!
Thoughts to ponder:
Have you been there in life like these two disciples? You are here but Jesus is not! You thought He was here but then He disappeared – he did not do what you thought He would do – and who knows where He is! So in your disillusionment and doubt you hit the road to get away from it all.
They are not even sure how they ended here or He there but life just has turned out really bad for them all. So you like them run to the road of escape. You leave because what you thought would be a great place to be is not what you wanted it be. So here you are on a road heading to another town to get away from the drama, the pain, the disappointment and the let downs of life – even life with Jesus or the church – a life that seems hard, hurtful and discouraging. You think a new country or a new city will bring brighter days!
So you head to a distant land or country far from the pain of Jerusalem and it’s smell of death.
Kyle states, “I’ve discovered that what drives many travelers to the Distant Country is that they are running away from a god that doesn’t exist. For one reason or another, their perception of God doesn’t match up with reality. They are rejecting a god they created rather than the true God who created them. Idleman, Kyle (2014-03-01). AHA: The God Moment That Changes Everything (p. 21). David C. Cook. Kindle Edition.
T.S. - But this road trip to get away from the pain leads to an unexpected AHA moment and a U-turn because of this new guy they just met – who unknown to them is Jesus – the so-called dead guy.
1. The road trip and the AHA moment!
a. Jesus walks with His disciples as they are discussing Him and as they are running away from Jerusalem.
i. Yes, I believe they are running away from the disillusionment of life in Jerusalem.
ii. The scenes they have experienced the last week comes from a horror film: Miracles, celebration, betrayal, torture, murder, crucifixion and no immediate resurrection in their eyes of Jesus. Just angels and empty tombs! Lost dreams and no hope!
1. So it’s time for a road trip!
2. It’s time to get out of this town of horror!
3. It’s time to leave, and the sooner the better!
b. They are downcast our two disciples, wouldn’t you be?
i. They are slow of heart to believe that Jesus can come back from that horrible death!
ii. By the way this not a good trait to have as a disciple or follower of Jesus.
c. They have heard reports of things but no Jesus – only crazy stories!
i. They have decided to leave and move on to another town!
ii. Jesus knew what they were talking about that is why He appeared to them. He appeared to them to open their heavy hearted eyelids of faith by removing the weight of fear and doubt. He wanted them to make a U-turn on the road they were on.
1. Faith and Doubt, from John Ortberg’s quote:
a. I will tell you my secret: I have doubts. I have spent my life studying and thinking and reading and teaching about God. I grew up in the church. I went to a faith based college and then to seminary. I walked the straight and narrow. I never sowed any wild oats. And I have doubts. I’ll tell you more that that. There is a part of me that, after I die, if it all turns out to be true-the angels are singing, death is defeated, the roll is called up yonder and there I am-there is a part of me that will be surprised. What do you know? It’s all true after all. I had doubts. Is it okay if we ask questions and consider objections and wonder out loud? Is it okay if we don’t pretend that everybody is split up into two camps: those who doubt and those who don’t? Is it possible-maybe even rational-to have faith in the presence of doubt? Because I have faith too. And I have bet the farm” (Page 9, Book Faith and Doubt).
b. Our two disciples on the road to nowhere are in the struggle of faith and doubt. We have all been where we find our two disciples! We need to understand that doubts come in life but instead of running away from God we need to run to Him. Not leave to another distant land but look for Him right where you are which is in the “Here I am Aha of life” and the realization that oh there is God too!
iii. It’s obvious they did not believe the women’s story.
1. They were thinking just a few eccentric depressed and deceived women?
2. To these two disciples their words were nonsense so for these two disciples it was time to leave this place. It was the third day and no sign of Jesus just angels and crazy women so lets go on a road trip.
a. They are thinking, “He lets us down!”
b. They are saying, “It’s been to hard and we have had enough!”
iv. They thought he was the One but now they are sure He was not the One.
1. So they left Jerusalem thinking He is gone and they are left on their own to fend for themselves.
2. No more Jesus - no more truth – no more miracles -no use staying in Jerusalem. The good life is over! Time to go!
d. Jesus as the hitchhiker reveals the truth of Scripture to these two by revealing the prophetic teachings about His suffering-His death-and His resurrection.
i. Why do they need to know these Scriptures you may be thinking? Why because we need to know Scripture in times like these they bring hope and direction to the roads of life. The truth is if you don’t know Jesus Words of life then you will be downcast and on a road to nowhere.
e. They convince the hitchhiker to stop with them at Emmaus and have a meal with them because it’s getting late. Besides He is an encouraging guy this hitchhiker. His knowledge of the Words of God are encouraging!
i. Jesus sits down with them and gives thanks, breaks bread and hands it to our two disciples and He reveals who He is – they see Him – it blows them away - but then He disappears.
1. It’s an AHA moment!
T.S. – I love when Jesus does things like this in peoples lives. People go from hopeless to hope and joy. It’s these moment in life where we grow in our faith.
2. AHA moments help us come to our senses – spiritually and emotionally.
a. He in this AHA moment opens their minds to understand Scripture. To see things they never saw before. That’s an AHA moment! Have you ever had one of these AHA moments with Scripture on a road trip of life? I never saw that before – WOW!
i. The truth is they could not help themselves – they were heart broken and disillusioned – their were no self–help books out there telling them to be positive or “How to get over the crucifixion of the One who you thought was your Savior.”
1. There are times in life when we need and AHA moment because we cannot help ourselves – we need a Jesus moment – a visit from Him. A word of encouragement a good talk with Him.
2. Do you agree with me?
ii. Kyle Idleman states, “The Story of AHA’s instead of self-help, (means) we are asking for God’s help, because AHA is a spiritual experience that brings about supernatural change.”
1. He adds, “More specifically, let’s define the word aha. I love witnessing AHA. I see it almost every weekend at the church where I serve. I listen to people as they tell about the spiritual awakening they have experienced. In that moment there was a beautiful collision. At just the right time, a person’s life collides with God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit, and everything changes. When Jesus taught about this spiritual transformation, He would most often tell stories. AHA can’t be fully explained. There is a sense in which it has to be experienced to be understood. So it’s through stories that AHA is best captured. Idleman, Kyle (2014-03-01). AHA: The God Moment That Changes Everything (p. 14). David C. Cook. Kindle Edition.
iii. Only Jesus and the Holy Spirit can open your minds to the truth of Scripture – it’s an AHA moment that can only be understood by experience!
1. How many here understand what I mean?
2. Have you had an AHA moment with Jesus!
3. Then tell someone about it! Don’t keep it to yourself – encourage someone else!
4. AHA moment build others faith up!
b. Quote from Kyle’s book AHA, The God moment that Changes Everything about the AHA”S:
i. I’ve listened to the AHA experiences of hundreds— if not thousands— of people over the years. I’ve studied numerous transformation experiences of key figures in the Bible. With striking consistency, AHA always has three ingredients. If any one of these ingredients is missing, it short-circuits the transformation process:
1. A Sudden Awakening
2. Brutal Honesty
3. Immediate Action
a. He adds these thoughts to define these moments: “If there is an awakening and honesty, but no action, then AHA doesn’t happen. If there is awakening and action, but honesty is overlooked, AHA will be short-lived. But when God’s Word and the Holy Spirit bring these three things together in your life, you will experience AHA— a God-given moment that changes everything. Idleman, Kyle (2014-03-01). AHA: The God Moment That Changes Everything (p. 19). David C. Cook. Kindle Edition.
ii. In our story of the road trip and the two disciples and Jesus we have these same three ingredients which create a life changing AHA God moment in time:
1. There was a sudden awakening when Jesus speaks of Scripture and the fulfillment of prophecy. The disciples said when Jesus spoke of these truths from God’s Word they felt a burning fire re-ignite in their hearts.
a. Then there was a sudden moment when He is thanking God at the meal, He then breaks the bread and gives them a piece of it – AND AHA - they see it’s Him – He is alive – He is alive – but then poof He is gone!
b. They are crying and laughing holding each other and shouting out in the café – he ‘s Alive! Everyone else is wondering what happened to these two guys.
i. Did you see what I saw?
ii. Did you hear what I heard?
c. Their hearts were renewed as Jesus talked about God’s Word and it burned within them and passion reignited for these words of life and hope.
i. Scripture will always bring encouragement if you listen to it!
2. Second there was brutal honesty by Jesus in His hard talk with these two disciples of His.
a. He called them foolish for running away and not believing Jesus words of resurrection.
b. He reminds them of the truth of Scripture and what it says and reminds them of God’s promises.
c. Jesus had a hard talk with them that eventually opened their eyes.
i. Their hearts burned with encouragement and this drove out the pain of discouragement.
3. Immediate action is the next step!
a. They run out of the café and sprint all the way back to Jerusalem the place they were originally escaping from!
b. They run to tell the others – “He is live!” – “He is alive!”
c. They on a mission to tell the others what happened.
d. They are running with purpose back to where they ran from filled with hope and optimism! They want to share the Good News! He is Alive!
T.S. – The return of the runaways to the other disciples.
3. There aha moment causes them to make a radical U-turn.
a. The race back to the place of disappointment and discouragement.
i. Their eyes are opened – they literally saw Him and talked to Him.
1. They have to run back 7 miles to tell the other disciples that He is risen- Peter was right. The crazy women were right.
2. He is not dead but alive!
b. As they are sharing about their AHA moment - Jesus shows up and reveals that He is real – He is back from the dead – filled with life – another Aha moment where God shows up and changes everything!
i. He greets them with the famous words, “Peace be with you!”
1. Why this phrase?
2. They are frightened thinking they saw a ghost.
1. The two think: Wow – He is here – I was there and He was there then He was there with me and now He is here – How does He get around like that!
2. Is He a ghost!
ii. There are shrieks and screams of fear from some of the disciples – can you picture Jesus right now “Really guys!”
1. It’s a ghost!
2. Jesus sees their fear! He knows what they are talking about – He is there to encourage them and drive out the fear and discouragement.
iii. He asks them why they are so troubled in spirit and heart?
1. Why do you doubt?
a. Ortberg states, “Our behavior also calls into question what we really believe about God. For instance, take the belief that God is always present and watching us. If your mom was in the room watching you, you would avoid all kinds of negative behavior. You would not tell what she knew was a lie. You would not read Playboy magazine. You just wouldn’t. A whole lot of your sinning would be cut down if mom was always in the room with you. Yet those of us who claim to believe God is always present and watching do these and/or darker things all the time. Do we really believe he’s watching? Are we able to push such beliefs aside when we want to? When someone claims to believe one way yet acts another, we call this bad faith. Good faith, on the other hand, is congruence between what we claim to believe and how we actually live. If someone intends to buy a house, the down payment is a gesture of good faith. Good faith means not deceiving others (in public convictions) and not deceiving ourselves (in private convictions). Good faith means loving the truth more than we love ourselves” (Page 49, Faith and Doubt, John Ortberg).
b. Doubt causes us to runaway from our divine destiny and it causes us to take road trips in the wrong direction.
i. Doubt tells us He is dead!
ii. Faith says, “He is alive!” and “Not a ghost!”
c. Ortberg states, “Many people, when they consider faith, think, I believe that God exists or love is the greatest virtue. But at its core, faith is not simply the belief in a statement; it puts trust in a person” (Page 136).
i. (Choir returns to the stage!)
iv. He let’s them know that He is not a ghost!
1. “I am here in the flesh!”
2. “Come touch me!”
3. “Come look at me!”
4. “I have flesh and bones – feel!”
5. “Need more proof?” – “Let me have something to eat, this is great fish!”
6. He is proving to them that He is not a ghost but has literally risen from the dead.
a. With His earthly body!
b. This ties into communion – do you see the connection?
v. He reminds them that He is fulfilling Scripture – fulfilling prophecy.
1. They are part of this great miracle and witnesses to it!
vi. He has risen as He said He would! He made the deadline! The message is to go on and on!
1. Now the message of repentance and forgiveness is to be preached starting in Jerusalem and mushroom out to the rest of the world from here.
a. You are my messengers!
b. No more road trips guys!
2. You are witnesses to 1,000 year old prophecies being fulfilled right before your eyes.
a. This is another AHA moment!
3. Stay here – no more road trips - until you are filled with the Holy Spirit and receive power from on high to deliver this message of truth to a lost world! This message will be accompanied by signs and wonders.
a. Jesus is reiterating the mission and the calling they have.
b. The reminder of the mission is affirmed and there position in delivering it is affirmed.
c. They need to be here when they Holy Spirit comes and wait to be empowered from on high for there mission in life.
d. Remember timing is crucial and so is being in the right place at the right time!
i. The two are so glad to have returned back to Jerusalem!
vii. Then Jesus ascends into Heaven and they are filled with joy and amazement.
1. Talk about another AHA moment!
viii. The disciples stay and worship in the Temple waiting for the Promise of Power from on High! See Acts 2 for more details of this!
1. How much do you want to bet that they were in the Temple telling everyone about their AHA moments!
T.S. - Jesus wants to have an AHA moment with you today are you open to it, are you willing to have a hard talk with Him. Are you open to becoming suddenly awakened out of your slumber? Are you willing to have a brutal honest talk with Jesus about you faith and doubts? After your AHA moment are you willing immediately to take action as God has directed you too with your life and destiny?
Human Video – Playing to song “Aftermath” by Hillsong.
Conclusion:
We need to know that Jesus rose and appeared to His disciples on their road trip, on their running away from their pain, the discouragement of life and it’s disillusionment. We need to be challenged to believe in spite of the pain and the crosses of life. Jesus came to encourage us and reveal Himself to us. He came to have a hard talk with us so we would feel His burning passion for us, so we could experience His love and truth over our current life situations.
He even challenges their unbelief and points out their foolishness for thinking the women were talking nonsense about the angels message “He is risen!” he challenges us this morning too to believe – In His resurrection from the dead.
The disciples did not believe in His risen status and they even dismissed Peter’s encounter with the Lord. But Jesus wants us to hear all the AHA stories of His intervention in others live and He wants us to believe.
Jesus opened the disciple’s eyes to hear and see Him at the meal which was designed to point them back to the Last Supper and His ultimate sacrifice of His life. He gave them and AHA moment to boost their spirits! He will do the same today if you ask – you seek – you believe!
We need to know that He wants us to believe and perceive His truths by listening to His words and by spending time with Him. Trust me He will give you AHA moments to build you up when you are down.
We need to recognize Him and be ready at any moment in time for His appearance and visit.
He may appear or even may have appeared in your life and we were just unaware. So it’s important to have our spiritual eyes and ears tuned into His truths found in Scripture and know His voice.
We need to have those hard talks with Jesus on our road trips because it’s in those moments we experience the AHA moments that change our life and direction and cause us to make important U-turns!
Close in Prayer
