The Story Continues: Part I

ACTS 1:1-11

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Acts 1:1–9). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Jesus, after rising from the dead: Appears, Assigns, & then Ascends

• Today we will talk about his APPEARING

“The first acts of business of the resurrection was Christ revealing himself to people, likewise, the

business of the hour is Christ being revealed to people.”

Jesus appears to two men on the road to Emmaus

Luke 24:13-35

13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that 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 him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 

28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Lk 24:13–35). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

We pick up this story with two disciples, one who is unnamed, and the other: Cleopas. 

• They were on their way to Emmaus from Jerusalem.

• Emmaus was about 7 miles from Jerusalem

• Suddenly, Christ appears to them while they are traveling, but the Bible says that their eyes were "kept from recognizing" that He was Christ.

3 Things that are impacted when Christ “Shows Up'“

1. An experience with Christ will give you a fresh perspective!

• They had heard all of the Jewish history through the lens of a prophetic silence of about 400 years.

• 4 generations had passed these Jewish historical accounts down to the next generation.

All of a sudden as Christ reveals himself in these stories, things take on a whole new meaning:

• Christ was the manna in the wilderness

• Jesus was the water flowing from the rock

• The Messiah was the golden serpent lifted, healing the camp

• Jesus was the Ark of the Covenant

• Jesus was David’s anointing

Hebrews 10: 7 (Reference of Psalm 40)

7Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—

In the volume of the book it is written of Me—

To do Your will, O God.’ ”

(It’s about HIM!)

When Jesus shows up, it will cause you to see things from a different perspective!

As they got a fresh look at what they had always perceived as just a compilation of stories, not only did their perception change, but something changed on the inside as well:

v.32: Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

2. An experience with Christ will set you on fire

I believe an experience with Jesus will get you fired up!

- That is exactly what happened to these two men:

- They had an experience with Jesus and it set their hearts on fire!

• Do you find yourself having to look for your "WHY?"

• Are you missing the passion in your life?

• How’s your heart?

David cried unto the Lord in Psalm 51:

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, 

and renew a right spirit within me. 

11 Cast me not away from your presence, 

and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, 

and uphold me with a willing spirit. 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ps 51:10–12). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

It is critical that you realize when you’re heart is no longer on fire!

- When you’re on fire! -

The cure to mediocre ministry: AN EXPERIENCE WITH JESUS

The cure for a mundane life: An experience with Jesus

3. An experience with Christ will take you back to your place of purpose

When you get your perspective right, and your heart right:

- As Jesus departs from them (Though no instruction to do so was given) They immediately return to Jerusalem.

Why were they going to Emmaus? I don’t know.

Something about that experience caused them to quickly return to Jerusalem.

- What is in Jerusalem for them?

1. The Community

- I don’t think it is an accident that Paul refers to the fellowship of believers as a “body” we were meant to work together

- We need each other, it’s not God’s will that you do this alone.

2. The Ministry

- They had a job to do, and guess what, so do we!

3. The Empowering

- Having an experience with Christ caused them to be in the right place at the right time for the empowerment for living!