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Completing the Circle

Completing the Circle

Words of Faith 2-27-19

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2019

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Luke 24

    [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.

    [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."

 

         Cleopas and his friend were astounded when they realized that they had been on this journey with the risen Lord Jesus Himself.  All afternoon they had talked and walked with the One who had conquered death and now was among them to give Life. 

        As they thought back they realized that they had sensed His truth and presence in the witness of the Spirit as their "hearts burned" within them.  The joy of all this was bursting within them. 

        They did not wait for morning.  They did not make an appointment.  They did not schedule a journey or pack for the road.  They did not do what was "sensible". They went out in the night, which was dangerous.  They went to those gathered in Jerusalem and gave the testimony that Jesus was alive and was able to bring them all to life.  When they gave testimony, the witness of others confirmed the truth of what they had seen and heard.

          The sixth step in the Journey of Emmaus is to give witness to others.  The experience of meeting the risen Lord Jesus compels us to share Him with others.  The truth of His resurrection and life is not something that can be contained. 

           For these two sojourners there was yet one more step.  The Lord now appeared in their midst in Jerusalem saying, Peace be with you.  Jerusalem was now transformed by the presence of the Risen Christ.  The journey had brought them full circle. The place of confusion was now a place of rejoicing and triumph. 

          The gathering of disciples did two things: they ate fish and ate the Word of God.  That is a very simple model of the church-- Fellowship and Teaching.  Jesus had not ascended yet at this gathering. It must have been a glorious day at church. 

          For us, the reality of the Lord is to be as real as if He were eating fish here among us.  The reality and power of worship is to be as accessible.  He is among us in teaching-- revealing and interpreting by His Spirit.  We seek that same place when we break bread together and open the Word of God.

          One of the difficulties in modern Christian culture is that we get highly subjective and individualized in our connection to Christ.  We often miss these last two steps in the journey.  We may discover the truth of the risen Christ through a variety of modern means, but we fail to give witness to others and we fail to connect in genuine fellowship.  The problem is not an easy one.  Witness and fellowship is more than just attending a Bible believing church, although that may be a great place to start. 

             Witness and fellowship involves connecting in real relationships.  It involves giving testimony through public baptism.  It involves a change in habits moving toward community rather than isolation.  It involves table fellowship and Bible fellowship-- relationship and learning. 

            Where are you in the journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus?  Jesus died for you.  He was raised from the dead.  But we each need to encounter the living Christ in a personal way.  We need to get from Jerusalem to Emmaus, and then back again.  Here are the steps.

    1) START - "I want to go home..."

    2) JOIN WITH ANOTHER -"Will you walk with me?"

    3) WELCOME the STRANGER (Jesus) - "Welcome stranger, our hearts burn within us."

    4) TEACHABLE SPIRIT - "Teach me and challenge me."

    5) INVITE HIM TO STAY - "Won't you come in to stay?"

    6) GIVE WITNESS - "We have met the Risen Christ!"

    7) FELLOWSHIP - "Let's eat food and study the Word."

 

          Father God, teach me the joy of giving witness to Your greatest miracle.  Teach me the miracle of community in the fellowship of believers.  Lead me to the place of fellowship, learning and study where You want me to grow and serve.  In Jesus' name.