WEBVTT

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 recognize that life brings with it broken hopes and promises. But there is something

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 so powerful in the fact that the seed of hope still wants to find its way to grow,

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 to bloom, to blossom, even through the cracks. Solomon in the book of Proverbs in the Bible

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 said that hope deferred makes the heart sick. And we understand that too, that hope needs its goal

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 and it needs its fulfillment. So as we gather here today, we are all at very different points

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 in our journeys of life and maybe in our journey with hope and our experience of hope. But together

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 we have a chance to see how hope connects with the events of that first Easter. We're going to consider

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 Christian hope as a journey. And we're going to do that through the lens of the disciple that we meet

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 on the road here, this man called Cleopas. Christian writer C.S. Lewis, in his book Mere Christianity,

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 he has a very helpful chapter on Christian hope. And he uses that image of Christian hope being a

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 journey. And it's a journey to a particular person, a journey towards God, towards Jesus.

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 And that journey of hope is also towards a particular place. It's towards heaven. It's towards life with

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 God. And while that journey in our lived-in experience brings ups and downs, and we know

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 Christian hope that we're going to be able to find out that way. And Christian hope is something that is

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 really powerful. It's not the weak hope, you know, I wish, you know, I hope it won't rain when I go on

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 holiday. Or I hope I'll get one more Easter egg. It's not that kind of hope. Christian hope is not also that

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 kind of naive optimism, that hopefulness that imagines, well, somehow things will always get better. As Christians,

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 many of us have come to know that actually things may get harder in this life. Things may not get better. But still,

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 we have that hope, we have that hope, that fixed goal, and that person. So the Christian hope that we're

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 going to talk about this morning is a fixed conviction. And it's a conviction because it's based on historical

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 facts, the death and the resurrection of Jesus. And it's the hope that one day, life for us will be life in a

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 perfect world. New creation. With our perfect Savior, the risen Lord Jesus. And that for life today,

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 and we're going to see this in our story, even when hope seems lost, the resurrection of Jesus changes

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 everything. So look with me, first of all, at verses 13 to 24, and this moment in Cleopas's life when hope

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 seems lost. We can picture the scene together. Verse 13 to 14, we're told of these two followers,

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 Cleopas and an unnamed companion, and they are trudging the seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus.

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 Their heads are down, eyes clouded by tears, reflecting on recent events in Jerusalem.

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 We get an insight into what's going on in Cleopas's heart in verse 21 as Jesus begins to speak to him.

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 The sorrow of his heart revealed in three simple words, we had hoped. Past tense.

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 For Cleopas hope is dead and buried because he thinks Jesus is dead and buried.

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 It's the same kind of logic that we come across in Paul's writings in 1 Corinthians 15,

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 where he will say really bluntly and directly, if Christ is not raised, Christian preaching

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 is useless. Christian faith is useless. God, well, he's a liar because he said he would raise his son.

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 Sin is unforgiven. Paul will say, if only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people to be

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 most pitied. Cleopas is feeling that because he doesn't know that Jesus has been raised.

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 His experience to live without hope is to cease to live, and without Jesus, Christian hope ceases to live.

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 And then as they're walking towards Emmaus, verse 15 and 16, they're discussing, they're talking,

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 and Jesus himself came up and walked with them. The risen Jesus appears. And notice this,

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 if this was a made-up story, we would have this, I am sure. And Cleopas, when he saw the risen Jesus,

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 he jumped for joy, and there was trumpets sounding, and there was happy laughter, but instead,

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 they were kept from recognizing him. Not sure why. Was that because there was tears filling their eyes?

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 Was it because their despair was so great? Was it because it was God's timing, and the reality wasn't

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 to be revealed just then? As Jesus begins his conversation with Cleopas and this other

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 companion, we see that Cleopas, he knows all about the journey of Jesus.

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 He's been part of the story of Jesus,

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 but he doesn't have the last chapter.

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 And so he doesn't have the resolution to the story. He doesn't have the happily ever after of

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 the journey of Jesus. And because of that, without knowing the resurrection for himself,

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 Cleopas has no hope. And so we're being led to see that Christian hope relies on the bodily

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 resurrection of Jesus. So we're going to listen in to what Cleopas says. And as we do so,

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 remember this is history. Ask yourself,

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 is this true? Or is it a lie? And if this is true,

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 do you see how important it is to your life? Listen to what he says as Jesus asks him,

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 what are the things you've been talking about? He says about Jesus of Nazareth,

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 he was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. So for Cleopas,

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 he knows Jesus is sent by God, powerful preacher. Verse 20, he knows Jesus was sentenced to death.

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 and was crucified. Verse 21, he knows that Jesus was his hope, the one who was going to redeem Israel.

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 He's heard the report in verse 21, on the third day, the women went to the tomb and they found it empty.

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 And verse 23, he knows that there's that report of the vision of angels who declared Jesus to be

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 risen and alive. He knows that a few days earlier, Jesus had come riding into Jerusalem on a donkey,

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 proclaimed as the king. And as Jesus entered, he performed miracles.

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 And when he arrived in Jerusalem, he confronted the corrupt religious leaders.

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 And Jesus would then humble himself to wash his disciples' feet, anticipating serving them and all who

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 trust in him by dying to wash us, not from dirt, but from sin. Jesus kept the Passover,

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 and he showed people how it pointed to his coming sacrifice.

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 Cleopas knew on the journey of Jesus, he was betrayed and beaten and sentenced to death by a Jewish and Roman

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 conspiracy, and he was placed in a tomb.

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 What he needs to discover is that on the third day, he stood up and walked out, proving he is the Son of God,

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 he is the true Messiah, he is the Savior King, he has broken the power of Satan and sin and death.

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 But at this point, for Cleopas, it's like the puzzle pieces don't fit together.

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 For him, Jesus is dead.

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 So there is no forgiveness.

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 There is no rescue.

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 There is no prospect of Jesus bringing people back home to God.

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 No wonder Cleopas is in despair.

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 And again, his story shows us the resurrection of Jesus.

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 It's everything.

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 Without it, Cleopas' hope,

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 it lies crushed in the dusty streets of Jerusalem.

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 God has not come to save his people.

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 If Jesus is still in the tomb,

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 our faith,

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 our being here,

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 it's a waste of time.

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 And so Easter Sunday is a great time

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 for us to ask the question,

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 is this true?

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 And to understand and to appreciate

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 that we have very good reason

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 to believe it is true.

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 that we can do the work of a historian,

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 we can evaluate the available data,

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 we can ask what's the best explanation,

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 and we can conclude this is true.

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 Because whenever we read any of the gospel writers,

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 this morning we read Luke,

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 we are listening to the earliest eyewitness accounts.

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 They are trustworthy.

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 When we put those four gospels together,

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 we have multiple independent cross-reference reports

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 all testifying to the same truth.

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 We have credible written sources

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 within a generation of the events.

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 And recognize too,

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 that these records include

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 a number of embarrassing truths,

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 a number of inconvenient truths.

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 It was embarrassing to people

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 that Jesus came from Nazareth.

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 The gospels are full of the lack of understanding

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 and failure of his disciples.

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 It tells us that Cleopas lacked hope

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 even though he was told

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 that he should have had hope.

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 Women as the first eyewitnesses

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 was not something a first century Jewish person

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 would make up.

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 Consider too,

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 the transformation of the disciples.

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 From running and hiding,

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 denying Jesus as Lord,

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 to boldly proclaiming Jesus risen and alive,

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 right in the center of where it all happened,

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 in Jerusalem itself.

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 Willing to suffer and die with hope.

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 Consider the reality

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 that we don't talk about the death of Christianity,

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 but we've seen the explosive life of Christianity

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 for the last 2,000 years.

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 The best explanation

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 is that the resurrection actually happened.

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 That these appearances recorded in the gospels

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 actually took place.

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 And that Cleopas

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 and each of us,

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 we would not be wrong

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 to hope in Jesus as Redeemer.

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 This morning,

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 you might find yourself like Cleopas,

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 perhaps having questions about the facts

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 and maybe not able to put them together.

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 If that's the case,

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 if that's where you're at,

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 there's loads of really great resources.

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 Please speak to me afterwards

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 if you like to use the internet.

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 Guys like Wes Halfley,

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 Strobel,

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 William Lane,

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 Crager,

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 loads of great resources

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 on the resurrection.

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 But this morning,

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 you might find yourself like Cleopas

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 in this way,

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 where you feel hopeless.

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 Life is going badly.

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 Disappointments keep rolling in.

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 Maybe you're troubled by your past.

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 Maybe you see no light for your future.

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 Maybe you resonate with this.

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 My life is a perfect graveyard

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 of buried hopes.

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 If that's where you are this morning,

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 let me encourage you

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 to listen in to Jesus,

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 to look to Jesus.

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 Because as you see from Cleopas,

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 when hope seems lost,

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 the resurrection of Jesus

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 changes everything.

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 So that's what we need to turn to now.

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 Verses 25 to 34.

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 The resurrection changes everything.

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 We said at the beginning,

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 Christian hope is a journey

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 to a person and to a place.

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 Cleopas' story is a journey.

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 Now, it began,

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 and we heard it,

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 with that sad seven-mile hike

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 from Jerusalem to Emmaus,

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 hope in tatters.

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 But we read verses 33 and 34,

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 didn't we?

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 Where we see the journey is reversed

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 and where the emotions

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 are completely different.

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 We see a seven-mile joyful sprint.

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 Because now he's discovered

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 Jesus, the Son of God,

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 is alive.

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 And he can't wait

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 to tell his friends

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 the good news.

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 So I want us to notice

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 three things that Jesus does

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 for Cleopas on this journey.

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 Three things, actually,

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 that Jesus continues to do

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 in people's lives today.

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 Three things that Jesus can do

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 for you and for me today.

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 So we're going to look at them briefly,

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 think about the promise

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 contained in them,

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 think about the pattern there is.

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 First, we need to think about

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 what does Jesus say?

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 Look at verses 25 to 27.

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 What does Jesus say?

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 Well, what we hear from Jesus,

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 well, what Cleopas got to hear,

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 is Jesus leading history's

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 greatest Bible study.

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 How foolish you are

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 and how slow to believe

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 all that the prophets have spoken.

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 Did not the Messiah

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 have to suffer these things

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 and then enter his glory?

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 Beginning with Moses

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 and all the prophets,

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 he explained to them

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 what was said

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 in all the scriptures

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 concerning himself.

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 So he walks them through

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 the story of the Bible,

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 of the Old Testament,

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 to say to them,

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 first of all,

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 listen,

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 the events of Easter

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 that seem so shocking to you,

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 they had to happen.

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 They're all part of

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 God's salvation plan.

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 And then he invited them

00:17:43.039 --> 00:17:43.900
 into the Old Testament

00:17:43.900 --> 00:17:45.460
 to see all the promises,

00:17:46.079 --> 00:17:48.079
 all the prophecies made

00:17:48.079 --> 00:17:49.740
 about salvation,

00:17:50.420 --> 00:17:51.339
 about rescue,

00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:54.099
 they come true in Jesus.

00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:56.539
 And that's something

00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:57.900
 that we all need to see,

00:17:58.420 --> 00:18:00.720
 that God has been writing

00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:03.420
 his story of redemption

00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:05.519
 on purpose,

00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:06.420
 and that included

00:18:06.420 --> 00:18:07.879
 the suffering and death

00:18:07.879 --> 00:18:08.619
 of his son,

00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:09.700
 the Lord Jesus.

00:18:09.700 --> 00:18:10.460
 But that was not

00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:11.879
 the end of the story.

00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:14.500
 And so we keep reading on

00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:15.759
 and we come to the resurrection

00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:16.619
 of Jesus.

00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:17.559
 And we've been singing,

00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:17.960
 haven't we,

00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:19.519
 of the victory of Jesus,

00:18:19.639 --> 00:18:20.859
 of the glory of Jesus,

00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:23.299
 of the demonstration

00:18:23.299 --> 00:18:24.519
 of God's love

00:18:24.519 --> 00:18:25.440
 in his death

00:18:25.440 --> 00:18:26.200
 and resurrection.

00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:26.319
 resurrection.

00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:30.660
 We've been working

00:18:30.660 --> 00:18:31.680
 through the early chapters

00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:32.240
 of Genesis.

00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:33.420
 Remember that promise

00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:34.660
 of the one who would come

00:18:34.660 --> 00:18:35.620
 and crush the head

00:18:35.620 --> 00:18:36.180
 of the serpent?

00:18:36.340 --> 00:18:37.620
 Jesus is the great

00:18:37.620 --> 00:18:38.539
 snake crusher

00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:40.920
 anticipated in Genesis 3.

00:18:41.840 --> 00:18:43.039
 And he does that

00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:44.799
 by tasting the sting

00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:46.000
 of death,

00:18:47.100 --> 00:18:48.200
 taking the wages,

00:18:48.360 --> 00:18:49.640
 the punishment of sin

00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:50.980
 for us,

00:18:52.600 --> 00:18:54.539
 satisfying God's wrath,

00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:54.579
 death.

00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:57.539
 And in his resurrection,

00:18:58.159 --> 00:18:59.720
 we can have confidence

00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:01.500
 that Satan has been

00:19:01.500 --> 00:19:03.480
 trampled in defeat,

00:19:03.899 --> 00:19:06.659
 the devil has been defanged,

00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:08.920
 and we can enjoy

00:19:08.920 --> 00:19:11.180
 the blessing of forgiveness.

00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:17.839
 Another hugely significant passage

00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:19.700
 is Isaiah 53.

00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:22.119
 And we can well imagine

00:19:22.119 --> 00:19:23.579
 Jesus bringing Cleopas

00:19:23.579 --> 00:19:25.019
 there in recognizing

00:19:25.019 --> 00:19:26.699
 Jesus as the suffering servant,

00:19:27.419 --> 00:19:29.079
 the lamb who was led

00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:29.960
 to the slaughter,

00:19:30.460 --> 00:19:31.779
 the one who was silent

00:19:31.779 --> 00:19:33.639
 before his executioners,

00:19:34.199 --> 00:19:35.000
 the one who was both

00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:36.879
 substitute and sacrifice,

00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:40.079
 that the Lord had laid on Jesus

00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:42.139
 the sin of his people,

00:19:42.359 --> 00:19:42.980
 and then,

00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:44.720
 just as was promised

00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:46.039
 by the prophet Isaiah,

00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:48.179
 Jesus saw the light of life,

00:19:48.419 --> 00:19:49.759
 and he was satisfied.

00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:52.059
 He had finished his work,

00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:53.559
 God was pleased with him,

00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:55.379
 and he would bring to glory

00:19:55.379 --> 00:19:56.960
 all who trusted in him.

00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:58.460
 So here is the promise.

00:19:59.379 --> 00:20:01.059
 Jesus is the Son of God.

00:20:01.599 --> 00:20:03.379
 Jesus is the promised King.

00:20:03.679 --> 00:20:06.119
 He is the great hero of God's story,

00:20:06.179 --> 00:20:07.579
 and hope in him

00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:09.379
 will never be disappointed.

00:20:11.879 --> 00:20:14.119
 But recognize here, too,

00:20:14.179 --> 00:20:14.899
 is a pattern.

00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:17.280
 Because Jesus didn't just speak

00:20:17.280 --> 00:20:17.980
 back then.

00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:21.019
 Jesus still speaks today

00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:23.840
 through the Word of God,

00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:24.360
 the Bible,

00:20:24.980 --> 00:20:26.140
 by his Spirit,

00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:29.400
 to reveal these same truths,

00:20:29.880 --> 00:20:30.960
 that all the Bible

00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:32.040
 is about Jesus,

00:20:32.280 --> 00:20:33.259
 all the Bible

00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:35.700
 is telling God's salvation story,

00:20:35.800 --> 00:20:37.540
 where Jesus is the great Savior,

00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:39.060
 and by faith,

00:20:39.800 --> 00:20:40.980
 you and I can be part

00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:41.820
 of that story.

00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:44.799
 If we turn from our sin,

00:20:44.879 --> 00:20:46.319
 if we trust in Jesus,

00:20:46.879 --> 00:20:48.500
 because he is alive,

00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:51.939
 we can know new life with God.

00:20:53.419 --> 00:20:55.419
 So that's what Jesus says.

00:20:57.319 --> 00:20:58.659
 Let's think secondly

00:20:58.659 --> 00:21:00.439
 about what does Jesus do.

00:21:01.799 --> 00:21:03.279
 Look at verse 30.

00:21:04.419 --> 00:21:05.740
 It's the end of the day.

00:21:06.419 --> 00:21:07.899
 Evening is drawn in.

00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:09.800
 Jesus makes the head

00:21:09.800 --> 00:21:11.000
 past the village,

00:21:12.320 --> 00:21:13.940
 but Cleopas and his companion

00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:15.200
 invite him in for a meal.

00:21:15.360 --> 00:21:16.860
 And when Jesus was at the table

00:21:16.860 --> 00:21:17.519
 with them,

00:21:18.100 --> 00:21:19.060
 he took bread,

00:21:19.580 --> 00:21:20.540
 gave thanks,

00:21:21.100 --> 00:21:21.820
 broke it,

00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:23.460
 and began to give it to them.

00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:25.360
 Then their eyes were opened,

00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:26.600
 and they recognized him,

00:21:26.620 --> 00:21:27.180
 and he disappeared

00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:27.980
 from their sight.

00:21:28.060 --> 00:21:28.220
 Now,

00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:30.120
 I want to ask this question.

00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:32.420
 Why does this moment

00:21:32.420 --> 00:21:34.019
 of breaking bread,

00:21:34.100 --> 00:21:35.460
 why does that cause hope

00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:37.620
 to spark in Cleopas' heart?

00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:38.539
 Because that's the moment.

00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:39.939
 That's the great aha moment

00:21:39.939 --> 00:21:41.599
 when he understands

00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:42.619
 Jesus really is alive.

00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:44.399
 Why does that happen?

00:21:45.619 --> 00:21:46.099
 Maybe

00:21:46.099 --> 00:21:49.059
 it's because

00:21:49.059 --> 00:21:50.579
 of the time

00:21:50.579 --> 00:21:51.459
 when Jesus fed

00:21:51.459 --> 00:21:52.359
 the great crowd

00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:54.179
 of 5,000 plus people.

00:21:55.479 --> 00:21:56.759
 And when Jesus declared,

00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:58.219
 I am the bread of life.

00:21:59.119 --> 00:21:59.919
 I am the one

00:21:59.919 --> 00:22:00.919
 who satisfies

00:22:00.919 --> 00:22:02.339
 your deep hunger.

00:22:02.419 --> 00:22:03.059
 I've been sent

00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:04.899
 by God to do that.

00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:07.000
 I am God's provision

00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:07.840
 for hungry hearts

00:22:07.840 --> 00:22:08.440
 and souls.

00:22:11.040 --> 00:22:11.680
 Perhaps

00:22:11.680 --> 00:22:15.740
 it was as Cleopas

00:22:15.740 --> 00:22:16.500
 was thinking about

00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:17.140
 what happened

00:22:17.140 --> 00:22:18.780
 at the last supper

00:22:18.780 --> 00:22:20.920
 as Jesus celebrated

00:22:20.920 --> 00:22:21.759
 the Passover,

00:22:22.680 --> 00:22:23.900
 and he took bread,

00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:25.120
 and he said,

00:22:25.340 --> 00:22:26.160
 this is my body,

00:22:26.800 --> 00:22:27.800
 broken for you.

00:22:29.820 --> 00:22:30.860
 Cleopas understood

00:22:30.860 --> 00:22:32.019
 that in the body

00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:33.100
 of Jesus being broken,

00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:34.099
 and the blood spilled

00:22:34.099 --> 00:22:34.719
 at the cross,

00:22:35.139 --> 00:22:36.139
 sin was forgiven,

00:22:36.579 --> 00:22:38.099
 relationship was restored,

00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:39.959
 and the promise

00:22:39.959 --> 00:22:40.740
 that feeds hope

00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:41.279
 is that Jesus

00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:42.179
 is now alive.

00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:44.980
 Jesus is now

00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:46.119
 sharing fellowship

00:22:46.119 --> 00:22:47.139
 with his people.

00:22:48.679 --> 00:22:49.719
 He's with us always

00:22:49.719 --> 00:22:51.000
 to the end of the age.

00:22:51.939 --> 00:22:53.480
 Jesus still is providing

00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:54.399
 the goodness

00:22:54.399 --> 00:22:55.139
 and mercy

00:22:55.139 --> 00:22:56.099
 to sustain

00:22:56.099 --> 00:22:56.919
 his followers

00:22:56.919 --> 00:22:57.619
 in their lives

00:22:57.619 --> 00:22:58.339
 of faith,

00:22:58.339 --> 00:23:01.299
 bringing hope

00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:02.319
 where everything

00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:03.000
 seems hopeless,

00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:05.399
 and recognize

00:23:05.399 --> 00:23:06.159
 that Jesus

00:23:06.159 --> 00:23:07.019
 comes near

00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:08.179
 and does good

00:23:08.179 --> 00:23:11.559
 not to perfect followers,

00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:14.699
 not to perfect people.

00:23:16.379 --> 00:23:18.099
 Jesus is so patient

00:23:18.099 --> 00:23:18.839
 and kind

00:23:18.839 --> 00:23:20.519
 as to share fellowship

00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:22.379
 with doubting,

00:23:23.099 --> 00:23:23.599
 troubled,

00:23:24.679 --> 00:23:25.779
 sinful followers

00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:27.819
 who look to him

00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:28.379
 in faith.

00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:32.299
 That's his promise.

00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:34.339
 And the pattern

00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:35.059
 that backs up

00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:35.619
 that promise,

00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:36.899
 the pattern he sets,

00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:38.559
 well,

00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:39.460
 it's the Lord's Supper.

00:23:40.660 --> 00:23:41.920
 It's that visible

00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:42.519
 sermon

00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:44.240
 that Jesus

00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:45.200
 dies

00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:46.819
 so that trusting

00:23:46.819 --> 00:23:47.180
 in him,

00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:47.519
 we,

00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:48.839
 we can live.

00:23:50.899 --> 00:23:51.740
 And Jesus

00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:52.559
 lives

00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:54.059
 to be our

00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:55.460
 source of strength

00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:57.399
 to make sure

00:23:57.399 --> 00:23:58.480
 that we make it

00:23:58.480 --> 00:23:59.480
 to journey's end,

00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:01.519
 that we will be home

00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:02.679
 with our Lord

00:24:02.679 --> 00:24:03.919
 and our King

00:24:03.919 --> 00:24:05.000
 forever.

00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:12.000
 I wonder

00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:14.039
 for those of us

00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:14.819
 who are Christians,

00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:17.000
 are you here today

00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:18.039
 and you feel weak?

00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:20.519
 Do you feel

00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:21.759
 your hope

00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:22.879
 and your faith

00:24:22.879 --> 00:24:23.639
 is weak?

00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:26.420
 Do you feel

00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:26.899
 like you're hanging

00:24:26.899 --> 00:24:28.440
 on by your fingernails?

00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:31.839
 Recognize

00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:32.440
 and rest

00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:33.059
 in this.

00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:34.700
 Your hope

00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:35.139
 and mine

00:24:35.139 --> 00:24:35.819
 is not,

00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:37.980
 I think

00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:38.839
 I'll make it.

00:24:40.139 --> 00:24:41.039
 Our hope

00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:41.859
 is in the risen

00:24:41.859 --> 00:24:43.079
 Christ's commitment

00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:44.039
 to make sure

00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:45.000
 you and I will.

00:24:45.619 --> 00:24:47.000
 He will save us

00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:48.599
 and he will keep us.

00:24:49.839 --> 00:24:50.980
 Consider these words

00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:51.519
 of the pastor

00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:52.359
 Thomas Goodwin.

00:24:53.099 --> 00:24:53.759
 We owe

00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:54.720
 our standing

00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:56.359
 every moment

00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:58.160
 to his,

00:24:58.180 --> 00:24:58.779
 that's Jesus,

00:24:58.960 --> 00:24:59.440
 to his

00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:00.859
 sitting in heaven

00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:03.019
 and interceding

00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:04.160
 every moment.

00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:05.660
 He sacrificed

00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:06.240
 for you,

00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:07.220
 he prays for you,

00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:07.799
 those prayers

00:25:07.799 --> 00:25:08.480
 will not fail.

00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:11.859
 Jesus

00:25:11.859 --> 00:25:12.839
 must quit

00:25:12.839 --> 00:25:13.339
 heaven

00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:15.140
 and give up

00:25:15.140 --> 00:25:15.880
 living there

00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:17.060
 if he does

00:25:17.060 --> 00:25:17.760
 not bring

00:25:17.760 --> 00:25:18.620
 us to be

00:25:18.620 --> 00:25:19.220
 with him.

00:25:19.880 --> 00:25:20.300
 Do we

00:25:20.300 --> 00:25:21.020
 understand

00:25:21.020 --> 00:25:21.880
 how committed

00:25:21.880 --> 00:25:22.880
 Jesus is

00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:23.260
 to our

00:25:23.260 --> 00:25:24.320
 eternal salvation?

00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.340
 He will

00:25:26.340 --> 00:25:27.020
 not fail.

00:25:27.540 --> 00:25:27.920
 The death

00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:28.600
 and resurrection

00:25:28.600 --> 00:25:29.800
 stands as proof.

00:25:30.380 --> 00:25:31.440
 Those hands

00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:33.040
 that were held

00:25:33.040 --> 00:25:34.140
 out on the cross

00:25:34.140 --> 00:25:36.240
 to save

00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:36.780
 sinners,

00:25:37.780 --> 00:25:38.820
 those hands

00:25:38.820 --> 00:25:39.360
 that broke

00:25:39.360 --> 00:25:39.880
 bread

00:25:39.880 --> 00:25:40.640
 to feed

00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:41.100
 weary,

00:25:41.340 --> 00:25:42.420
 troubled souls,

00:25:43.620 --> 00:25:44.660
 those are the hands

00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:45.519
 that hold us.

00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.779
 He is

00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:48.680
 our hope.

00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:52.000
 The third thing

00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:52.540
 to notice

00:25:52.540 --> 00:25:53.000
 is this,

00:25:53.080 --> 00:25:53.940
 what effect

00:25:53.940 --> 00:25:55.420
 does Jesus

00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:56.160
 bring?

00:25:56.880 --> 00:25:57.560
 And that takes

00:25:57.560 --> 00:25:58.040
 us to verse

00:25:58.040 --> 00:25:58.660
 32,

00:25:58.980 --> 00:25:59.440
 and those

00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:00.600
 burning hearts,

00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:01.200
 what a wonderful

00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:01.900
 phrase.

00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:03.279
 Here's Cleopas

00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:03.880
 and his friend,

00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:04.620
 they ask each

00:26:04.620 --> 00:26:04.840
 other,

00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:06.140
 were not our

00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:07.019
 hearts burning

00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:07.640
 within us?

00:26:07.680 --> 00:26:08.220
 Well he talked

00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:08.900
 with us on the road

00:26:08.900 --> 00:26:09.400
 and opened the

00:26:09.400 --> 00:26:10.560
 scriptures to us.

00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:12.440
 again,

00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:13.259
 if hope

00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:14.480
 is the fuel

00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:15.339
 that drives

00:26:15.339 --> 00:26:16.119
 the engine,

00:26:17.639 --> 00:26:18.440
 I wonder

00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:18.919
 this morning

00:26:18.919 --> 00:26:19.480
 what level

00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:20.179
 our tank

00:26:20.179 --> 00:26:21.099
 is at.

00:26:23.179 --> 00:26:23.839
 Maybe for

00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:24.339
 some of us

00:26:24.339 --> 00:26:24.899
 we're beginning

00:26:24.899 --> 00:26:25.779
 to see,

00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:27.159
 even as we've

00:26:27.159 --> 00:26:27.819
 come here,

00:26:28.879 --> 00:26:30.000
 maybe my hope

00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:30.659
 is actually

00:26:30.659 --> 00:26:31.440
 placed in the

00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:32.139
 wrong thing.

00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:33.700
 Maybe I'm

00:26:33.700 --> 00:26:34.539
 placing my hope

00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:35.179
 in myself,

00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:36.059
 or in my job,

00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:36.859
 or in my wealth,

00:26:36.919 --> 00:26:37.659
 or in my health,

00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:38.519
 and there's that

00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:39.299
 recognition that

00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:39.879
 this is coming

00:26:39.879 --> 00:26:40.579
 up empty.

00:26:43.399 --> 00:26:44.019
 Maybe we're

00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.819
 following Jesus,

00:26:44.940 --> 00:26:45.480
 but our hope

00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:46.299
 is growing dim.

00:26:48.359 --> 00:26:49.079
 It's like those

00:26:49.079 --> 00:26:49.879
 dark clouds

00:26:49.879 --> 00:26:50.440
 are covering

00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:51.099
 the sun,

00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:52.440
 so we don't

00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:53.019
 feel it's

00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:53.419
 warm.

00:26:56.419 --> 00:26:56.899
 Well listen

00:26:56.899 --> 00:26:57.759
 to Cleopas.

00:26:59.079 --> 00:26:59.899
 Having met

00:26:59.899 --> 00:27:00.319
 the risen

00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:00.799
 Jesus,

00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:03.099
 Jesus explained

00:27:03.099 --> 00:27:03.539
 the Bible

00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:04.180
 is true,

00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:05.779
 the events

00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.159
 of Easter

00:27:06.159 --> 00:27:06.879
 have purpose,

00:27:07.879 --> 00:27:08.460
 his death

00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:08.839
 has given

00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:09.339
 way to

00:27:09.339 --> 00:27:09.859
 resurrection

00:27:09.859 --> 00:27:10.539
 victory,

00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:15.019
 and recognize

00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:15.339
 that it's

00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:15.899
 hope in the

00:27:15.899 --> 00:27:16.500
 risen Jesus

00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:17.220
 that can set

00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:17.839
 your heart

00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:18.759
 ablaze today.

00:27:22.119 --> 00:27:22.759
 I think

00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.240
 some of us

00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:23.579
 we know

00:27:23.579 --> 00:27:24.259
 this feeling.

00:27:25.199 --> 00:27:25.799
 It's one of

00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:27.059
 those things

00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:27.480
 that's easier

00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:28.039
 felt than

00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:28.299
 tell,

00:27:28.399 --> 00:27:28.959
 as we say

00:27:28.959 --> 00:27:30.659
 as Scots,

00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:33.419
 but you'll

00:27:33.419 --> 00:27:33.980
 know it.

00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:36.859
 Maybe it's

00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:37.419
 the hushed

00:27:37.420 --> 00:27:38.240
 moment in a

00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:38.600
 sermon

00:27:38.600 --> 00:27:40.600
 as if you

00:27:40.600 --> 00:27:40.920
 could hear

00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:41.720
 a pin drop.

00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:43.100
 It's as if

00:27:43.100 --> 00:27:44.220
 God himself

00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:46.100
 has spoken

00:27:46.100 --> 00:27:46.980
 to us.

00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.660
 But maybe

00:27:49.660 --> 00:27:50.279
 the burning

00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:51.200
 heart comes

00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:52.200
 when you're

00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:52.720
 speaking to

00:27:52.720 --> 00:27:53.340
 an older

00:27:53.340 --> 00:27:54.480
 godly

00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:54.980
 Christian

00:27:54.980 --> 00:27:56.779
 and you

00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.160
 get that

00:27:57.160 --> 00:27:57.720
 glimpse

00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:58.480
 into a

00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:59.019
 life of

00:27:59.019 --> 00:27:59.640
 faith that

00:27:59.640 --> 00:28:00.200
 seems so

00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:00.920
 real and

00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:01.620
 so beautiful

00:28:01.620 --> 00:28:01.940
 and it

00:28:01.940 --> 00:28:02.539
 causes your

00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:03.000
 heart

00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:03.440
 heart

00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:04.519
 to be

00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.059
 inflamed

00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:05.759
 by joy.

00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.460
 Maybe it

00:28:09.460 --> 00:28:09.980
 comes

00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:12.000
 sitting at

00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.380
 home

00:28:12.380 --> 00:28:13.319
 with your

00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:13.720
 Bible.

00:28:15.380 --> 00:28:16.119
 It's like

00:28:16.119 --> 00:28:16.599
 you've done

00:28:16.599 --> 00:28:16.980
 many, many

00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:17.480
 times and

00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:17.859
 all of a

00:28:17.859 --> 00:28:18.279
 sudden those

00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:18.940
 words jump

00:28:18.940 --> 00:28:19.339
 off the

00:28:19.339 --> 00:28:19.799
 page and

00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:20.380
 they come

00:28:20.380 --> 00:28:21.380
 alive and

00:28:21.380 --> 00:28:21.880
 the gospel

00:28:21.880 --> 00:28:22.619
 cuts right

00:28:22.619 --> 00:28:23.039
 to your

00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:24.279
 heart and

00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:24.700
 meets you

00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:24.880
 at your

00:28:24.880 --> 00:28:25.319
 point of

00:28:25.319 --> 00:28:25.640
 need.

00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:28.900
 Maybe it's

00:28:28.900 --> 00:28:29.259
 the moment

00:28:29.259 --> 00:28:29.599
 when you

00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:31.039
 prayed and

00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:31.619
 asked Jesus

00:28:31.619 --> 00:28:32.099
 to forgive

00:28:32.099 --> 00:28:32.599
 and to

00:28:32.599 --> 00:28:33.279
 save you.

00:28:36.019 --> 00:28:36.839
 Jesus is

00:28:36.839 --> 00:28:37.179
 in the

00:28:37.179 --> 00:28:37.919
 business of

00:28:37.919 --> 00:28:39.179
 working on

00:28:39.179 --> 00:28:40.099
 our hearts

00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:40.879
 and Jesus

00:28:40.879 --> 00:28:41.659
 is so good

00:28:41.659 --> 00:28:42.379
 and kind

00:28:42.379 --> 00:28:43.519
 as to give

00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:44.000
 us these

00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:45.759
 moments to

00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:46.500
 send his

00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:48.259
 spirit to

00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:48.939
 confirm to

00:28:48.939 --> 00:28:49.219
 us that

00:28:49.219 --> 00:28:49.979
 these things

00:28:49.979 --> 00:28:51.039
 are true.

00:28:52.919 --> 00:28:53.619
 And the

00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:54.939
 promise is

00:28:54.939 --> 00:28:55.419
 that Jesus

00:28:55.419 --> 00:28:56.259
 still works

00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:56.699
 in hearts

00:28:56.699 --> 00:28:57.119
 and still

00:28:57.119 --> 00:28:57.639
 works in

00:28:57.639 --> 00:28:58.519
 lives today.

00:28:59.819 --> 00:29:00.539
 That when

00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:01.379
 we meet the

00:29:01.380 --> 00:29:02.180
 risen Jesus

00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:03.340
 we receive

00:29:03.340 --> 00:29:03.820
 the Holy

00:29:03.820 --> 00:29:04.300
 Spirit and

00:29:04.300 --> 00:29:04.880
 remember that

00:29:04.880 --> 00:29:05.200
 when the

00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:05.740
 Spirit was

00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:06.500
 sent first

00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:06.960
 how did it

00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:07.500
 appear as

00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:08.140
 a flame of

00:29:08.140 --> 00:29:08.620
 fire?

00:29:11.240 --> 00:29:12.020
 That fire

00:29:12.020 --> 00:29:13.380
 burns as

00:29:13.380 --> 00:29:14.040
 we realize

00:29:14.040 --> 00:29:14.720
 Jesus is

00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:15.160
 alive and

00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:15.900
 he loves me

00:29:15.900 --> 00:29:16.960
 and he is

00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:17.580
 with me and

00:29:17.580 --> 00:29:18.200
 he is for

00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:18.520
 me.

00:29:19.660 --> 00:29:20.160
 And we can

00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:20.720
 have that

00:29:20.720 --> 00:29:21.460
 certainty if

00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:22.020
 we turn to

00:29:22.020 --> 00:29:22.320
 him in

00:29:22.320 --> 00:29:22.560
 faith.

00:29:24.760 --> 00:29:25.280
 And then

00:29:25.280 --> 00:29:25.500
 don't you

00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:25.800
 love what

00:29:25.800 --> 00:29:26.860
 happens next?

00:29:28.180 --> 00:29:28.500
 I think it's

00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:29.180
 the pattern

00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:30.460
 that God

00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:30.960
 sets for

00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:31.920
 all believers.

00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:33.640
 He discovers

00:29:33.640 --> 00:29:34.180
 these things

00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:34.759
 are true.

00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:35.720
 Hope is

00:29:35.720 --> 00:29:36.259
 burning in

00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:36.759
 his heart.

00:29:37.180 --> 00:29:37.380
 And so he

00:29:37.380 --> 00:29:37.720
 doesn't keep

00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:37.860
 it to

00:29:37.860 --> 00:29:38.059
 himself.

00:29:38.140 --> 00:29:38.400
 Rather he

00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:39.319
 runs joyfully

00:29:39.319 --> 00:29:40.700
 to spread

00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.500
 the word to

00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:42.299
 the disciples.

00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:44.180
 And

00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:44.840
 Cleopas is

00:29:44.840 --> 00:29:45.299
 part of that

00:29:45.299 --> 00:29:46.400
 first generation

00:29:46.400 --> 00:29:47.160
 that will

00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:47.759
 begin to

00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:48.360
 turn the

00:29:48.360 --> 00:29:49.400
 world upside

00:29:49.400 --> 00:29:50.200
 down with

00:29:50.200 --> 00:29:50.779
 the good

00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:51.740
 news that

00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:52.440
 it is

00:29:52.440 --> 00:29:53.779
 true the

00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:54.880
 Lord has

00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:55.880
 risen.

00:29:55.880 --> 00:29:56.060
 sin.

00:29:57.840 --> 00:29:58.900
 And that's

00:29:58.900 --> 00:29:59.660
 the basis

00:29:59.660 --> 00:30:00.640
 for our

00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:01.120
 hope.

00:30:01.600 --> 00:30:02.100
 It is

00:30:02.100 --> 00:30:03.520
 true that

00:30:03.520 --> 00:30:04.440
 Jesus is

00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:04.880
 alive.

00:30:07.260 --> 00:30:07.700
 And so

00:30:07.700 --> 00:30:08.500
 this Easter

00:30:08.500 --> 00:30:09.860
 I can

00:30:09.860 --> 00:30:10.360
 invite each

00:30:10.360 --> 00:30:11.280
 one of us

00:30:11.280 --> 00:30:11.920
 into

00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:13.020
 Christian

00:30:13.020 --> 00:30:13.600
 hope.

00:30:14.520 --> 00:30:15.080
 Because

00:30:15.080 --> 00:30:15.520
 Christ has

00:30:15.520 --> 00:30:16.160
 been raised.

00:30:17.520 --> 00:30:18.000
 Forgiveness

00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:18.640
 of sin has

00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:19.360
 been secured.

00:30:20.420 --> 00:30:21.060
 The promise

00:30:21.060 --> 00:30:21.640
 of eternal

00:30:21.640 --> 00:30:22.260
 life with

00:30:22.260 --> 00:30:23.200
 God can be

00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:23.740
 proclaimed.

00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:25.000
 the power

00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:25.299
 and the

00:30:25.299 --> 00:30:25.940
 presence of

00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:26.319
 the risen

00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:26.980
 Lord Jesus

00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:27.700
 can be

00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:28.660
 our experience

00:30:28.660 --> 00:30:29.400
 in the

00:30:29.400 --> 00:30:29.900
 journey of

00:30:29.900 --> 00:30:30.400
 life.

00:30:31.000 --> 00:30:31.660
 In that

00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:32.220
 journey of

00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:32.660
 life and

00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:33.099
 faith that

00:30:33.099 --> 00:30:33.980
 ultimately will

00:30:33.980 --> 00:30:35.079
 lead us to

00:30:35.079 --> 00:30:35.559
 Jesus.

00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:38.220
 One day

00:30:38.220 --> 00:30:39.500
 to be made

00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.339
 like him

00:30:40.339 --> 00:30:42.579
 and to be

00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:43.160
 with him

00:30:43.160 --> 00:30:43.779
 forever.

00:30:44.900 --> 00:30:45.660
 A journey

00:30:45.660 --> 00:30:45.980
 that will

00:30:45.980 --> 00:30:46.740
 lead us

00:30:46.740 --> 00:30:47.420
 who have

00:30:47.420 --> 00:30:48.259
 faith to

00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:48.819
 the glory

00:30:48.819 --> 00:30:49.519
 of heaven

00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.640
 and ultimately

00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:51.240
 to new

00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:51.920
 creation.

00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:53.539
 to a

00:30:53.539 --> 00:30:54.140
 world free

00:30:54.140 --> 00:30:54.720
 of sickness

00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:55.360
 and pain

00:30:55.360 --> 00:30:55.880
 and sin

00:30:55.880 --> 00:30:56.519
 and suffering

00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:57.100
 and death.

00:30:57.180 --> 00:30:57.880
 A joyful

00:30:57.880 --> 00:30:58.560
 world where

00:30:58.560 --> 00:30:59.039
 all hope

00:30:59.039 --> 00:30:59.620
 comes true

00:30:59.620 --> 00:31:00.060
 forever.

00:31:09.560 --> 00:31:10.300
 Some of

00:31:10.300 --> 00:31:11.320
 us, we're

00:31:11.320 --> 00:31:11.740
 suffering.

00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:13.080
 We know

00:31:13.080 --> 00:31:13.460
 trouble.

00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:14.920
 We know

00:31:14.920 --> 00:31:15.360
 grief.

00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:17.460
 If our

00:31:17.460 --> 00:31:18.000
 path is

00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:18.480
 marked by

00:31:18.480 --> 00:31:19.140
 disappointment

00:31:19.140 --> 00:31:19.900
 and despair,

00:31:19.900 --> 00:31:21.019
 we know

00:31:21.019 --> 00:31:21.920
 that we

00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:22.060
 are here

00:31:22.060 --> 00:31:22.400
 today and

00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:22.540
 you're

00:31:22.540 --> 00:31:23.180
 searching

00:31:23.180 --> 00:31:24.860
 someone to

00:31:24.860 --> 00:31:25.460
 hold on

00:31:25.460 --> 00:31:25.620
 to,

00:31:25.840 --> 00:31:26.620
 someone to

00:31:26.620 --> 00:31:26.960
 give you

00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:28.000
 hope in

00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:28.500
 life and

00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:28.980
 in death.

00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:31.220
 Let me

00:31:31.220 --> 00:31:31.780
 invite each

00:31:31.780 --> 00:31:32.340
 one of us

00:31:32.340 --> 00:31:33.920
 to turn to

00:31:33.920 --> 00:31:34.240
 the risen

00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:34.880
 Lord Jesus.

00:31:36.540 --> 00:31:37.240
 Ask him

00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:37.640
 to walk

00:31:37.640 --> 00:31:38.200
 with you on

00:31:38.200 --> 00:31:38.600
 the journey

00:31:38.600 --> 00:31:39.200
 of life

00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:40.860
 and to

00:31:40.860 --> 00:31:41.440
 lead you

00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:42.720
 to your

00:31:42.720 --> 00:31:43.120
 eternal

00:31:43.120 --> 00:31:43.560
 home.

00:31:44.740 --> 00:31:45.660
 Let's pray

00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:46.500
 together.

00:31:46.500 --> 00:31:48.839
 Lord our

00:31:48.839 --> 00:31:49.779
 God, we

00:31:49.779 --> 00:31:50.400
 thank you

00:31:50.400 --> 00:31:51.019
 that these

00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:51.720
 things are

00:31:51.720 --> 00:31:52.480
 true, that

00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:53.440
 Jesus is

00:31:53.440 --> 00:31:54.359
 alive and

00:31:54.359 --> 00:31:55.119
 because Jesus

00:31:55.119 --> 00:31:56.920
 is alive, we

00:31:56.920 --> 00:31:57.759
 have living

00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:58.220
 hope.

00:31:58.660 --> 00:31:58.799
 Let's pray.

00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799


00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:58.799