WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.139 Twenty, twenty-five is coming to an end. 00:00:05.780 --> 00:00:09.519 I realized, I don't know what this year has been like for you, 00:00:09.519 --> 00:00:12.859 but for me it's just been just one thing after another. 00:00:13.400 --> 00:00:15.099 And even as we were just worshipping, I was like, 00:00:15.140 --> 00:00:18.740 I don't even know if I had a chance to stop and just catch a breath. 00:00:20.240 --> 00:00:21.280 And so why don't we do that now? 00:00:21.359 --> 00:00:23.859 Just for 30 seconds. 00:00:24.960 --> 00:00:26.859 The introverts, I know you'll love me for this. 00:00:26.859 --> 00:00:31.140 Just no talking, just sit there and just reflect and go, 00:00:31.199 --> 00:00:33.019 what's 2025 been like for you? 00:00:33.460 --> 00:00:36.019 Just, if you need to close your eyes, whatever it is, 00:00:36.019 --> 00:00:36.840 just spend a moment now. 00:00:56.859 --> 00:00:59.659 It's been a crazy year. 00:01:01.539 --> 00:01:06.219 Struggled to compute how these 12 months have really kind of passed us by. 00:01:06.519 --> 00:01:08.659 So I relied on Wikipedia to help me. 00:01:09.060 --> 00:01:11.060 And I searched for 2025. 00:01:11.620 --> 00:01:12.939 And Wikipedia tells me this. 00:01:13.079 --> 00:01:18.140 In January 2025, Donald J. Trump becomes president again. 00:01:18.599 --> 00:01:22.299 There's an earthquake in Tibet that kills 126 people. 00:01:22.299 --> 00:01:24.700 There are the wildfires in LA. 00:01:25.420 --> 00:01:27.539 The South Korean president is arrested. 00:01:28.120 --> 00:01:32.359 In February, there's a China versus US trade war that starts. 00:01:32.519 --> 00:01:36.219 In March, the Filipino president is arrested for crimes against humanity. 00:01:36.819 --> 00:01:38.840 Justin Trudeau of Canada steps down. 00:01:39.640 --> 00:01:45.099 In April, Santo Domingo, there's a concert where a roof collapses and kills 231 people. 00:01:45.340 --> 00:01:48.599 In May, the India-Pakistan conflict begins. 00:01:48.599 --> 00:01:51.259 In June, the protests in LA begin. 00:01:51.479 --> 00:01:57.579 And there's also an Air India flight 171, London-bound, kills 229 people. 00:01:57.679 --> 00:02:02.799 In July, there's a flood in central Texas that leads to 135 losing their lives. 00:02:02.879 --> 00:02:05.299 In August, there's an earthquake in Afghanistan. 00:02:06.179 --> 00:02:07.899 2,200 lives there. 00:02:08.259 --> 00:02:12.799 On the very same day in Sudan, nearly 1,000 are killed by heavy rain and landslides. 00:02:13.359 --> 00:02:15.879 In September, Charlie Kirk is assassinated. 00:02:15.879 --> 00:02:18.900 There is an earthquake in Cebu that kills 71. 00:02:19.479 --> 00:02:23.599 In October, Israel and Hamas agree to the first phase of the Gaza peace deal. 00:02:25.039 --> 00:02:30.879 In November, there's a typhoon that swipes through Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, kills 288. 00:02:31.599 --> 00:02:35.199 There's a cyclone in Sri Lanka that kills 647. 00:02:35.620 --> 00:02:39.300 There is the fire in Thaipo that kills nearly 170. 00:02:39.300 --> 00:02:45.580 This month, the Bondi Beach shooting, killing 15, including a 10-year-old. 00:02:46.840 --> 00:02:47.900 That was Wikipedia. 00:02:47.900 --> 00:02:52.159 I don't know how that hits home for you. 00:02:52.260 --> 00:02:53.340 I mean, it's not all bad. 00:02:53.439 --> 00:02:56.879 There are good things that have happened this year, too. 00:02:58.200 --> 00:03:03.760 There's medical advancements that have led to progress in dealing with brain tumors. 00:03:04.700 --> 00:03:07.060 Apparently, this is the year that peak emissions... 00:03:07.060 --> 00:03:09.879 Actually, emissions in China have peaked and plateaued. 00:03:09.960 --> 00:03:12.759 And from here on, it should be getting better and better. 00:03:13.080 --> 00:03:14.900 We're making changes for climate change. 00:03:15.259 --> 00:03:16.080 That's a good thing. 00:03:16.080 --> 00:03:18.880 There's a global ocean treaty. 00:03:19.300 --> 00:03:22.780 79 nations signed on to this in October, protecting the high seas. 00:03:22.900 --> 00:03:24.660 Hopefully, the oceans will get better. 00:03:24.780 --> 00:03:27.100 We will protect the world around us even more. 00:03:28.620 --> 00:03:35.100 And in December, one country, Australia, started to make changes for smartphones and social media use 00:03:35.100 --> 00:03:38.540 to protect the young people growing up in this next generation. 00:03:40.560 --> 00:03:41.640 There are good things. 00:03:44.500 --> 00:03:46.020 But there are so many bad things. 00:03:47.080 --> 00:03:50.380 And even during the pre-service prayer, we were just praying and going, 00:03:51.100 --> 00:03:56.420 wow, how do you even approach this next year while still hold on to the grief from this last year? 00:03:57.360 --> 00:03:58.840 We were at a beautiful wedding. 00:03:58.920 --> 00:04:03.220 Actually, there were two couples that got married in our church yesterday, the same day. 00:04:04.520 --> 00:04:05.720 Okay, I need to get these names right. 00:04:05.780 --> 00:04:08.100 Honestly, it was the thing that gave me the most anxiety yesterday. 00:04:08.099 --> 00:04:12.840 Arrow and Janice got married in TSC. 00:04:12.840 --> 00:04:15.879 And then Jeremy and Luana got married in Tai Po. 00:04:16.439 --> 00:04:18.939 And as we were driving past, I was like, what a beautiful day. 00:04:20.540 --> 00:04:22.839 And what a horrific sight that I just drove past. 00:04:22.839 --> 00:04:27.919 And so as Christians, how do you hold those two things in tension? 00:04:27.920 --> 00:04:34.160 And if we're going to look forward into the next year, then how do we also look back? 00:04:35.280 --> 00:04:37.620 I was talking to a dear friend, actually, within this congregation. 00:04:37.740 --> 00:04:38.220 I won't bring him back. 00:04:38.259 --> 00:04:40.640 He was like, 2025 has been a bad year. 00:04:40.639 --> 00:04:44.240 Not just for the world, but for him personally. 00:04:44.300 --> 00:04:47.839 And he was like, I can't wait to get rid of 2025. 00:04:49.800 --> 00:04:54.860 But it makes me think, as followers of Christ, those of us who truly said, Jesus, we put our hope in you. 00:04:55.719 --> 00:04:56.639 What does that look like? 00:04:56.680 --> 00:05:00.759 How do we approach this next year and go, I have excitement. 00:05:00.899 --> 00:05:01.419 I have joy. 00:05:01.479 --> 00:05:02.039 I have hope. 00:05:02.419 --> 00:05:03.279 I have peace. 00:05:04.159 --> 00:05:06.740 But I also won't let go necessarily of that grief. 00:05:06.740 --> 00:05:09.099 And I'll lean into that because there is pain. 00:05:09.319 --> 00:05:09.860 There is sorrow. 00:05:09.860 --> 00:05:11.259 There is loss. 00:05:14.180 --> 00:05:18.520 We were devastated when the fires happened in Taipei last month. 00:05:19.160 --> 00:05:25.660 And yet, even as I read out the list, there's so many places in the world that have gone through loss, still going through loss. 00:05:26.080 --> 00:05:28.280 And this is only on the global macro scale. 00:05:28.560 --> 00:05:30.259 What about just even in your own lives? 00:05:30.980 --> 00:05:32.460 The loved ones that you've lost. 00:05:35.139 --> 00:05:39.180 The losses that you've had in your work, in your studies, in your family, in your friends. 00:05:39.860 --> 00:05:40.360 My goodness. 00:05:41.259 --> 00:05:42.340 How do we still have hope? 00:05:44.420 --> 00:05:45.439 How do we still have hope? 00:05:45.560 --> 00:05:47.939 That's the question that I want to try and answer today. 00:05:48.420 --> 00:05:50.000 It's a tough question to answer. 00:05:50.240 --> 00:05:54.139 But I think a lot of it comes down to how you perceive the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:05:54.139 --> 00:06:05.959 If you understand the lens of, through the lens of actually what Jesus did, who he is, and the consequences of that, then that will change the way you live. 00:06:05.959 --> 00:06:11.379 And then you can hold grief and gratitude hand in hand and still move forward with hope, with joy. 00:06:11.659 --> 00:06:15.359 But also, any moment, still break down in tears because you're like, this is not right. 00:06:15.579 --> 00:06:17.099 There is something that is not right in the world. 00:06:17.659 --> 00:06:18.259 And it is okay. 00:06:18.459 --> 00:06:21.839 Can we be people who have that kind of heart, who can be both? 00:06:23.579 --> 00:06:23.979 Simultaneously. 00:06:24.859 --> 00:06:25.299 Together. 00:06:25.300 --> 00:06:25.379 Together. 00:06:25.680 --> 00:06:29.060 Because if you don't, then actually all we see is just heartbreak. 00:06:30.300 --> 00:06:33.560 In December, we went through the series on Advent, which is why Jesus came. 00:06:34.240 --> 00:06:35.100 He came to give life. 00:06:35.199 --> 00:06:36.040 He came to give truth. 00:06:36.680 --> 00:06:39.259 He came to allow us to live abundantly. 00:06:39.600 --> 00:06:40.500 He came to save us. 00:06:40.500 --> 00:06:51.699 And so this day, I wanted to, as we walk back into the year before that's just passed, I want us to be able to walk and go, well, actually, how do I cope with that frustration? 00:06:51.819 --> 00:06:57.879 How do I cope with that almost disillusionment of just looking back at the year as well? 00:06:57.879 --> 00:07:02.319 And conveniently, in scripture, there is such an example. 00:07:02.319 --> 00:07:08.740 There are people who actually, as they navigate this life that is on earth, that they struggle. 00:07:09.019 --> 00:07:10.500 And they sometimes walk in the wrong direction. 00:07:10.639 --> 00:07:16.339 They sometimes are completely disillusioned, completely just giving up, disappointed, discouraged, deflated. 00:07:18.079 --> 00:07:20.699 And yet something happens to them that completely turns them around. 00:07:20.920 --> 00:07:23.180 And I wonder whether that will happen for us today. 00:07:23.180 --> 00:07:33.340 And the passage I'm talking about is in the end of Luke, Luke 24, where there are two people who walk on this road to Emmaus, away from Jerusalem. 00:07:33.340 --> 00:07:34.740 And it's a fascinating account. 00:07:34.800 --> 00:07:35.699 It's a fascinating story. 00:07:35.939 --> 00:07:39.019 I want us to be able to really understand and really enter into the story today. 00:07:39.120 --> 00:07:43.680 So as is our usual arrangement, we're going to read the word of the Lord. 00:07:43.740 --> 00:07:48.319 I'm going to invite you to stand because we want to just keep reminding ourselves to be filled with reverence and awe. 00:07:48.319 --> 00:07:51.439 And we have two wonderful friends who are going to come and read for us today. 00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:55.279 Luke chapter 24, verse 13 to 35. 00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:08.139 That very day, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:12.680 And they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 00:08:13.319 --> 00:08:18.279 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 00:08:18.279 --> 00:08:20.939 But their eyes kept from recognizing him. 00:08:21.079 --> 00:08:26.459 And he said to them, what is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk? 00:08:27.179 --> 00:08:29.659 And they stood still, looking sad. 00:08:30.539 --> 00:08:40.980 Then one of them named Cleopas answered him, are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know these things that had happened there in these days? 00:08:40.980 --> 00:08:43.680 And he said to them, what things? 00:08:43.680 --> 00:08:54.019 And they said to him, concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in the deed and word before God and all the people. 00:08:54.019 --> 00:09:02.100 And how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to condemn to death and crucified him. 00:09:02.100 --> 00:09:05.860 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. 00:09:06.580 --> 00:09:12.519 Yes, and besides all of this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 00:09:12.960 --> 00:09:16.860 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. 00:09:17.279 --> 00:09:19.860 They were at the tomb early in this morning. 00:09:20.019 --> 00:09:28.480 And when they said they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of the angels who said that he was alive. 00:09:28.480 --> 00:09:36.379 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it. 00:09:36.379 --> 00:09:40.420 It was just as the woman had said, but him they did not see. 00:09:40.740 --> 00:09:52.139 And they said to them, oh, foolish ones, and the slow of heart to believe all that the prophets has spoken was not necessary that the Christ should suffer. 00:09:52.139 --> 00:10:07.519 These things enter into his glory, and beginning with Moses and all the prophets he interpreted to them in all the scriptures and in all the scriptures, the things concerning himself. 00:10:07.819 --> 00:10:12.759 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. 00:10:13.039 --> 00:10:16.559 He acted as if they were going farther. 00:10:16.559 --> 00:10:25.079 But they urged him strongly, saying, stay with us, for it is towards everything, and the day is now far spent. 00:10:25.539 --> 00:10:31.059 So he went in to stay with them. 00:10:31.439 --> 00:10:39.639 When he was at the table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:48.519 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight. 00:10:48.840 --> 00:10:56.720 They said to each other, did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road? 00:10:57.100 --> 00:11:04.519 While he opened to us the scriptures, and they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. 00:11:04.519 --> 00:11:16.000 And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, the Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon. 00:11:16.340 --> 00:11:22.779 Then they told what happened on the road and how he was known to them, the breaking of the bread. 00:11:23.860 --> 00:11:25.079 This is the word of the Lord. 00:11:25.399 --> 00:11:26.159 Thank you, girls. 00:11:26.460 --> 00:11:27.179 Please take a seat. 00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:28.899 Thank you so much. 00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:31.699 You did really well. 00:11:34.519 --> 00:11:37.679 It's a fascinating story. 00:11:38.639 --> 00:11:39.840 Because you've got these two people. 00:11:40.500 --> 00:11:44.039 The greatest miracle the world has ever seen has happened on that day. 00:11:44.980 --> 00:11:49.279 And that day, two people, Cleopas and someone who's unnamed. 00:11:49.699 --> 00:11:53.579 So, I mean, there's different ways to look at this, but there's different guesses that we don't really truly know. 00:11:53.840 --> 00:11:55.659 But we're going to guess where the husband and wife. 00:11:55.960 --> 00:11:57.539 Let's just go with the husband and wife today. 00:11:57.759 --> 00:12:01.079 Husband and wife, on the day, this is Easter Sunday. 00:12:01.080 --> 00:12:01.520 Okay? 00:12:03.460 --> 00:12:04.300 And they walk. 00:12:04.460 --> 00:12:04.960 And they leave. 00:12:05.700 --> 00:12:07.700 That very day is what it says here. 00:12:07.980 --> 00:12:11.259 And it's really interesting because as they're walking, they're debriefing on what's just happened. 00:12:11.600 --> 00:12:13.740 And what's just happened in the last three days. 00:12:13.900 --> 00:12:15.259 What's happened in the last week? 00:12:15.300 --> 00:12:16.900 What's happened in the last two, three years? 00:12:17.180 --> 00:12:18.879 And so they're just walking and just discussing. 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:21.820 And it's a fascinating account. 00:12:22.039 --> 00:12:23.620 The resurrected Jesus shows up. 00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:25.639 And we're going to follow this story. 00:12:25.899 --> 00:12:32.600 And we're going to see, actually, how when you understand the death and the resurrection of Jesus, it will change the way you look at everything. 00:12:32.700 --> 00:12:34.600 It will change the way you look back at 2025. 00:12:34.840 --> 00:12:36.879 And it will change the way you look into 2026. 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:39.379 And so here's what happens. 00:12:39.580 --> 00:12:40.620 So verse 13. 00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:44.519 That very day, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 00:12:44.659 --> 00:12:46.899 It would have been maybe a three-hour walk. 00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:49.320 If they were Hong Kongers, it would have taken two hours. 00:12:49.500 --> 00:12:53.620 And they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 00:12:55.500 --> 00:12:55.899 Debriefing. 00:12:56.460 --> 00:12:57.519 They were disappointed. 00:12:58.340 --> 00:12:59.940 And then Jesus approaches them. 00:13:00.240 --> 00:13:01.600 But they don't recognize him. 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:04.220 And he walks by, and he always does this. 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:04.919 He's a bit of a troll. 00:13:05.299 --> 00:13:08.799 And so each time he shows up and people don't really see, he'll be like, hey, what's up? 00:13:08.799 --> 00:13:10.059 What are you talking about? 00:13:10.599 --> 00:13:16.319 And then Cleopas, I think it's Cleopas who says it, said, are you the only visitor? 00:13:16.379 --> 00:13:17.059 Are you the only one? 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:17.899 Were you born yesterday? 00:13:18.059 --> 00:13:19.359 Did you not hear what had happened? 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:22.740 And so you can sense the sarcasm. 00:13:22.819 --> 00:13:26.339 And you can sense just the frustration that Cleopas has as they're talking. 00:13:26.659 --> 00:13:28.939 And Jesus, of course, well, what did happen? 00:13:29.099 --> 00:13:29.559 What things? 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:30.459 Such a troll. 00:13:30.539 --> 00:13:36.439 And they said to him, concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet, mighty indeed. 00:13:36.440 --> 00:13:39.000 Are you the only one who didn't hear about Jesus? 00:13:40.260 --> 00:13:41.680 Did you not hear what happened? 00:13:42.140 --> 00:13:43.120 How annoyed we are? 00:13:43.160 --> 00:13:44.020 How frustrated we are? 00:13:44.060 --> 00:13:44.560 It's interesting. 00:13:44.820 --> 00:13:45.740 They didn't say Messiah. 00:13:45.840 --> 00:13:46.700 They didn't say Savior. 00:13:46.980 --> 00:13:51.060 So they stopped short of that, which shows you that actually they didn't truly, truly understand who Jesus was. 00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:52.080 They called him a prophet. 00:13:52.400 --> 00:13:53.540 They said he was mighty indeed. 00:13:53.620 --> 00:14:00.820 So they said, did you not hear about this man who told us incredible things, who showed us, did incredible things? 00:14:01.520 --> 00:14:04.900 But they stopped short of saying that he was the Messiah because they didn't know. 00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:09.640 Well, of course, at that point, if they didn't believe that he had resurrected, they were also like, well, I guess he was just a good guy. 00:14:09.900 --> 00:14:12.280 I guess he was just a good guy that did good things. 00:14:12.460 --> 00:14:13.460 But sadly, now he's gone. 00:14:13.520 --> 00:14:13.980 They've killed him. 00:14:14.879 --> 00:14:17.340 Have you not heard about this guy? 00:14:18.280 --> 00:14:25.700 A man who was a prophet, mighty indeed, and word before God and all the people and how our chief priest and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death and crucified him. 00:14:25.700 --> 00:14:30.800 But we had hoped, but we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. 00:14:31.900 --> 00:14:32.379 Interesting. 00:14:33.300 --> 00:14:37.180 So actually, that reveals why they didn't understand, because they got Jesus all wrong. 00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:45.040 When he says that we had hoped, they were saying, actually, just actually many Jews at that time, still under Roman oppression, had hoped for one thing. 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:46.600 Political freedom. 00:14:47.560 --> 00:14:49.740 Freedom from the power of the Romans. 00:14:49.860 --> 00:14:51.100 That was all they were thinking about. 00:14:51.100 --> 00:15:00.019 So any Messiah that would come, the Old Testament, when it talked about the Messiah, they hoped it would be the person, the chief, the commander in chief that would lead them to defeat the Romans. 00:15:00.159 --> 00:15:04.060 Defeat every other nation so the Jews would be back in power and experience freedom again. 00:15:04.180 --> 00:15:05.300 That's what they were thinking. 00:15:05.659 --> 00:15:06.779 That's what they were hoping. 00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:08.139 We had hoped. 00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:12.220 Well, that hope doesn't really work out, because that commander in chief is now gone. 00:15:13.379 --> 00:15:14.560 So they're walking away. 00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:17.700 On that very day, they're walking away. 00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:18.899 Disillusioned. 00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:22.240 Also delusional, because they had hoped in the wrong thing. 00:15:23.179 --> 00:15:23.579 Discouraged. 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:24.419 Deflated. 00:15:24.779 --> 00:15:31.840 They were deserting the fellowship of believers in Jerusalem, because they were like, we had hoped for this, and we didn't get it, so we're walking away. 00:15:32.579 --> 00:15:37.819 Can you imagine walking away on the day of the greatest miracle that human history has ever experienced? 00:15:39.299 --> 00:15:40.459 And that's what they were doing. 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:44.039 But then they carry on. 00:15:44.039 --> 00:15:46.939 But we had hoped he was the one to redeem Israel. 00:15:47.099 --> 00:15:50.599 Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:53.480 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:54.839 They were at the tomb early in the morning. 00:15:54.919 --> 00:15:56.279 So it's still Sunday morning. 00:15:56.679 --> 00:15:58.379 And this tells you something even more crazy. 00:15:58.659 --> 00:16:00.519 Some women in our company amazed us. 00:16:00.740 --> 00:16:01.579 What does that tell you? 00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:03.360 That they were actually part of the inner crew. 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:06.360 They were in the circle of people who followed Jesus. 00:16:06.459 --> 00:16:08.159 They would have known the disciples. 00:16:08.939 --> 00:16:10.299 They would have known the apostles. 00:16:10.299 --> 00:16:11.679 They would have known Mary. 00:16:11.779 --> 00:16:12.799 They would have heard about all this. 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:17.019 And so that morning, they heard Mary come home, screaming, going, Jesus is gone. 00:16:17.159 --> 00:16:17.939 The tomb is empty. 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:20.079 So they would have been there to hear all that. 00:16:20.699 --> 00:16:22.159 And yet they still didn't get it. 00:16:22.779 --> 00:16:23.639 Isn't that interesting? 00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:25.519 Some of those who were amongst us. 00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:28.120 So these were close followers of Jesus. 00:16:28.319 --> 00:16:29.419 What does this tell you? 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:34.019 That even on that very first day, there were still people who didn't understand the resurrection. 00:16:35.339 --> 00:16:38.579 And when you don't understand the resurrection, when you don't understand what Jesus actually did, 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:42.200 then it will make you look at life in just this heartbreaking way. 00:16:42.300 --> 00:16:43.639 It will make you walk away. 00:16:43.940 --> 00:16:45.680 And it happened then and it still happens now. 00:16:45.940 --> 00:16:47.340 The resurrection is the key piece. 00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:48.759 It's everything. 00:16:49.040 --> 00:16:50.280 1 Corinthians 15 says this. 00:16:50.680 --> 00:16:52.560 Paul says, that's the only thing you need to think about. 00:16:52.680 --> 00:16:54.020 Did he die and rise again? 00:16:54.560 --> 00:16:55.940 If he did, that changes everything. 00:16:57.020 --> 00:16:59.020 If he didn't, then everyone go back to normal. 00:16:59.340 --> 00:16:59.820 Live your lives. 00:16:59.960 --> 00:17:00.740 Climb the corporate ladder. 00:17:01.040 --> 00:17:02.080 Do everything that you need to do. 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:02.980 Eat, drink, be merry. 00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:05.880 It really doesn't matter because you'll do all that and then you'll die and then you'll disappear. 00:17:05.880 --> 00:17:12.320 But if he rose again, if there's something beyond the grave, then you must change the way you live. 00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:14.000 What does this tell me? 00:17:14.040 --> 00:17:17.760 These close followers, this husband and wife, who were well-meaning, they were close followers, 00:17:18.020 --> 00:17:20.200 they got into the inner circle and yet they left. 00:17:21.040 --> 00:17:21.760 What does this tell me? 00:17:22.120 --> 00:17:27.760 It is possible to spend three years in the presence of the Messiah and still completely miss the point. 00:17:28.420 --> 00:17:29.460 What does that mean for you? 00:17:30.020 --> 00:17:32.020 You could spend three years with us at the gathering. 00:17:32.080 --> 00:17:34.000 You can spend your whole life in church. 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:40.079 You can even have done a BSF for two years and you can completely miss the point of who Jesus is. 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:42.920 You could be sat here and having done church. 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:47.440 You could have gone to St. Paul's DGS and gone to Christian church and done all the things, 00:17:47.720 --> 00:17:51.500 know all the stories, and yet you completely miss out on who Jesus is. 00:17:51.619 --> 00:17:52.440 Isn't that terrifying? 00:17:53.579 --> 00:17:56.019 Isn't that such a time waste for you? 00:17:56.779 --> 00:18:01.259 That you sat here and you do not know the living hope. 00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:03.460 These two didn't. 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:04.759 And it's sad. 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:06.500 And so they walk. 00:18:06.660 --> 00:18:10.440 But the question really is, why is this account even in here? 00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:13.220 Actually, it's funny. 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:19.259 I don't know what your journey is in the church and you've all probably gone to different kinds of churches or never at all. 00:18:19.599 --> 00:18:22.660 And you all have known people who have been de-churched. 00:18:22.799 --> 00:18:24.720 People who maybe grew up in the church who have then left. 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:26.279 Look at this account. 00:18:26.380 --> 00:18:28.519 These are the OGD church people. 00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:32.460 These are the first people to walk away from the church. 00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:34.799 They are the original first group. 00:18:35.600 --> 00:18:36.200 The left. 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:38.259 Why is this account here? 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:44.200 You see, there's this interesting thing that we have about Christianity, which is that, again, I talked about this last week. 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:48.339 Every other religion has a God that has his arms crossed saying, you work your way up to me. 00:18:49.099 --> 00:18:50.539 You do the best you can. 00:18:51.599 --> 00:18:52.639 Rack up your good deeds. 00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.580 And you can come to me. 00:18:54.660 --> 00:18:56.440 And you can work your way up to heaven to me. 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:59.940 Christianity is the only one where there's a God who says, actually, you'll never be able to get there. 00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:00.880 You're not good enough. 00:19:01.380 --> 00:19:03.180 Every attempt that you have is flawed. 00:19:03.960 --> 00:19:09.820 Every desire you have, although on the surface it looks like it's good intention, it's still one of selfish desire. 00:19:11.080 --> 00:19:12.259 And you won't be able to get to me. 00:19:12.340 --> 00:19:12.900 So what will I do? 00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:14.840 I will come to you, is what the Christian God says. 00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:21.880 I think this passage is in the account because we have this idea that those who really care, who really want him, will get him. 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:25.700 Which is true, because they will get him. 00:19:27.040 --> 00:19:30.240 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:36.060 And yet, it also says in scripture, he came to preach peace to those who were near, but also those who were really far off. 00:19:36.540 --> 00:19:46.400 This account is here because it's saying, even if you're disillusioned with the church, even if you're disillusioned or even delusional about what you thought God was supposed to be for you. 00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:56.560 Even if you are de-churched, walking away from church on the biggest day of humanity, God will still come to you. 00:19:57.780 --> 00:19:59.860 God will still walk beside you. 00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:00.660 Isn't that crazy? 00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:04.300 I don't know whether we truly understand that. 00:20:05.540 --> 00:20:10.740 Because I think we always think that we have to claw our way to Jesus, when yet here we have two people walking away. 00:20:11.100 --> 00:20:13.019 And Jesus says, I'm just going to walk alongside you. 00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:15.200 I'm just going to be a little bit of a troll. 00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:16.420 And I'm just going to be a talk to you. 00:20:16.840 --> 00:20:17.480 Hear you out. 00:20:17.880 --> 00:20:18.620 Hear your story. 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:19.500 Hear your hurt. 00:20:19.620 --> 00:20:21.120 And then tell you the reason for it. 00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:24.860 And tell you and open your eyes to something different. 00:20:24.859 --> 00:20:31.119 It tells me that if you are de-churched, if you are disappointed, deflated, discouraged, Jesus comes to you. 00:20:31.819 --> 00:20:32.879 And he walks with you. 00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:37.000 And he's willing to walk with you in the wrong direction for a little while. 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:42.599 He's willing to talk with you, spend time with you, ask you questions. 00:20:43.399 --> 00:20:45.379 He knows that they've missed the point, obviously. 00:20:48.219 --> 00:20:49.259 But yet he still does it. 00:20:51.099 --> 00:20:53.339 I don't know what your perception of who God is. 00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:56.399 But this, I hope, shows you a different side to God. 00:20:57.019 --> 00:21:00.699 This is the very first thing he does in the account of the Gospel of Luke. 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:04.220 After he resurrects, he goes to find two people who have missed the point. 00:21:05.699 --> 00:21:07.199 And so what does he do after that? 00:21:07.379 --> 00:21:08.980 He gives them a Bible study. 00:21:09.919 --> 00:21:10.819 And he says this. 00:21:11.599 --> 00:21:12.959 O foolish ones, verse 25. 00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:15.980 O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. 00:21:16.379 --> 00:21:19.579 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory? 00:21:19.579 --> 00:21:26.039 And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 00:21:26.939 --> 00:21:28.639 What he's doing is he opens up the scriptures. 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:31.259 And these two probably knew the scriptures, the Old Testament, of course. 00:21:31.439 --> 00:21:32.699 And he said, do you understand? 00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:39.359 Can I walk you through this book and show you why, how actually all the lines converge towards me? 00:21:40.339 --> 00:21:41.859 Everything is about me. 00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:44.159 The whole Bible is about me. 00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:44.879 I am him. 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:46.079 I am he. 00:21:46.079 --> 00:21:48.500 I am the one that this is all about. 00:21:48.899 --> 00:21:53.579 There's a quote that Martin Luther says, the Bible is the cradle in which Christ is laid. 00:21:54.119 --> 00:21:56.220 The Bible is the cradle in which Christ is laid. 00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:56.939 This whole book. 00:21:57.139 --> 00:21:59.980 Now, not every single verse is about Jesus. 00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:06.759 But every storyline, every event, every account, all the lines converge towards Jesus. 00:22:07.139 --> 00:22:10.699 Towards that moment where he invaded earth and was in the stable. 00:22:11.059 --> 00:22:12.199 And by the way, just shout out to Vincent. 00:22:12.379 --> 00:22:14.259 This is still alive and well. 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:18.619 As a Chinese church, Chinese people, we try to maximize effort and money that we spend on things. 00:22:19.140 --> 00:22:21.900 And so this is staying here until it's completely deflated. 00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:29.200 He says, it's all about, it's all about me. 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:35.120 And then he goes through and he begins with Moses and he goes through all the prophets. 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:39.039 Scripture doesn't lay it all out here, but I will attempt a little bit. 00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:45.860 It's interesting here because Augustine says this, the New Testament is hidden in the Old Testament and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New Testament. 00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:46.900 Okay. 00:22:47.080 --> 00:22:52.700 The New Testament is hidden in the Old Testament and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New Testament. 00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:56.880 See, what they had hoped was a political savior. 00:22:57.840 --> 00:22:59.299 That's what they had hoped. 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:04.140 They had hoped that he would save them from suffering, which is what we all hope. 00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:09.720 Some of us who have left the church, who have given hope in Jesus is actually because somewhere along the way, it didn't work out for you. 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:11.039 Something didn't work out for you. 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:13.259 Something that you had hoped that Jesus would do for you. 00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:14.000 He didn't do. 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:16.399 So therefore now you're walking on your road to Emmaus. 00:23:16.899 --> 00:23:17.720 Because you're like, we had hoped. 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:19.920 I had hoped that he would help save my relationship. 00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:23.259 I would hope that he, I had hoped that he would help give me the job that I wanted. 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:26.259 I had hoped that he would have given me the lifestyle that I wanted. 00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:27.200 Yet he hasn't. 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:29.480 So because of that, therefore I shall walk away. 00:23:30.319 --> 00:23:35.559 And that Jesus comes to you now, walks to you and goes, hey, how are you doing? 00:23:36.279 --> 00:23:37.220 Why are you walking away? 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:43.180 Oh, you thought I was here to save you from suffering, but you may have missed the point. 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:46.120 Because actually I have come to save you through suffering. 00:23:47.339 --> 00:23:51.519 It's through me suffering on behalf of you, you will be delivered. 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.620 That is what he's saying. 00:23:52.839 --> 00:23:53.860 And so what he's saying is this. 00:23:53.960 --> 00:23:57.319 Hey, do you, Moses and all the prophets, it could be the whole Old Testament. 00:23:57.420 --> 00:24:04.420 He's saying, do you remember the, do you remember the first Adam, Adam and Eve, where he chose to say, hey, actually, I don't know if I trusted you, God. 00:24:04.440 --> 00:24:05.339 I don't know if I believe in you. 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:06.400 I'm going to eat the apple. 00:24:06.400 --> 00:24:07.860 The apple seems very nice. 00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:08.860 It's a Fuji apple. 00:24:09.360 --> 00:24:09.960 It's tasty. 00:24:10.060 --> 00:24:10.380 It's crispy. 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:10.820 It's sweet. 00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:14.800 And I'd like to know, and I'd like to be the judge of what I should be doing. 00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:18.160 So let me have, Jesus is saying, hey, do you remember the first Adam? 00:24:18.340 --> 00:24:19.080 Well, I'm the last Adam. 00:24:19.160 --> 00:24:21.380 The first Adam allows sin to enter into the world. 00:24:21.620 --> 00:24:22.200 I'm the final. 00:24:22.300 --> 00:24:24.940 I'm the last Adam that is taking the sin away from the world. 00:24:25.820 --> 00:24:26.640 That's what he's saying. 00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:28.240 He's saying, hey, do you remember Isaac? 00:24:29.040 --> 00:24:35.820 Do you remember Isaac, the boy who followed his father up to the mountain where his father said, hey, we're going to go worship pump into the mountain. 00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:37.220 And Isaac didn't know anything. 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:38.599 And he was about to be sacrificed. 00:24:39.139 --> 00:24:41.279 He said, hey, I am the beloved son. 00:24:41.399 --> 00:24:43.579 I am the only son who was sacrificed. 00:24:43.899 --> 00:24:46.819 I am the lamb that was put in your place. 00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:48.159 Do you remember Moses? 00:24:48.579 --> 00:24:49.299 Do you remember that time? 00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:55.899 Moses was the prince of Egypt, but he stepped down from his throne to help another person, to deliver his people. 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:57.440 Hey, do you remember that Moses? 00:24:57.619 --> 00:25:00.200 I am now the one who is saving my people. 00:25:00.379 --> 00:25:02.139 I am the one that stepped down from my throne. 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:08.319 Do you remember when Moses went to the wilderness and it was in the desert and he would beat on the rock to get water to come out? 00:25:08.379 --> 00:25:08.899 Do you remember that? 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:09.799 Well, guess what? 00:25:09.799 --> 00:25:12.079 I'm the rock that was beaten so that you can have life. 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:14.440 Do you remember the tabernacle? 00:25:15.139 --> 00:25:17.599 Do you remember the tabernacle that you would carry to hold God's presence? 00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:18.659 Do you know who that is now? 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.259 It's me. 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:21.399 I hold the presence of God. 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:25.740 If you want God, then you come to me because I am the way, the truth and the life. 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:27.220 Do you remember the high priest? 00:25:27.639 --> 00:25:31.200 The holy of holy place, that tent that one person can go in one time a year? 00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:32.079 Well, guess what? 00:25:32.139 --> 00:25:32.879 I tore the veil. 00:25:33.119 --> 00:25:35.220 Now everyone can access into that place. 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:37.200 Do you remember after Moses died? 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:37.940 Do you remember Joshua? 00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:41.120 Do you remember Joshua that led the people into the promised land? 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:41.820 Guess what? 00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:44.460 I'm the one that is now leading you into the promised land. 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:47.100 That's what he's saying. 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:48.779 He's going through time and time again. 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:49.880 He's saying, do you remember David? 00:25:50.100 --> 00:25:50.620 King David? 00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:52.039 The man after God's own heart? 00:25:52.299 --> 00:25:53.080 The shepherd king? 00:25:53.360 --> 00:25:53.840 Well, guess what? 00:25:53.900 --> 00:26:00.799 I come from his lineage and I am now the good shepherd and I am now the king and I am now the high priest. 00:26:01.840 --> 00:26:02.539 That's what he's saying. 00:26:02.600 --> 00:26:03.180 Do you remember Jonah? 00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:06.820 Do you remember the three days that Jonah spent in the belly of the fish? 00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:07.799 Guess what I did? 00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:11.779 I spent three days in the depths of Sheol, in the depths of hell and now I've come back. 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:17.140 He's going through this Bible study and you would have just been like, what? 00:26:19.080 --> 00:26:25.920 Again, interestingly, these people would have spent time with him already and they hadn't got it. 00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:30.500 And so he's patient and he goes and he walks with them through it again. 00:26:30.580 --> 00:26:31.960 Do you remember Isaiah 53? 00:26:33.120 --> 00:26:35.480 Do you remember that passage that talks about the suffering servant? 00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:38.579 The one who would take on the sin of the world? 00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:39.680 The one who would be pissed? 00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:41.660 The one who would suffer? 00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:42.860 Guess what? 00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:44.460 That was me. 00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:49.059 What an incredible Bible study. 00:26:49.600 --> 00:26:51.740 We've been unpacking why Jesus came. 00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:55.360 Can you imagine being, having that Bible study with Jesus himself? 00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:57.360 Hey guys, this is why I came. 00:26:57.359 --> 00:26:59.979 And so they listen. 00:27:01.199 --> 00:27:02.259 And so they walk with him. 00:27:02.819 --> 00:27:04.879 He walks with them for these three hours. 00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:07.619 And suddenly the Bible becomes something else to them. 00:27:08.659 --> 00:27:11.199 All these stories that they would have heard in Sunday school. 00:27:11.199 --> 00:27:13.500 That they would have studied in BSF. 00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:16.000 Now they're like, whoa. 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:18.519 This stuff is real. 00:27:20.859 --> 00:27:24.759 But still, they don't quite get it. 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:26.259 Verse 28. 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:28.500 So they drew near to the village. 00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:31.339 Again, it's three hours walk to which they were going. 00:27:31.619 --> 00:27:33.359 He acted as if he were going farther. 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:36.339 But they urged him strongly saying, stay with us. 00:27:36.839 --> 00:27:40.500 For it is toward evening and the day is now far spent. 00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:43.259 It's getting late. 00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:48.059 Strange man who knows the Bible better than anyone. 00:27:49.660 --> 00:27:58.480 It's been good chatting to you. 00:27:58.539 --> 00:27:59.200 Why don't you just stay? 00:27:59.440 --> 00:28:00.779 Why don't you just hang out for a little bit? 00:28:01.160 --> 00:28:01.759 It's interesting. 00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:04.079 Can you just, don't be mistaken here. 00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:06.000 Jesus isn't acting here. 00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:09.859 I think that actually if they didn't invite him in, he doesn't go in. 00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:12.119 He will keep walking. 00:28:12.119 --> 00:28:13.659 Why? 00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:16.199 Because this savior of ours is a gentle savior. 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:23.319 Do you imagine the complaints we'd have about God if he just barged into our house and say, that's it. 00:28:23.340 --> 00:28:24.140 You are going to worship me. 00:28:24.180 --> 00:28:24.940 You are going to follow me. 00:28:25.120 --> 00:28:26.940 I'm going to move everything in this house. 00:28:27.100 --> 00:28:27.900 Change up the furniture. 00:28:28.180 --> 00:28:29.299 It's going to be my house. 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:32.259 Do you know how much complaining we would do? 00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:37.700 Aim towards religion and rigidity and all these kinds of things and legality. 00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:39.539 See, no, that's not God. 00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:44.559 This God just goes, hey, I'll only come in if you let me in. 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:48.319 It's Revelation 3 says, behold, I stand at the door and knock. 00:28:48.319 --> 00:28:52.319 Of course, the passage before that is, hey, you've been lukewarm. 00:28:52.399 --> 00:28:53.099 You're neither here nor there. 00:28:53.179 --> 00:28:56.039 You're neither inviting me out or you're not in or you're kicking me out. 00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:57.119 You're just kind of in between. 00:28:57.299 --> 00:28:58.799 You're just leaving me hanging in the foyer. 00:28:59.139 --> 00:29:00.039 That makes me sick. 00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:01.879 But guess what? 00:29:01.899 --> 00:29:03.799 I still do stand at the door and knock. 00:29:05.019 --> 00:29:07.339 And so if you would allow me to come in, I will come in. 00:29:07.899 --> 00:29:08.919 It's the mindset of Jesus. 00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:14.700 And these two people who still don't truly know who he is, they go and say, Jesus, why 00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:15.240 don't you come in? 00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:21.340 And it's only then that they have the moment where their eyes are open. 00:29:21.400 --> 00:29:21.900 It's interesting. 00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:25.880 They have the most incredible Bible study, intellectually mind blowing. 00:29:27.340 --> 00:29:31.580 He would have taken them through the Greek and Hebrew, the context of it would have been 00:29:31.580 --> 00:29:33.360 the best expository sermon they would have had. 00:29:33.640 --> 00:29:35.740 And yet they still don't truly, truly get it. 00:29:35.920 --> 00:29:36.620 Until when? 00:29:36.619 --> 00:29:40.639 Until the moment he sits at the table with them and breaks bread. 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:48.479 And the moment they break bread, it goes from head knowledge down into the heart. 00:29:49.359 --> 00:29:53.819 Their eyes were opened when communion was taken. 00:29:54.219 --> 00:29:55.139 Their minds were opened. 00:29:55.219 --> 00:29:56.679 Their hearts were opened when the word was opened. 00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:57.459 So you need both. 00:29:58.579 --> 00:30:03.439 But the moment they broke that bread, they recognized who he was. 00:30:03.440 --> 00:30:06.940 And their eyes were opened and they recognized him and he vanished from their sight. 00:30:07.860 --> 00:30:11.940 And they said to each other, did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the 00:30:11.940 --> 00:30:13.440 road, while he opened to us the scriptures? 00:30:14.160 --> 00:30:15.519 Now it all makes sense. 00:30:15.600 --> 00:30:16.000 My goodness. 00:30:16.059 --> 00:30:18.620 We just have the Bible study from the king himself. 00:30:18.960 --> 00:30:20.000 Were our hearts not burning? 00:30:20.059 --> 00:30:20.580 What does that mean? 00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:23.640 It was an uncontrollable desire for this person. 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.420 What did they just have? 00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:29.860 They had a personal encounter with Jesus because you can spend your whole life in church and not 00:30:29.860 --> 00:30:30.640 encounter Jesus. 00:30:30.840 --> 00:30:36.580 You can know every Bible story there is to know and not know the love of God. 00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:43.519 Until there's that moment where he comes to you and says, hey, I'm here to walk with you. 00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:45.840 I'm here to sit with you. 00:30:45.839 --> 00:30:47.279 And it's in that moment. 00:30:48.099 --> 00:30:48.879 Their eyes are open. 00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:50.139 Their hearts are open. 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:51.619 And what happens after that? 00:30:51.699 --> 00:30:54.839 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. 00:30:56.319 --> 00:31:01.699 They walked for three hours to Emmaus. 00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:04.380 And by then it was dark, right? 00:31:05.279 --> 00:31:06.220 They have dinner. 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:08.000 It's getting later. 00:31:08.819 --> 00:31:11.000 Let's just say 9 p.m. 00:31:12.380 --> 00:31:13.819 And they realize who he was. 00:31:14.039 --> 00:31:17.019 And that same hour, they're like, you know what? 00:31:17.240 --> 00:31:18.059 We have to go back. 00:31:19.120 --> 00:31:22.799 And so they walk in the dark for three hours back to Jerusalem. 00:31:23.860 --> 00:31:25.860 What a drastic turn of events. 00:31:26.299 --> 00:31:28.480 This is what happens when you actually meet Jesus. 00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:32.640 When you actually meet him, you won't really worry about the cost anymore. 00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:35.500 You won't really worry about the practicalities of what you're going to do anymore. 00:31:35.579 --> 00:31:36.860 How are you going to make the journey anymore? 00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:38.200 You just know that you have to. 00:31:38.660 --> 00:31:41.759 Once you've gathered and you've actually encountered him, then you feel as though, I must go. 00:31:42.059 --> 00:31:43.500 It doesn't matter what time of day it is. 00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:44.880 I'm going back. 00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:47.400 That's the impact of Jesus. 00:31:49.680 --> 00:31:52.180 That's what happens when you encounter him. 00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:53.220 So they go straight back. 00:31:53.319 --> 00:31:54.059 They find the 11. 00:31:54.160 --> 00:31:55.319 That shows you how close they were. 00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:57.700 Because at this point, the 11 were probably still in hiding. 00:31:57.700 --> 00:31:59.940 So they knew exactly where they were staying. 00:32:00.200 --> 00:32:01.299 So they went back to find the 11. 00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:03.380 The Lord has risen indeed and has appeared to Simon. 00:32:03.620 --> 00:32:08.539 Then they told what had happened on the road and how he was known to them in the breaking of bread. 00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:16.220 When you meet Jesus, those of us who have met Jesus, you will know that moment where he turned sorrow into joy, 00:32:16.279 --> 00:32:18.259 where he turned despair into hope. 00:32:21.340 --> 00:32:23.200 That moment changes everything. 00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:26.380 It changes the way you look at 2025. 00:32:27.980 --> 00:32:29.980 In light of the death and the resurrection of Jesus. 00:32:30.700 --> 00:32:32.460 I want you to have a think now, just for a second. 00:32:33.840 --> 00:32:34.460 Your life. 00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:38.380 Just the one minute that we had time just to reflect on your year. 00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:39.440 Look at it again. 00:32:40.319 --> 00:32:40.980 Look at it again. 00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:44.079 But now look at it with the lens that Jesus is not dead. 00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:46.079 That he's actually walking with you. 00:32:46.140 --> 00:32:47.440 That he's actually at the table with you. 00:32:49.059 --> 00:32:50.440 Go back and just see, wait. 00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:56.420 That moment where I was at my lowest and that moment when I was at my highest, Jesus was there. 00:32:56.420 --> 00:33:01.380 Even when I was walking away from him, he was still walking with me. 00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:05.420 Just spend a moment now. 00:33:05.560 --> 00:33:08.180 Just recount and go, wow. 00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:10.700 Wow. 00:33:10.700 --> 00:33:10.759 Wow. 00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:26.980 My brother recently sent me a podcast that he listened to by Stephen Colbert. 00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:28.940 He talked about grief. 00:33:30.379 --> 00:33:33.879 Of course, he, again, like all of us at one point. 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:37.599 I mean, I don't know whether I'm just too morbid, but I think about this often. 00:33:37.900 --> 00:33:39.680 That every single person in this room will die. 00:33:40.680 --> 00:33:42.799 Every single person that I know and love will die. 00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:45.700 And he was talking about grief. 00:33:46.660 --> 00:33:52.600 And he was talking about how actually it's important for us to keep thinking about those moments. 00:33:53.080 --> 00:33:59.500 To go back to those moments where you were at your lowest, where you lost the people who were most nearest and dearest to you. 00:34:01.120 --> 00:34:04.240 And for him, of course, he's a devout follower of Jesus. 00:34:04.500 --> 00:34:07.080 And so he was like, actually, we have to go back to those moments. 00:34:07.079 --> 00:34:11.779 Because it's in those moments where you then start to see that actually the fingerprints of God. 00:34:12.699 --> 00:34:13.880 That actually you see him. 00:34:14.199 --> 00:34:14.880 You trace it. 00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:18.179 And you may not like that that moment happened. 00:34:18.299 --> 00:34:20.319 You may not like the fact that you lost that loved one. 00:34:20.320 --> 00:34:23.420 But yet in some strange way. 00:34:23.580 --> 00:34:26.180 And those of us who have suffered experience loss will know. 00:34:26.620 --> 00:34:28.400 And yet somehow you still give thanks for it. 00:34:30.120 --> 00:34:32.720 Because they form you to be the person that you are right now. 00:34:32.719 --> 00:34:35.279 And I took this journey myself a few years ago. 00:34:35.639 --> 00:34:40.459 As once we came to Hong Kong, back to the place where our parents grew up. 00:34:41.599 --> 00:34:42.879 And I actually walked that journey. 00:34:43.439 --> 00:34:45.739 Walked that journey and going, wow, he was there. 00:34:46.500 --> 00:34:53.339 My brother and I, we've spent time just almost reliving and re-encountering those moments of deepest hurt and loss. 00:34:54.759 --> 00:34:55.939 When we sat at the dining table. 00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:58.900 And then one moment he's there and one moment he's gone. 00:35:00.200 --> 00:35:04.700 When you approach an aging grandparent and you realize this might be the last time that you see them. 00:35:05.539 --> 00:35:07.760 And as you recount those events. 00:35:09.579 --> 00:35:14.679 Something interesting happens if you remind yourself of the lens of the death and resurrection of Jesus. 00:35:14.820 --> 00:35:18.820 And you realize that actually Jesus has been there in every single one of those moments. 00:35:20.280 --> 00:35:21.539 He's been patient and kind. 00:35:22.260 --> 00:35:23.639 He's been gracious and compassionate. 00:35:23.639 --> 00:35:26.739 He's been there. 00:35:27.759 --> 00:35:29.159 Suffering with you. 00:35:30.239 --> 00:35:32.759 Being there in that moment with you. 00:35:33.739 --> 00:35:34.819 And then it's really interesting. 00:35:34.960 --> 00:35:36.659 This grief never leaves. 00:35:37.400 --> 00:35:40.359 But then gratitude grows out of that grief. 00:35:41.199 --> 00:35:41.359 Right? 00:35:41.719 --> 00:35:43.039 And then you start to feel both. 00:35:44.799 --> 00:35:46.119 And that's exactly what I'm talking about. 00:35:46.179 --> 00:35:49.119 That's how we approach looking back and how we approach looking forward. 00:35:49.239 --> 00:35:52.019 You go, wow, this year may have been terrible. 00:35:52.019 --> 00:35:54.759 But there were such good moments because God was there. 00:35:54.940 --> 00:35:56.500 Because if you look at it from that lens. 00:35:56.559 --> 00:35:58.139 If you look at it from that vantage point. 00:35:58.239 --> 00:36:01.679 You're like, everything that he's doing is going to be for our good. 00:36:02.440 --> 00:36:06.159 Romans 8.28 when it says, all things work together for those who love him. 00:36:06.579 --> 00:36:07.920 That just feels so nice. 00:36:08.000 --> 00:36:09.000 You put it on a fridge magnet. 00:36:09.079 --> 00:36:10.059 You put it on a car sticker. 00:36:10.139 --> 00:36:12.480 And you're like, oh, that feels so nice because God's got my back. 00:36:12.780 --> 00:36:15.000 Well, then we have to remind ourselves verse 29. 00:36:15.159 --> 00:36:16.139 Which is, what is he doing? 00:36:16.179 --> 00:36:18.059 He's conforming you to look like his son. 00:36:18.460 --> 00:36:19.440 And that hurts. 00:36:19.440 --> 00:36:23.480 But you can hold that grief with gratitude. 00:36:23.659 --> 00:36:24.360 Because you're like, praise God. 00:36:24.440 --> 00:36:26.400 I am through this problem. 00:36:26.700 --> 00:36:27.440 Through this challenge. 00:36:27.639 --> 00:36:28.340 Through this suffering. 00:36:28.500 --> 00:36:29.300 Through this loss. 00:36:31.900 --> 00:36:33.380 You are making me more like him. 00:36:34.720 --> 00:36:36.480 Conforming us to the image of his son. 00:36:38.139 --> 00:36:43.480 Creation is groaning, longing, waiting for these children, us to be revealed in our final form. 00:36:43.539 --> 00:36:44.220 To look like him. 00:36:44.820 --> 00:36:45.840 We're not there yet. 00:36:45.840 --> 00:36:48.000 But we will be. 00:36:48.500 --> 00:36:49.600 And that's how we have hope. 00:36:51.039 --> 00:36:52.460 That's how we approach every day. 00:36:53.059 --> 00:36:54.640 So then you can go to work. 00:36:54.740 --> 00:37:01.079 Those of you who work in the hospital, when you see loss and when you see pain, you're like, okay, I can lean all the way into this pain. 00:37:01.340 --> 00:37:04.100 And I can come all the way out and still have hope and joy. 00:37:05.720 --> 00:37:06.760 You can lose your job. 00:37:06.820 --> 00:37:07.720 You can lose a loved one. 00:37:07.960 --> 00:37:09.900 And you can be, I can lean all the way into that loss. 00:37:10.059 --> 00:37:11.600 And yet I can still come out with joy. 00:37:11.599 --> 00:37:14.940 That's what the death and resurrection of Jesus does to you. 00:37:15.440 --> 00:37:17.059 And you may be walking away from him. 00:37:17.139 --> 00:37:24.299 But because you encounter him, you will walk straight back to the place where you know there are people gathered who know and love the resurrected Jesus. 00:37:26.539 --> 00:37:27.719 We're all walking somewhere. 00:37:27.719 --> 00:37:31.839 The question is, will you invite him to walk with you? 00:37:32.539 --> 00:37:33.839 Even if it's in the wrong direction. 00:37:33.939 --> 00:37:37.459 Honestly, if you are on your journey and you're like, I don't even know if this God stuff is real anymore. 00:37:37.659 --> 00:37:39.500 Or I've never really understood this God stuff. 00:37:39.799 --> 00:37:44.519 Then actually, an interesting thing for you today is to say, is actually, Jesus, would you walk with me? 00:37:44.819 --> 00:37:46.019 I know I'm heading in the wrong direction. 00:37:46.139 --> 00:37:49.199 But if you're really that big, then walk with me. 00:37:49.899 --> 00:37:50.379 Show me. 00:37:51.379 --> 00:37:56.339 If you have walked with him, then maybe your next thing is actually just like, Jesus, would you come and sit at the table with me? 00:37:57.220 --> 00:37:58.620 Jesus loves sitting at the table. 00:37:58.720 --> 00:37:59.480 Jesus loves eating. 00:37:59.559 --> 00:38:05.260 If you look at the gospel of Luke, Jesus is either going to dinner, at dinner, or leaving dinner. 00:38:06.059 --> 00:38:07.140 He is always eating. 00:38:08.140 --> 00:38:10.120 So he would very much love to sit with you. 00:38:11.660 --> 00:38:14.840 Would you just say, hey, come and sit down. 00:38:15.360 --> 00:38:16.300 I have questions. 00:38:17.180 --> 00:38:18.160 I have doubts. 00:38:18.960 --> 00:38:22.700 Can you imagine a God who is too small to take all of your questions? 00:38:22.699 --> 00:38:27.059 To take too small to who is too afraid of all of your doubts? 00:38:27.299 --> 00:38:27.679 No, no. 00:38:29.460 --> 00:38:32.099 Jesus comes to seek out those who are lost. 00:38:32.219 --> 00:38:35.939 Seek out those who are deflated, who are discouraged, who are deserting the church, walking away. 00:38:36.179 --> 00:38:37.199 He doesn't really mind. 00:38:39.279 --> 00:38:40.099 He desires you. 00:38:41.159 --> 00:38:41.960 He desires us. 00:38:42.199 --> 00:38:46.960 And for those of us who are followers of Christ, we're going to enter into a time of communion. 00:38:46.960 --> 00:38:51.460 Usually we do it on the first Sunday of the month, but I've asked him, why don't we do it on the last one? 00:38:51.500 --> 00:38:54.940 Why don't we finish this year in the way that we want to start the next year? 00:38:55.159 --> 00:38:56.460 And so we'll do it again next week, too. 00:38:56.880 --> 00:38:58.740 Well, Jesus does say, just do it as often as you can. 00:38:59.059 --> 00:39:00.659 So here is us doing that. 00:39:00.900 --> 00:39:01.860 And I want you just to look around. 00:39:01.960 --> 00:39:05.619 We have put the chairs in a way where you get to see each other's beautiful and ugly faces. 00:39:05.619 --> 00:39:18.400 Spend that time looking and going, wow, I'm sat in a room in Hong Kong on the fifth floor with people who believe that someone died and rose again. 00:39:19.239 --> 00:39:28.179 And that that fact changes the way they live, changes the way they think, changes the way they talk, changes the way they live. 00:39:28.900 --> 00:39:29.759 We're not alone. 00:39:29.760 --> 00:39:37.840 People who have committed to inviting not only each other, but God into their lives. 00:39:38.760 --> 00:39:40.480 I don't know about you, but that encourages me. 00:39:40.780 --> 00:39:41.600 That fills me up. 00:39:41.660 --> 00:39:44.680 I think that's why God says, come do that as often as you can. 00:39:44.760 --> 00:39:47.860 Remember me because it's in that moment where you break bread, where you will see me. 00:39:49.420 --> 00:39:50.380 And so here we are. 00:39:50.900 --> 00:39:56.220 But before that, I'd like to ask you to one final time, just to reflect and examine your own heart. 00:39:57.000 --> 00:39:58.460 What kind of year you've had? 00:39:58.460 --> 00:40:04.420 I hope I've told you enough to kind of go, well, for you to feel assured that if you've had a terrible year, you've not been close to God at all. 00:40:04.480 --> 00:40:06.139 In fact, he's been non-existent in your life. 00:40:07.019 --> 00:40:08.199 I want to tell you it's okay. 00:40:10.079 --> 00:40:11.019 Because it's never too late. 00:40:11.380 --> 00:40:13.320 Because he still stands at your door and he still knocks. 00:40:16.260 --> 00:40:19.059 All I ask you to do is just to open it. 00:40:21.559 --> 00:40:22.539 Ask him the questions. 00:40:23.539 --> 00:40:24.119 Walk with him. 00:40:24.519 --> 00:40:25.059 Talk with him. 00:40:25.679 --> 00:40:26.280 Dine with him. 00:40:28.460 --> 00:40:35.500 If you've had a really good year with him and your heart is just burning as these two people are with this uncontrollable desire to want more. 00:40:35.840 --> 00:40:36.280 Well, guess what? 00:40:36.340 --> 00:40:38.320 There is more of him for you to take. 00:40:39.619 --> 00:40:41.079 There are so many levels for him. 00:40:41.159 --> 00:40:47.139 The prayer for you would be, God, I've let you into these doors, but there's a few more that I'd like to let you into. 00:40:48.019 --> 00:40:51.400 Can you come and take over every aspect of my life? 00:40:51.400 --> 00:41:03.200 If in any way the Holy Spirit is going to you, well, actually, there are some things that are not right in your heart right now. 00:41:03.199 --> 00:41:08.679 I ask you just to release it, to surrender it, to repent of it. 00:41:09.339 --> 00:41:13.980 The word repent, which is such a Christian-y, hardcore, religious term. 00:41:13.980 --> 00:41:23.800 I grew up in Birmingham in England where there was a guy every week, every weekend, would wear the whole wooden board that said, repent, for the kingdom of God is here. 00:41:23.820 --> 00:41:25.000 And he would shout so loud. 00:41:26.240 --> 00:41:27.940 And I'd just be like, oh, no, oh, no. 00:41:29.019 --> 00:41:31.139 But the word repent really just means one thing. 00:41:31.760 --> 00:41:32.179 Turn around. 00:41:33.719 --> 00:41:34.300 Turn around. 00:41:34.300 --> 00:42:04.300 Turn around. 00:42:04.300 --> 00:42:05.440 I am slow to anger. 00:42:05.560 --> 00:42:06.580 I am quick to forgive. 00:42:06.740 --> 00:42:09.080 I am abounding in steadfast love. 00:42:10.140 --> 00:42:10.780 That's me. 00:42:12.240 --> 00:42:17.960 Every parent with a child who has run away or rebelled in some way will know that feeling. 00:42:22.220 --> 00:42:23.480 Run back into his arms. 00:42:26.019 --> 00:42:27.860 Repent of it, release it, and run back in. 00:42:28.380 --> 00:42:29.019 Invite him in. 00:42:29.019 --> 00:42:33.840 I invite you just to spend a moment now to examine our hearts before we take communion. 00:42:34.300 --> 00:42:34.800 Amen. 00:42:51.140 --> 00:43:04.280 God comes as a humble stranger, a companion on the way who listens to our story and then slowly and carefully explains to us the meaning of the story. 00:43:04.300 --> 00:43:18.280 God comes as a humble stranger, a companion on the way who listens to our story and then slowly and carefully explains to us the meaning of the story. 00:43:18.280 --> 00:43:35.400 Jesus, as the bread and the wine is passed around, we thank you for walking with us. 00:43:35.400 --> 00:43:39.000 We thank you for sitting with us. 00:43:40.940 --> 00:43:43.639 Even when we've been walking away, even when we've ignored you. 00:43:47.019 --> 00:43:47.840 We're sorry, Lord. 00:43:47.840 --> 00:44:07.539 But if you truly are real, if you truly did come and live and die and then resurrect, and that you're right here now, would you show yourself to us? 00:44:07.539 --> 00:44:19.980 Lord, we are a simple gathering in a complex time. 00:44:20.059 --> 00:44:22.980 We are an imperfect people gathering to worship a perfect God. 00:44:22.980 --> 00:44:34.500 Can you help us review this last year? 00:44:37.000 --> 00:44:43.139 All the despair and all the loss, whether it's to ourselves or to those around us or to this world. 00:44:43.139 --> 00:44:47.039 Would you give us the strength to lean in, to grieve? 00:44:51.219 --> 00:44:57.539 But then that we would turn around and run towards you and bring hope, joy, peace, love. 00:44:57.539 --> 00:45:12.400 So, Jesus, we commit to being a people who live with the truth of the resurrection in mind. 00:45:13.119 --> 00:45:14.559 Not just in mind, but in our hearts. 00:45:14.800 --> 00:45:16.440 Not just in our hearts, but in our actions. 00:45:16.759 --> 00:45:18.440 May we live as people who have hope. 00:45:18.880 --> 00:45:21.079 May we live as people who have you right beside us. 00:45:22.719 --> 00:45:24.739 Real, broken, flawed people. 00:45:24.739 --> 00:45:29.399 One who grieve, ones who cry, who weep. 00:45:30.459 --> 00:45:31.919 But not ones who also have joy. 00:45:33.019 --> 00:45:37.259 Who every time when we look at something in the news, then it just looks and sounds and is bad. 00:45:39.039 --> 00:45:44.939 That we don't stay in that place of despair, but then we give thanks because you came to save us for those very reasons. 00:45:49.699 --> 00:45:53.639 And that just, Jesus, that you are the same yesterday, today, and forever. 00:45:53.639 --> 00:45:55.299 And that you are here. 00:45:56.179 --> 00:45:56.779 Thank you, Lord. 00:46:06.879 --> 00:46:07.639 Jesus, we... 00:46:08.239 --> 00:46:18.099 We know that Christianity is the only one that offers us a intellectually, morally satisfactory solution to the problem of sin and suffering. 00:46:19.319 --> 00:46:21.879 It's the only one that can give us the answers, and that answer is you. 00:46:21.880 --> 00:46:26.160 And, Lord, we hang our hearts on that. 00:46:27.079 --> 00:46:29.720 That you came to live, you came to die, and then you rose again. 00:46:30.460 --> 00:46:32.420 And that there is an empty tomb to prove it. 00:46:37.180 --> 00:46:39.599 We only ask now that you would become alive in our own lives. 00:46:40.480 --> 00:46:41.780 In our church, in our body. 00:46:41.780 --> 00:46:47.320 That we would be people of hypocrisy, but be people of integrity. 00:46:47.580 --> 00:46:49.900 That we would not be people of judgment, but of grace. 00:46:53.200 --> 00:46:55.960 That we would be people of compassion, selflessness. 00:46:55.960 --> 00:46:58.039 That we would look like you. 00:46:58.119 --> 00:46:59.340 That we would think like you. 00:46:59.440 --> 00:47:00.440 That we would talk like you. 00:47:00.480 --> 00:47:02.579 We would walk like you. 00:47:03.500 --> 00:47:04.340 That is all we ask. 00:47:06.000 --> 00:47:11.980 The one thing we ask and one thing we seek for this next year is that we would dwell in your house all the days of our lives. 00:47:11.980 --> 00:47:14.139 To continue to gaze upon your beauty. 00:47:14.880 --> 00:47:16.139 To inquire in your temple. 00:47:16.480 --> 00:47:17.440 To be like you. 00:47:21.500 --> 00:47:22.159 Thank you, Lord. 00:47:22.300 --> 00:47:23.380 Thank you for being with us. 00:47:24.619 --> 00:47:25.880 Even when we were far off. 00:47:27.420 --> 00:47:28.760 And it's in your name we pray. 00:47:29.679 --> 00:47:29.960 Amen. 00:47:29.960 --> 00:47:30.059 Amen. 00:47:30.059 --> 00:47:30.059 00:47:30.059 --> 00:47:30.059 00:47:30.059 --> 00:47:30.059