April 17, 2021

Dear Road Church Friends,

There are seven weeks between Easter and Pentecost. It was during this time that the disciples devoted themselves to understanding the difference that Easter makes for the world and themselves. Our theme continues to be, “The Easter Difference.”

After his resurrection Jesus presented himself alive to his apostles, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God, Acts 1:3. He taught them about the gift of the Holy Spirit who would be the power and presence of Jesus in the world until the end of the age. The appearances of the risen Jesus were replaced by the indwelling presence of the Spirit in the lives of believers. The Easter faith in our hearts today is the work of the Spirit. The story of the walk to Emmaus is about how two doubting, grieving disciples came to have a joyful Easter faith. The Walk to Emmaus is their story, but it’s our story too.

SUNDAY SERMON:  Our Walk To Emmaus

SCRIPTURE:  The Walk To Emmaus, Luke 24:13-35

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus,...While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. He said to them, “What are you discussing with each other?” One of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place, and some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” They got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together. They told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread

WHOSO DRAWS NIGH TO GOD

Whoso draws nigh to God one step through doubtings dim,

God will advance a mile in blazing light to him.

Author Unknown

May God bless us all,

Pastor Norm

Road Church Sunday, April 18, 2021 Worship Service on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NDuyCLw1mfw