“The Road to Emmaus”.

The Topic of the Service of 7^th April 2013, at St. Margaret's UCZ Church was entitled: “The Road to Emmaus”.

Preacher: Mr Kelvin Mufwambi

Scripture Reading:  Psalm 16: 1 - 11

                                    Acts 1: 1 - 5

                                    Luke 24: 1 - 11

NOTE:

The Unlimited Praise Team’s magazine called “Outreach Magazine” was launched by the Reverend Chipasha Musaba before the beginning of the service. Get yourself a copy at the Church for KR40.

SERMON SUMMARY

We are gathered here as witnesses of the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

In our lives we have a lot of worries such as those regarding poverty, lack of shelter, poor health and unstable marriages, etc.

In a similar manner there was a lot of worry amongst the disciples after the death of Jesus. They were worried if, indeed, he would rise from the dead after three days as he had promised them.

Psalm 16: 10 is a prophetic uttering about the resurrection of Jesus. “Because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.”

Are you still wondering if indeed Jesus rose from the dead?  Isaiah 55:8 says “’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD.”

Those who crucified Jesus made sure that he will not rise again by sealing his Tomb with a big stone and putting a guard to watch the Tomb. Despite this, Jesus rose from the dead and the stone was rolled away without the guards knowing what was happening.

The disciples knew that Jesus will come back. However, they had fears and doubts about whether this was going to pass as he had promised them.

Whatever doubts you have in life Jesus will always come back to attend to your problems because “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” ~ Hebrew 13:8

We are the living witnesses of the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. If Jesus had not risen from the dead we would not have gathered here today to proclaim that.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ was the beginning of Christianity. If Christ had not been resurrected and seen by many people (more than 500), Christianity would not exist today. Jesus made twelve appearances after his resurrection:

1.       His first appearance was to Mary Magdalene, on that early Sunday morning. (Mark 16:9; John 20:10-18).

2.       Jesus appeared to the women returning from the tomb. (Matthew 28:9-10).

3.       Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. (Luke 24:13-32; Mark 16:12-13).

4.       He appeared to Peter in Jerusalem. (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5).

5.       He appeared to his disciples and other followers, and also a second time to the two men from Emmaus, in a locked room in Jerusalem. The apostle Thomas wasn't there at that time. (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-23).

6.       A week later, Jesus again appeared to his disciples behind locked doors, and this time Thomas was present. (John 20:24-29).

7.   Jesus appeared to seven of his disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. (John 21:1-24).

8.   Jesus was seen by 500 believers at one time. (1 Corinthians 15:6).

9.   He appeared to James. (1 Corinthians 15:7).

10. He appeared to eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee. (Matt. 28:18-20).

11. He walked with his disciples along the road to Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, and then  

       ascended into Heaven. (Luke 24:50-53).

12. He was seen by Paul on the road to Damascus. (Acts 9:3-6; 1 Corinthians 15:8).

We need to bring people to understand the meaning of Christianity by prophesy. One cannot proclaim prophesy by writing it down. However, when you empty yourself God will reveal a lot of things to you.

The Bible says:” Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.” ~ Revelation 2:17. Therefore demand your portion with Jesus today. When Jesus reveals himself to you, you become a new creature and will be called by a new name.  When you have a new name people will recognise you.

Let us have an encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ as the two men on the road to Emmaus.

Remember that whatever you do here on earth will follow you after your death.

AMEN!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: (From the Church's Weekly Bulletin)

The road to Emmaus is a common path for most Christians. It is a place of self-acclaimed awareness of Christ’s mission and what ought to be done by His Church; a place of confused understanding about the Christ and unacknowledged inability to recognise the Christ.

Imagine how Cleopas responded to the Christ saying, “Are you the only visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he and his Friend went on to recount the events that had taken place, (Luke 24: 18-24). Recounting them to whom? They were telling them to Jesus, the Christ.

Would you have done better than him, yourself, or are you doing any better? Can you imagine how many people are telling others about the Christ, when on the other hand; they themselves have failed to recognise Him? It is shocking to find people in Church who cannot even recognise the one by whom they are named. Be careful!

As you begin this new week, make it a point to remove your name from the list of those who claim to follow Jesus and yet they cannot recognise Him.

AMEN!