Finding Jesus in Ordinary Moments of Life
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to reflect on the profound ways God reveals Himself in our lives, especially during moments of confusion and despair. We began by discussing our Aruka coffee fundraiser, which supports our mission work in Ethiopia. This initiative not only helps fund various projects but also serves as a means to share the gospel with others. We then transitioned into a personal story from my first mission trip to the Philippines, illustrating how God often shows up in unexpected ways, even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.
Our main focus was on the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus from Luke 24. These disciples were in a state of confusion and grief after Jesus' crucifixion, asking, "God, what the heck is going on?" Jesus appeared to them, but they did not recognize Him initially. As they walked and talked, Jesus explained the Scriptures concerning Himself, and their hearts began to burn within them. It was only when He broke bread with them that their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him.
This story teaches us that Jesus often reveals Himself in the ordinary moments of life. He steps into our confusion and grief, listens to our concerns, and gently reminds us of the truth of God's Word. Even when we don't recognize Him, He is always with us, working in our lives. The disciples' encounter with Jesus revived their hearts and restored their hope, transforming their despair into joy and purpose.
We are reminded that Jesus reigns over every aspect of our lives, including our meals and interactions with others. As we share meals and fellowship, we have the opportunity to reveal Jesus to those who do not yet know Him. Our attitude, demeanor, and actions should reflect the hope and love of Christ, making His presence undeniable.
### Key Takeaways
1. Jesus Reveals Himself in Ordinary Moments: Jesus often steps into the normalcy of our lives, revealing Himself in the midst of our daily routines and struggles. He listens to our concerns and gently reminds us of the truth of God's Word, even when we don't immediately recognize His presence. [46:00]
2. Reviving Hearts Through Scripture: The disciples on the road to Emmaus experienced a revival of their hearts as Jesus explained the Scriptures to them. This reminds us of the importance of constantly re-gospeling ourselves, immersing in God's Word to keep our faith and hope alive. [51:43]
3. Restoring Hope in Despair: Jesus' appearance to the disciples transformed their despair into hope. In our darkest moments, Jesus is with us, reviving our hearts and restoring our hope. This eternal hope is tethered to the risen Christ and will never fade. [49:45]
4. The Power of Presence and Listening: Jesus' interaction with the disciples teaches us the importance of being present and listening. Before speaking, He showed up, listened, and asked questions. This approach can profoundly impact those around us, revealing Jesus through our compassionate presence. [59:46]
5. Jesus Reigns Over Every Aspect of Life: Jesus' resurrection signifies His reign over sin, death, and every aspect of our lives. This includes our interactions and meals with others. As we break bread and fellowship, we should create space for Jesus to reveal Himself through us, displaying a contagious hope and love. [01:11:21]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[17:58] - Opening Prayer
[18:35] - Introduction and Fundraiser Overview
[19:23] - Aruka Coffee Fundraiser Details
[20:57] - Coffee Donation Options
[22:52] - Fund Allocation and Projects
[23:35] - School Partnership in Sandafa
[24:21] - Home Repair Projects
[24:57] - Alilta Women at Risk Program
[26:24] - General Fund and Closing Remarks
[34:47] - Personal Mission Trip Story
[42:38] - The Road to Emmaus: Context
[46:00] - Jesus Reveals Himself
[49:45] - Restoring Hope and Reviving Hearts
[51:43] - Importance of Scripture
[59:46] - The Power of Presence and Listening
[01:11:21] - Jesus Reigns Over Every Aspect of Life
[01:12:55] - Final Reflections and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Luke 24:13-35 - The Road to Emmaus
2. Ephesians 2:4-5 - "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."
3. Jeremiah 33:6 - "Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security."
### Observation Questions
1. What were the disciples discussing as they walked to Emmaus, and how did Jesus initially interact with them? ([46:40])
2. How did the disciples' emotions and understanding change from the beginning to the end of their encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus? ([49:12])
3. What specific actions did Jesus take that led to the disciples recognizing Him? ([52:22])
4. How does the story of the Road to Emmaus illustrate Jesus' presence in ordinary moments of life? ([46:00])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to reveal Himself to the disciples in such an ordinary setting rather than making a grand appearance? ([44:50])
2. How does the phrase "But God" in Ephesians 2:4-5 and Luke 24:16 emphasize God's sovereignty and intervention in our lives? ([46:00])
3. In what ways does Jesus' explanation of the Scriptures to the disciples on the road to Emmaus demonstrate the importance of understanding God's Word? ([51:43])
4. How can the disciples' transformation from despair to hope on the road to Emmaus encourage us in our own moments of confusion and grief? ([49:45])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt confused or in despair. How did you sense Jesus' presence during that time, even if it was not immediately recognizable? ([49:45])
2. Jesus revealed Himself to the disciples through the breaking of bread. How can you create opportunities in your daily life for Jesus to reveal Himself to you and others? ([52:22])
3. The disciples' hearts burned within them as Jesus explained the Scriptures. What steps can you take to immerse yourself more deeply in God's Word to keep your faith and hope alive? ([51:43])
4. Jesus listened to the disciples before speaking. How can you practice being present and listening to others in your life, especially those who are hurting or confused? ([59:46])
5. The sermon emphasized that Jesus reigns over every aspect of our lives, including our meals and interactions. How can you intentionally reflect the hope and love of Christ in your everyday interactions with others? ([01:11:21])
6. Think about someone in your life who does not yet know Jesus. How can you use ordinary moments, like sharing a meal, to reveal Jesus' presence to them? ([01:11:21])
7. The disciples' encounter with Jesus restored their hope. How can you actively seek to restore hope in others who are experiencing despair or confusion? ([49:45])
Devotional
### Day 1: Jesus in the Ordinary Moments
Description:
Jesus often steps into the normalcy of our lives, revealing Himself in the midst of our daily routines and struggles. He listens to our concerns and gently reminds us of the truth of God's Word, even when we don't immediately recognize His presence. The story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus illustrates this beautifully. They were in a state of confusion and grief, but Jesus walked with them, listened to their concerns, and explained the Scriptures to them. It was only when He broke bread with them that their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him. This teaches us that Jesus is always with us, even in the mundane moments of life, working in ways we may not immediately see. [46:00]
Bible Passage:
"And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?'" (Luke 24:31-32, ESV)
Reflection:
Think about your daily routine. Where might Jesus be revealing Himself to you in the ordinary moments? How can you become more aware of His presence in your everyday life?
### Day 2: Reviving Hearts Through Scripture
Description:
The disciples on the road to Emmaus experienced a revival of their hearts as Jesus explained the Scriptures to them. This reminds us of the importance of constantly re-gospeling ourselves, immersing in God's Word to keep our faith and hope alive. When we engage with Scripture, we allow God to speak to us, revive our hearts, and renew our minds. The Word of God is living and active, and it has the power to transform our lives. By making it a habit to read and meditate on the Bible, we can experience a continual renewal of our faith and a deeper understanding of God's love and purpose for us. [51:43]
Bible Passage:
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)
Reflection:
How often do you immerse yourself in Scripture? What steps can you take to make reading and meditating on God's Word a daily habit?
### Day 3: Restoring Hope in Despair
Description:
Jesus' appearance to the disciples on the road to Emmaus transformed their despair into hope. In our darkest moments, Jesus is with us, reviving our hearts and restoring our hope. This eternal hope is tethered to the risen Christ and will never fade. The disciples were initially in a state of confusion and grief, but their encounter with Jesus brought them renewed hope and purpose. This teaches us that no matter how bleak our circumstances may seem, Jesus is always present, ready to restore our hope and give us a new perspective. Our hope is not based on our circumstances but on the unchanging reality of the risen Christ. [49:45]
Bible Passage:
"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." (Psalm 42:11, ESV)
Reflection:
Think of a time when you felt despair. How did Jesus restore your hope during that time? How can you remind yourself of this hope in your current struggles?
### Day 4: The Power of Presence and Listening
Description:
Jesus' interaction with the disciples on the road to Emmaus teaches us the importance of being present and listening. Before speaking, He showed up, listened, and asked questions. This approach can profoundly impact those around us, revealing Jesus through our compassionate presence. In a world where people are often quick to speak and slow to listen, taking the time to truly listen to others can be a powerful way to show Christ's love. By being present and attentive, we can create a space for others to feel heard and valued, and in doing so, we reflect the character of Jesus. [59:46]
Bible Passage:
"Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." (James 1:19-20, ESV)
Reflection:
Think of someone in your life who needs a listening ear. How can you be more present and attentive to them this week? What steps can you take to show them the love of Christ through your compassionate presence?
### Day 5: Jesus Reigns Over Every Aspect of Life
Description:
Jesus' resurrection signifies His reign over sin, death, and every aspect of our lives. This includes our interactions and meals with others. As we break bread and fellowship, we should create space for Jesus to reveal Himself through us, displaying a contagious hope and love. The story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus shows that Jesus can reveal Himself in the most ordinary of settings, such as a shared meal. By inviting Jesus into every aspect of our lives, we allow His presence to transform our interactions and relationships, making His love and hope evident to those around us. [01:11:21]
Bible Passage:
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV)
Reflection:
How can you invite Jesus into your daily interactions and meals? What practical steps can you take to ensure that your actions and demeanor reflect the hope and love of Christ to those around you?
Quotes
1. "We see the fundraising process as a way to reach people with the gospel. Because we'll sit down with those folks afterwards and share what God did, whether they're Christians or not, which is a great way to do so. And a big aspect of this coffee fundraiser is to help raise some funds for the projects we're going to be doing while we are in Ethiopia and then follow up with them." [19:23] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus steps into the normalcy of life. He steps into the ordinary. And he continues to do the same today, doesn't he? Jesus draws near to normal people in normal places, living normal lives." [44:50] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We need to re-gospel ourselves all the time. I need to remember that where I came from was by the grace of God. Jesus hanging on the cross. His resurrection. Forgiving my sins. Giving me a new life. Yes, that's huge. But at the same time, he's also still walking with me. He's always with me. Even in those moments or seasons. I'm like, God, what the heck is going on?" [51:43] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus reveals himself. See, we tend to want Jesus to show up how and when we want. Yeah? Of course, he's always actively engaged in our lives. He's always. There's never a moment that he's not. There's a quote from C.S. Lewis. And I don't. This is not. This is a very bad paraphrase of it. But I just recalled it from some time. For every hundred times, every thousand times Jesus moves in our lives, we might recognize it as him being three or four times." [53:14] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus revives hearts. Jesus revives hearts. So their encounter with Jesus revived their hearts. Their hearts were heavy and in a state of grief. Tired. They were filled with sadness that was written across their faces. In verse 33, it says, and within the hour, after having food with Jesus and this amazing experience, they were on their way back to Jerusalem. They just walked seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus, had this life-changing dinner experience with Jesus. And now your heart needs to literally be pumping, right? To be able to walk 14 miles round trip in one day, yeah?" [52:48] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Jesus restores hope. He revives hearts, but he also restores, hope. What a contrasting tone we're seeing here from the beginning of the story, right? We go from despair to hope in seven miles. That could have been the name of the sermon. Always think about it afterwards." [01:06:26] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Jesus is not just the center of the Bible, not just the center of this particular story. He's the center of history. He reigns. He's the center of the whole earth, the world. He reigns. Everything revolves around Jesus in the landscape of human history. He reigns supreme. Take comfort in that." [01:12:16] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "If Jesus is in the house, people are going to know Jesus is in the house. They are going to see him. Change is going to happen. Grace is going to happen. Forgiveness is going to happen. Mercy is going to happen. Kindness, patience, forbearance are going to happen if Jesus is in the house, and he is. Encouragement is going to happen in the middle of, God, what are you doing? What's going on? Compassion is going to happen. Love is going to happen. His very presence transforms. His living presence is undeniable. Hearts are going to be revived. Hope revived. Restored." [01:12:55] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "In the midst of our biggest questions, including, God, where the heck are you? We ought to pray that we would have eyes to see how and when Jesus shows himself in our circumstances. He's always in our midst, but often, understandably, we don't see him. We can't recognize him through the fog and the pain and the trauma and the malaise of life." [01:09:14] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Jesus shows up, then he listens. We're not so good at listening. We're good at showing up and popping off our mouths, aren't we? Telling everybody how we feel, how they should get better. Jesus shows up, and I said this a few weeks ago when I shared, ability is the best, the best ability is availability. Be available. And then he listened. There's a concept, right? We talked a lot about this in the Grille Angelism workshop. He listened, and then he asked questions. And guess what? He listened some more after that. Then he spoke." [59:46] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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