Seeing Christ: Embracing Humility and Community in Faith

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, struggling to see Christ in our circumstances. Life's challenges can obscure our vision, leading us back to old ways and comfort zones. Yet, it is precisely in these moments that Jesus meets us, revealing Himself through the Scriptures and reminding us of His love and divine plan. As we immerse ourselves in His Word, our hearts begin to burn with renewed passion and understanding. This is not just about resolving our pain but about seeing the greater narrative of Christ's sacrifice and love for us.

The story of Emmaus teaches us that God desires more than just our comfort. He calls us to move beyond our personal revelations and into a deeper relationship with Him, where we understand His pain and sacrifice. This understanding shifts our focus from our own struggles to the immense love and sacrifice of Jesus. It is a call to humility, to recognize our own brokenness, and to see the depth of Christ's love for us.

However, the journey doesn't end there. God challenges us to step out of our comfort zones, to leave the warmth of Emmaus, and return to Jerusalem. This means engaging with others, sharing our experiences, and being a source of encouragement and truth. In doing so, we not only grow in our understanding of Christ but also help others see Him more clearly. The fellowship of believers is where we experience a fuller revelation of Jesus, as we share and learn from each other's encounters with Him.

God is not impressed by our religious activities if they are devoid of true humility and contrition. He seeks those who tremble at His Word, who choose His way over their own, and who have no secret delight in sin. Our religious acts are meaningless if they are not accompanied by a heart that is humble and contrite before God. True humility is marked by a willingness to listen, to learn, and to serve others, just as Jesus did.

In conclusion, let us be encouraged to seek a deeper relationship with Christ, to embrace humility, and to engage with others in love and truth. As we do, we will experience the fullness of His presence and the joy of being part of His body, the church.

Key Takeaways:

1. Seeing Christ in Our Circumstances: Life's challenges can obscure our vision of Christ, but He meets us in our struggles, revealing His love and plan through the Scriptures. As we immerse ourselves in His Word, our hearts burn with renewed passion and understanding. [00:35]

2. Understanding Christ's Sacrifice: Beyond resolving our pain, God wants us to understand the depth of Christ's sacrifice. This shifts our focus from our struggles to His immense love, leading us to humility and recognition of our own brokenness. [02:40]

3. Stepping Out of Comfort Zones: God calls us to leave our comfort zones and engage with others, sharing our experiences and being a source of encouragement. This fellowship is where we experience a fuller revelation of Jesus. [04:25]

4. True Humility and Contrition: God seeks those who tremble at His Word, choosing His way over their own. Our religious acts are meaningless without a humble and contrite heart, marked by a willingness to listen, learn, and serve. [12:44]

5. Engaging with Others in Love and Truth: As we seek a deeper relationship with Christ and engage with others, we experience the fullness of His presence and the joy of being part of His body, the church. [18:13]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - The Journey to Emmaus
- [00:35] - Losing Sight of Christ
- [00:55] - Jesus Reveals Himself
- [01:12] - Understanding God's Plan
- [01:47] - Hearts Burning with Passion
- [02:09] - The Symbolism of Breaking Bread
- [02:40] - Seeing Christ's Sacrifice
- [03:28] - Moving Beyond Personal Revelation
- [04:06] - Leaving Comfort Zones
- [05:06] - Greater Revelation in Fellowship
- [06:20] - The Importance of Community
- [08:42] - God's Dwelling Place
- [10:08] - True Humility and Contrition
- [12:44] - Choosing God's Way
- [14:51] - Sharing Christ's Love
- [18:13] - Engaging with Others in Truth

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 24:13-35 (The Road to Emmaus)
2. Isaiah 66:1-2 (God's Dwelling Place)
3. Luke 2:46 (Jesus in the Temple)

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Observation Questions:

1. In the story of the road to Emmaus, what event caused the disciples to finally recognize Jesus? How does this moment relate to the sermon’s emphasis on understanding Christ's sacrifice? [02:22]

2. According to the sermon, what does the breaking of bread symbolize in the context of the Emmaus story? [02:22]

3. How does the sermon describe the disciples' journey back to Jerusalem after their encounter with Jesus? What does this signify about stepping out of comfort zones? [04:25]

4. What does Isaiah 66:2 say about the kind of person God is looking for, and how does this relate to the sermon’s message on true humility and contrition? [10:08]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon suggest that life's challenges can obscure our vision of Christ, and what role does Scripture play in renewing our understanding and passion? [00:35]

2. In what ways does the sermon encourage believers to move beyond personal revelations and into a deeper relationship with Christ? How is this related to understanding His sacrifice? [02:40]

3. What does the sermon imply about the importance of community and fellowship in experiencing a fuller revelation of Jesus? How does this connect to the disciples' return to Jerusalem? [06:20]

4. How does the sermon interpret the actions of religious activities without humility, as described in Isaiah 66:3? What warning does this provide for believers today? [12:24]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent challenge in your life. How might you have missed seeing Christ in that situation? What steps can you take to seek His presence more intentionally through Scripture? [00:35]

2. The sermon calls us to understand Christ's sacrifice deeply. How can you shift your focus from personal struggles to recognizing His immense love and sacrifice in your daily life? [02:40]

3. Consider a comfort zone you are currently in. What practical steps can you take to step out of it and engage with others, sharing your experiences and encouraging them in their faith journey? [04:25]

4. True humility involves listening and serving others. Identify one area in your life where you can practice humility this week. How will you ensure your actions are not just religious activities but come from a humble heart? [12:44]

5. The sermon emphasizes engaging with others in love and truth. Who in your community can you reach out to this week to share your faith journey and encourage them in theirs? [18:13]

6. Reflect on the idea of trembling at God's Word. How can you cultivate a deeper reverence for Scripture in your daily routine? What changes might you need to make to prioritize this? [10:08]

7. The sermon warns against choosing our own way over God's. Is there an area in your life where you are tempted to follow your own path? How can you realign your choices with God's will? [12:44]

Devotional

Day 1: Seeing Christ in Our Circumstances
In the midst of life's challenges, it can be difficult to see Christ's presence and purpose. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we may find ourselves returning to old habits and comfort zones when our vision is clouded by struggles. However, it is precisely in these moments that Jesus meets us, revealing Himself through the Scriptures and reminding us of His love and divine plan. As we immerse ourselves in His Word, our hearts begin to burn with renewed passion and understanding, allowing us to see beyond our immediate pain and into the greater narrative of Christ's sacrifice and love for us. [00:35]

Luke 24:30-32 (ESV): "When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 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?'"

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you intentionally seek Christ's presence and guidance through Scripture in this situation today?


Day 2: Understanding Christ's Sacrifice
God desires more than just the resolution of our pain; He wants us to understand the depth of Christ's sacrifice. This understanding shifts our focus from our own struggles to His immense love, leading us to humility and recognition of our own brokenness. By contemplating the sacrifice of Jesus, we are called to move beyond our personal revelations and into a deeper relationship with Him, where we understand His pain and sacrifice. This journey of understanding is not just about acknowledging Christ's love but also about allowing it to transform our hearts and lives. [02:40]

Hebrews 12:2-3 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you have focused more on your struggles than on Christ's sacrifice. How can you shift your perspective to embrace His love and humility today?


Day 3: Stepping Out of Comfort Zones
God calls us to leave our comfort zones and engage with others, sharing our experiences and being a source of encouragement. The story of Emmaus teaches us that God desires more than just our comfort; He calls us to move beyond personal revelations and into a deeper relationship with Him. This involves stepping out of our comfort zones and returning to Jerusalem, where we can engage with others and share our experiences. In doing so, we not only grow in our understanding of Christ but also help others see Him more clearly. The fellowship of believers is where we experience a fuller revelation of Jesus, as we share and learn from each other's encounters with Him. [04:25]

Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you are hesitant to step out of your comfort zone. What is one practical step you can take today to engage with others and share your faith?


Day 4: True Humility and Contrition
God seeks those who tremble at His Word, choosing His way over their own. Our religious acts are meaningless without a humble and contrite heart, marked by a willingness to listen, learn, and serve. True humility is not about outward appearances or religious activities but about a heart that is genuinely humble and contrite before God. It involves recognizing our own brokenness and choosing God's way over our own desires. This humility is marked by a willingness to listen, learn, and serve others, just as Jesus did. [12:44]

Isaiah 66:2 (ESV): "All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word."

Reflection: Consider an area in your life where you may be relying on religious activities rather than true humility. How can you cultivate a humble and contrite heart before God today?


Day 5: Engaging with Others in Love and Truth
As we seek a deeper relationship with Christ and engage with others, we experience the fullness of His presence and the joy of being part of His body, the church. This engagement is not just about sharing our experiences but about being a source of encouragement and truth to others. In doing so, we help others see Christ more clearly and experience the fullness of His presence. The fellowship of believers is where we experience a fuller revelation of Jesus, as we share and learn from each other's encounters with Him. [18:13]

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV): "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Reflection: Think of someone in your church community who may need encouragement. How can you reach out to them today and share Christ's love and truth?

Quotes

"Life's challenges can obscure our vision of Christ, but He meets us in our struggles, revealing His love and plan through the Scriptures. As we immerse ourselves in His Word, our hearts burn with renewed passion and understanding. We are gripped and want to know more, and if we stick with God and press in with Him, we are not satisfied with just scripture being open in a particular situation. Suddenly seeing God, we say, 'Lord, we want more,' and God may show us a little bit of what He did for us, His sacrifice for us." [00:35:57]

"God not only resolves the pains in our lives, but He also wants to open our eyes to the pains in His life, the thing that caused Him pain—sin, the sacrifice that He made for us. That's the progression of how God says, 'You come to me with your pain, I'll resolve your pain because I show you in Scripture that I'm a loving Father, I've got everything under control.' But that's not the end of the story." [02:57:40]

"God calls us to leave our comfort zones and engage with others, sharing our experiences and being a source of encouragement. This fellowship is where we experience a fuller revelation of Jesus. As we heard earlier today, that's where we see an even greater revelation. It is where we touch His side, and He speaks to us and tells us more. He shows us an even more intimate view of who He is." [05:03:04]

"God seeks those who tremble at His Word, choosing His way over their own. Our religious acts are meaningless without a humble and contrite heart, marked by a willingness to listen, learn, and serve. God is saying, 'I don't care about all your religious activities, I don't care about all your Bible studies, I don't care about your quiet time here and there. It's just as bad as being a murderer.'" [12:36:12]

"God wants us to take us further. God wants us to show Himself and look, now that you got yourself out of your own problems, let me show you my pain. Let me show you a little bit of what I went through on Calvary or what I went through when I was an 18-year-old and my father died. Let me tell you what I went through when I was 25 years old and I didn't sell any tables all month." [13:57:39]

"God says, 'Get up, get up and go tell you of my fellow disciples. Get up if you love me, feed my sheep. Stop sitting in your quiet comfort of your warm springs, tell other people. I have an even further greater revelation of Who I am. I want you to know me as close as if you're touching me. I want you to see me as so real.'" [15:04:08]

"God is looking for a place to live. What is a place that God can live in? Imagine if God created the whole heaven and the earth. Imagine that the President of the United States wanted a place to live. Imagine if Jeff Bezos, if you ever wondered what the richest man in the world, what his house looks like. What are the richest man in the world came and told me, 'Hey, come visit my home.'" [08:56:36]

"God is saying, 'I don't care about all your religious activities, I don't care about all your Bible studies, I don't care about your quiet time here and there. It's just as bad as being a murderer. Why? Because it says in the rest of verse 3, he says that because they choose their own way. That's it. That's what the difference is.'" [12:42:46]

"God says, 'Well, Saints are broken, my children are also in different stages of life, but go and tell them and tell them what you've learned from Jesus in your own broken ways. Don't be ashamed and I'll meet with you, you know, I'll meet with you in a whole personal way than you've ever met with before. That is why it's so important to not despise the gathering together.'" [07:23:43]

"God wants to take us further. God wants us to show Himself and look, now that you got yourself out of your own problems, let me show you my pain. Let me show you a little bit of what I went through on Calvary or what I went through when I was an 18-year-old and my father died. Let me tell you what I went through when I was 25 years old and I didn't sell any tables all month." [13:57:39]

"God is saying, 'I don't care about all your religious activities, I don't care about all your Bible studies, I don't care about your quiet time here and there. It's just as bad as being a murderer. Why? Because it says in the rest of verse 3, he says that because they choose their own way. That's it. That's what the difference is.'" [12:42:46]

"God says, 'Get up, get up and go tell you of my fellow disciples. Get up if you love me, feed my sheep. Stop sitting in your quiet comfort of your warm springs, tell other people. I have an even further greater revelation of Who I am. I want you to know me as close as if you're touching me. I want you to see me as so real.'" [15:04:08]

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Transcript
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