Worship - Oct. 11, 2026 10:30am - "Our Bethlehem Field, Our Emmaus Road

Oct 11, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: The One Not in the Room

When status dictates visibility, the anointed remain unseen. Seven sons stood tall while David kept sheep. True calling emerges not from human hierarchy but divine vision in overlooked spaces. The story challenges us to scan life’s margins for those excluded by our assumptions. What gatherings, ministries, or conversations feel incomplete because we’ve accepted absence as normal? The call to “not sit down” until all are present reshapes our posture of inclusion. [21:36]

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, NIV)

Reflection: Who in your life exists “out in the field” of your awareness—present but rarely considered? How might you actively invite their presence into spaces where decisions are made?

Day 2: Breaking Bread with Unseen Grace

Recognition comes through shared tables, not theological debates. Two disciples walked seven miles with Jesus yet missed him until bread broke. Grace works anonymously in ordinary acts—strangers welcomed, stories heard, needs met. Ministry begins not in declaring God’s presence but discovering where God already dwells. What holy work happens quietly around us, awaiting only our attention to be named? [24:45]

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him. (Luke 24:30-31, NIV)

Reflection: When has someone’s ordinary kindness—a meal, a listening ear—later revealed sacred significance? Where might you practice “holy recognition” in today’s routines?

Day 3: Measuring by the Field, Not the Pedestal

David’s anointing happened among sheep, not sanctuaries. We often equate maturity with age, polish, or achievement, yet God ignites purpose in the uncurated moments of youth. Crossfire’s weekly gathering declares that faith isn’t a future event—it’s the Spirit moving now in skate parks, school halls, and sheepfields. What metrics blind us to sacred potential in the young? [22:31]

Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” (1 Samuel 16:10-11, NIV)

Reflection: When have you dismissed someone’s capacity for leadership because of their age or context? How might you affirm the Spirit’s work in someone’s “field” today?

Day 4: Grace Walks Beside Us Before We Name It

The Emmaus road teaches that Christ accompanies us long before we perceive Him. Campus ministry isn’t about importing grace but illuminating its prevenient work—in study groups, advocacy efforts, and late-night dorm conversations. Like the disciples, we’re invited to walk beside students, asking questions until their stories reveal divine fingerprints. Where have you underestimated God’s quiet persistence? [26:56]

As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. (Luke 24:15-16, NIV)

Reflection: What ongoing situation in your life might hold unrecognized grace? How could curiosity—rather than certainty—help you perceive it?

Day 5: Anointing the Spirit Already at Work

Samuel’s oil merely confirmed what God’s Spirit had already begun. David didn’t become called when anointed; he was anointed because he’d already been called. Crossfire and Cohere don’t manufacture purpose but amplify the sacred spark in youth and young adults. How often do we withhold affirmation until people “arrive,” rather than celebrating the journey? [22:05]

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. (1 Samuel 16:13, NIV)

Reflection: Who in your circle needs to hear that God’s Spirit is already active in their unfinished story? How can you “anoint” their current chapter with encouragement?

Sermon Summary

God’s call to holy noticing takes shape through two stories where people nearly miss what God is already doing. First Samuel 16 begins with Samuel grieving Saul’s failure, but God sends him to Jesse’s house to anoint a new king. Samuel sees Jesse’s strong, likely candidates, yet God corrects his vision: people look at outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. David remains out in the field, not because Jesse is hiding him, but because Jesse simply does not think of him. David is not on the radar when status and stature seem like the goal.

Samuel’s refusal to sit down until David arrives gives the scene its weight. The prophet, the elders, Jesse, and seven brothers wait for the one who was overlooked. God then names David as the one and pours the Spirit upon him. God was already with David and already at work in him long before Samuel arrived or anybody called his name.

Young people often know what it feels like to be out in the field while everybody else is in the room. Middle schoolers and high schoolers can be treated as a grade, a number, a schedule, or something to manage. Crossfire pushes back against that way of seeing by saying that youth do not need to become older, louder, or more polished in order to matter. God sees them in the field, whether that field is Bethlehem or Oshkosh.

Luke 24 carries that same invitation further. Jesus walks with the disciples on the road to Emmaus, listens to their story, and receives their hospitality, yet they do not recognize him until the breaking of bread. Jesus is present before he is known, and grace is at work before it is noticed. God’s grace can be active in people’s lives while others lack the eyes or language to name it.

Cohere Campus Community grows out of that prevenient grace. Campus ministry does not need to manufacture good work among students. God is already at work in students who serve their communities, advocate for change, care for friends and family, and prepare their gifts for the world. Cohere seeks to identify and amplify that grace, making room for others to recognize what God has been doing all along. Crossfire and Cohere both invite the church to stop, look again, and see the people God already sees.

Key Takeaways

1. God sees those left in the field. God’s choice of David reveals that human attention often follows status, polish, and visible success. God’s attention reaches the overlooked person before anybody else thinks to call them in. The church’s calling is not to make young people worthy of notice, but to recognize the Spirit already at work in them. [22:05]
2. Grace works before it is recognized. Jesus walks beside the Emmaus disciples while they remain unable to see who is with them. Grace does not wait for perfect understanding, clear language, or spiritual confidence before it begins its work. Holy noticing becomes possible when people expect Christ to be present in ordinary conversations, shared meals, and unfinished lives. [24:45]
3. Young people are more than potential. Youth are often told that their real value lies somewhere in the future, after more age, credentials, or achievement. God’s work in David confronts that delay by showing that calling and presence belong to the present tense. Crossfire names the dignity of young people now, not merely the usefulness they may someday offer. [23:18]
4. Ministry recognizes and amplifies existing grace. Cohere does not begin with the assumption that campus life lacks goodness until the church brings it. Prevenient grace means God has already gone ahead, stirring courage, service, care, and hope among students. Faithful ministry learns to identify that work, name it clearly, and help others see it too.

## [27:18]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[19:09] - Seeing People More Deeply
[20:21] - Samuel’s Grief and God’s Call
[20:44] - God Looks at the Heart
[21:36] - Waiting for David in the Field
[22:31] - Youth Who Feel Overlooked
[23:43] - Jesus on the Road to Emmaus
[24:45] - Grace Before Recognition
[25:41] - Grace at Work Among Students
[26:32] - Cohere and Prevenient Grace
[27:41] - Stop, Look Again, See People
[28:12] - Supporting Crossfire and Cohere

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Samuel 16:1-13
“The LORD said to Samuel, 'How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.' But Samuel said, 'How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.' The LORD said, 'Take a heifer with you and say, "I have come to sacrifice to the LORD." Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.' Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, 'Do you come in peace?' Samuel replied, 'Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.' Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, 'Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.' But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.' Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, 'The LORD has not chosen this one either.' Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, 'Nor has the LORD chosen this one.' Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, 'The LORD has not chosen these.' So he asked Jesse, 'Are these all the sons you have?' 'There is still the youngest,' Jesse answered. 'He is tending the sheep.' Samuel said, 'Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.' So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, 'Rise and anoint him; this is the one.' So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.” [20:10]

Luke 24:13-35
“Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, 'What are you discussing together as you walk along?' They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, 'Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?' 'What things?' he asked. 'About Jesus of Nazareth,' they replied. 'He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.' He said to them, 'How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?' And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, 'Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.' So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, 'Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?' They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, 'It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.' Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.” [23:47]

Observation questions

What details in 1 Samuel 16 show why David was not initially considered when Samuel came to Jesse’s house? [21:16]
What did Samuel require the group to do before they could sit down, and who was waiting for David to arrive? [21:36]
On the road to Emmaus, what did Jesus do with the two disciples before they recognized him?
What ordinary moment opened the disciples’ eyes to recognize Jesus? [24:45]

Interpretation questions

God tells Samuel that people look at outward appearance while the Lord looks at the heart. What kinds of “outward appearances” can cause a church or community to overlook someone today? [20:44]
Jesse does not appear to be intentionally hiding David; he simply does not think of him. What does this suggest about the ways people can be overlooked without anyone meaning to exclude them? [21:06]
Jesus was present with the Emmaus disciples before they recognized him. What does this reveal about how God may be at work in a person’s life before they have words for faith or confidence in God? [24:53]
If grace is already at work among young people and college students, how does that change the purpose of youth and campus ministry—from producing good work to noticing and strengthening it? [27:14]

Application questions

Think about a time when you felt “out in the field”—unnoticed, underestimated, or left out. What helped you know that God still saw you, and how might that experience help you notice others?
Who in your daily life might be easy to overlook because they are quiet, young, new, struggling, or do not fit the usual picture of success? What is one practical way you could make room to hear or encourage them this week? [28:02]
Young people are often treated as a grade, a number, a schedule, or a future potential rather than as people God is working through now. How can this group more clearly value the gifts, questions, leadership, and faith of youth in the present? [22:45]
Where have you seen grace at work in a young person, student, neighbor, coworker, or family member recently? How could you name that goodness to them in a way that encourages them?
The Emmaus disciples recognized Jesus in an ordinary meal. What ordinary places in your week—conversations, meals, work, school, caregiving, or service—might become opportunities to look again for Christ’s presence? [24:45]
Crossfire and Cohere seek to identify and amplify the good work God is already doing among youth and students. What is one way you could support that kind of holy noticing through prayer, welcome, invitation, listening, or serving? [27:18]

Sermon Clips

42s

#SeeThePeople

“First, in a shepherd boy out in the field, and second, in a stranger on the road. And in both of these stories, the turning point was a willingness to stop, look again, and let eyes be opened. That's the invitation of this sermon series, see the people. And it's what Crossfire and Cohere are trying to live out. Neither ministry is about bringing grace to a place where it previously wasn't. We're simply trying to see what God has been doing all along in our youth and young adults.”

55s

#RoadToEmmaus

“So for a quick refresher, in Luke 24, we find two men journeying towards the village of Emmaus, discussing the events of Jesus' death just days before. In the midst of their conversation, Jesus appears to them. However, they do not recognize him. Jesus walks with them, asks them questions, listens to their story. And as the evening continues, the men showed Jesus generous hospitality by offering him a meal and shelter for the night. It's only later at the table, in the ordinary act of breaking bread, that their eyes are opened and they finally see Jesus. In this story, Jesus is present before he is known, and grace is at work before it is noticed.”

41s

#YouthAreSeen

“At an increasingly younger and younger age, they're measured by how they look, how they perform, and by how society tells them where they should fit in. Our Wednesday night youth group here at ABUMC strives to say something different. To our youth, we say that you don't have to be older, louder, or more polished to be seen. Whether your field is up in Bethlehem or in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, God sees you in that field. And like Samuel, we are not gonna sit down until you are here.”

48s

#GodSeesYou

“So to me, the lesson of this story is that God was already with David, already at work in him, out in that field, before Samuel ever arrived and before anyone had noticed or named him. If anyone knows what it feels like to be out in the field, well, everyone else is in the room. It's middle schoolers and high schoolers. They're told that they'll matter someday. Maybe when they're a little older, once they've gotten that degree, or once they've secured that well paying job. But for now, they're seen as a grade, a number, a schedule, or something to manage.”

51s

#GraceInAction

“So applying this to campus ministry, we can build a framework for engaging with students in a way that is approachable, dynamic, and rooted in holy recognition. Cohere campus community does not originate good work on campus, but instead it identifies it and amplifies it, making space for others to recognize the grace that is already at hand. So today, we've discussed two different stories and two different ministries, and yet one thread running through them both. In Bethlehem, a prophet nearly missed a Cain. On the path to Emmaus, two disciples nearly missed their savior. In both stories, God was already at work.”

49s

#ProvenientGrace

“It isn't hard to see that there's no shortage of grace working all around us, but I do believe sometimes we have a shortage of noticing it. So when we think again about campus ministry, what if noticing was the goal? What if noticing grace was the primary foundation for a ministry? So that ministry is Cohere Campus Community. It's the new ministry that we intend to develop centered around provenient grace. The doctrine that says that God's grace goes ahead of us and is already at work within us. Like the Emmaus story, Jesus was already at work within the disciples' heart and conversation long before they were noticed or had language for it.”

42s

#NoticeTheGrace

“So I wonder, how often do we fail to recognize grace because we're not looking for it? These two men, they were disciples walking with Jesus himself for miles, and yet they missed him entirely. I believe that at times we're guilty of doing the same today, and not just with God, but with God's people. So often the grace and the goodness in others is left unseen. Good work, even holy work, goes on without anyone to notice or name it.”

42s

#CalledToLead

“Samuel's response is interesting as it is compelling. He says that they will not sit down until David, the youngest son, has arrived. Imagine that room for a second. We have the elders, we have the prophet, we have the seven brothers, and Jesse, all just standing there waiting for the one who wasn't yet in the room. Only when David is called in does God say, rise and anoint him. This is the one. And we're told that the spirit of the Lord came upon David powerfully from that day.”

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