What does an “encounter with the Lord” look like? 

Calls you by name 

Confronts you about sin in your life and the need to repent 

Convicts you about actions you need to take 

Speaks over you who you are in Him 

Reveals truth to you that you have not “seen” yet 

Directs you to do something specific 

Overwhelms you with peace/courage at a time when only He could 

Transforms you into a new creation by His grace through faith 

Acts 9:1-19  

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 

5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. 

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 

7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. 

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” 

“Yes, Lord,” he answered. 

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. 

Knowing Christ vs. Knowing about Christ 

Knowing About Christ 

Matthew 15:8-9 (Isaiah 29:13) 

“‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’” 

Knowing Christ 

Philippians 3:7-11 

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 

When Paul speaks of “knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,” then, he means that he has acknowledged God’s great act of deliverance in Christ and submitted to Christ’s lordship. 

To know Jesus is not the same as knowing about His historical life; it is not the same as knowing correct doctrines regarding Jesus; it is not the same as knowing His moral example, and it is not the same as knowing His great work on our behalf. 

To know Him means to grow in practical day-by-day relationship with Him in such an intimate way that we would become more Christlike. 

Oswald Chambers 

What Saul experienced on the road to Damascus had no logical explanation, and neither did the choice he made afterward: to live in total obedience to Jesus Christ. 

When Jesus Christ appears to me, I’m in danger if I say, “I won’t.” Jesus will never insist on my obedience, but if I refuse to obey, I’ve begun to sign the death warrant of the Son of God in my soul. When I stand face-to-face with Jesus Christ and say, “I won’t,” I’m backing away from the re-creating power of his redemption. If I come to the light, it’s a matter of indifference to God’s grace how abominable I am. But if I refuse the light, woe to me. “Everyone who does evil hates the light. . . . But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light” (John 3:20–21). 

 Mission of YOUR Life – What is the point? 

Knowing and serving Christ Jesus and pointing people to Him  

R.C. Sproul once wrote,  

“Resisting the lordship of Christ is not only sinful, but it is stupid, because God has raised Him from the grave, placed him at His right hand, and given Him all authority in heaven and on earth and has called every person to bow the knee before Him. To resist Him is foolish.” 

“In 1 Timothy 1:16, Paul says, “And yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.”  

Paul’s conversion is an example for us all.  

It is an example of the fact that none are too far gone for God’s mighty power to save.  

It is an example of what God can do when He takes hold of a life.  

It is an example to encourage us to pray for and share with every sinner, no matter how wicked.  

It is an example for us to commit ourselves afresh to whatever purpose God has given us to do for His kingdom.  

As Paul later wrote in 2 Cor 5:14-15, “For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf”.  

Dennis Rainey 

“Christ has staked a claim on our life. Be glad of it. He is incomparable! It is your calling, and honor, to serve Him. There is no other way to live a life that matters. 

Acts 20:24   

I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. 

Galatians 2:20  

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 

Oswald Chambers  

Have you ever had a crisis in which you deliberately, emphatically, and recklessly abandoned everything to God? It is a crisis of will. You may come to the crisis many times in your outward experience, giving up worldly things and behaviors. But giving up external things amounts to nothing. The real crisis of abandonment happens within. Giving up external things may be a sign of being in total bondage, not to God but to your own idea of holiness. 

Have you deliberately committed your will to Jesus Christ? It is, truly, an act of will, not of emotion. 

Over the last couple of weeks, we have had an up-close glimpse of multiple encounters Jesus experienced.  Each one leaving us with questions we should ask in our own lives… 

Don’t you just love a bunch of questions this early in the morning!!! 

First with the Pharasees which should cause us to pause and ponder if there is any truth in us that reveals hypocrisy vs a real trust and faith in Jesus?    And then as a result of His encounter with Mary of Magdala – are we able to say I have met him and I am different? 

Now this  morning we are going to add  a few more questions? I invite you to write these down and ponder them as we look at our next encounter.  

Do I truly want to encounter Jesus? 

Do I want the hope of Jesus in my life? 

Do I deeply believe Jesus will meet me where I am? 

Luke 24 beginning in verse 13 

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles^[a] from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;  ¹⁶ but they were kept from recognizing him. 

¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” 

    They stood still, their faces downcast. 

¹⁸ 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?” 

19. “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. ²⁰ The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹ 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.  

 ²² In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³ but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴ Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” 

 ²⁵ He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 

BUT NOT JESUS! 

Lets PRAY 

 Dear Jesus,  I need you. 

        I know you are my hope. 

       Open my eyes and let me 

        see you!      Amen 

In my early career, I was a nursing home administrator – locally at Life Care Center (that is actually what brought us to the valley) I believe and know fully that God allowed that in my life to grow me in deeper dependence and knowledge of him.  That is a whole other message.   

One of the hardest challenges of that job is staffing (anyone relate) The responsibility to the residents and staff was tremendous – taking me often to the point of desperation. 

 I remember one particular day that my regional director had stopped by and on this visit he had his elementary aged son with him. 

When they arrived, I had been sitting at my desk praying and seeking the Lords help for how exactly we would meet the need for CNAs that day. 

As we talked – the little guy offered to pray for me.  He prayed for a simple prayer or please provide today. 

The heart and faith of that young man was the encouragement, an encounter I needed to continue to trust in that moment. 

Let’s look at Jesus encounter with 2 disciples on the road to Emmaus 

Right before we see our next encounter in Luke, we learn that the stone is rolled away! Jesus has risen and the women who discovered the empty tomb are being hit with doubt and disbelief by the disciples as they share this indescribable news. 

 ²⁸ As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going    farther. ²⁹ 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. 

        Jesus shows up and meets us where we are. 

  Jesus shows up and meets us where we are. 

        He is worthy of our hope 

JESUS SHOWS UP UNEXPECTED WAYS PLACES 

“ALL THAT CRYING I DID THIS MORNING” 

2 BAGS OF GROCERIES       MATTHEW 25 

• PHARISEES- JESUS ALWAYS ENCOUNTERED THEM 

• MARY MAGDALENE- FIRST TO HEAR HIM  

• ALWAYS EXISTING WITH THE FATHER- 

• GO BACK TO BEGINNING HOW HE APPROACHES US 

SCRIPTURE GENESIS 3:6                               

   6. “WHEN THE WOMAN SAW THAT THE FRUIT OF THE TREE WAS GOOD FOR FOOD AND PLEASING TO THE EYE, AND ALSO DESIRABLE FOR GAINING WISDOM, SHE TOOK SOME AND ATE IT. SHE ALSO GAVE SOME TO HER HUSBAND, WHO WAS WITH HER, AND HE ATE IT.  

 SCRIPTURE  GENESIS 3:7 
   7. THEN THE EYES OF THEM WERE OPENED, AND THEY REALIZED THEY WERE NAKED; SO THEY SEWED FIG LEAVES TOGETHER AND MADE COVERINGS FOR THEMSELVES.  

SCRIPTURE GENESIS 3:8 

   8. THEN THE MAN AND HIS WIFE HEARD THE SOUNDS OF THE LORD GOD AS HE WAS WALKING IN THE GARDEN IN THE COOL OF THE DAY, AND THEY HID FROM THE LORD GOD AMONG THE TREES OF THE GARDEN.  

SCRIPTURE GENESIS 3:9 

   9. BUT THE LORD GOD CALLED TO THE MAN, “WHERE ARE YOU?’ 

• The New English Bible describes them as “full of gloom.” 

• THEY WERE NOT EXPECTING HIM- 

• DISCIPLES WEREN’T- MARY MAGDALENE DIDN’T 

• 2^ND TIME SAME DAY- DIDN’T RECOGNIZE HIM 

SLOW OF HEART TO BELIEVE: 

• JESUS TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM WITH THEIR BELIEF WAS MORE IN THEIR HEART THAN IN THEIR HEAD. WE OFTEN THINK THE MAIN OBSTACLES TO BELIEF ARE IN THE HEAD, BUT THEY ARE ACTUALLY IN THE HEART.  

SCRIPTURE LUKE 24:28 

  28. “AS THEY APPROACHED THE VILLAGE TO WHICH THEY WERE GOING, JESUS CONTINUED ON AS IF HE WERE GOING FARTHER.   (APPARENTLY WAST GONNA STAY) 

 SCRIPTURE LUKE 24:29                                   

  29. 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.  

• JESUS WON’T FORCE HIMSELF 

• STAYS WHERE INVITED 

WHEN TWO SAINTS ARE TALKING TOGETHER, JESUS IS VERY LIKELY TO COME AND MAKE THE THIRD ONE IN THE COMPANY. TALK OF HIM, AND YOU WILL SOON TALK WITH HIM, “SPURGEON 

SCRIPTURE LUKE 24:30 

  30. WHEN HE WAS AT THE TABLE WITH THEM, HE TOOK BREAD AND BROKE IT AND BEGAN TO GIVE IT TO THEM.  

 SCRIPTURE LUKE 24:31 

  31. THEN THEIR EYES OPENED AND THEY RECOGNIZED HIM, AND HE DISAPPEARED FROM THEIR SIGHT. 

SCRIPTURE LUKE 24:32 

  32. 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?” 

• V 27- AND BEGINNING WITH MOSES AND ALL THE PROPHETS, HE EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT WAS SAID AND IN ALL THE SCRIPTURES CONCERNING HIMSELF 

    IMAGINE THAT CONVERSATION– THAT TEACHING? 

SCRIPTURE LUKE 24:33 

  33. THEY GOT UP RETURNED AT ONCE TO JERUSALEM. THERE THEY FOUND THE ELEVEN AND THOSE WITH THEM, ASSEMBLED TOGETHER.  

• WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER JESUS- YOU GO  

• WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER JESUS YOU SHARE 

 SCRIPTURE LUKE 24:34 

  34. AND SAYING “IT IS TRUE! THE LORD HAS RISEN AND HAS APPEARED TO SIMON.” 

SCRIPTURE LUKE 24:35 

  35. THEN THE TWO TOLD WHAT HAD HAPPENED ON THE WAY, AND HOW JESUS WAS RECOGNIZED BY THEM WHEN HE BROKE THE BREAD.”       LEONARD SWEET 

• They recognized him when he broke the bread 

• Cleopas- companion DIDN’T keep their experience to themselves -told it to the others. 

• Jesus seems to care well for all people- especially ones who are walking in the wrong direction. 

 COMMUNION 

• GOOD FRIDAY STARTED AT THE TABLEAT THE TABLE AGAIN 

• WETHER A MEAL OR COMMUNION? 

• TODAY WE OFFER TWO WAYS TO ENCOUNTER HIM 

• ONE THROUGH THESE ELEMENTS-  

• TWO THROUGH PRAYER 

• ³⁰So they asked him, “What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? ³¹Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it  is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ “ 

• ³²Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” ³⁴“Sir,” they said, “from now on give us this bread.” ³⁵Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. ³⁶But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. ³⁷All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.  

This food won’t keep your body alive.  It won’t keep your stomach from growling or your throat from being thirsty.  This food isn’t designed to sustain the body, it’s designed to sustain the soul.  It’s designed to help you be in constant communion with the One who created you, and the One who redeemed you.  This food is to nourish the soul. 

MATTHEW 26:26-28 

²⁶ While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 

²⁷ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸ This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.  

MAYBE YOU JUST WANT TO PRAY TODAY 

YOU NEED AN ENCOUTNER WITH HIM 

A FRESH ENCOUNTER WITH HIM- YOU COULD ASK SOMEONE TO COME AND PRAY – OR WE HAVE A FEW PEOPLE WHO WILL PRAY WITH YOU/FOR YOU 

https://www.bible.com/events/49592769

Church of the Nazarene – East Rockingham Campus 

Encounters Part 3 

The Emmaus Road encounter 

Today we continue in our Easter teaching series called Encounters. 

We are looking at different stories in the bible where people personally encounter Jesus. Today we are looking at Jesus’ encounter with two disciples walking down the Emmaus Road 

What did this encounter mean for them? What can we learn for our lives today? 

‭‭Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭13‬-‭16‬‬ 

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. 

In Lukes Gospel, this is the first post-resurrection encounter of Jesus. 

As they are walking along, the text says they were discussing everything that had happened. The language here indicates this more than a casual discussion- it was one of passion and perhaps even debate. 

Disillusioned and confused, they start walking away- trying to sort it all out as they go down the road. And that’s when Jesus shows up. 

‭‭Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭17‬‬ 

He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 

The weight they were carrying becomes clear as Jesus invites himself into their conversation. Literally the emotion, the burden of what has just taken place is written all over their face. 

‭‭Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭18‬-‭21‬‬ 

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 the Jewish tradition, 3 days after death was the point of no return- death was final at that point. 

For these disciples, it was more than Jesus that was dead- their hope of him overthrowing the Roman’s and returning the nation of Israel to a place of prominence and freedom was over too. 

What they had focused on, what they thought was sure to come, what they were excited about- was over. It didn’t come, and seemingly never would. 

Have you ever been there? 

‭‭Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭22‬-‭24‬‬ 

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.” 

‭‭Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭25‬-‭27‬‬ 

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. 

Jesus continues the conversation with some stiff words- calling out their resistance to believing all that was written about Jesus. 

It’s interesting here- Jesus doesn’t go after them for not believing his own teaching, or his own words about his identity and resurrection. He doesn’t even rebuke them for not believing the testimony of the women, or the other disciples, or even the empty tomb itself. 

He calls them out because they have not believed what the word of God, the bible said about him. 

‭‭Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭28‬-‭29‬‬ 

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. 

Jesus was willing to walk a little while with these disciples as they were walking away. But he stayed with them because they asked. 

‭‭Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭30‬-‭32‬‬ 

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?” 

One encounter is all it took and their hearts were aflame with hope. The scriptures and the stories they couldn’t figure out, were now alive and right in front of them. And their hearts were on fire. 

All of the information, the questions, the thoughts they had about Jesus, came alive in the person of Jesus, right before their eyes. This was the encounter that changed everything for these two disciples. 

‭‭Luke‬ ‭11‬:‭9‬-‭13‬‬ 

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” 

We know from this encounter story that Jesus is alive. 

We know that he is the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan according to the scriptures. 

And he is still encountering people who are seeking him in the every day events of life. 

The question that remains for us is simply this: Will you look for Jesus, right here? Here in the everyday moments and needs of your life? 

Will you ask, seek, and knock for an encounter with Jesus himself? 

ENCOUNTERS

• WELCOME- HAPPY EASTER- STARTED SERIES
• SPOTLIGHT ON ENCOUNTERS WITH JESUS
• STARTING WITH PALM SUNDAY-PASSION WEEK

LAST WEEK- JESUS ENTERS A PARADE

JESUS –LAST WEEK LAST MOMENTS LAST BREATH

   PHARISEES – ADDRESSES HYPOCRISY

THIS WEEK- SHINE SPOTLIGHT ON MARY MAGDALENE

   MARY MAGDALENE -BEEN WITH JESUS FOR A WHILE

   MARY MAGDALENE- HEALED OF 7 DEMONS

THERE WHEN JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED-SUPORTER OF JESUS                               

 PAINTING OF MARY MAGDALENE

       ARCHEOLOGIST DISCOVERED MANY REMNANTS

• CHURCH – DUC IN ALTUM (PUT OUT INTO DEEP)
• ATRIUM DEDICATED TO WOMEN
• BEAUTIFUL MOSAIC DEDICATED TO MARY MAGD

THIS IS THE CHOSENS INTERPRETATION

MARY MAGDALENE- MEETS JESUS                                

MARY                                                   

ENCOUNTERS- THE ENCOUNTERS JESUS HAD WITH PEOPLE STARTING WITH PALM SUNDAY THROUGH PASSION WEEK AND BEYOND

     WHERE DID WE END ON FRIDAY NIGHT

     MARY MAGDALENE AND MARY   SIT FACING A STONE

SCRIPTURE JOHN 20:1

1. “EARLY ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, WHILE IT WAS STILL DARK, MARY MAGDALENE WENT TO THE TOMB AND SAW THE STONE HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ENTRANCE.
   
   

SCRIPTURE JOHN 20:2

• SO SHE CAME RUNNING TO SIMON PETER AND THE OTHER DISCIPLE, THE ONE JESUS LOVED, AND SAID, “THEY HAVE TAKEN THE LORD OUT OF THE TOMB, AND WE DON’T KNOW WHERE THEY HAVE PUT HIM!”

 SCRIPTURE JOHN 20:3-4

• SO PETER AND THE OTHER DISCIPLE STARTED FOR THE TOMB. BOTH WERE RUNNING, BUT THE OTHER DISCIPLE OUTRAN PETER AND REACHED THE TOMB FIRST.

SCRIPTURE JOHN 20:5-6

   5 HE BENT OVER AND LOOKED IN AT THE STRIPS OF LINEN LYING THERE BUT DID NOT GO IN. THEN SIMON PETER CAME ALONG BEHIND HIM AND WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE TOMB. HE SAW THE STRIPS AND LINEN LYING THERE,

    JOHN FASTER-    PETER LESS SCADER.     

 SCRIPTURE JOHN 20:7-8

   7. AS WELL AS THE CLOTH HAD BEEN WRAPPED AROUND JESUS’ HEAD. THE CLOTH WAS STILL LYING IN ITS PLACE, SEPARATE FROM THE LINEN. FINALLY THE OTHER DISCIPLE, WHO HAD REACHED THE TOMB FIRST, ALSO WENT INSIDE. HE SAW AND BELIEVED.

    BELIEVED WHAT? WHY?

WHAT DO YOU HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING IN?

ANNA BAGENHOLM

• SKIING ACCIDENT- TRAPPED ICE- PUPILS DIALATED
• She had no heart beat for 2 hours 35 minutes Bågenholm’s spent the following 35 days connected to a

JUSTIN SMITH

• attempted to walk home 2 MILES in Tresckow, PA, wearing hoodie and jeans.
• Temp-4 DEGREES- passed out snowdrift (12 hours)

 father, Don Smith, found him the next morning. Justin was rigid, his skin was purple, and he had no pulse or breathing.

• Paramedics assumed DEAD, sheet placed over him- 1

SCRIPTURE JOHN 20:9-10                               

   9. (THEY STILL DID NOT UNDERSTAND FROM SCRIPTURE THAT JESUS HAD TO RISE FROM THE DEAD) THEN THE DISCIPLES WENT BACK TO WHERE THEY WERE STAYING

SCRIPTURE JOHN 20:11-12

  11. NOW MARY STOOD OUTSIDE THE TOMB CRYING. AS SHE WEPT, SHE BENT OVER TO LOOK INTO THE TOMB AND SAW TWO ANGELS IN WHITE, SEATED WHERE JESUS’ BODY HAD BEEN, ONE AT THE HEAD AND THE OTHER AT THE FOOT.

• WHAT IS THE SIGNIFIGANCE OF THIS?
• ON TOP- 2 ANGELS- ONE ON EACH END

THE ARK OF THE COVENANT

   OLD TESTAMENT- THE PRESENCE OF GOD LIVED HERE

• ARK TRAVELED AT ONE POINT
• ARK THEN ENDS UP IN THE TEMPLE
• ONCE A YEAR- THE HIGH PRIEST HOLY OF HOLIES

VODDIE BAUCHAUM                        

   WHAT WAS HE SAYING?

1. ADMIT YOUR’E A SINNER- IN NEED OF A SAVIOR
2. BELIEVE ON AND IN THE LORD JESUS
3. CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH

SCRIPTURE JOHN 20:13

  13. THEY ASKED HER, “WOMAN, WHY ARE YOU CRYING?’ “THEY HAVE TAKEN MY LORD AWAY,” SHE SAID, “AND I DON’T KNOW WHERE THEY HAVE PUT HIM.”

• VERSE 2 SHE SAID THE LORD-    ITS PERSONAL

SCRIPTURE JOHN 20:14

  14. AT THIS, SHE TURNED AROUND AND SAW JESUS STANDING THERE, BUT SHE DID NOT REALIZE THAT IT WAS JESUS.

SCRIPITURE JOHN 20:15

  15. HE ASKED HER, “WOMAN, WHY ARE YOU CRYING? WHO IS IT THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR?” THINKING HE WAS THE GARDNER, SHE SAID, “SIR, IF YOU HAVE CARRIED HIM AWAY, TELL ME WHERE YOU HAVE PUT HIM, AND I WILL GET HIM.”

   HOW DOES SHE NOT KNOW WHO HE IS ?

• DARK- SHES CRYING
• SHE HAS ZERO EXPECTATION HE IS ALIVE

REMBRANDT PAINTING JESUS GARDNER     

•  Christ not just Redeemer but also the cultivator of souls.
• Like a gardener tending to his garden, he nurtures each soul, guiding us toward spiritual growth and renewal.
• In the garden, a place of life, growth and resurrection, Christ’s presence illuminates the darkest corners and brings new life from the ashes of desolation.

 SCRIPTURE JOHN 20:16

  16. JESUS SAID TO HER, “MARY.” SHE TUNRED TOWARD HIM AND CRIED OUT IN ARAMAIC, “RABBONI!”

(WHICH MEANS “TEACHER”)

• SERIES IS ENCOUNTERS
• ENCOUNTERS VARY FOR PEOPLE
• ENCOUNTER HIM IN PAIN-IN JOY-CREATION
• IN OTHER PEOPLE

FUNERAL HOME ENCOUNTER                   

• FIRST YEAR AS A PASTOR (3 LADIES UNDER 50)
• NICKY BROWN- 46 BRUTAL BATTLE CANCER
• STANDING LOOKING AT HER BEATEN UP BODY
• I NEED YOU TO EMBRACE THIS
• DON’T NEED WORK FOR CHURCH TO ENCOUNTER

STATEMENT                                                     

  MARY MAGDALENE CAN BE SEEN AS THE OPPOSITE OF THE PHARISEES, SHE IS KEENLY AWARE OF HER NEED FOR JESUS AND HER DEPENDANCE ON HIM.

SCRIPTURE 1 CORINTHIANS 15:3

• FOR WHAT I RECEIVED I PASSED ON TO YOU AS FIRST IMPORTANCE; THAT CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES, THAT HE WAS BURIED, THAT HE WAS RAISED ON THE THIRD DAY ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES.

 SCRIPTURE 1 CORINTHIANS 15:4-5

   4 THAT HE WAS BURIED, THAT HE WAS RAISED ON THE THIRD DAY ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES, AND THAT HE APPEARED TO CEPHAS, AND THEN TO THE TWELVE.

SCRIPTURE 1 CORINTHIANS 15:6

   6 AFTER THAT HE APPEARED TO MORE THAN FIVE HUNDRED, OF THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS AT THE SAME TIME, MOST OF WHOM ARE STILL LIVING, THOUGH SOME HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP.

SCRIPTURE I CORINTHIANS 15:7-8

   7. THEN HE APPEARED TO JAMES, THEN TO ALL THE APOSTLES, AND LAST OF ALL HE APPEARED TO ME ALSO

PAUL THE TERRORIST– IS TESTIFYING THAT HE HAD AN ENOUNTER WITH JESUS.

• MARY MAGDALENE HAD ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS
• THE CHOSEN TAKES LIBERTY HERE-
• THE MESSAGE OF WHAT SHE SAYS DOESN’T
• THIS IS A REAL PERSON- REAL PROBLEMS

EXPLAINS TO NICODEMUS- A PHARISEE WHAT HAPPENED

• WOULD YOU KNOW HIM IF YOU SAW HIM
• I WAS ONE WAY- AND NOW I AM COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
• AND THE THING THAT HAPPENED IN BETWEEN-  WAS HIM–   YES I WILL KNOW HIM

SCRIPTURE JOHN 20:17

   17. JESUS SAID “DO NOT HOLD ON TO ME, FOR I HAVE NOT YET ASCENDED TO THE FATHER. GO INSTEAD TO MY BROTHERS AND TELL THEM, “I AM ASCENDING TO MY FATHER  AND YOUR FATHER, TO MY GOD AND YOUR GOD. “

SCRIPTURE JOHN 20:18

  18. MARY MAGDALENE WENT TO THE DISCIPLES WITH THE NEWS: “I HAVE SEEN THE LORD!” AND SHE TOLD THEM THAT HE HAD SAID THESE THINGS TO HER.”

HAVE YOU SEEN THE LORD-

• HAVE YOU HAD AN ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS?

TODAY WE END WITH WHERE WE ENDED FRIDAY NIGHT

   2 WOMEN- SIT, STARING AT A STONE

MARY MAGDALENE AND MARY THE MOTHER OF JOSEPH AND SALOME- SAT STARING AT THE TOMB WHERE HE WAS LAID”.    ALL HOPE HAS BEEN LOST

STONES IN SCRIPTURE REPRESENT MANY THINGS.

STONES WERE MARKERS, STONES WERE ALTARS, STONES WERE REMINDERS, AND STONES- THIS STONE WAS A BARRIER.

  TODAY WE INVITE YOU TO TAKE A STONE- WRITE A WORD OR EVEN A SYMBOL ON IT AND TAKE IT WITH YOU.

• ALSO INVITED TO PLACE IT- FOOT OF THE CROSS
• REMINDER-MARKER-MEMORIAL REPRESENTS
• MY STONE SAYS FREE

THE STONE WAS A BARRIER- NOT TO HIM GETTING OUT

BUT TO US GETTING IN

PRAYER-

1. ADMIT YOU ARE A SINNER (ALL HAVE SINNED)
2. BELIEVE ON AND IN JESUS
3. CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH- YOU WILL BE SAVED

LORD TODAY- I ADMIT IM A SINNER IN NEED OF YOU-

FORGIVE MY SINS JESUS- COME INTO MY HEART TODAY.

FINAL MESSAGE OF EASTER- MARY THOUGHT THEY LOST

JESUS WON

https://www.bible.com/events/49589832

Church of the Nazarene – East Rockingham Campus 

Encounters Part 2- Easter Sunday 

Mary Magdalene 

Today we continue in our Easter teaching series called Encounters. 

We are looking at different stories in the bible where people personally encounter Jesus. Today we are looking at Jesus’ encounter with Mary Magdalene on resurrection Sunday morning. 

What did this encounter mean for Mary? What can we learn from it today? 

‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬-‭3‬‬ 

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. 

We learn that Jesus had healed Mary from evil spirits and infirmities- It tells us specifically that 7 demons were cast out of her life. And that’s all we really know about her background 

She was once in darkness, living with demonic presence in her life. But an encounter with Jesus was all it took. And her life was changed forever. 

What about you? 

‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭1‬‬ 

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 

The last time Mary saw Jesus. He was dead. 

It was on the evening of Good Friday after she witnessed Jesus lifeless body being placed in the tomb, with a large stone rolled in front of the entrance. 

That stone on Friday evening had to feel like the end of her world. Hopeless and heavy. And she carried that same feeling with her on Sunday morning. 

‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭2‬-‭7‬‬ 

So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 

Mary’s only conclusion at the sight of the stone being rolled away is that someone has taken the body of Jesus out of the tomb. She runs to tell the other disciples. 

The other disciple who is not named here, is believed to be John, the one writing this gospel. 

Peter arrives and goes right on in to see for himself. He is taking it all in, trying to process the evidence that’s right in front of him. 

‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭8‬-‭13‬‬ 

Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying. Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 

Mary is still so upset, that she is seemingly unphased by the sight of two angels as she looks in the tomb. As the angels ask about her condition, she can only reply that someone has taken away Jesus. 

And now comes Mary’s encounter – the one that would change her forever…the one that would change the world – change you. If you let it. 

‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭14‬-‭16‬‬ 

At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). 

This is the encounter. This is the moment that changes everything for Mary. 

Jesus first shows up in a graveyard to encounter his friend Mary who is confused, broken, and hopeless. That’s the God we serve. 

At the sound of Jesus calling her name, Mary recognizes that it is Jesus. Her heart leaps for joy as she grabs ahold of him. 

‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭17‬-‭18‬‬ 

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. 

This encounter with Jesus changed her life. Jesus was alive, validating everything he ever said. 

Jesus is alive, there is hope, there is the forgiveness of sin and the hope of ternal life. And he’s still encountering us today. 

Do you believe that? Do you really believe that it can be true for you? 

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭7‬-‭8‬‬ 

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬-‭17‬‬ 

If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 

The question of the resurrection is really the central claim of Christianity. 

The good news or the gospel of Jesus Christ is that through is life, death and resurrection, we can not only encounter him, but we can find new life in him. 

Jesus, through his sufferings, and his death on the cross, made the full payment for all sin. 

The bible tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Jesus came to deal with the penalty and the power of sin in our lives. And in his resurrection, he validated his teaching, and the victory over sin death and hell. And those who place their faith in him, will one day share in a resurrection like his. And until then, we get to experience his life within us. 

That’s what’s at stake today as we consider the stone rolled away this Easter Morning.