Hallelujah.
The more I seek you, the more I find you.
The more I find you, the more I love you.
I want to sit at your feet, drink from the cup in your bed,
lay back against you and breathe,
feel your heart beat.
This love is so deep, it's more than I can stand.
I melt in your peace, it's overwhelming.
Oh, we love you today, Lord.
And we sense the presence of the Holy One in this place.
Church, would you just lift up your hands right there where you are
and begin to worship Him.
The King of Glory is in this house.
Open up the gates and the King of Glory will come in.
I've come to tell you the King of Glory is in this house.
Who is this King of Glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty.
The Lord, mighty in battle is in this place today.
And whatever you're walking through, dealing with, battling or fighting,
I have good news.
The King of Glory is in this place today.
Would you worship Him?
Would you honor His presence right there where you are?
We just bless you today.
We bless you, O King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
We recognize your presence.
We recognize you're in this place.
Oh, and how we love you today.
How we love you today.
Don't you love Him today?
Let's give the Lord a hand clap of praise.
Hallelujah.
Hallelujah, hallelujah.
Would you give these young people and the not so young people
a great big hand today?
Amen.
Did they not do a great job in the house?
Amen.
You know what this means right here?
This means when you went to meet Jesus,
there's still going to be people making sure the church goes forward.
Amen.
So we're thankful we make room for them to do what they do
so that they'll know that not only is He your King,
but He's their King.
Amen.
And He's going to make sure that the gospel is still preached.
They're going to make sure that the songs are still sung,
the testimony still go forward,
that people will hear that Jesus is Savior,
Sanctifier, Holy Ghost, Baptizer, Healer,
and a soon coming King when our time here is done.
Amen.
Let them know how much you appreciate them today.
Hallelujah.
The Lord is good.
Amen.
You can be seated today in the house of the Lord.
So good to be with you.
My name's Scotty Hager.
For those of you who don't know who I am,
I'm the state youth director,
and Pastor Cliff gave me an opportunity to be with you today.
I'm just thankful to be here with what I consider
one of the very finest pastoral families
in all of the Church of God in Tennessee.
Do you agree with that today?
Let them know how much you appreciate them and love them.
Amen.
It's good to have my wife Melissa with me.
She rarely gets to travel with me,
so I'm glad she's here,
and our daughter Brinkley, who thinks she's a Starkey.
But we're thankful for that.
We do love the Starkeys.
I'm glad they're here as well.
The Moody's are here.
That's why he doesn't want South Cleveland
to see the audience today.
I think they come to hear good preaching.
I'm just going to be honest with you.
They're tired of that tired old preaching.
No, I'm just kidding.
I don't know why they're here,
but that's going to be my story,
and I'm sticking to it.
Amen.
You tell him I know you will.
Amen.
Don't you love the Lord?
Aren't you thankful for his goodness?
I know your pastor is ready to preach.
He's not preaching sometimes, I understand.
Snow and Christmas, and he was shaking down there.
Go ahead and go.
He's ready, and I'm like, I'm trying to get ready.
He's ready.
Ready to preach.
You guys better be ready next week,
is all I can tell you.
Your ears will be pinned back
like a double-barrel shotguns went off in this place.
So it's a joy to be with you today.
Is Kim here?
Kim, are you here?
The pianist, where are you at, Kim?
Kim, can we do key of G somewhere around because he lives?
Kim and I, we have not practiced this one,
just to be honest with you.
It's about the only way I can ever calm down
and just preach is I need to sing just a little bit.
But it's just a joy to be here at Hopewell.
You all are growing.
The Lord is doing great things, and I know for Brian,
Brian, it has to be nice to be the third best-looking man
in the room today behind me and Pastor Cliff.
Amen.
Man, you're doing a great job with these kids.
You're almost as good-looking as me and the pastor.
Don't you agree, Cliff?
Amen.
And you and Erica, you guys have a great pastoral team here
with the stewards and the waters.
We love them.
Aren't you thankful Jesus is alive?
Because he lives I can face tomorrow
Because he lives all fear is gone
Because I know he holds the future
And life is worth the living just because he lives
God sent his son
They called him Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive
I love this part.
He lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives
Because he lives I can face tomorrow
Because he lives all fear is gone
Because I know he holds the future
And life is worth the living just because he lives
Listen to this verse.
And then one day
Is anybody ready for that day?
I'll cross that river
I'll fight life's final war with pain
And then as death gives way to victory
I'll see the lights of glory
And I know he lives
Because he lives I can face tomorrow
Because he lives all fear is gone
Because I know he holds the future
And life is worth the living just because he lives
I like this chorus.
It says something very interesting.
The third line says because I know he holds the future.
Not because I know what the future holds.
That's not what it says.
Not because I'm preparing like I know what's going to happen in the future.
But I can rejoice today because I know who holds the future.
And if he has brought me this far, then I know he's going to lead me on.
And if grace has gotten us to this point, then I know grace will get us on.
And if mercy has followed me to this place, then I know mercy is going to follow me on.
And so when I may not know the future, and I may not understand the happenings,
And when it's not making sense, here's what I hold on to.
I know who holds the future.
And I know my Redeemer lives.
And if he is living and my future is in his hands, then everything's going to be alright.
Therefore I can sing, because he lives.
Because he lives, I can face tomorrow.
Whatever it may bring.
Because he lives.
All fear is gone.
Because I know he holds my future.
And life is worth a living just because he lives.
Aren't you thankful he lives today?
Tell your neighbor he lives.
He lives.
Did you let Miss Kim know how much you appreciate her today?
Amen, amen, and amen.
He lives.
Hallelujah.
That should be our story.
He lives.
That's enough, right?
He lives.
He lives today.
God bless you today.
If you have your Bibles, go with me.
The book of Luke, chapter 24.
Go with me there if you will.
I'm going to be reading verses 13 through 17, but I'm going to preach pretty much that
entire chapter.
But I'll do it quickly.
Because Cracker Barrel is calling.
Because everybody knows hardly anybody cooks Sunday dinner anymore.
And so if Cracker Barrel is not calling, El Janete is calling.
Amen.
And so you've got tacos on the brain.
Because your special K done became unspecial.
Luke, chapter 24, beginning at verse 13.
Luke 24, beginning at verse 13.
Now behold, two men, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus,
which was seven miles from Jerusalem.
And they talked together of all of these things which had happened.
So it was while they conversed and reasoned that Jesus himself drew near and went with
them.
But their eyes were restrained so that they did not know it was him.
And he said to them, what kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as
you walk and are sad?
Father, I ask you to bring blessings to your word today.
For your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
Your word will stand and has stood the test of time.
Your word is from everlasting to everlasting.
Now let this word be hidden in our heart that we might not sin against you.
Let this word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path that we may walk in your
ways.
Speak to us today.
Let us hear your word.
Let us apply your word.
And let our hearts and minds be prepared to receive the word of the Lord.
We love you today.
We honor you forever as the conquering king of kings and Lord of lords.
In Christ's name we pray.
And everyone said together.
I want to talk to you for a few moments about lessons on the Emmaus road.
Lessons on the Emmaus road.
This is how our story begins.
Christ has been crucified, wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities.
The chastisement of our peace has been upon him and by his stripes we are now healed.
It was after his last breath after the guards have pierced him with spears.
And Jesus has said it is finished after they have given him the sour things there at the
cross.
He took his last breath and immediately they came to get his body from the cross knowing
they had only until sundown to make this happen.
As they take his body they wrap him up and they put him in a tomb.
It is in the tomb that things begin to happen in the spirit world that you and I have never
seen.
But it is there in the tomb why his body is laying there that Christ goes and has his
way with the enemy if you will.
It is in this place that after three days Christ comes back from the dead and we sing
he arose, he arose, Christ Jesus has arose.
Here the ladies come to anoint his body and prepare him for his final burial.
When they get to the tomb the stone has been rolled away.
The angels meet them and say why seek ye the living among the dead?
It is here that they go and tell the disciples he was not there but he is living just as
he told us he would be.
This is where our story begins with this Emmaus walk.
This Emmaus walk that changes the lives of these disciples and really changes the world
because when the ladies tell the disciples this Peter and John run to the tomb to see
it for themselves and sure enough his body is not there.
So the Emmaus story begins right here with now behold two of them speaking of the disciples
were traveling that day to a village called Emmaus.
It is here that we begin to see that Jesus comes, the Bible says Jesus himself came and
began to walk with them and I have good news this same Jesus whom I preach of still comes
to where we are in the person of the Holy Ghost and he still walks with us on the roads
that we are living for he said though I go away I will pray to the Father and he will
send to you another comforter who will abide with you forever and so I have come to make
the argument that God is still Emmanuel God with us through the person of the Holy Spirit
and wherever we may be walking in a good place or in a bad place on a mountain top or down
in the valley through a struggle or through a victory I have good news there is one that
walks with us that calls us by name and knows where we are he fights for us he stands beside
us he guards us he knows in the middle of everything going on exactly what we need for
him to be you see I want you to understand he is still Emmanuel God with us and he is
right here in this place where we are today and he walks with them and begins this journey
with them through the Emmaus walk.
But as we get through this story we begin to see that there are some types of distractions
that have happened in the lives of these men who were walking with Christ that they did
not recognize who he was.
So over the next few moments I want to talk to you about two major things one distractions
on the journey and number two is staying focused on the journey.
Lessons learned on the Emmaus journey number one distractions verse 13 says two of them
were walking.
Fourteen says they talked together of the things which had happened speaking of the
crucifixion and all that we have already been through.
Fifteen says they conversed and reasoned with one another and that Jesus himself drew near
and went with them.
Aren't you thankful Jesus catches them and finishes the journey with them.
I've got good news for you today he will find you right where you are and he'll finish
whatever has been started.
Verse 16 tells us their eyes were restrained.
Seventeen says that Jesus says to them what is this conversation you're having as you're
walking I realize that you are sad.
Eighteen tells us that one whose name was Cleopas said are you the only stranger in
Jerusalem have you not known the things that have happened in these days and Jesus said
what things and they said the things concerning Jesus of Nazareth who was a prophet mighty
indeed in word before God and all of the people and how the chief priests and our rulers
delivered him to be condemned to death and crucified him.
The first thing I want you to see here is this these disciples were more focused on
the circumstance than they were on the promise of God that had already been given.
As they begin to talk to the Lord they say to him are you the only stranger or do you
not know exactly what's going on in our little town.
Have you not heard about the crucifixion.
Have you not heard about what's happened here.
How in the world are you so lost in what's going on.
There's no kind of Nintendo for you to be playing on.
There's no Instagram for you to be looking at.
Tick-tock has been banned in the United States.
There's no way you don't know what's going on in the world right now.
How are you the only one in all of Israel that doesn't know what's going on.
They are so focused on the circumstance they did not realize who was standing in front
of them.
Can I tell you something in the house today.
So many times in our life we get so focused on the circumstance we forget that Jesus said
I will be with you always even to the ends of the world.
Sometimes we get so focused on the situation that we forget what the word of the Lord has
declared to us and that is that we are the head and not the tail and that he is the first
and he will be the last.
Sometimes we get so focused on what's going on in our world we have forgotten what God
has spoken to us.
But I've come to remind someone in the house today that it is time to remember the word
of the Lord in a barren land.
It is time to jerk your harp off the willow tree and sing a new song to the Lord in the
middle of your circumstance.
It is time for you to stand up in a midnight hour and say I will rejoice in the Lord always
and again I say rejoice.
I might be bound up tore up messed up and pinned up but here's what I know he who the
Son is set free is free indeed and so right here in the middle of this circumstance I'm
going to shout I'm going to sing I'm going to read I'm going to pray I'm going to fast
why?
Because I don't do these things based on white circumstances.
I do these things based on who he is and he's alive forevermore.
He's the King of kings and Lord of lords.
He is the one who's more than able.
I've come to tell you circumstances will come and go.
Problems will come and go.
The rain is going to fall.
The wind is going to blow.
The hurricane is going to make its way onto shore.
But here's what I know that he that begin a good work in me will be faithful to the end
to complete it.
Here's one thing I know Jesus said in this world you will have tribulation but be of
great cheer for I have overcome the world hallelujah.
They're so focused on the circumstance they're trying to make the circumstance make the other
man depressed.
Have you not heard how bad it is?
I'm about to tear this coat off and preach right here.
I'm tired of us trying to make everybody else feel bad about what we're feeling bad about
and getting mad because they're not getting as mad as we are about what we're mad about
saying honey I don't know how I got in this shape but I'm not going to stay here in the
shape that I'm in because Jesus said I had life forevermore.
So focus on the circumstance they were distracted.
But not only do we deal with circumstances and Jesus dealt with circumstances.
David dealt with circumstances for both of them even said my God my God why have you
forsaken me?
They've all been there.
Circumstances come and go.
Health comes and goes.
Money comes and goes.
Children they always show back up for money.
Children I was going to say come and go but they don't ever go they just keep coming.
Amen.
Circumstances happen.
Paul had a thorn in his flesh.
He had sickness.
Circumstances come and go.
It's life.
We allow ourselves to be so distracted we forget of why we're here.
But not only circumstances distract us on the journey but discouragement distracts us
on the journey.
Verse 21 the disciples say but we were hoping that it was he who was going to redeem Israel
indeed besides all this today is the third day since these things happened.
Yes certain women of our company arrived at the tomb and they astonished us when they
did not find his body.
They came saying they had seen a vision of angels and certain of those who were with
us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said.
So all of a sudden it's not only circumstances but their discouraged.
We had hoped he was going to be the one who redeemed Israel.
And let me tell you how bad it is the one who redeemed Israel not only did he die but
now we can't even find his body.
That's a bad day right.
Because we all know where dead people are right.
They're in the grave.
This is probably before we started putting people in urns.
Amen.
And whatever.
I'm not being light hearted but it tickled me.
This is uncle passed this week and I get to the funeral home and I didn't know and they
had his urn and a bright orange Clemson tiger.
They had his ashes in a bright orange Clemson tiger urn.
I thought how fitting this man lived and died and loved Clemson tigers.
I hope all of you have an orange UT urn somewhere that we can sing Rocky Top at your funerals.
Amen.
But here they're like so discouraged because we had hoped that he was going to be the one.
He said he was the one.
We hoped he was going to be the one and now the women have said his body is not even in
the tomb where we put him.
He's nowhere to be found.
So discouraged.
We had hoped and now our hope is gone.
We had hoped he was the one who would redeem but he's gone.
His body is gone.
He didn't do what we thought he was going to do.
Have you ever been there when he didn't do what you thought he was going to do?
Have you ever been there when he didn't answer it the way you thought it was going to be answered?
Have you ever been there when you just knew your faith was big enough and you just knew you had
done everything right but it just didn't come to pass?
This is where the disciples were.
We just knew he was the one.
He did miracles and the lame was walking and the blind was seeing him.
People were coming back to life and we just knew he was the one.
But now we can't even find him.
Have you ever been there so discouraged that you feel just like they do?
I can't even find him.
It's like my prayers are hitting the roof and they're falling back down on the bed.
It's like when I call out to him he doesn't hear me and I've not heard from him.
I can't even find him.
Have you ever been there when the prayer wasn't being answered and the fasting didn't seem to be
working out and everything just seemed to be falling apart and everything I was dealing with
was sort of, it just felt in vain.
I've come to tell someone today who's dealing with discouragement that many times discouragement
comes as a distraction to hold you back from being able to see what God is trying to do.
And so I want to remind you that even David was discouraged.
He tells us in Psalm 42 that he says, why are you discouraged oh my soul?
Why are you so quiet within me?
I'm prisoned.
I have my teeth
utilized all the neighbors.
tomorrow and that my Redeemer lives. Therefore I will hope in God because
here's what I know about him. He is still a strong tower. He is still a defense. He
is still more than able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we
should ever think or ask. He is still the one that gives peace in the storm. He
still gives a song in the night. He's still the one who's more than able. He's
still the one who can. I've come to remind somebody in the house
discouragement is coming but here's what the psalmist said. When my heart is
overwhelmed lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Why? Because discouragement
will come but the rock is still stable. Hallelujah. Tell your neighbor the rock
is still stable.
Discouragement comes but I want to remind the church that weeping endures for a
night. Seasons of weeping will be here. Discouragement will come. Weeping endures
for a night but but joy comes in the morning. Hallelujah. I've come to tell you
joy is on its way. Don't you give up where you are for joy is on its way. Don't
you stop where you are for joy is on its way. Don't you quit where you are for
joy is on its way. Joy unspeakable and full of glory. I've come to remind
somebody joy is not just you feeling good. Joy is knowing my Redeemer lives
and joy is knowing that the tomb is empty and joy is knowing he's coming back
just like he said and joy is knowing that he's still a healer and joy is
knowing he's still a deliverer and joy is knowing he knows where my children
are when I don't know where my children are and joy is knowing that depression
walks out and oppression walks out when Jesus walks in I've come to tell you joy
comes in the morning. Hallelujah. Circumstances and discouragement begin
to be distractions in their life on this journey with Jesus. Notice they're on a
journey with Jesus still dealing with circumstances and still dealing with
discouragement. What? What? They're walking with him and they're still
dealing with circumstances and discouragement. 50 years from now
somebody's gonna say that church was filled with the Holy Ghost and they were
still dealing with discouragement and they were still dealing with distractions.
Yes! They're in the same place we are and we're sitting back going what? Jesus
was right there and they were doing he's right here too. Hallelujah. He's still
right here too. Hallelujah. You are more than gonna conquer her through Jesus
Christ your Lord. And the third distraction on the journey I only have
three so we're halfway through right here. The third distraction on your
journey we find it in in verse 25 but I want to read I've already read that verse
25 after they said that they went to the tomb and found it just as the women
said at verse 25 then Jesus said to them, oh foolish ones and slow of heart to
believe in all that the prophets have spoken. Ought not the Christ have
suffered these things and enter into his glory? The third distraction is this
ignorance or unbelief? Verse 25 Jesus said foolish ones slow of heart to
believe. The third distraction on the journey is unbelief or ignorance. Either
one you want to call it because Jesus said slow of heart to believe. Unbelief
ignorance why are you calling them ignorant? Because Jesus said over and
over and over before his death. Over and over and over and over before his death.
How many of you like to repeat yourself? Oh you do? Like he's just ready to
worship. I mean he's a worshipper, he's a worshiping man. Amen. Parents how many of
you like to repeat yourself to your children? Wives how many of you like to
repeat yourself to your husbands? I don't even have to ask husbands because we
don't even talk. Amen we just sit there. But over and over and over Jesus says
these words in Matthew 12 and Mark 8 as Jonah was in the belly of the well
so the Son of Man will be buried in the earth and in three days he will rise.
Mark 8 he tells them very plainly, he tells the disciples Mark 8 he began to
teach them that the Son of Man would suffer and be rejected and killed and
after three days he would rise again. In Matthew 17 he says I'm gonna go to
Jerusalem and I will be turned over into the high priest's hands and they will
reject me and they will beat me and I will be crucified and then I will rise
again. But for some reason unbelief even though Jesus said it over and over and
over unbelief had settled in the disciples heart on their journey. Can I
tell you something? So many times in our life even though the promises of God are
yes and amen and we read the promises and we stand on the promises and we
sing the promises and we hear the promises and we declare the promises of
God we still have moments of unbelief on the journey. Maybe not y'all because
Cliff Waters is your pastor amen. But every other church of God in this town
from North Cleveland to Westmore to South Cleveland to 14th Street and
Michigan Avenue I can go on and on and on. The rest of the church of God deals
with unbelief at times but none of y'all amen pastor Cliff none of these people
ever unbelief.
Why are you so slow to believe? Why are you struggling with belief? I told you
I'd be crucified I told you I was gonna be buried I told you I'd rise again why
are you struggling to believe when that's what the word of the Lord says? I'm
about to preach this so you better get ready take off your I'm about to get my
feelings hurt hat and just let me do it. It is time that the church be the church
and quit walking in unbelief. If Jesus said it'll happen then we stand on the
promises of God. If Jesus said it was gonna take place then we stand on the
promises of God. If it makes sense or if it doesn't make sense here's what I know
that these present and light afflictions they are but for a moment but they're
working out for me an eternal weight of glory. Here's what I know I know that
even though you don't like it and that my grandma can't understand it I know
what the word of the Lord was to me and so I'm gonna stand on the word of the
Lord because even in children's church they taught me the BIBLE yes that's the
book for me I stand up on the word of God the BIBLE it doesn't matter if you
don't believe it I believe it it doesn't matter if you don't believe it he said
it and it will come to pass therefore I will believe the report of the Lord it
looks like a drought's coming but Jesus said it's gonna rain so honey get ready
for a cloud the size of a man's hand to come where you are and break this drought
it looks like you're going under but there's a sea walker that's walking out
to your situation who's gonna pull you up out of what's trying to overwhelm you
I don't know what you're dealing with in this valley but the lily of the valley
is standing right there to give you a fresh breath I don't know what's going on
in your world but I've come to tell you he will open up rivers and desolate
places and fountains in the middle of your valley that you will find refreshing
for the book of Acts says that times of refreshing will come I've come to tell
somebody don't you no longer worry about what's coming your way don't you be
ignorant in your belief don't you stand back there in unbelief but I've come to
tell you believe the report of the Lord hallelujah believe the report of the
Lord somebody tell your neighbor is time to believe your children are coming home
not because I said it but because the prodigal son came home and if he did it
for him he'll do it again shake that out of us some that have a hey satan I've
come to tell somebody depressions walking out not because I said it but
because the Bible says that God's not giving us a spirit of fear but of love
and empowering a sound mind not because I said it but because the word says it
it is time that we believe hallelujah for we're a people of faith and not a
people of fear quit being distracted by unbelief you never gonna have me back I
apologize for I got ugly it's time for the church to be the church it's time to
be a people of faith and not a people of fear it's time to throw your shoulders
back and square your jaw and you act like Isaiah where Isaiah said I set my
face like a flint it is time for you to throw your shoulders back and pick up
the sword of the spirit and declare warfare over whatever's going in your
life because the kingdom of God suffers violence and the violent take it by
storm I've come to tell you we are the children of the Most High God and the
gates of hell will not prevail against you things are going to work out for
your good and for his glory even on the journey that you're on right now lessons
on the Emmaus Road distraction circumstances discouragement ignorance
and unbelief the Bible says my people perish for a lack of knowledge my people
pairs because they don't know and that what we had said in the 21st century
tweet that my people pairs because they don't know it's what he said you know
why we don't know because we've been tick tocking and Instagramming and
watching Jeopardy see everybody was like I feel tick tock amen cuz that's what my
kids do you watching Jeopardy 2 amen had to throw in days of our lives one time
amen are you saying all that things sin no but if it ever takes place you picking
up the book then yes if you know more of the people that sing on Broadway than
you do that the 12 disciples name then we might have a problem but I ain't
calling any names I mean that was the weakest come on I've ever had my life
but thank you back there in the back but you know it's the truth my people are
they they're dying because they don't know they don't know come to tell you
it's all right here it's all right here it's all right here not only that he
still speaks by his spirit and just like this Emmaus Road he still walks with us
on our journey I'm gonna get off that cuz y'all ain't preaching with me on
that one I don't hurt somebody's feeling but that's distractions on the journey
circumstances discouragement ignorance and unbelief so for the next few
moments I want to talk to you about staying focused on the journey I want
to talk to you about staying focused on the journey because look what Jesus says
to them in verse 26 after he says oh you slow of heart to believe verse 26 ought
not the Christ to have suffered these things and enter into his glory I love
this verse 27 and beginning at Moses the giver of the law beginning at Moses and
all of the prophets he expounded to them in all the scriptures the things
concerning himself so I think if I read that right it went something like this
you see the Messiah was there gentlemen when Moses came out of Egypt and he took
his finger and he carved a sidewalk in the middle of the Red Sea and the Messiah
was there on top of the mountain that began to thunder and have theophanic
elements of fire and when when all of a sudden that same finger that that carved
a sidewalk began to ride on a tablet and gave him the Ten Commandments you see
the Messiah was there when God said let there be light in the middle of creation
and God said let us create man in our image the Messiah was there you see the
Messiah was there with Moses when he smites the rock and water water water
living water comes flowing out you see that was a picture of the Messiah
getting there but not only with Moses but but the Messiah was the one Isaiah
references when he said he will be wounded for their transgressions and
bruised for their iniquities and the chastisement of their peace would be
upon him and by his stripes there would be healed and it was Isaiah that tells
us that the Lord God opened up my ear and I was not rebellious nor did I turn
away it was Isaiah that said that he set his face like a flint he was talking
about when I was talking he was listening to me you see it was Daniel
that tells us that the Messiah should not be cut off but not for himself it
was Zechariah that said they will look upon me whom they pierced yes they will
mourn for him as one who mourns for his only son and grieve for him as one that
grieves for his firstborn it was Jeremiah when he began to talk about fire shut up
in his bones oh he was just talking about the coming one you see I want you
to understand that it was the Messiah of whom they said that would have his heel
bruised by this demon but it was that the Messiah the seed of a woman that
would crush that demons head you see it was the Messiah that was there that gave
the blessing to Abraham it was the Messiah of the high priest of
Mickey Elzedek that was standing there it was the Messiah that wrestled with
Jacob over in Genesis it was Messiah who is the lion of the tribe of Judah it was
the Messiah who is the voice in the burning bush it was the Messiah who was
the picture of the lamb that was there at the Passover it's the Messiah who's
the greater prophet than Moses it's the Messiah who is the captain of the Lord's
army it's the Messiah who was the ultimate kinsman redeemer in Ruth it's
the Messiah who is the offspring of David and the king of kings and the Lord
of lords it's the Messiah who is the suffering Savior in Psalm it's the
Messiah who is the good shepherd in Psalm 23 it's the Messiah who is the
wisdom of Proverbs it's the Messiah that's the lover in song of Solomon it's
the Messiah who stood with every suffering prophet it's the Messiah who
established the priestly order it's the Messiah who is the conquering king of
kings and Lord of lords it's the Messiah who was wounded for our transgressant
it's the Messiah who hung on a cross it's the Messiah who was in an empty
tomb it's the Messiah
and he started with Moses and he walked him to where he was standing so Messiah
says and he preached all through those scriptures concerning himself verse 28
they drew near the village where they were going and he indicated that he
would have gone further but they constrained him saying abide with us
abide with us what is all that Messiah stuff just teach us trying to stay
focused on the journey one thing right here the one thing this this Messiah
stuff I just preach to you about what does that teach us it teaches us to
learn God's Word you better know God's Word on your journey because there's
gonna be moments you're gonna need to be able to say it was the Messiah that
brought me this far and the Messiah is gonna lead me on it was the Messiah who
was the good shepherd who anointed their head with oil and I need him to anoint
my head is like he did in Psalm 23 I've come to tell you it's time that the
people of God learn the Word of God why because faith comes by hearing and
hearing by the Word of the Lord why do we need to learn the Word because he
said my word will not return void why do we need to learn the Word because the
Word is the foundation of our faith for Jesus said that man should not live by
bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God why do
we need to learn the Word because the Word of God is living and powerful and
sharper than any two-edged sword why do we need to learn the Word of God because
the Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path I've come to
tell somebody in the house it's time to remember the Word for the Psalmist
writes in the book of Psalm chapter 119 verse 49 remember the Word to your
servant upon which you have caused me to hope this is my comfort in my affliction
for your word has given me life do you hear what I'd let me read that to you
again slowly remember the word upon which you have caused me to hope the
word gives us hope this is my comfort in my affliction your word has given me
life what's my comfort my affliction that the word of the Lord stands
hallelujah no matter what comes my way the word of the Lord stands for the
grass withers and the flowers fade but the word of the Lord stands forever know
his word and you won't be distracted Jesus preaches the word to them in 25
through 27 but not only do we need to know the word but we have to be open and
alert to Christ's working the Bible tells us that they drew near the village
that they constrained him abide with us and he went in to stay with them the
Bible says and we get down to 30 now it came to pass as he sat at the table with
him that he took bread and he blessed it and he broke it and he gave it to them
what are you telling me I'm telling you it's time to be alert that God is
working because when they watched him work the next verse says this when they
watched him work verse 31 then their eyes were open and they knew him signs
and wonders will follow those who believe but if we are not alert and if
we are not watching for the Messiah to work we might miss what the Messiah is
wanting to do and so right here they just come stay with us there was a and
he takes the bread and he breaks it what are you telling me I'm telling you it's
time to be open and alert that God is working even when you don't see it God's
working even when you don't feel it God is working even when you can't
comprehend it God is working for the Bible is very beautifully beautifully
written and it tells us and reminds us that he that began a good work in you
according to the book of Philippians chapter 6 he that began a good work in
you will be faithful to the end to completed and so whatever's been started
if it was the start of your joy or the start of your healing or the start of a
deliverance or the start of a new relationship here's what you can stand
on he that began a good work is going to be faithful to the end to complete it
the day is coming where you will dance on the head of the enemy why because
God has finished the work that he started I've come to tell you press on
press on press on fight on sing on dance on worship on read on don't you give up
for he will complete what he started for God is working Jesus tells us in John
5 Jesus said my father is working and so am I come to remind you that the Bible
says that all things work to the good for those that love the Lord and are the
called Bible reminds us in 2nd Corinthians chapter 4 therefore we do not
lose heart even though the outward man is perishing yet the inward man is being
renewed for our light affliction which is but for a moment is working for us
and more exceedingly great and eternal weight of glory while we do not look at
the things which are seen but the things which are not seen for the things which
are seen are temporary but the things that are not seen are eternal God is
working and we as the church must be alert to the fact that God is working
because the enemy wants to begin to plant seeds when you don't see him
working and hear him working and feel him working that will cause you to say
where is God is God moving is God able to see me does God
see what's going on in my life does God see what's going on with my children as
God see what's going on with my job does God see what's going on with my wife
does God see what's going on in my mind God see what's going on in my church
does God see what's going on with my body and all of a sudden doubt begins to
slip in because we're not alert to what God is doing but when we become alert
to what God is doing and the enemy tries to come in and say does God know what
you're walking through it's in that moment you're able to save I for let me
I tell you something, devil.
I know that my God knows exactly what's going on with me.
For the Bible says that God is working all things out
for my good and for his glory.
For the Bible says the mountains melt like wax
at the presence of the Lord.
For the Bible says that I can look at you, devil,
that's trying to talk to me and say,
get thee behind me, Satan, and you've got to flee.
I've come to tell somebody you've gotta get it
in your crawl this morning,
that you've got authority over the enemy,
you've got authority over hell,
you've got authority over the voices that's coming against
you, you've got authority over the powers
that's trying to overwhelm you.
I've come to remind somebody that God is your refuge
and strength and a very present help in your time of trouble.
God is at work, hallelujah.
Stay focused that God is at work, hallelujah.
When they saw him work, they realized who he was.
Can I tell you something?
When you see him work, you're gonna be able to say,
I know my Redeemer lives, hallelujah.
The old church we would sing, it's worth it all
to be his child.
Come to tell you the test you're dealing with
at the end of this thing, you're gonna say,
it's worth it all to be his child.
Because your test is gonna be flipped around
to a testimony where you're gonna declare,
when it looked like we were going under,
he reached way down for me.
I've come to tell someone in the house, God is working.
Stay focused on the journey, learn his word
and be open and alert that God is working.
Lastly, lastly, we must recognize
if we're going to stay focused,
we must recognize the Spirit's prompting.
Verse 31 says, their eyes were opened, they knew him,
he vanished from their sight, but I love verse 32.
Because this is what Jesus promised would happen, verse 32.
And they said to one another, did our heart not burn
within us while he talked with us on the road
and while he opened the scriptures to us?
You know what that is, right?
That's the Spirit's prompting.
Our hearts were burning within us.
Our God is an all-consuming fire.
Jeremiah said, it was like fire shut up in my bones,
my Lord and my God.
When the Holy Ghost showed up on the day of Pentecost,
the Bible says, and there appeared under them tongues
as of fire that sat upon each of them.
I wanna remind somebody something, these men said,
were our hearts not burning within us
when Jesus was talking?
I want you to understand something in the house today.
It is time that the 21st century Pentecostal church
recognize that the Spirit is still prompting us,
that we do not have to walk by fear,
that we can stand in the power of the Spirit
and we can declare, wall, you've gotta come down,
mountain, you've got to melt, sickness,
you've gotta walk out, depression,
you've got to leave oppression, leave me alone.
I've come to tell somebody in the house,
there is still an all-consuming fire
that burns on the altar of God,
for God said his fire would not go out on the altar.
I've come to remind somebody
that the Spirit is still calling the church
to be spotless, pure and holy.
I've come to remind somebody
that the Spirit is still ready to burn
when you get the word hidden in your heart,
that you can press on through this thing,
for here was what Jesus promised,
it is expedient for you that I go away,
but when I go away, I will pray to the Father
and he will send another comforter,
one who is just like me,
who will abide with you forever.
I've come to tell you,
how do we know Jesus made it to the throne?
Because the Spirit abides with us.
How do we know that Jesus is with the Father?
Because of tongues that fell upon them
in the book of Acts,
that still speak to us in the 21st century.
I've got good news, the Spirit is still alive and well,
and it's time that the 21st century
Pentecostal Church in America
recognizes the Spirit's moving, hallelujah.
Amen.
I go into churches all the time,
and I've been floored
at how many dead churches I walk into.
No life, no anointing, no song in the night,
no prayer, no prayer, no prayer.
A program, a country club feel good,
and out the door we go.
Honey, I wasn't built for that.
I'm sorry I just said honey, Melissa.
Melissa's been fussing at me
about saying honey while I'm preaching.
I am from the mountains of South Carolina,
everybody's honey, and if you don't like it,
we'll work it out after church, amen.
It is time if we're gonna win this thing
because it is time to win this thing.
We are the ones who believe in the Spirit,
who believe in the full gospel,
who believe that the Spirit is still moving,
that the Spirit still abides,
that the Comforter has come,
that the Comforter is walking with me,
that the Holy Ghost is here
until we're taking a wave,
therefore the revelator says
that is why the Spirit and the bride
cry out come quickly
because the Spirit's still here as well
and he's ready to go, too.
That's why the Spirit and the bride
both cry out come quickly,
but it is time that we as the people of God
believe in the Spirit, act in the Spirit.
It is time that we the people of God
shake off the heavy bands
of what's going on in this place
and say unto him who's more than able,
it is time to be a people of the Spirit
and not a people of the flesh.
Therefore, if we're gonna be a people of the Spirit,
it is time to rise up, almighty army,
and say move on us one more time, hallelujah.
We get so distracted from circumstances
and discouragement and ignorance or unbelief
that we've not learned his word
and we've not been alert that God is working
and we have forgotten how to move
under the unction of the Holy Spirit.
Maybe not in this church,
but in churches all over America.
Calls now.
I'm gonna give me five more minutes.
I'm gonna shut this down.
But back in the old church,
we didn't do everything right in the old church,
but we did a whole lot right in the old church.
Back in the old church that I grew up in,
I remember him walking down the aisle,
sought drunk alcoholic.
Because he was my daddy.
He gave his heart to Jesus right there on that side
while the baptism service was going on in the back
right here on the stage.
And he got up from there, said,
I'm gonna go to the church and I'm gonna pray.
And he said, I'm gonna pray.
And he got up from there, saved, sanctified,
filled with the Holy Ghost and clean and not drunk anymore
and walked up into the baptistry with no change of clothes
and got baptized that same night.
And he walked out of that baptistry.
And I can tell you this, my trajectory was changed
and my kid's trajectory was changed
because there was a spirit that prompted him
and men and women that came and prayed with him
that ushered him to the to the baptistry and said,
it don't matter if you've got towel or change of clothes
or not what matters is you found Jesus
and it's time for you to find him
right here in this water.
And he comes out and he preaches the gospel today.
I remember, I remember when she came down here with cancer
just a few months ago, but we laid hands on her
and her children told me back in October,
mama's been in remission for some time now.
I remember blinded eyes being open.
I remember a man who was my uncle throw his crutch down
where he had been bent over for years and years and years
and he runs laps around the little assembly of God
and picking South Carolina, takes his crutch,
nails three nails on the wall
and hangs his crutch over the altar
of that little assembly of God to declare
there's a healer in this house.
I've come to tell somebody the spirit is still moving
in the 21st century church,
but we've got to recognize his unction.
We're more embarrassed of the spirit moving
than the world is.
We can't act like that
because my neighbor showed up today.
Your neighbor knows more about the spirit world
than probably you do.
We've been set up in the 21st century Pentecostal world
to take a spirit field world
because the spirit field world is filled with witches
and it's filled with Wicca
and it's filled with the new age movement
and it's filled with demonic forces
from Instagram and TikTok and from TV.
It's filled with hate, spirit of hate.
It's filled with all kinds of spirits
and people today are open to tarot cards
and people today are open to palms being read.
The whole world's open to the spirit world,
but the church is sat here quiet afraid.
We're going to offend somebody
when what we need to be able to say
is let me tell you about a spirit
that will abide with you forever
that knows not only what your palm is saying,
but your name is written on his thigh
as the conquering king of kings and Lord of lords
and your name can be written down in glory.
I've come to tell somebody
we've been set up with the Holy Ghost
in the 21st century
to win a world that's interested in spiritual things.
Therefore, it is time that we rise up, O church,
and say I'll not be distracted anymore,
but I will declare that Jesus was born of a virgin,
that he lived, that he died, that he rose again,
and that he's coming in clouds of glory.
I will declare that he is still Savior,
sanctifier, Holy Ghost, baptizer, healer,
and a soon coming king.
I will declare that the spirit abides forever,
that the spirit talks to me,
that the spirit walks with me,
that the spirit comforts me,
that the spirit wraps his arms around me
in midnight hours and shows up when the bills are due.
I've got good news for you in the house today.
He abides, he abides, he abides, hallelujah.
Did we not burn within us?
Did it not burn within us?
Did it not burn within us when we heard that word?
That's what they said.
I can tell you when it burned within me.
33, so they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem,
found the 11 and those who were with them gathered together.
And here's what they said.
The Lord is risen indeed.
I remember just a few verses ago.
We were just hoping it was him.
We were just hoping he was gonna be,
we can't even find him now,
but with one good dose of the Holy Ghost.
The Lord is risen indeed.
Come to tell you, he'll turn your talk around
if he gets inside of you.
He'll turn it all around.
The Lord is risen indeed.
And they told about the things that had happened on the road
and how he was known to them in the breaking of bread.
Stand all over this place while I finish this chapter up
and I'm gonna read it fast.
Now as they said these things, Jesus himself,
I love that it says it twice in this chapter,
stood in the midst of them and said,
peace, but they were terrified and frightened
and supposed they had seen a spirit.
Why are you troubled?
He said, why do you doubt arise in your hearts?
Behold my hands, my feet, this is me, handle me.
For a spirit does not have flesh and bone as I have.
And when he said this and showed them his hands and feet,
they did not, they were still in disbelief,
but they had joy and marveled.
And he said, do you have any food here?
And he broke fish and honeycomb
and he took it and he ate it in their presence.
As we end the chapter, it tells us these things.
You are witnesses of these things.
Behold, I send the promise of the father,
Terry in Jerusalem, you will be endued with power from on high.
Lessons from the journey.
Number one, distractions are coming.
They will come in the form of circumstances,
discouragement and ignorance or unbelief.
And here's how you can stay focused.
Learn the word.
Learn the word. Learn the word.
I quoted it once, I'm gonna quote it again.
The grass withers, the flowers fade.
You know what that means? Life happens.
It's not necessarily a devil behind every bush.
It was that there was a devil in a bush in the Garden of Eden.
Period. Sin came in, now life happens.
Grass withers, flowers fade, but the word of the Lord stands forever.
You know why I'm passionate about this this morning?
It's the last several months I've been distracted.
I've dealt with circumstances.
I've been discouraged.
Couldn't figure some things out. I got distracted.
See, this sermon wasn't for you today.
This was one that was birthed in me at about 3 30 this morning.
Because I was preaching something else.
And I had to get down to my office and I had to write this one out.
This is all I got. The rest of it came out of my heart.
Because I've been discouraged.
But you know what I remembered?
Weeping and doers for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
You know what? I've been ignorant and unbelieving.
This is about me today as much as it was about you.
This morning I looked up and I said, help my unbelief.
That's what the disciples said. Because they were there too.
Help my unbelief. I know what your word says.
I've read it. I've sung it. I've cried over it. Help my unbelief.
Oh, I felt fire hit me right between the eyes.
I felt it when it hit me this morning. My unbelief is fine right now.
And you know what I began to realize?
I've got to learn lean and know his word because that's the only thing going to pull me through.
That's why I stand here and tell you this.
Though you walk through the fire, the flames will not harm you.
And though you walk through the waters, the rivers, the rivers will not harm you.
They will not overflow you. Not that you're going to come out of the fire or I'm going to get you out of the fire.
But when you walk through it, you're going to have to walk through it.
But you're not going to smell like smoke. You're not going to deal with the flames burning you.
You're going to have to walk through some flooded places.
But don't you worry about it. You're not going to drown.
For the Lord is with you. For the Lord is on our side.
I know his word. I'm leaning on his word.
I know what he's saying. I know what he's saying.
For the Lord is on our side. I know his word. I'm leaning on his word.
Be open to God working in your life.
And you rely on the Spirit for the Spirit abides with us. Hallelujah.
So all over this house.
This has been an expensive trip for me today.
My watch flew off and hit the floor. It's in about 30 pieces up here.
The grass withers, the flowers fade and watches break.
But the word of the Lord stands forever.
We can learn all that on Emmaus Road with disciples who were walking with him.
They weren't walking away from him. They were walking with him.
Still discouraged, still dealing with circumstances, still dealing with drought.
Don't you let the enemy convince you that you're not where you're supposed to be.
Because he's here.
He is here.
He's right where you are.
For he said, I'll never leave you, don't forsake you, but will be with you always, even in the end of this age.
He is here.
So your heads bowed and your eyes closed.
Just say, preacher, I have been distracted.
Distraction came in the form of circumstances.
It came in as unbelief and it came in as discouragement.
I've been distracted physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, financially, whatever it is.
Distractions have come my way. Circumstances, discouragement, unbelief.
I want you to lift your hand up right there where you are.
Lift it up, lift it up. Hold it up.
Don't you be shy because breakthrough is coming.
You ain't going to be shy when breakthrough hits.
So honey, you just go ahead and lift your hand and say, I've been dealing with this.
We've been distracted.
We've been discouraged.
We have had circumstances.
There's been moments I didn't even know if God existed.
Unbelief has come in.
I've got a word for you.
But my God shall supply all of my needs according to his riches and glory.
I've got a word for you.
For he sent his word and healed all of their diseases.
I've got a word for you.
Mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord.
I've got a word for you.
He will open up rivers in desolate places and fountains in the middle of your valleys.
I've got a word for you.
He will plant cedar trees in the middle of the desert.
I've got a word for you.
Now unto him who is more than able to do exceedingly and abundantly.
I've got a word for you.
My God is more than able.
I've got a word for you.
He is near to the brokenhearted and he saves such with a broken spirit.
I've got a word for you.
For God so loved the world that he gave.
I've got a word for you.
The Lord is your shepherd.
You shall not want.
I've got a word for you.
These present and light afflictions are but for a moment.
But they will not compare to the eternal weight of glory that you're going to receive.
So learn his word.
Be open to what Christ is doing and walk in the spirit.
If you need God to move in your life, if you need a breakthrough, or if you just want to come pray,
if you need somebody to pray with you because we're two or more gathered in his name there he said he would be,
if you need somebody to agree with you as touching any one thing, this altar is open.