04-17-2022
04-17-2022
Dr. E. Dale Locke, (LOX & Online), Rev. Jose Marrero (WPB), Rev. Efrain Silva (COH Español), Pastor Brandon Weaver (Lake Worth)
Easter Sunday
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español
1. Community of Hope is celebrating its 25th birthday! However long you’ve been part of COH, share how this church has impacted your life.
2. Read Luke 24:13-35 –
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles 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.
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.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 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?”
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
This passage is from Luke’s account of the life of Jesus. The New Testament has four different accounts of Jesus’ life – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. What’s the advantage of having four accounts, rather than just one?
3. Luke was the only non-Jewish writer of Scripture. He was a physician and was at one point a non-religious person. But somehow he was impacted by Jesus Christ and gave his life to Him. Share how you went from being a non-religious person to a life committed to Jesus.
4. Luke explains how he wrote his account of Jesus’ life in Luke 1:3-4: “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”
What do you notice here about Luke’s process?
5. Jesus appeared to people numerous times after his death and resurrection. The New Testament records at least ten post-death appearances of Jesus, and one was to at least 500 people at once! Our passage today contains the appearance of Jesus that is described in the most detail. How were these two men feeling at the beginning of this conversation?
6. These guys didn’t recognize at first that it was Jesus speaking to them. In a similar way, when Jesus speaks to people today, we don’t always recognize at first that it’s Jesus. Have you ever felt like Jesus was speaking to you, even if you didn’t hit you until later on that it was Jesus?
7. How did Jesus begin to move the their conversation from sadness and confusion toward hope?
8. We live in a culture that tries to sell us on things that won’t ultimately satisfy. What are some of those things?
9. Read what Paul said to the people of Athens, Greece about God in Acts 17:26-28b – “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being.”
What does this passage tell you about God?
10. Pastor Dale shared how Community of Hope got its name - during his prayer time in Korea in the middle of the night, God told him, “If you’ll trust me and be faithful, I will build a community of hope in Palm Beach County.” Later as Pastor Dale researched this area, studies showed that one of the strongest felt needs here in 1997 was for hope. What evidence is there that this is still a big need?
11. The men acknowledged that they felt a burning in their hearts during the conversation with Jesus. Something supernatural was going on that changed everything. Pastor Dale shared about the Atacama Desert, which is normally the driest, deadest place on Earth; but occasionally it gets a year’s worth of rain in a day, and over 200 varieties of seeds that are buried under the earth burst into bloom. In a similar way, a hopeless person can experience a beautiful blooming of hope through a relationship with Jesus Christ, and it begins with one simple acknowledgment: “Lord Jesus I need you. I want you in my life.” God comes where He is wanted.
If you’ve found hope through Jesus, share with your group how that hope impacts your daily life. If you’ve not yet connected to Jesus, we encourage you to do that now. If you’re unsure about how to do it, ask your group for help.
Ready for your next step? – If you would like to take a next step in your faith journey, such as trusting your life to Christ or getting baptized, text the word “Next” to 561-264-6079 and follow the steps there, and we’ll contact you to help you do that.
News and Announcements:
New Here? Let us know who you are by texting “connect” to 561-264-6079.
Asking For A Friend – Join us for our next sermon series which starts next Sunday, where we will explore common faith questions people have, but might be afraid to ask.
Milestone: Middle School:
Loxahatchee Campus – Wednesdays | April 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18 | 6:30-8:00pm
West Palm Beach Campus – Wednesdays | April 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18 | 6:30-8:00pm
Milestone Middle school is a 4-week class for you and your student who is going into 6th grade in the Fall. Students will learn about what it means to be a fully devoted follower of Christ and a COH partner. This stepping stone in your child’s faith journey is our version of the traditional confirmation class and will help your student transition from children’s ministry to student ministry. Parents will be equipped and given resources to have important conversations with your pre-teen. This class will meet for parents and students during COH Students at each campus.
Tap here to Register for the LOX Campus Milestone: Middle
Tap here to Register for the WPB Campus Milestone: Middle School
Connections Class – This 4-week class is the best way to get more connected here and grow in your understanding of how to live the Christian life. You’ll learn about our church’s mission, values, and statement of faith, and what partnership involves. Our next Connections series will be on Sundays May 15 & 22, June 5 & 12 from 10:15 to 11:30am at our Loxahatchee Campus and simultaneously over Zoom. If interested, register at https://communityofhope.church/connections
Thank you for your regular financial support, which makes it possible for us to minister to you and to our community! To give to Community of Hope go to https://communityofhope.church/give