Sermon Notes

Special Guest Speaker | Pastor JJ Vasquez

It’s On the Way

 Luke 24:13-16 (NIV):
"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 the way with them; but they were kept from recognizing him."

Luke 24:28-33, 35 (NIV):
"As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, 'Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.' So he went in to stay with them.  When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, 'Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?' They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem…[And] the two told [the disciples] what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread."

 If you only thank God when you get there, you’ll miss what God is doing on the way!
 

Are you aware of the adventure? Or are you just awaiting the arrival?

God will often disrupt “here”, to get you going “there”. God’s not trying to punish you, he’s trying to move you! Because what God really wants to do in your life isn’t “here" or “there” what God really wants to do in your life is ON THE WAY!

“Arrival” is on the way
Genesis 25:23:
"Two nations are in your womb; two peoples will come from you and be separated. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older (Esau) will serve the younger (Jacob)."
Genesis 28:16-17 (NIV):
 "When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, 'Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.' He was afraid and said, 'How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.'" - he develops a relationship with God... ON THE WAY
Genesis 32:1-2 (NIV):
"Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, 'This is the camp of God!' So he named that place Mahanaim."  
Genesis 32:27-28 (NIV):
"The man asked him, 'What is your name?' 'Jacob,' he answered. Then the man said, 'Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.'"
- The most significant “arrivals” of your life are not the arrivals…it’s the “on the ways.”
- Who I am today, is made on the way

Joy is on the way
Psalms 120–134: Songs of Ascents 

The miracle is on the way 
- John 2:1-9 (NIV):
"On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, 'They have no more wine.' 'Woman, why do you involve me?' Jesus replied. 'My hour has not yet come.' His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.' Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water'; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, 'Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.' They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew."
 - But at what point did it turn? Somewhere ON THE WAY!
- You’re not waiting for a miracle, you’re walking towards it!

It’ll make sense on the way
 
Matthew 21:1-5 (NIV):
"As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,  saying to them, 'Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.' This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 'Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’'"
-Understanding is not a prerequisite for obedience.
John 12:12-13 (NIV):
"The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, 'Hosanna!' 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!' 'Blessed is the king of Israel!'"

Jesus is on the way
- They recognized him — “KING!” In the presence of Roman Soldiers! They recognized the presence of their Deliverer in the presence of their oppressors! Just because you’re not “there”, doesn’t mean Jesus isn’t here. 
- It’s in the midst of sickness; Jesus is revealed as healer; the midst of poverty; revealed as provider; in the midst of confusion he’s revealed as clarity. Jesus isn’t just in Heaven.
John 14:6:
"Jesus answered, 'I AM the way…'"- He’s the way you overcome your pain, the way you handle adversity, way to healing, way to heaven. You will read about him in the Book, hear about him in the church, MEET him ON THE WAY!
- Jesus is coming back again and we can’t delay. Last time it was on a donkey. The next time it’ll be on a white horse!