Why Do You Seek the Living Among the Dead

In one paragraph

This was the final sermon in Pastor Aaron's twelve-year chronological study of the New Testament, landing on Luke 24. He walked through the resurrection morning and then settled in on the road to Emmaus, tracing how two grieving disciples walked alongside the risen Jesus without recognizing him, and what it meant when their eyes were finally opened. The sermon opened with the women arriving at the...

Read together

1. John 3:16 Jeff Kessler quoting the gospel message shared through Awana ministry
2. Romans 3:23 Jeff Kessler quoting as part of the gospel presentation
3. Romans 6:23 Jeff Kessler quoting as part of the gospel presentation
4. Romans 10:9 Jeff Kessler quoting as part of the gospel presentation
5. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Jeff Kessler quoting to describe the relational heart of Awana ministry
6. Luke 24:1-53 primary passage for the sermon, covering the resurrection morning and road to Emmaus
7. Matthew 16:21 referenced to show Jesus repeatedly foretold his suffering, death, and resurrection
8. 2 Peter 1:10-11 used as the benediction closing the service

Talk about it

1. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus said 'we had hoped' in the past tense, even though Jesus had told them repeatedly what would happen. Where in your own life do you find it hard to believe something you already know to be true?
2. Pastor Nathan described the disciples as 'disbelieving for joy', too overwhelmed by the good news to take it in. Have you ever experienced something like that, where the news was so good it was hard to receive?
3. When Jesus walked with the two disciples, he asked them questions and let them tell their version of events before opening the scriptures to them. What does that approach tell us about how Jesus meets people where they are?
4. Pastor Nathan used J. I. Packer's definition of repentance as turning from as much as you know of your sin and giving as much as you know of yourself to as much as you know of God. How does that ongoing, growing picture of repentance differ from the way you may have thought about it before?
5. Pastor Nathan said we are called to be witnesses, not judges or lawyers, and that there is no valid argument against a transformed life. What does being a witness, rather than a lawyer for God, look like in your everyday conversations?