Wide Awake

Wide Awake - Easter 2011
Message by Pastor Terry Crawford
Covenant Church - Shepherdstown, WV

Note 1
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You see, we can't force enough happy thoughts to overcome hopelessness.

Bible Reference 1
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Luke 24:13-17 (NIV84)
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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.
He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast.

Note 2
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At our place of greatest pain, the story of God intersects our stories with the Corss and Resurrection of Jesus.

Note 3
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Jesus demonstrated through his death, burial and resurrection that he has the power to go anywhere, through any darkness and pain you may go through and be there for you and me.

Bible Reference 2
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Luke 24:18-24 (NIV84)
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One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do 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 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 him they did not see.”

Bible Reference 3
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Luke 24:25-32 (NIV84)
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He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ 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.
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted 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?”

Note 4
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A person can go from downcast, confused, foolish and a shaky faith to a place where eyes are opened wide and a heart burns within them, full of life and hope

Note 5
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Are your eyes open? Are you wide awake? Has Jesus met you in your deepest despair or are you going through it all alone and without hope?