May 4, 2014 - Third Sunday of Easter

Scriptures for May 4th: Acts 2:14,36-41; Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19; 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35; Theme: Recognizing the face of God in Everyday life: Third Sunday of Easter - Blessed Assurance UMH 369 1 Peter: We will be looking at the words of 1 Peter for the entire season of Easter. Easter season is a time of discipleship. It is tradition to baptize new Christians over Easter. And once they are a part of the church, everyone looks at what it truly means to follow Christ. Peter is talking to people who are discouraged. He is trying to give them hope. Or he is trying to help them to understand that they should have hope in their faith, then there is nothing that can be done to them. God is the judge of us all. But the God who judges, also as mercy. If you have been baptized, then you have been given a second chance. Not only a second chance, but a third and a fourth chance. If you trust in God, then you cannot fail, God will give you a chance to redeem yourself. Your faith should give you unshakable confidence to do anything that is good. Luke: This is a beautiful story that I cannot get enough of. It is the story of the walk to Emmaus. The disciples are trying to regroup and decide what to do . Two of them are walking alone the rode when a man asks them what is going on. The man pretends he does not know. But he knows, and he helps the disciples to realize the truth. He reveals himself and his plan in the breaking of the bread. Today when we take communion, we should also be able to see Christ clearly. We should be able to see what is going on in our lives. We should be able to see the way forward in our service clearly. This is the season for sightings of Christ, before he ascends into heaven. In his earthly life he was Jesus, in his spiritual life he is Christ. Christ is alive and well. It is time for us to recognize him in our lives too. Questions: What are your fears about your faith? How would you become stronger if you knew that you couldn’t fail? How can you gain more confidence in your faith? How did baptism change your life? what do you feel when you take communion? Has there ever been a time when you clearly saw God’s intention for you after communion? How can you help others to see Christ in their lives?