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Sermon: Evangelism Reset
Sunday, April 23rd, 2023 (The Third Sunday of Easter)
Acts 2:14a, 36-47, Ps 116:11-16v, 1 Pet 1:13-25, Luke 24:13-35

Introduction: Evangelism Reset

MOTIVATION, MOVEMENT, and MOMENTUM. 
In talking about MOTIVATION,
I want to focus on the internal work that we need to begin doing 
before we ever begin a conversation with anyone. 
And I will end this sermon by giving you 
a homework assignment that we will continue 
throughout the season of Easter. 

MOTIVATION
Why start with MOTIVATION, you might ask:
Just like with anything else in our lives, we tend to think that some virtuous things are good ideas, or nice suggestions. Getting into shape, reading that one good book, and reaching out to that one person in need is something that we probably SHOULD do. But with the proper MOTIVATION, we take good ideas and turn them into commitments. 

A commitment is something that you do. It is part of you. You re-organize your life to fulfill commitments. 

STORY ** Blood pressure getting higher **

Moving from Good Idea to Commitment took MOTIVATION.

Look with me as we see the way that these STORIES motivate Jesus’ disciples to begin doing the work of EVANGELISM.

TRANSITION: Let’s turn to the Gospel story for today:
Today’s Gospel reading recites the famous event of Jesus' appearance 
to his disciples on the road to Emmaus. 

EMMAUS: Motivation
Luke 24:32 Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us? 

Notice here that this encounter the disciples had with Jesus resulted in some major internal shift. They began seeing their day through the lens of Jesus' incredible MERCY. 

Movement
Luke 24:33 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34 They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’

These disciples run back to the 11 and confirm what God has been doing in others by sharing their experience with Jesus. 

Momentum
Luke 24:35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Culture of bread breaking to reveal Jesus

JESUS gave the disciples all that they needed. He was with them. And he gave them a repeated action (bread breaking) that they could do to continue that work of MOTIVATION, MOVEMENT, AND MOMENTUM. 

Acts: Motivation
Acts: 2:43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 

Movement
Acts 2:46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.

Momentum
Acts 2:47b And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
See here that they continued “breaking the bread” 
They continued performing wonders and signs
And God added to their number. 

Their heart is aligned with God’s heart. 

Movement
What is God calling you to do?
What should you do next in response to all that God has done for you?
What will you do?

Momentum
What is your greatest Hope?

People’s prayer cards

AMEN

Thank you for listening!
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