April 6, 2008 "What Really Satisfies?"

Isaiah 55:2 reads: “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?”

Why do we put so much time into so many things which do not satisfy?

There was a Dad who said that he and his family spent quality time together the other
Night. They were all in the family room together – kind of: he was playing cards on the computer, his daughter was on the couch text messaging, his son was watching TV and his wife was running back and forth doing laundry. Is that really Quality Time?

The rest of verse 2 in Isaiah 55 reads: “Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.”

In other words, put most of your time into things that have eternal value.
Turn off the TV. Play a board game with your kids. Talk to your spouse. Read the word. Isaiah 55:10 says that the word of God shall not return void!

Ephesians tells us to be filled with the spirit. Can you imagine what it would be like if you lived each and every moment with the recognition that God lives in us?

First Corinthians 6:19-20 says

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”

What a difference if we would live with that recognition. It would change what we see, what we hear, what we say!

Last, let’s meet the Lord through Holy Communion! The disciples on the way to Emmaus did just that:

(Luke 24:13 NIV) Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.

(Luke 24:14 NIV) They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.

(Luke 24:15 NIV) As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;

(Luke 24:16 NIV) but they were kept from recognizing him.

(Luke 24:17 NIV) He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast.

(Luke 24:18 NIV) 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?"

(Luke 24:19 NIV) "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.

(Luke 24:20 NIV) The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;

(Luke 24:21 NIV) 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.

(Luke 24:22 NIV) In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning

(Luke 24:23 NIV) but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.

(Luke 24:24 NIV) Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."

(Luke 24:25 NIV) He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

(Luke 24:26 NIV) Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"

(Luke 24:27 NIV) And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

(Luke 24:28 NIV) As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther.

(Luke 24:29 NIV) 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.

(Luke 24:30 NIV) When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.

(Luke 24:31 NIV) Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.

(Luke 24:32 NIV) 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?"

(Luke 24:33 NIV) They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together

(Luke 24:34 NIV) and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon."

(Luke 24:35 NIV) Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

(Luke 24:36 NIV) While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."

(Luke 24:37 NIV) They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.

(Luke 24:38 NIV) He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?

(Luke 24:39 NIV) Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."

(Luke 24:40 NIV) When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.

(Luke 24:41 NIV) And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?"

(Luke 24:42 NIV) They gave him a piece of broiled fish,

(Luke 24:43 NIV) and he took it and ate it in their presence.

(Luke 24:44 NIV) He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."

(Luke 24:45 NIV) Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

(Luke 24:46 NIV) He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,

(Luke 24:47 NIV) and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

(Luke 24:48 NIV) You are witnesses of these things.

(Luke 24:49 NIV) I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

(Luke 24:50 NIV) When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.

(Luke 24:51 NIV) While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.

(Luke 24:52 NIV) Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

(Luke 24:53 NIV) And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

It was in the breaking of bread that the disciples recognized Jesus! Let us prepare to break bread. Let us celebrate a holy feast. We meet Jesus here! Only Jesus brings real, lasting satisfaction.

Communion