What kind of a church is Providence Church?

We are a church in concert with the Southern Baptist Convention at the national level and the Southern Baptists of Texas at the state level, partnering for the sake of missions and other efforts to reach out to the world in the name of Christ. Theologically we embrace the principles of the Protestant Reformation. Our beliefs could be considered Reformed and we are part of FIRE, The Fellowship of Independent Reformed Evangelicals.

When does Providence Church meet?

Sunday School at 9:15 AM, Worship Service at 10:30 AM, and Wednesday Prayer Meeting at 6:30 PM. On the first Sunday of the month we hold the Lord’s Supper followed by a fellowship meal after the morning service.

What is the main worship service like?

We have a blended service with an assortment of the great hymns of the faith as well as some newer songs. A mini-orchestra aids us as we sing. We will at times have responsive readings and on occasion recite the Apostles’ Creed together. The sermon is expository, typically going through a book of the Bible.

How is Providence Church governed?

Providence Church is led by a group of elders, but ultimate authority resides with the congregation under Christ. The congregation elects elders and empowers them with the governing of the church. The deacons are more in charge of the physical needs of the church.

What does Providence Church offer for children?

We offer Sunday School classes from 1s and 2s through 6th grade using God-centered curriculum. For children ages 3–2nd grade there is Children’s Church during the sermon. We have nursery care at all Sunday services.

What is the dress code at Providence Church?

There is no particular dress code. On Sunday mornings you’d find folks in attire ranging from jeans to suits or nice dresses. Come as you are!

How does membership work at Providence Church?

After attending a new members class, those who have experienced a believer’s baptism by immersion and submitted a signed church covenant are put forward by the elders for a congregational vote at one of our quarterly members meetings.

Jesus, the Savior They Did Not Expect

Dane HernandezMay 24, 2026Luke 24:13-35

Part of None

Dane Hernandez preaches from Luke 24:13-35

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Sermon Text

Luke 24:13–35

On the Road to Emmaus

13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

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Scripture references

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Romans 1:16Rom.1.1632:29
“Romans 116”
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The Righteous Shall Live by Faith

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Romans 16Rom.11632:29
“Romans 116”
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Personal Greetings

16:1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, 2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.

3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. 5 Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. 11 Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. 12 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Final Instructions and Greetings

17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.

22 I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.

23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.

Doxology

25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Psalm 34:18Ps.34.1843:43
“Psalm 34 verse 18”
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18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Psalm 34Ps.3443:43
“Psalm 34”
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Taste and See That the Lord Is Good

Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.

34:1   I will bless the LORD at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2   My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
    let the humble hear and be glad.
3   Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
    and let us exalt his name together!
4   I sought the LORD, and he answered me
    and delivered me from all my fears.
5   Those who look to him are radiant,
    and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6   This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
    and saved him out of all his troubles.
7   The angel of the LORD encamps
    around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8   Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9   Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints,
    for those who fear him have no lack!
10   The young lions suffer want and hunger;
    but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11   Come, O children, listen to me;
    I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12   What man is there who desires life
    and loves many days, that he may see good?
13   Keep your tongue from evil
    and your lips from speaking deceit.
14   Turn away from evil and do good;
    seek peace and pursue it.
15   The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous
    and his ears toward their cry.
16   The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
    to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17   When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears
    and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18   The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
    and saves the crushed in spirit.
19   Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
    but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
20   He keeps all his bones;
    not one of them is broken.
21   Affliction will slay the wicked,
    and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22   The LORD redeems the life of his servants;
    none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Psalm 147:3Ps.147.356:57
“Psalm 147 verse three”
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3 He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Psalm 147Ps.14756:58
“Psalm 147”
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He Heals the Brokenhearted

147:1   Praise the LORD!
  For it is good to sing praises to our God;
    for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.
2   The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
    he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3   He heals the brokenhearted
    and binds up their wounds.
4   He determines the number of the stars;
    he gives to all of them their names.
5   Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
    his understanding is beyond measure.
6   The LORD lifts up the humble;
    he casts the wicked to the ground.
7   Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
    make melody to our God on the lyre!
8   He covers the heavens with clouds;
    he prepares rain for the earth;
    he makes grass grow on the hills.
9   He gives to the beasts their food,
    and to the young ravens that cry.
10   His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
    nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
11   but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,
    in those who hope in his steadfast love.
12   Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!
    Praise your God, O Zion!
13   For he strengthens the bars of your gates;
    he blesses your children within you.
14   He makes peace in your borders;
    he fills you with the finest of the wheat.
15   He sends out his command to the earth;
    his word runs swiftly.
16   He gives snow like wool;
    he scatters frost like ashes.
17   He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs;
    who can stand before his cold?
18   He sends out his word, and melts them;
    he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.
19   He declares his word to Jacob,
    his statutes and rules to Israel.
20   He has not dealt thus with any other nation;
    they do not know his rules.
  Praise the LORD!
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Psalm 40Ps.4058:34
“Psalm 40”
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My Help and My Deliverer

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

40:1   I waited patiently for the LORD;
    he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2   He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
    out of the miry bog,
  and set my feet upon a rock,
    making my steps secure.
3   He put a new song in my mouth,
    a song of praise to our God.
  Many will see and fear,
    and put their trust in the LORD.
4   Blessed is the man who makes
    the LORD his trust,
  who does not turn to the proud,
    to those who go astray after a lie!
5   You have multiplied, O LORD my God,
    your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
    none can compare with you!
  I will proclaim and tell of them,
    yet they are more than can be told.
6   In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
    but you have given me an open ear.
  Burnt offering and sin offering
    you have not required.
7   Then I said, “Behold, I have come;
    in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
8   I delight to do your will, O my God;
    your law is within my heart.”
9   I have told the glad news of deliverance
    in the great congregation;
  behold, I have not restrained my lips,
    as you know, O LORD.
10   I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
    I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
  I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
    from the great congregation.
11   As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain
    your mercy from me;
  your steadfast love and your faithfulness will
    ever preserve me!
12   For evils have encompassed me
    beyond number;
  my iniquities have overtaken me,
    and I cannot see;
  they are more than the hairs of my head;
    my heart fails me.
13   Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me!
    O LORD, make haste to help me!
14   Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether
    who seek to snatch away my life;
  let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
    who delight in my hurt!
15   Let those be appalled because of their shame
    who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”
16   But may all who seek you
    rejoice and be glad in you;
  may those who love your salvation
    say continually, “Great is the LORD!”
17   As for me, I am poor and needy,
    but the Lord takes thought for me.
  You are my help and my deliverer;
    do not delay, O my God!
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Outline

When life disappoints us and our expectations of Jesus are misaligned, He meets us in our sadness, reveals Himself through Scripture, and restores our hope by showing us who He truly is.

ITwo discouraged disciples on the road to Emmaus38:47Luke.24.13-Luke.24.14
- •The disciples were talking about the right information but missing the conclusion39:48Luke.24.14
IIJesus meets us in our sad times41:03Luke.24.15-Luke.24.17
- •The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit43:31Ps.34.18
- •Their eyes were kept from recognizing Jesus—something was covering their vision44:12Luke.24.16
- ➜Don't close your eyes so tight in sadness that you miss the blessing right in front of you44:47Luke.24.16
IIIOur sadness often grows from a misunderstanding of who Jesus is46:15Luke.24.18-Luke.24.21
- •Cleopas explains to Jesus who Jesus is—confident but tragically mistaken46:25Luke.24.18-Luke.24.19
- •The disciples called Jesus a prophet, but He is much more—Son of God, risen Savior, victor over death47:31Luke.24.19
- •The saddest phrase: 'But we had hoped'—their hope had collapsed into past tense48:43Luke.24.21
- •They wanted a king to fix their political issues, not a king to fix their sin49:19Luke.24.21
- ➜Jesus is not a genie in a bottle—misunderstanding Him leads to collapsed hope50:15Luke.24.21
IVJesus reveals Himself through His Word51:14Luke.24.25-Luke.24.35
- •Jesus explained everything in the Scriptures from Moses and the prophets concerning Himself51:32Luke.24.27
- •If you want to understand who Jesus is, He reveals Himself in His Word54:16Luke.24.27
- •When Jesus is rightly revealed through His Word, a confused heart turns to a heart on fire54:49Luke.24.32
- •The disciples returned to Jerusalem proclaiming 'The Lord has risen indeed'55:20Luke.24.33-Luke.24.35
·Conclusion56:12
Three applications: (1) Bring your disappointments honestly to Jesus—He draws near to the brokenhearted; (2) Let God's Word shape your understanding of who Jesus truly is; (3) Move from disappointment to proclamation—when Jesus saves you, you cannot stay silent about what He has done.
Call to response: Use your testimony of God's faithfulness—how He pulled you from the muck and mire—to proclaim daily who Jesus is and carry out the Great Commission in this world.

Notable quotes

I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages. When life knocks you down, we need to think that God is pushing us in this situation closer to Him.
punchytheological
May we not close our eyes so tight when we're sad and tears that we miss the blessing that the Lord Jesus Christ is trying to show us today.
emotionalconvicting