Burning Hearts
Burning Hearts
Text: Lk. 24:13-34 - Easter Service PPHC – 4/08/07
I. Introduction
A. Today, We are Celebrating Easter Sunday: A Great Day of Victory
1. But after Easter, those in our text were sad.
2. Many in the world are sad for the same reasons. (Dreams they have believed in have fallen short; many are left disillusioned, disappointed with life…no hope).
B. The Sad Emmaus Disciples Leave Jerusalem
1. On their journey home they met Jesus.
2. They did not recognize Him and told Him their troubles.
C. Let Us Travel with Jesus and These Discouraged Disciples
II. Body
A. How Jesus Mended Their Broken Hearts (vv. 13-21)
1. As they journey to Emmaus, they talk sadly of recent events.
a. Matt. 12:34 “…for out of the abundance (perisseuma – the overflow) of the heart the mouth speaketh.”
2. In their sadness, Jesus draws near. (Principle)
a. Jn. 14:18 “I will not leave you comfortless (orphanos - as orphans): I will come to u.”
b. Ps. 18 – “In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God…”
3. Their conversation reveals their broken hearts.
a. 1st Stage - Discouraged hearts are broken hearts. (athume’o – to be broken in spirit)
b. 2nd Stage - Depressed hearts (depression) are broken hearts.
c. 3rd Stage - Resigned hearts are broken hearts. (to give up without resistance)
4. See how Jesus begins to mend their hearts.
a. He walks with them even though they do not recognize Him. (v. 16)
b. He asks them what is wrong. (v. 17) (he engages them in conversation)
1. Means to throw in turn, back and forth like a ball, from one to another, a beautiful picture
of conversation as a game of words.
c. He draws their hurts out of them: “What things?” (v. 19)
1. Jesus asked this only for them to declare; 1what they believed, 2had hoped, 3their disappointment. (Christ doesn’t want us to come to Him with our facades…come AS YOU ARE! – fears, worries, anxieties…)
5. Jesus is the Healer of broken hearts.
B. How Jesus Restored Their Backslidden Hearts (vv. 21-27)
1. They had believed in Him; now they just said nice things about Him.
a. They believed Jesus to be the King that would overthrow the Roman gov’t.
2. They had expected miracles; now they doubted His resurrection.
3. They were slow of heart to believe. (v. 25)
a. Once they had dared; now they are doubtful.
b. Once they had expected redemption; now they retreat.
4. Jesus restores their backslidden hearts.
a. Beginning at Moses he teaches them the scriptures. (v. 27)
b. What a Bible study that must have been!
1. He was the Seed that would bruise the head of the serpent. - Gen. 3:15
2. He would be the One of the tribe of Judah with the scepter in His hand. - Gen. 49:10
3. He was the Anti-type of the serpent of brass on the pole in Num. 21
4. He was the prophet of whom Moses spoke in Deut. 18
5. He was the One that Isaiah spoke of as the “Lamb led to the slaughter...” - Is. 53
6. He was the One that Daniel spoke of as the Messiah, the Prince - Dan. 9
7. He was the Smitten Shepherd as seen in Zech. 13:7
c. They saw how the Scriptures spoke of Him.
d. Faith is restored by taking in and applying the Word / Bible
1. Rom. 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
C. How Jesus Set Their Hearts Afire (vv. 28-32)
1. “Did not our hearts burn within us?” (v. 32)
a. While He talked with them by the way.
b. While He opened to them the Scriptures.
2. Why their eyes opened to recognize Him.
a. His fellowship and Bible study. (vv. 27-29)
b. The breaking of bread: His pierced hands. (v. 30)
3. We need burning hearts among believers today.
III. Conclusion
A. What Burning Hearts Did for These Disciples (vv. 33-35)
1. Made them change directions. (v. 33) (set them on their right course)
2. Made them seek other Christians and meet with them. (v. 33) (joy, encouragement)
3. Made them a blessing to others. (vv. 34-35)