Transforming Hearts: Recognizing the Risen Christ

 

Summary

In reflecting on the journey of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, we are reminded of the transformative power of recognizing the risen Christ in our lives. The story is not just about the resurrection itself, but about the profound change that occurs when we truly understand and internalize this pivotal event. The disciples were initially sad and slow of heart, unable to grasp the reality of the resurrection despite having heard the reports. Their condition mirrors that of many Christians today who, despite knowing the facts of the faith, live in a state of spiritual dejection and ineffectiveness.

The key to their transformation was not merely seeing the risen Christ, but having the scriptures opened to them. As Jesus expounded the scriptures, their hearts began to burn within them. This burning heart is essential for the vitality of the Christian life and the effectiveness of the church. It is the difference between a lifeless faith and one that is vibrant and compelling to the world. The disciples' journey from sadness to joy illustrates the necessity of engaging with the whole of scripture, allowing it to challenge our preconceived notions and prejudices.

The story of John Wesley's heart being "strangely warmed" serves as a powerful example of this transformation. Despite his religious upbringing and efforts, it was not until he truly understood the gospel that his ministry became effective. This underscores the importance of not just knowing about Christ, but experiencing the reality of His presence and power in our lives.

We are called to examine the state of our own hearts. Are they sad and slow, or are they burning with the truth of the resurrection? The world is watching, and our demeanor as Christians can either attract or repel those who are seeking. By immersing ourselves in scripture and allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate our understanding, we can experience the same transformation as the disciples and become effective witnesses to the risen Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- The transformation of the disciples on the road to Emmaus highlights the importance of understanding and internalizing the resurrection. Their journey from sadness to joy illustrates the necessity of engaging with the whole of scripture, allowing it to challenge our preconceived notions and prejudices. [04:22]

- The story of John Wesley's heart being "strangely warmed" serves as a powerful example of transformation. Despite his religious upbringing and efforts, it was not until he truly understood the gospel that his ministry became effective. This underscores the importance of not just knowing about Christ, but experiencing the reality of His presence and power in our lives. [06:53]

- The condition of our hearts is crucial for the vitality of the Christian life and the effectiveness of the church. A burning heart is the difference between a lifeless faith and one that is vibrant and compelling to the world. [07:27]

- The world is watching, and our demeanor as Christians can either attract or repel those who are seeking. By immersing ourselves in scripture and allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate our understanding, we can experience the same transformation as the disciples and become effective witnesses to the risen Christ. [12:59]

- The key to transformation is not merely seeing the risen Christ, but having the scriptures opened to us. As Jesus expounded the scriptures, the disciples' hearts began to burn within them. This burning heart is essential for the vitality of the Christian life and the effectiveness of the church. [39:10]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to the Road to Emmaus
- [01:08] - The Importance of the Resurrection
- [02:01] - The Condition of the Disciples
- [03:38] - Sad, Slow, and Burning Hearts
- [05:19] - John Wesley's Transformation
- [07:42] - The Impact of a Burning Heart
- [09:32] - The Church's Current Condition
- [13:43] - Analyzing the Disciples' Condition
- [16:56] - The Cause of Spiritual Dejection
- [19:19] - A Personal Illustration
- [24:44] - Jesus' Diagnosis of the Disciples
- [30:05] - The Importance of Believing All Scripture
- [35:34] - The Transformation of the Disciples
- [39:53] - How to Achieve a Burning Heart

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Road to Emmaus and the Burning Heart

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 24:25-32
2. Isaiah 53:3-5
3. Genesis 3:15

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the initial emotional state of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and how did it change by the end of their journey? ([04:06])

2. How did Jesus help the disciples understand the significance of the events they had witnessed? ([39:10])

3. What role did the scriptures play in transforming the hearts of the disciples on the road to Emmaus? ([39:25])

4. How does the story of John Wesley's transformation relate to the experience of the disciples on the road to Emmaus? ([06:53])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why might the disciples have been unable to recognize Jesus initially, and what does this suggest about their understanding of the resurrection? ([03:06])

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the condition of the disciples' hearts is similar to the condition of many Christians today? ([04:36])

3. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of engaging with the whole of scripture, rather than selectively choosing parts that fit preconceived notions? ([32:33])

4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between understanding scripture and experiencing a "burning heart"? ([39:10])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current spiritual state. Would you describe your heart as sad, slow, or burning with the truth of the resurrection? What steps can you take to move towards a burning heart? ([04:36])

2. How often do you engage with scripture in a way that challenges your preconceived notions? What is one specific way you can allow scripture to challenge you this week? ([32:33])

3. Consider the story of John Wesley's transformation. Have you experienced a moment when your understanding of the gospel became more profound? How did it change your approach to faith? ([06:53])

4. The sermon suggests that our demeanor as Christians can either attract or repel those who are seeking. How can you ensure that your demeanor is inviting and reflects the joy of the resurrection? ([12:59])

5. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel spiritually dejected or ineffective. How can immersing yourself in scripture help address this area? ([16:56])

6. The sermon emphasizes the importance of the Holy Spirit in illuminating our understanding of scripture. How can you invite the Holy Spirit into your daily scripture reading and prayer life? ([40:25])

7. Reflect on a time when you felt your heart "strangely warmed" by an encounter with scripture or a spiritual experience. How can you seek out more of these transformative moments in your faith journey? ([06:53])

Devotional

Day 1: Understanding the Resurrection's Transformative Power
The journey of the disciples on the road to Emmaus illustrates the profound transformation that occurs when one truly understands and internalizes the resurrection of Christ. Initially, the disciples were filled with sadness and confusion, unable to comprehend the reality of the resurrection despite having heard the reports. This mirrors the experience of many Christians today who, despite knowing the facts of their faith, live in a state of spiritual dejection and ineffectiveness. The key to their transformation was not merely seeing the risen Christ, but having the scriptures opened to them. As Jesus expounded the scriptures, their hearts began to burn within them, igniting a vibrant and compelling faith. This burning heart is essential for the vitality of the Christian life and the effectiveness of the church. [04:22]

Luke 24:31-32 (ESV): "And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 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?'"

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt spiritually dejected. How can you allow the scriptures to open your eyes to the reality of the resurrection today?


Day 2: Experiencing the Gospel's Reality
John Wesley's story of his heart being "strangely warmed" serves as a powerful example of transformation. Despite his religious upbringing and efforts, it was not until he truly understood the gospel that his ministry became effective. This underscores the importance of not just knowing about Christ, but experiencing the reality of His presence and power in our lives. The difference between a lifeless faith and one that is vibrant and compelling lies in this personal encounter with the gospel. It is not enough to have head knowledge; the heart must be engaged and transformed by the truth of the resurrection. [06:53]

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (ESV): "But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another."

Reflection: Reflect on your personal experience with the gospel. How can you seek a deeper encounter with Christ's presence and power in your life today?


Day 3: The Vitality of a Burning Heart
The condition of our hearts is crucial for the vitality of the Christian life and the effectiveness of the church. A burning heart is the difference between a lifeless faith and one that is vibrant and compelling to the world. The disciples' journey from sadness to joy illustrates the necessity of engaging with the whole of scripture, allowing it to challenge our preconceived notions and prejudices. By immersing ourselves in scripture and allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate our understanding, we can experience the same transformation as the disciples and become effective witnesses to the risen Christ. [07:27]

Jeremiah 20:9 (ESV): "If I say, 'I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,' there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot."

Reflection: Consider the current state of your heart. What steps can you take to cultivate a burning heart that is vibrant and compelling to those around you?


Day 4: Our Witness to the World
The world is watching, and our demeanor as Christians can either attract or repel those who are seeking. By immersing ourselves in scripture and allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate our understanding, we can experience the same transformation as the disciples and become effective witnesses to the risen Christ. The transformation of the disciples on the road to Emmaus highlights the importance of understanding and internalizing the resurrection. Their journey from sadness to joy illustrates the necessity of engaging with the whole of scripture, allowing it to challenge our preconceived notions and prejudices. [12:59]

1 Peter 3:15-16 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."

Reflection: How does your demeanor as a Christian reflect the hope of the resurrection? What changes can you make to ensure your witness is attractive to those who are seeking?


Day 5: The Key to Transformation
The key to transformation is not merely seeing the risen Christ, but having the scriptures opened to us. As Jesus expounded the scriptures, the disciples' hearts began to burn within them. This burning heart is essential for the vitality of the Christian life and the effectiveness of the church. The story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus serves as a reminder of the transformative power of recognizing the risen Christ in our lives. By engaging with the whole of scripture and allowing it to challenge our preconceived notions and prejudices, we can experience the same transformation and become effective witnesses to the risen Christ. [39:10]

Psalm 119:130 (ESV): "The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple."

Reflection: In what ways can you allow the scriptures to open your heart and mind to the transformative power of the resurrection today?

Quotes

I should like to call your attention this morning to that great incident which is recorded in the portion of scriptures read to us just now by Dr fit, let me read again verses 25 and 26 in the 24th chapter of The Gospel According to St Luke then he said unto them oh fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken, ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory. [00:00:00]

Now here we have an account as you realize of one of the appearances of our blessed Lord and Savior and to certain of his disciples and followers after his resurrection. I'm interested to call your attention this morning not so much to the great fact of the Resurrection in of itself obviously that is essential and vital we wouldn't be here this morning would it not for that fact our whole position rests upon the fact that the Son of God having rendered perfect obedience to his father positively and negatively having paid the price of our sins rose from the dead and ascended into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of glory and sent down the Holy Spirit upon the church without this great fact of the Resurrection there is no such thing as the Christian faith there is no Christian message and there would never have been a Christian church. [00:00:38]

But what I'm concerned to do rather is this is to show how so many of our difficulties and of our failures in particular arise from our failure to realize this all important and tremendous event and I want to do that by considering with you the case of these two men depicted in this story these two men who were taking their Journey from Jerusalem down to imass but I want to try to show you that these two men unfortunately give us far too perfect a picture of the state and the condition of the Christian church in general at the present time and many of us were individual Christian believers. [00:01:42]

Now the whole of this message it seems to me can be put like this there are three words used concerning the state of the heart of these men and it is to this very contrast between their first condition and their eventual final condition that I want to direct attention the two words used about their heart at the beginning is that their hearts were sad their hearts were also slow but then the story ends and thank God for this by telling us that their hearts were burning within them now the question I want to put to you my good friends this morning is this what is the state of your heart Christian men Christian woman what's the condition of your heart this morning is it sad is it slow or is your heart burning within you. [00:03:44]

Now there is no hope for the Christian church until we know something about this Burning Heart it's the whole explanation of the success of the early church after the day of Pentecost these men's Hearts were burning and they proceeded to do do the Great and Mighty and glorious things that they did now this is something I could illustrate to you very easily from the history of the church nothing is more important than just this change from the slow and the sad heart to The Burning Heart the most famous example of all of course is that of the great John Wesley here was a man who was brought up in a religious manner always an abl men and a very audite men fellow of his college at Oxford highly religious conscientious a man who was prepared to make sacrifices and he did he gave up his prospects at Oxford took the hazard of crossing the Atlantic to preach to pagans down in Georgia that's the sort of men and yet his life was a failure he was useless quite ineffective and yet you and I think of John Wesley this morning as a great evangelist a mighty preacher a man used of God to bring masses of people to the knowledge of Our Lord the establisher of churches what made the difference. [00:04:42]

Well you remember it all took place in a very simple manner he went in his utter dejection one night to a little meeting a little gathering of Christian people in olders Gate Street in London thoroughly cast down and unhappy but he emerged from that meeting an entirely different men what was it well what he tells us is this there was a man reading in the meeting out of the preface of Martin Luther's commentary on the epistle to the Romans and as the men was reading quietly John Wesley tells us that his heart was strangely warm something happened within him his heart which had been slow and dull and miserable and sad suddenly was melted and was filled with fire but he was from there on an entirely different man now that's the the thing that we've got depicted in the story of these two men on the road to Ms from being sad and slow they end with their hearts burning and triumphing and glory. [00:06:08]

And I say that there is nothing more important for us individually as well as collectively as members of the Christian church this morning than to be certain that we have this warm this Burning this glowing heart have you got it this isn't the theoretical matter this is the most practical matter in the world we can be Christian and get sad but I want to suggest to you that if that is our condition we are a hindrance to the propagation of the Gospel we are a hindrance to the glory of our blessed Lord and Savior let us then in the light of this incident examine ourselves it's perfectly clear it's laid before us in a very simple and in a very Wonder wonderful mem let's look at these two men as they go down that road to aass what do we find about them well the thing I say that we find about them is this that they looked sad and and dejected we read in the 17th verse that when our Lord joined them he said what manner of communications are these that he had W to another as he walk and are said now I'm reading here from the authorized King James verion the revised versions don't put it as a question but rather as a statement they say they stood still looking sad and I want to emphasize this point these men were sad yes and because they were sad they looked s the moment our Lord joined them he could tell exactly what the condition was this is a psychological principle if you feel sad you look s you know the type of man who's always sitting in the corner he's got a problem he's ill at ease there's something wrong he doesn't want to speak to anybody what's the matter with him well he's said and you take one glance at him and you can see that he is this is something that always reveals itself it shows itself it can't be concealed. [00:07:16]

And I concerned about all this this morning because I have a feeling that the masses of the people are outside the Christian church today because of what they see when they look at us people tend to put all their emphasis today upon the outsider and they're considering Ways and Means of winning The Outsider I think their approach is quite wrong the way to solve the problem today is not to start with the outsider but to start with those of us who are inside why are the messes of the people outside the Christian church now I suggest there's only one true answer to that question it is because looking at us they feel that they don't want what we've got somehow or another we are failing to attract them that's why they're outside it is indeed because we are so amazingly like these two men on the road to a mass we look miserable we look unhappy let me put it to you hurriedly in a simple illustration take a typical sample of non-Christian people people who belong to the world look put them on a Saturday afternoon what do they do in this country they go to a baseball match or something in our country they go to football matches have a look at them watch them as they go down the road look at the keenness with which they're walking they're hurrying why well they want to be there before the game starts they want to have as good a seat as possible they're filled with anticipation eagerness excitement and they hurry along and then the game begins watch them sitting forward eagerly listen to them shouting standing on their feet then I ask the game ends All Too Soon watch them on the way home they're all talking with animation wasn't it marvelous wasn't it wonderful did you notice this one did you watch that one says the other they're thrilled with a thing and moveed there excited and filled with joy and with enthusiasm that's a picture of the world isn't it take a corresponding group of Christian people Sunday morning they're doubtful as to whether they'll get up and go to church after all they've had a very busy week and a man must have rest and sleep sometimes they didn't say that on Saturday but that's what they feel like on Sunday morning well at long last as a matter of Duty they Rous themselves and they go to church are they equally anxious to be there before it begins do they always want the front seat what happens in the service is there a thrill is there emotion is there excitement are they moved watch them going home are they talking with animation do they give the impression that they've been sharing in the most glorious and amazing experience that can ever fall to the lot of men are they speaking about it with any Mission move to the depths of their being well I leave the question with you far too often we give the impression that we are doing what we are doing merely as a matter of Duty we do it grudgingly we hope it won't last too long but we just do it we go through the routine we may have promised a saintly father or mother or something like that but it seems to be against the grain and we're not moved by it we are not living we're not vital and the result of this is I say that the masses of the people are uninterested they say look at those miserable Christians they really don't believe in it they're just afraid not to do it they could get nothing out of it now here it seems to me is the whole key to the problem of evangelism at the present time you and I my friends are responsible we have failed to attract the people who are outside by giving the impression that we have the most marvelous and wonderful thing in the world we are like these men we are uncertain and doubtful and sad so often and because we feel that we even look like that and so we give the impression to the world that to be a Christian is to be miserable and to be unhappy. [00:09:24]

Now the great question that confronts us is this what can we do about this well I suggest the thing we've got to do is to examine and to analyze the case of these two men on the road to a and we shall be discovering the answer to ourselves and our own condition far too many of us look at them there they are they look said Isa what are they doing as they're walking along that road so this is what we read in verse 15 it came to pass that while they communed together and reasoned Jesus himself Drew near now don't forget this this is on the morning of the Resurrection they' already heard the report of the women that the grave was empty but here they are in this condition this tremendous momentous climactic event had taken place and are these two sad men and what are they doing well they're communing together and are reasoning what does this mean well communing means commiserating with one another sympathizing with one another oh they said what an anti climax wasn't he wonderful while he was with us they reminded one another of some of his sermons and of some of the Miracles that it seen and then you see they go on to UT this word that they repeat to our Lord we had trusted that it was he that would have redeemed Israel oh they say don't you remember the Keen anticipation but it all come to nothing he who could even raise the dead was crucified in utter weakness they he died he didn't seem to have any power of resistance oh what can it have been they they communed with one another they went over the three years but it always ended in this fact of yes and the more they talked about it the more miserable and unhappy they became and then we are told that they reasoned they tried to analyze it and consider it they tried to arrive at an explanation of it now isn't this typical of the Christian Church read the reports annually of the Gatherings the assemblies the annual meetings of any one of the great denominations and this is this is exactly what you'll find they meet in conference the statistics are brought forward and then they commune together concerning the situation and then they reason together what's the explanation so they set up a commission or a committee of inquiry and it'll sit for three or four years and bring in a report they'll have a report on communism and upon the Menace of science they'll commune and reason and sympathize and try to cheer one another up and on and on it goes and the church remains lifeless impotent ineffective and the world is untouched and un mooned what a perfect picture we've got here as they commune together and reason the church is spending most of her time today in investigating her problems and in considering possible solutions and in the meantime she lacks the dynamic and the power and the life. [00:13:43]

Now the question is what's the cause of this condition why should the Christian church with the great fact of the Resurrection behind her why should she be like this why should any one of us individually be like this are you a defeated Christian are you a sad are you an unhappy are you a slow Christian well why are you like this again let's look at these two men let me first of all give you a human analysis of this condition what is the matter with these two men well isn't it obvious these two men had looked so much at the death of our Lord and his burial in the grave that they couldn't see any further they were so certain of his death and of his burial that they were entirely unmoved by and unable to grasp the fact of his resurrection they've concentrated so much upon the end of the Cross and The Taking of the body and the bearing of it in the grave they they they say all this in their own words to our blessed Lord himself they say yeah we trusted that it had been he before even that he our Lord says to them what's the matter with you what manner of communications are these that he have one to another and as he walk and her said and one of them whose name was Copus answering said unto him art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem and has not known the things which are come to pass there in these days and he said to them what things they said unto him concerning Jesus of Nazareth which was a prophet Mighty inde deed and word before God and all the people and how the chief priests and our elders delivered him to be condemned to death and they have crucified him but we had trusted that it had been he which would have redeemed Israel and beside all this today is the third day since these things were done yeah and certain of our women also which were of the company made us astonished which were early at the SE and when they found out his body they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels which said that he was a li certain of them which were with us went to the Seer and found it evil as the women had said but him they saw not there it is you see they're looking at his death and at his Peril they're thinking in terms of a grave and thenly dejected they're so sure of his death and his burial that they can't somehow grasp the fact of his resurrection now this is a most important psychological Point. [00:16:56]

Shall I try to illustrate this condition by telling you of an incident within my own experience something which happened about 30 years ago I was preaching in a certain place afternoon and evening on a weekday and after the afternoon service two ministers came to me and asked if I'd be good enough to see a certain men living locally a school Master they said it's a very sad case he's a very good man they said and he could be so valuable and useful in the church but he's depressed he's unhappy he's complaining of various abdominal stomach troubles headaches seems depressed he's given up everything he was the superintendent of the Sunday school he's given up everything he says he can't do it he can only just manage to hold down his job as a school Master they said we'd be so grateful if you'd see this man and if you can help him in some way well I consented to see the in and after tea I saw him and I asked him well now I said tell me tell me your story tell me what's the matter with you and he began of course by telling me about his physical symptoms his headaches his stomach pains and indigestion and all the rest of it well I said how long how long have you been like this well he said you know I've been like this ever since the last war he was referring to the first world war it's even longer than I thought it happened about 1930 I remember now he said um I said well what happened to you in the last war well he said this was my story the war broke out and I was concerned to fight for my country I volunteered and I joined the Navy I was posted first of all he said to a destroyer and then to a submarine and our submarine was sent to the Mediterranean and then he said you remember the daugh Nel's campaign yes I said well he said I got involved in that and our submarine he said one afternoon was operating in that area where the fighting was intense we were submerged suddenly there was a most awful Thug and I realized he said that our submarine had been hit by a torpedo and we had there was an explosion and down we went to the bottom of the Mediterranean and you know he said ever since I've had these troubles I've been to all sorts and kinds of doctors but I can't get rid of it well all right I said I'm interested but tell me the rest of your story but he said that is my story I said no no I want to hear the rest of the story well he said there's nothing more to say that's exactly how it happened and I've been like this ever since now wait a minute I said tell me your story again and he went over all the details and he came to this tramatic moment when there was this loud Thun and he realized the submarine had been hit by a torpedo and down we went he said to the bottom of the Mediterranean well go on I said but he said there's no more to say well I'm glad you've anticipated the the whole point I made him repeat this story some five or six times and each time he ended in exactly the same way down we went to the bottom of the Mediterranean my dear friend I said why won't you tell me the rest of the story he said there is nothing more to say I said are you still at the bottom of the Mediterranean very well you're quite right you're quite right and laughing at it but I wonder whether you're not laughing at yourself as a Christian you see what the poor men was doing he was so certain about this sinking to the bottom of the Mediterranean but he seemed to have forgotten that he'd come up again and that somebody had seen him floating more less unconscious and had picked him up and how he'd been taken onto a ship and brought to a base hospital and eventually to a hospital in England and was DED from the Navy now what a typical picture that is he was so certain of the sinking that he'd forgotten that he'd come up again and whether you believe it or not it is a simple fact to say that on my explaining this to him and pointing out to him that it was this fatal mentality of looking down and failing to realize what had followed once he grasped the man was completely delivered completely healed indeed in 18 months he left his teaching profession and became a minister in the Anglican church and as far as I know he is still continuing as a minister in that church today now isn't this a perfect picture of the condition of these men well we had trusted they we had hoped but it's no good he's dead they buried him the chief priests and the others conspired against him it's the end we had trusted we had hoped they were so certain of his death that they' completely failed to grasp the Glorious fact of the Resurrection why should we behave like this why should we as Christian people live as if our Lord were still lying in a grave. [00:19:19]

Well that's my analysis let me give you before I close our Lord's analysis of the condition of these people what a perfect diagnosis it is you notice what he says about them when at long last they stopped talking and how much they did talk yeah they are you see and the Lord joins them but they do all this talking and they commune and commiserate and go over the facts and reason at last they finished and our Lord has given an opportunity and you know the first word he says to them oh fool and I believe that that's what he's saying to most of us this morning you fools what's a fool well a fool is a simple to a fool is a man who doesn't know how to think it's not a harsh term this it means a foolish person it means a man who's not using his mind he's not using his brains he's allowing himself to be influenced by his feelings and his sensation our Lord turns on these two mences what's the matter with you you are a simpons where are your minds where's your understanding why don't you begin to think why do you talk so much why not stop talking and begin to think for a change why not face the facts and the situation and I'm quite certain that this is something that needs to be said to most of us if not to all of us we are so influenced by surroundings and circumstances and events that we fail to think the thing through we are governed in this way by prejudices and feelings and so on and thus we like these two men on the root mes become simplon my dear friend one of the first things we all have to realize in the Christian Life is this you've got to use your mind here you've got to use your understanding the whole of you is needed and if you don't use your understanding you'll soon be in trouble and in difficulties This Modern idea of decrying teaching and Doctrine and theology is absolutely fatal to the life of the individual or to the life of the church bird up the lines of your mind says the Apostle Peter and our lord is here really saying precisely that now there's the first thing the second thing he tells them is this slow of heart all fools and slow of heart the trouble you see is not only in the mind and in the intellect it is also in the heart now the heart in scripture stands not only for the seat of emotions but it does always represent the very center of the human personality and this is the most important matter there's a sort of dullness that afflicts us in a spiritual sense it isn't only our minds it's something deeper than the mind let me illustrate what I mean haven't you often found this you're in your home you're reading a newspaper or you may be reading a biography or you may be reading a novel and you find yourself alert and you're able to take it in then you feel that you should read a portion of scripture and you come to the scripture and at once you begin to you feel tired you find it difficult to concentrate you feel sleepy and you're in great trouble now why is this why should it be more difficult to read the scripture than to read these other things or in the matter of prayer you may be talking to people and you're animated and you have no difficulty you get on your knees to pray to God and your mind wanders and you can't concentrate and you can't think and you begin to yawn what's the matter now that is entirely because of the heart this slowness this dullness of heart this is of course the result of the fall of men this is because there is sin and evil in us we are born in sin shapen in iniquity and there is a kind of lethargy that the evil spirit produces within us that makes it difficult for us to concentrate on spiritual things be aware says the writer of the epistle to the Hebrews lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief this terrible condition of the heart it isn't merely a matter of the Mind intellect and understanding it is this disposition it is that there is a lethargy a kind of curbing of our faculties and Powers when we come to the spiritual realm and our Lord realized that that was what was happening to these men they were good men they were intelligent men and yet here they are they're Paralyzed by the fact of his death that they can't grasp the fact of his resurrection they're foolish they are not thinking they're not rousing themselves and they're giving way to this Melancholy that is so ready to afflict us all this depression of the spirit this being influenced by talk and surroundings and appearances I feel this is the trouble in the church today we're all such experts on our problems that we've forgotten the power of the Living Lord resurrected slowness of heart while what else well he goes on to make it clear that there's another thing oh fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory what's he saying he said why why didn't you believe the teaching that you've been given and the answer was of course that as Jews they were governed by prejudices you see these two men were and the Jews had got their own Notions about the coming Messiah the Jews as a nation were all looking forward to the coming of the Messiah and yet you remember when he came they refused him they rejected him why well because he didn't fit in with their preconceived notions and ideas the idea that the Jews had of the Messiah was that he would come as a great figure a great personage probably a great military personage he'd gathered together an army out of Israel he'd fight the Roman armies and he'd conquer the Roman army and he deliver the nation of Israel and he'd exalt Israel to be the greatest nation again in the in the world he'd bring back the position as it was in the Glorious Days of King David their ideas of Salvation were political and Military they thought in nationalistic terms and so when the Son of God came they didn't recog I said and they rejected him who is this man they said for John the Baptist even he began to feel this art of he that should come or do we look for another why don't you go to Jerusalem and be crowned as king you're spending your time preaching to a handful of just poor Ordinary People it's all right you're doing wonderful things but why don't you do the big thing now this is nothing but sure Prejudice the Jews found the TR of Christ a stumbling block they failed to recognize their Messiah because he didn't tally with their ideas their preconceived notions and ideas and I think this is true with so many people today we are as we are because our ideas of Christianity and salvation are too prominent and we Feist them upon the scriptures and thus we end in a state of dejection we think we know what our Lord ought to be doing and if he doesn't do what we think we are disappointed and unhappy that was a part of the explanation But ultimately it all comes to this did you notice it all fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have written now the emphasis there is on the word all all fools and flow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory you see was Happ they're stumbling at the fact of his death this is the Messiah shouldn't die in weakness but our Lord says why haven't you listened to all that the prophets have written these men were experts in the writing of the prophets the Jews were all hanging onto the words of the Prophet they were looking for the coming Messiah oh yes they read their prophets but they're in trouble because they only believed parts of the teaching of the prophets and didn't grasp other parts this idea of a deliverer a savior oh wonderful this Mighty personage that's to come and every eye should see him they believed all that but the prophets had also spoken about his death and about his Buri and about his resurrection they they had missed that you see the trouble with these two men ultimately comes to this that instead of taking the scriptures as they are they picked out certain portions of the scripture which appealed to them and which tell it as I say with their preconceived notions and ideas and the result is they're in trouble why hav they read John Genesis 3:15 about the seed of the woman that shall bruise the Serpent's head yes but his heel is going to be bruised they missed it why hav they read Isaiah 53 which tells them that the coming Messiah is going to be delivered and led as a lamb to the slaughter and to be slain why haven't they read the 22nd Psalm my God my God why hast Thou forsaken me oh fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken and so you see we go on to read and beginning at Moses and all the prophets he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself he says you're stumbling at the death of this Messiah and at his resurrection ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory hav the scriptures prophesied this and predicted it listen he says and he starts with Moses starts with Genesis goes on through Exodus he shows them the story right through the whole of the Old Testament there it is proclaiming his coming yes but his death his resurrection and the glory that was upon NE I emphasize and reply what I'm trying to say are you dejected and unhappy and in trouble is it I wonder because you also have been picking and choosing in the reading of the scriptures taking what you want ignoring the rest feeling that the scriptures tell you that you're going to ask God for something and you get it immediately and then when you don't get it you're cast down and you complain against God you must read all the scriptures you must take them as they are you mustn't pick and choose this has been the tragedy of the Christian Church during the last century and more the so-call higher criticism of the Bible what's that well this is higher criticism that you pick out of the Bible what you think is right and you reject the rest you pick out the ethical teaching of Jesus Oh you say this is fine but you don't like Miracles you say the modern scientific men can't believe in miracles so you throw out the Miracles you don't like his sacrificial attorning death out it goes you be confused that's precisely what the higher critic does he doesn't take the scriptures as they are he doesn't take all the scriptures and that's why he's in trouble he hasn't a message he hasn't understanding he's depressed he's confused and the people listening to him are in the same condition it is entirely due to our failure to take the whole of the scriptures and to believe them as they are and so this is what our Lord does to them. [00:24:44]

Now there is the essence the analysis of this miserable wretched unworthy condition that's what leads to the sad heart and to the slow heart but in a hurried moment a I close we can't leave them there the story ends in a very different way doesn't it here is the end they rose up the same hour and they returned to Jerusalem and found the 11 gathered together and them that were with them saying the Lord is risen indeed that appeared to Simon and they told what things were done in the way and how he was known of them in Breaking of bread they rushed back with their hearts of flame burning within them what a transformation what made the difference what so completely changed the whole condition of these men ah say somebody that's quite simple it was because they met the living Risen Lord and they saw him but my dear friend you're not quite right that's a part of it but it's not the first part of it and for us it is not the most important part for this reason haven't you often felt like this youve said if only I'd lived while he was here on Earth if only I could have looked into those eyes of God if only I could see his face why everything would be changed but I've never seen him and you feel therefore that this story has got nothing to say to you but you're quite wrong how did these people get the Burning Heart well the scripture actually tells us that their hearts began to burn within them before they realized who he was listen it came to pass as he sat at meat with them now before that yes sat at bread he took bread and blessed and break and gave to them and their eyes were opened and they they knew him and he vanished out of their sight but listen and they said one to another did not our heart burn within us while he talked with us by the way and while he opened to us the scriptures that's what gave them the Burning Heart while he was talking with them on the road and as he was expounding the scriptures they still didn't know who he was but their hearts began to burn within them he just took the Old Testament script he unfolded them he showed them the prophecies concerning the Messiah how he was to teach how he was to be a king yes but how he was to be misunderstood crucified dead buried opening it out and as he did so their hearts began to melt and to burn and to move and then finally in the breaking of the bread they realized who he was but thank God for this message you can get the Burning Heart without having a literal vision of the Lord Jesus Christ there are people who are seeking Visions asking for some Apparition asking for the Heavens to open feeling that if that happened all would be well but that's false teaching if you want the Burning Heart go to the scriptures let him unfold the scriptures to you go to him he said before he went let not your hearts be troubled he said don't be dejected I'm going to send you another comforter another one will stand by your side and he'll teach you and he'll guide you and he'll lead you into all the truth he's left the spirit with us and the spirit is within us ask the spirit to open your eyes to the truth concerning your blessed savior you know these men had nothing but the Old Testament scripture you've got the New Testament as well don't wait for some ecstatic experience go to the scriptures plead with the spirit to Enlighten you to unfold him to reveal him and as you do so you'll meet him and your heart will begin to melt and to burn and to be moved and you'll be revived and you'll go on your way rejoicing this my dear friends has been the experience of the Saints throughout the century Jesus these eyes have never seen that radiant form of thine the veil of sins hangs dark between thy blessed face and mine I see thee not I hear thee not yet Thou Art of with me and Earth have near so dear a spot as where I meet with thee Christian people don't give way to your feelings your moods your States your conditions Rous yourself don't be a fool use your mind begin to think shake off dull sloth and lethargy and Melancholy and come to the scriptures and allow the spirit to reveal him to you in all his glory and wonder and Perfection and when you least expect it as these men were he will suddenly manifest himself to you he'll suddenly come to you in a word indicted by the spirit himself and you'll know know and feel the presence of your blessed Lord and Savior and your own happiness and slowness and dullness and Sadness Will vanish and disappear you will have this Burning glowing radiant heart and as these men of theur you rush back into the world and report and announce that Christ is risen indeed and that he has changed your entire life you are whole condition and that they have but to see him and to know him and to believe in him to Rejoice with you and ascribe unto him all praise and honor and Glory my dear friends I leave you with the question are you sad what is the state of your heart are you slow or is your heart burning within you Holy Spirit truth divine glow within this Heart of Mine word of God and inward light clear my spirit wake my sight let that be your prayer and as certainly as you offer it genuinely and sincerely he will hear you and the doubt of the Gloom will be vanished depart and your heart will burn within you and you live to tell forth the Wonders and the glory of his name may God grant un to every one of us this Burning Heart amen. [00:35:34]

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