TEXT: Luke 24:13-35
TITLE: No Follow up, No follow-through!
SERIES: The Growing Church
TOPIC: Evangelism (discipleship)
OCCASION: Burnside Christian Church, May 28, 2008
PROP.: If we think that evangelism is hard, wait until we try to mature the new born Christian!!!!
INTRODUCTION: Good morning! Please pass the attendance pads down the pew you are sitting in. This is the last Sunday of the month, so we are going to let our Jr. Church kids stay right where they are at.
I want to show you a picture. This is Watkins Tower. It was located in Wembley Park London
Shortly after the construction of the Eiffel Tower, Sir Edward Watkin, a British Member of Parliament proposed the construction of a tower, that would be 46 metres (150 feet) taller.
A competition was held, and numerous designs submitted. The winning entry was a metal tower on six legs, but it was soon modified to a four-legged design that looked very similar to the Eiffel Tower. A company was set up to build the tower and construction of the tower and the surrounding park began in 1891. When the park opened in 1894 the tower had reached a height of only 47 metres (155 feet), due to unstable foundations.
The tower was never completed.
Watkin’s Tower was also became known as "Watkin’s Folly" or "the London Stump". It was marketed as the "Great Tower of London" in its day.
Watkins tower was built out of pride. It wanted to be recognized as the tallest structure in London!
I wonder, has the church become guilty of ‘building Christ stumps?’ We set out to make disciples for Christ…but our best efforts stop short after they become saved.
Every sport will tell you the importance of a good follow through for success.
The importance of following through!
In basketball
In golf
In Tennis
In bowling
In evangelism!!!!!!!
I’ve entitled this sermon:
NO FOLLOW UP, NO FOLLOW THROUGH.
You see, evangelism is like obstetrics. It emphasizes birth, not growth. It’s not obstetrics job to mature babies into adulthood. So too, evangelism’s goal is to deliver healthy baby Christians, not take care of newborns. That’s the job of the church!
So, after you have persuaded a non-Christian to accept Christ…then what? If we don’t follow through with our mission of discipleship, I fear we have failed!
Our text comes to us from Luke 24:13-35
The story takes place on the heels of the Passion week. Shaken to the core by the sight of their Savior on the cross, Jesus’ followers have just received a second blow with the news that His tomb is empty. With their faith in turmoil, two of His followers set out from Jerusalem to their home in Emmaus to sort it all out.
Let’s read
Luke 24:13-16
13Now that same day two of them (of them is a prepositional phrase indicating that these two were a part of Jesus’ followers!)
were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. (Luke is the only one who mentions this account. In fact, Luke is the only writer in the Bible to ever mention this village called Emmaus. Why is that? Luke would have had special interest in the village as there were famous medicinal wells located there…so doctor Luke would have picked up on the village of Emmaus)
14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. (Jesus had just died and His tomb was discovered to be empty)
15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16but they were kept from recognizing him.
Don’t you just love the intrigue of this moment????? They think He’s dead, but He’s walking right beside them!!!!!!
Luke 24:17-19a
17He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18One 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?"
19"What things?" he asked.
T.S.: From Jesus’ example we learn the first principle of follow-up:
1. Graciously ask a few questions, rather than give all the answers. (17 - 19a)
Jesus could clear up their confusion by revealing Himself, but He doesn’t! Why? Because He knows that their faith won’t develop any muscle if He spoon-feeds them all the answers. They need to unload the burden on their heart and grapple with the issues themselves. So, to help them grow, He holds back His identity and ask a few questions.
There’s a great temptation to do all the talking when we’re following up with a new believer. The itch to pull out the charts and spout all the truth we’ve learned over the past thirty years is almost unbearable. Our knowledge may impress young believers, but it doesn’t teach them anything except to depend on us rather than dig for their own answers.
Sometimes the best thing we can do with new Christ followers when they come to us is to ask them a few pointed and meaningful questions!
Notice what Jesus does…He asks:
A. “What are you discussing?”
Jesus knows everything! He is fully God while still fully human! And here Jesus is using a method used by all good teachers! He is asking questions to hear their answers!
B. Jesus’ questions:
Jesus became good at asking questions of his students. Look at just some of the questions he asked His students over the course of his ministry with them:
Matthew 13:51 - “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes.” They
replied
Matthew 15:16 - “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked his disciples.
Matthew 16:15 - Jesus asked Peter, “Who do you say I am?”
John 21:17 - “Simon, do you love me?”
C. Good questions for us to ask.
A great place for us to start with new believers is: “Have you understood all these things?” If you invite someone to church with you, instead of asking, “What did you think?” You might ask: Did you understand everything that was said and done?
We are pretty good at using jargon that is easily understood and recognized by people who have been going to church all their lives but it might need further explanation to someone who is new to the faith.
Another good question to ask is…
--“Who do you say Jesus is?”
The answer to this question will tell you a lot about where a person is at in their belief and understanding of scripture! If they respond with ANYTHING other than: “The Son of God.” then you’ve got “some splainin’ to do”.
And a final good question to ask is…
--Do you love Jesus?
Once a person truly loves Jesus Christ,
Let’s continue reading our text this morning:
Vs. 19 - 24:
19"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. 20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but 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. 22In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."
2. Patiently listen for hints of doubt rather than controlling the conversation! (19 - 24)
A. Jesus Listens!!
During this lengthy account, Jesus is doing something extremely important - He’s listening! He’s asked his question and now He’s letting them answer. He’s sensing their tone of voice. He’s reading hand gestures and facial expressions. He’s letting the two have full control of the conversation, without interrupting! Even when they say, “We were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel, “ Jesus doesn’t jump in to correct them.
--Listening is tough!
Our ear to mouth ratio is 2 to 1 for a purpose!
B. The VALUE of listening!
Proverbs 18:13
“He who answers before listening— that is his folly and his shame.”
When you listen to the one with a problem:
--It shows you are interested
--It helps you know what to do!
If you are just waiting for your turn to talk, you will miss out on some key language that will give you hints as to what a person is really believing and thinking!
--Were you listening to the response of the two on the way to Emmaus?
Vs.19b - 21
"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.
Jesus by listening to these two was able to know exactly what they needed to hear! These two thought Jesus of Nazareth was just a prophet who worked a few miracles. They were hoping that Jesus would free the city of Israel from Roman rule.
And the response of Jesus shows us our third principle for following through with new believers:
3. Confidently instruct using scripture rather than focusing on feelings and experience! (vs. 25 - 27)
What anchor does God use to strengthen a new believer’s faith?
Jesus shows us in verses 25 - 27
“And he said to them, “Oh foolish men an slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory? And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the scriptures.”
A. EXPLAIN TO THEM SCRIPTURE
Seeing the men overwhelmed in a whirlpool of questions and fears, Jesus firmly sets them upon the ROCK of scripture. He reveals God’s plan of redemption from the beginning!
In verse 27, the NIV uses the phrase “Jesus EXPLAINED to them the things concerning Himself in all the scripture.“ The King James version uses the word: Expounded. That’s probably a better word. The Greek makes it clear what Jesus was doing… Jesus was fully interpreting and thoroughly explaining scripture to these fairly new followers!
New Christians often wrestle with their emotions. “I don’t feel like a different person. Is this real or just wishful thinking? Does God still love me?”
An open Bible can work wonders in calming their fears. They’re used to living by the motto “If it feels good; do it!” We must encourage them to live by God’s word! “If it says so, believe it!”
B. SOME SCRIPTURES THAT WILL BE HELPFUL TO NEW BELIEVERS:
Scriptures about the unchangeable character of God -
Scriptures about God’s love -
Scriptures about God’s forgiveness -
Scriptures about God’s plan -
On the road to Emmaus, the miles fly by as Christ unveils the mysteries of the scriptures. Soon the travelers arrive at their destination…let’s continue reading:
Vs. 28,29:
“And they approached the village where they were going, and he acted as though He would go farther. And they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” And He went in to stay with them.”
The third principle in following through in regards to evangelism is this:
4. Faithfully stay available! (vs. 28 - 29)
Exhibiting the gracious style that characterized His earthly ministry, Jesus enters their homes and their lives by their invitation.
A. MAKE TIME…
We can show the same personal touch to new Christians by not being pushy, by waiting to be invited to spend time with them over a cup of coffee. By entering their homes and sharing a meal. By being available to talk. In all of these ways, we model Christ’s love and put flesh on what it means to be a Christian. This is the other side of evangelism. This is discipleship. And it’s going to take time! Your time!
B. HAVE PATIENCE
--remember that new Christians are newborns, so forget frequent acts of immaturity
5. THE RESULT - (vs. 30 - 35)
30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." 35Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
--The story of these two new believers has a happy ending. Let me just say that I wish the story of ALL new believers had a happy ending.
--These two men, got up and returned at ONCE to Jerusalem!! They didn’t even finish their supper! They made the 7 mile journey back to Jerusalem to report to the eleven the good news!
Conclusion: I want to conclude today’s message with a question: What would have become of these two new believers on their way to Emmaus had Jesus not come along side of them to walk with them? Remember, our goal to evangelism? TO GET HOME AND TAKE AS MANY WITH US AS WE CAN! This includes walking beside those and caring for those who are new to the faith! FOLLOW THROUGH!
What is the finish line of evangelism? For new believers to mature in their faith and share the good news with others! THAT IS THE GOAL OF EVANGELISM!!!
We come now to our time of decision…
