What Burns Your Heart?

A. INTRODUCTION ( Luke 24:13-21)

On Easter Sunday afternoon, Jesus met two disciples who were returning home from Jerusalem. The reports of the empty tomb confused and discouraged them. Jesus explained to them the message of the resurrection.

"They said one to another, did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked with us by the way and while he opened to us the scriptures" (Luke 24:32).

B. WHY WE WANT A BURNING HEART.

1. Illustration of scraping frost vs. heat that melts it.

2. Mohammed conquered with the sword, Buddha conquered with quietness and hopes of Nirvana. Christ conquers with burning hearts.

3. Burning heart is faith I believe, plus love I give, plus hope I plan, equals conviction I know.

4. What do you have if your heart doesn’t burn?

a. COLDNESS.

b. DARKNESS.

c. LOST DIRECTION.

d. SHUT UP TO SELF.

C. HOW TO GET A BURNING HEART.

1. Let Christ show you your NEED.

a. NO HOPE. "We trust that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel . . ." (v. 21).

b. CONFUSED. "Certain women of our company make us astonished" (v. 22).

c. DISILLUSIONED. "Him (Christ) they saw not" v. 24).

2. Let Christ show you the SCRIPTURES.

a. Know what the Bible SAYS. "Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, expounded unto them in all the scriptures" (v. 27). "All things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses (Pentateuch), and in the prophets (major and minor) and in the Psalms (term for historical and general books) covering me" (v. 44).

b. Know what the Bible MEANS. "He expounded"

(v. 24) means "He interpreted." Also, "He opened to us the scriptures" (v. 32) means, "He was interpreting."

c. Know how the Bible APPLIES. The Jews expected a "reigning Messiah" but not a "suffering Messiah." Jesus had to teach His plan. "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter His glory?" (v. 26).

3. Let Christ WALK WITH YOU.

a. They were returning home to Emmaus (Khan el Khamaseh) about 8 miles southwest of Jerusalem. "Two of them went . . .they talked . . . they communed together and reasoned" (v. 13-15).

b. Jesus CAME TO THEM. "Jesus himself drew near and went with them" (v. 15).

c. Jesus will walk WITHOUT US. "He made as though (added) he would have gone further" (v. 20). He didn’t deceive them, he planned to leave them. Principle - Jesus will leave us if we don’t ask Him to continue with us.

4. Let Christ REMAIN WITH YOU.

a. You must take the INITIATIVE. "They constrained Him saying, abide with us" (v. 29).

b. You must MAKE A PLACE. "He went in to tarry with them" (v. 29)

5. A burning heart is a one-time EVENT and an on-going PROCESS.

a. They met with Christ: EVENT. "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked . . . and while He opened to us the scriptures?" (v. 32).

b. They met with Christ: PROCESS. "They constrained Him, saying abide with us" (v. 29). "Abide in me and I in you" (John 15:3). "If ye abide in me and I in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7).

D. WHAT A BURNING HEART DOES TO YOU.

1. You SEE. "Their eyes were opened" (v. 31).

2. You KNOW HIM. "They knew Him" (v. 31).

3. You TALK ABOUT HIM. "They said one to another"

(v. 32). "They told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking bread" (v. 35).

4. You GO FOR HIM. "They rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem" (v. 33).

5. You EXPERIENCE HIM. "As they thus spoke, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them and saith unto them, peace be unto you" (v. 36).

Rejoice . . . He is risen!

*****

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at etowns@elmertowns.com and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.