Luke 24:13-34 – “Burning Hearts” 4/19/20 – Pastor Tim Meendering

Questions for family/small group discussions:

1. How does “Eeyore” show up in your heart, mind, and life these days? Eeyore said that “we all have our little ways.” What lost or disturbed “little ways” have been most upsetting for you?

2. Recall a time when your heart “burned” when some pieces of the puzzle that reveal Jesus were put into place. What were some of those pieces or facets of Jesus that were meaningful?

How do we change from being a foolish and slow Eeyore to be a burning heart missionary? We need to see and embrace Jesus in two ways:

1. Your Savior a. When you consider the concerns of the two Jesus-followers in our story, how does a focus on the

external, temporary, others, and circumstances show up in your heart and life? Why would it be important to focus on a change of heart condition rather than a change of life circumstances?

b. List some of the ways that our culture and endless advisors reinforce the intense focus on the external, temporary, others, and circumstances.

c. How does it matter to you that Jesus lived the life you should have lived and died the death that you should have died? How does this change your ability to find hope and joy for whatever your circumstances?

d. What was key for the Apostle Paul to be content in whatever circumstances (Philippians 4:10-13)? Since Paul did not pray for a change of circumstances, what did he most often pray for and why (Ephesians 3:18-19)?

e. What does the redemption described in 1 Peter 1:17-19 say about the why and how of the cross? Unlike the two Jesus-followers in our story who blamed the rulers for Jesus’ death, what is essential for us to personally apply and revel in the gospel story? Why is understanding both the depth of your sin and the Father’s stunning love and acceptance so vital? How does it change the way you see and embrace Jesus and change your life?

2. Your Hero a. How might the conversation with the two men changed if Jesus had immediately revealed himself? What

does Jesus’ approach with these men say about how he comes to you? What can you learn about your approach to those who are “slow” and “foolish” from Jesus’ encounter with the two men? What is your level of confidence for leading someone through the Bible to show them Jesus?

b. When you read all of the Bible and see that it’s all about Jesus, how does that change things for you? Why is it that the more that you see Jesus revealed, the more your heart will ignite and burn? How does this relate to what Paul often prayed for?

c. Why might we tend to see ourselves as the primary actors or doers? Can you recall some ways that you have depended on self-efforts and made yourself the hero? What are the results of putting ourselves at the center of the Bible stories and texts? Why does it matter that Jesus is the Hero so that you don’t have to be? (I see since I recorded my sermon that it was Carly Simon rather than Helen Reddy who recorded “You’re So Vain.”)

d. When you give up being the hero and trust in Jesus as the Hero of your story, how does it work that you then can be heroic with a burning heart?

e. What are some examples of how Jesus is the truth to which all great stories point—both in the Bible and in the stories/movies of our culture?

f. What goals can you make or steps can you take to help others see Jesus throughout his Word? AND how can you become better equipped to ask questions to help others see? Share your goals with your spouse or friend and ask them to hold you accountable.

Resources for study, application and equipping to become a disciple who makes disciples: a. A Visual Theology Guide to the Bible: Seeing and Knowing God’s Word – Tim Challies and Josh Byers

b. Asking the Right Questions: A Practical Guide To Understanding and Applying the Bible – Matthew S. Harmon

c. Bible Matters: Making Sense of Scripture – Tim Chester

d. The Transforming Power of the Gospel – Jerry Bridges

e. Reading the Bible With Heart & Mind – by Tremper Longman III

For parents and kids:

f. The Jesus Storybook Bible – Sally Lloyd-Jones

g. It’s All About Jesus Bible Storybook – B&H Publishing

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Thanks for noticing me… “If it is a good morning, which I doubt.” “Could be worse. Not sure how, but it could be.”

“They made me catch the cold I caught.” Could you ask your friend to do his exercises somewhere else? I shall be having lunch directly, and don’t want it bounced on just before I begin. A trifling matter, and fussy of me, but we all have our little ways.”

We all have our “little ways” that have been dramatically upset.

After they saw that all of these stories, prophecies, and the law were all pointing to the glory of Jesus and the good news of his death AND resurrection, their hearts burned within them.

Burning hearts = He lit a fire under them…There is great emotion, excitement and comfort because they saw the whole puzzle assembled on the table before them.

How do we change from being a foolish and slow Eeyore to be a burning heart missionary?

1. Your Savior“In the coming months and years, there will really be two pandemics in America. One will be disruptive and frightening to its victims, but thanks to their existing advantages and lucky near misses with the virus, they will likely emerge from it relatively stable—physically, psychologically, and financially. The other pandemic, though, will devastate those who survive it, leaving lasting scars and altering life courses.” Joe Pinsker, The Atlantic

“Someone is at home wondering how he’s going to make rent and feed his family,… And someone else is wondering if they can binge-watch the first season of The Sopranos or whatever.” Andrew Noymer

1. Your SaviorEven if, in the middle of this pandemic, one of your biggest decisions involves which TV series you will binge-watch, you need Jesus as your Savior.

A focus on the external, temporary, others and circumstances is an ancient malady that is more dangerous than Covid-19.

We need a change of heart condition not a change of life circumstances.

1. Your SaviorSome of these changes and this advice can be helpful, good, and even essential—but none of them will provide a deep and lasting sense of joy, hope, contentment, peace, and fulfillment.

We don’t need endless advisors to tell us what to do; we need a Savior who does what we should have done.

We need Jesus to live the life we should have lived and die the death we should have died.

We are saved by the actions of Jesus, not the teachings of Jesus.

Every morning, you have a choice about whether you are going to focus on changing the circumstances in your life or finding joy and hope in the midst of those circumstances.

Can you make the turn from a sufferer wanting help to a sinner needing salvation?

Shift your focus from changing the uncontrollable circumstances raining down on you to a faith and focus on how Jesus perfectly sustains you with hope and joy through the rain.

Ephesians 3:18-19: Paul prayed that believers would “comprehend…what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ…”

We are saved by this story… 1 Peter 1:17–19 “…you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers…with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”

Jesus redeems us from our slavery to sin. We need help!

We better understand his love when we better understand our sin and need.

Cheer up, you are much worse than you understand.

AND, Cheer up, you are more loved and accepted than you ever dreamed possible!

2. HeroWhile Jesus’ identity is hidden, he can take

the time to go through all of Scripture and give them a new lens through which to view the death AND resurrection of Jesus.

All and every part of Scripture is about Jesus.

Jesus is a stranger (who is supposed to be dead AND who doesn’t appear to know what’s going on) and yet he provides them with the interpretive key to all of Scripture.

2. HeroYou are despondent and upset and confused

—and focused on your circumstances and all the wrong things—because you read the Bible and do NOT know who is the Hero of this whole story.

When you see it, to the degree that you see it, your heart will ignite and burn!

The reason that none of this is working for you is that you think these stories are about you.

You think you are the one who needs to act and do.

You will never be strong like David unless you look to the one to whom David points.

Jesus took on the ultimate giant of eternal death so that you can face any physical death with courage and confidence.

Jesus is the Hero so we don’t have to be.

I’m the Hero of your story…I save by grace—not by your good efforts.

When you give up being the hero and see and trust in Jesus as the Hero of your story, THEN you can become heroic with a burning heart!

Jesus is the truth to which all great stories point.

Jesus was falsely accused, suffered death and resurrected so that he could ultimately make all things right for all those who suffer and believe.

Take the time to help others see… Take the time to get equipped to ask questions and help others see…

Are you living like an Eeyore with a dead Jesus or like resurrection people whose hearts are burning?

Our world is deeply struggling under the virus of sin and we have the cure.

His name is Jesus…