Sermon: New Beginning
Bible Passage: Luke 24:13-35
I. Introductory remarks
II. Following Jesus’ burial, the followers of Jesus were pushed into a deep crisis
1. On the first day of the week, i.e., on the day of resurrection, two followers of Jesus were traveling to Emmaus
2. While on their walk, they were talking and debating (verse 15)
3. The content of their talking was Jesus (verse 15)
4. They looked sad/gloomy (verse 17)
5. Their hope was apparently shattered and miscalculated: “we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel” (verse 21)
6. They were confused about matters and discouraged with rumors (verses 22-24)
7. They were unable to recognize Jesus when He met them on their road to Emmaus
a. Because they did not understand the Scripture (verses 25-27)
b. Were dull in their heart to believe all that the prophets had spoken (verses 25-27)
c. When Resurrected Jesus interpreted the Scripture, “their eyes were opened” and recognized Him (verses 30-31)
d. When Resurrected Jesus was interpreting the Scripture, their hearts were “getting warmed up” (verse 32)
e. They returned to Jerusalem where they needed to be, i.e., with the company of Christ followers (compare verse 13 and 33)
f. They began to announce to others about Jesus’ resurrection (verse 35)
III. How about our situation? It’s not different from those two followers of Jesus!
1. To name some: fear, gloomy, uncertainties of various kinds
2. Dashed hopes because of our miscalculations
3. Separation by death, broken relationship, distanced due work and ministry, etc.
4. Dull in our understanding of the Scripture
5. Our hearts are not sufficiently warmed up by the teaching from the Scripture and are closed to things of God
6. We are not sufficiently in fellowship with Christ-followers (superficial, only-Sunday relationships!)
IV. Jesus’ Resurrection brings:
1. Hope
2. Courage
3. Motivation for life
4. New beginning, which is completely different from our plan and design, but according to His plan and design
Take Away:
Surround yourself with a company of believers whose hearts are warmed up because of the teachings of the Scripture and whose eyes are opened up by the Resurrected Jesus