4.1.2018 Sermon Notes & Slides

Sermon Notes

The Empty Tomb and the Burning Heart
Luke 24:13-32
Pastor Brent Whitefield

Introduction: The direction of the men on the Emmaus Road is revealing: they were moving away from Jerusalem. The death of Christ seemed a decisive defeat for his followers who had invested in him all of their Messianic hopes and dreams. But an encounter with the risen Christ changes everything, not only bringing new meaning to all of the prophecies about the Messiah, but giving life and hope to those whose hearts burn to know him in faith. … And it is the same today!

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Questions For Discussion & Discovery

1. How is it possible that Cleopas and his companion did not recognize Jesus, a man whose ministry they had followed?

2. As pious Jews, the two men clearly knew, and at some level accepted, the words of the prophets. How is it that Jesus calls them slow of heart to believe the prophets?

3. What is the root of the bad theology that these men share?

4. Having heard rumors of a possible resurrection, why were the men on the road heading away from Jerusalem and not toward it?

5. Is there a connection between Jesus’ breaking bread with the two men and the Last Supper three days earlier?

6. Why do you think Jesus vanished from the men as soon as they realized who he was?

Sermon Slides

1. Read Luke 24:13-19a.

2. These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. – John 20:31

3. Question One:
Which way are you headed on the road: Emmaus or Jerusalem?

4. Read Luke 24:19b-27.

5. Question Two:
What kind of Messiah do you seek?

6. “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” – Luke 9:22

7. Read Luke 24:28-32.

8. Question Three:
Is your heart on fire when you hear the Good News?

9. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. – Revelation 3:20