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Sermon #NF17

Hearts Aflame

A Sermon on Luke 24:13-35

Originally preached Aug. 27, 1967

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Scripture

Luke 24:13-35 ESV KJV

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes … That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. (ESV)

13¶ And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

Sermon Description

In this sermon preached at the Sunday morning service on August 27, 1967 to Seventh Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds on the encounter between the risen Christ and two disciples on the road to Emmaus. He highlights their initial state of sadness and dejection, despite the resurrection having already occurred. This, he argues, mirrors the condition of many Christians and churches today who, though possessing the truth, live as though defeated. The remedy lies in hearts set aflame by the risen Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. When Christians live in light of the resurrection, with burning zeal and enthusiasm, they will be filled with an infectious and indelible joy that draws others to the gospel. The church must move from sad and slow hearts to burning hearts if it is to truly live out its calling.

*Special note on Dr. Lloyd-Jones's Preaching Method

During his ministry, it was Dr. Lloyd-Jones's practice to preach sermons geared towards the edification of believers at the Sunday morning service and sermons geared towards the evangelism of unbelievers at the Sunday evening service. This sermon serves as a good example of a message geared towards believers, whereas its counterpart from the evening service (to be released next week) an example geared towards unbelievers. This method has been referred to half-jokingly by contemporaries as "Saints in the morning, Sinners at night!" However, it must be noted that this practice did not mean that within Dr Lloyd-Jones's sermons edification and evangelism were mutually exclusive. There would be plenty within each sermon to feed and convict both believers and unbelievers alike.

Sermon Breakdown

The two disciples on the road to Emmaus exemplify the sad, slow, and dejected state of many Christians and churches today, despite the reality of Christ's resurrection.
The ultimate explanation for the state of the church and the disinterest of the world is often the church's failure to live in the joy and power of the resurrection.
Christians are never meant to have sad, slow hearts but rather hearts burning with zeal and joy in the risen Christ.
The disciples were so fixated on the crucifixion that they failed to grasp the resurrection, leading to their dejection and discouragement.
Christians often give the impression of a joyless, burdened existence that repels rather than attracts unbelievers.
The early Christians, in contrast, were marked by a contagious and compelling joy and vitality rooted in the resurrection.
The remedy for sad, slow hearts is to encounter the risen Christ and have one's heart set aflame by the power of the Holy Spirit.
When Christians live with resurrection joy and zeal, the church will be revived and the world will take notice of its life-changing message.
Every Christian must examine the state of their own heart and seek the resurrection power that transforms sadness into burning joy.

Sermon Q&A

Questions and Answers Based on Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on the Road to Emmaus

What is the main biblical passage discussed in this sermon?

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on Luke 24:13-35, which tells the story of the two disciples walking on the road to Emmaus after Christ's resurrection. The sermon examines their emotional state, their conversation with the unrecognized Jesus, and their eventual transformation when their "hearts burned within them" as He opened the Scriptures to them.

Why does Lloyd-Jones say the two men on the road to Emmaus represent the Christian Church today?

Lloyd-Jones states that these men present "a perfect picture of the state and condition of the Christian Church in general at the present time." Like the disciples who were sad and slow of heart despite the resurrection having occurred, many Christians today are dejected, discouraged, and lacking joy despite having access to the great truths of Christianity. They focus on problems and rely on their own reasoning rather than embracing the full power of Christ's resurrection.

What three heart conditions does Lloyd-Jones identify in the sermon?

Lloyd-Jones identifies three heart conditions: 1. The sad heart - the disciples were visibly dejected and sorrowful 2. The slow heart - they were spiritually lethargic and dull to spiritual truth 3. The burning heart - the transformed condition after Jesus opened the Scriptures to them

He argues that Christians should move from sad and slow hearts to burning hearts filled with spiritual passion.

Why were the disciples on the road to Emmaus so discouraged?

According to Lloyd-Jones, the disciples were discouraged because they were "so certain of our Lord's death that they couldn't grasp anything else." They had concentrated so much on Christ's death and burial that they couldn't remember or believe what He had said about the resurrection. They were overwhelmed by their disappointment and had selective perception of Scripture, focusing only on the aspects that matched their preconceived notions.

What illustration does Lloyd-Jones use about the man in a submarine?

Lloyd-Jones shares the story of a schoolmaster who suffered depression and health problems because, psychologically, he remained "at the bottom of the Mediterranean" after his submarine was torpedoed during World War I. Though he had physically survived and been rescued, in his mind he remained trapped underwater. This illustrates how Christians can remain stuck in Christ's death and burial rather than moving forward to embrace the resurrection.

How does Lloyd-Jones explain the "slowness of heart" that affects Christians?

Lloyd-Jones describes "slowness of heart" as a spiritual lethargy that affects Christians particularly when they engage with Scripture or prayer. He illustrates this by describing how someone might read newspapers or other books with alertness but become tired and unable to concentrate when reading the Bible. Similarly, they might speak animatedly with people but find it difficult to focus when praying. He attributes this to "the power of the evil one that blinds us and dulls our faculties."

What does Lloyd-Jones identify as a key problem with how the disciples read Scripture?

Lloyd-Jones points out that the disciples were "partial in their reading of the scriptures" and "selective" in what they believed. They embraced prophecies about the Messiah's glory but ignored prophecies about His suffering. He compares this to modern "higher criticism" where people "pick out what you want and ignore the rest," accepting parts of Scripture while rejecting others, particularly miracles.

What caused the disciples' hearts to burn within them?

Contrary to what many might assume, Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that it was not the moment of recognizing Jesus that caused their hearts to burn, but rather His explanation of the Scriptures: "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked with us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?" Their transformation came through Christ's teaching from the Word, before they recognized who He was.

How can Christians today experience a "burning heart" according to Lloyd-Jones?

Lloyd-Jones teaches that Christians today don't need visions or to have lived during Jesus' earthly ministry. Rather, they can experience a burning heart by: 1. Going to Scripture with childlike faith 2. Depending on the Holy Spirit's guidance 3. Looking for Christ throughout all of Scripture (both Old and New Testaments) 4. Setting aside prejudices and human cleverness 5. Submitting to Christ as He is revealed in the Word

What impact would "burning hearts" have on the Church according to Lloyd-Jones?

Lloyd-Jones suggests that if Christians had burning hearts, the whole Church would be "transformed, transfigured, and saved." The burning heart produces joy, enthusiasm, and a desire to witness. He contrasts the lackluster approach many have to church with the enthusiasm people show for sporting events, arguing that when Christians truly have burning hearts, they will attract rather than repel unbelievers through their authentic joy and enthusiasm about Christ.

Other Sermons

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.

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