INTRODUCTION
-There are moments in life when our hearts our stirred
-When we hear a rousing version of “The Star Spangled Banner” (or some other piece of music)
-When we watch an inspirational story made into a movie
-When we read a touching novel
-When we attend a wedding of two close friends
-More important than the secular moments when our hearts are stirred are the spiritual moments when our hearts are stirred
-When first hearing the gospel
-When first responding to the gospel
-When discovering new spiritual truths to walk in
-When being sanctified
-When God calls you into some type of service
-All of these are moments of spiritual heart stirring
-ILL: John Wesley - Heart Strangely Warmed
In May of 1738, John Wesley wrote in his journal: "In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate.Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation: And an assurance was given me, that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death."
-Now, let me share with you an example from scripture
-From the very day that Christ rose from the dead
-If ever there were a day for spiritual heart stirring, this was it
-Luke 24:13-35
-What stirred their hearts?
-Three things
I. The Words Of Jesus
-Vs. 25-27
A. He spoke of their disbelief
-He called them foolish and slow of heart
-You see, they were not yet stirred
1. Many today disbelieve in the resurrection occurring
-They say Christ never died on the cross
-They say the women went to the wrong tomb
-They say the body was stolen or moved
-What about the soldiers’ accounts
-Why was not the body exposed to stop the claims of the resurrection
-Why would the followers die for what they knew was a lie
2. Many today disbelieve in the resurrection’s importance
a. It is unique among religion leaders
i. Buddha is in a grave
ii. Mohammed is in a grave
b. It is unique in significance
-Offering salvation
B. He spoke of the prophesies
-Concerning Himself
-There were many, many prophesies that He had fulfilled
-But, they were still not yet stirred
-They knew the prophesies
-Any good Jew did
-They lived for them
-Much like we live for knowing who’s who on American Idol
-The problem was, the failed to put the pieces together
1. They misunderstood many of the prophesies
-They were looking for a militant Messiah
-That was, I believe, Judas’ problem
-Jesus knew this to be the case
-But he wasn’t swayed by opinion polls
-Like presidential candidates
2. They failed to think of Jesus as the fulfillment of others
II. The Actions Of Jesus
-Vs. 30
A. He took charge
-WOW! What seeming arrogance
-He was the guest and here He is taking charge of the meal
-But they were still not stirred
-Jesus, when we invite Him into our lives, wants to take charge
-Not because He is arrogant, but because He wants to do great things in us and for us and through us
-The wonderful picture here is that these men allowed Him to do so
-Oh that we would do the same
B. He blessed bread (and broke it)
-They were still not yet stirred
-But, they saw that this was a very religious man
-They probably assumed He was a Christ follower
-Maybe even a close disciple
C. He gave
-Does all of this remind you of anything
-It is almost an identical picture to what had taken place the last time we saw Jesus at a meal
-Yet, they still were not stirred
-Here we have Jesus, the giver of gifts
-A picture that is ever true today
-Salvation
-Protection
-Counsel
-Providence
-Blessing
III. The Sight Of Jesus
-Vs. 31
A. Physical eyes
-They are still not quite yet stirred
B. Spiritual eyes
-Now, they are finally stirred
CONCLUSION
-Are you stirred by Jesus’ resurrection today?
-Or has it just become a mundane, routine reality to you
-ILL: 9/11
-September 11, 2001
-Our hearts were stirred even a year later at anniversary services
-But now, more than 5 years later, we have virtually forgotten how that day felt
-We remember the events, but the pain, sorrow and confusion are a distant memory - a far cry from what they once were
-Sadly, for many believers, though they know the story of the resurrection, they do not have the stirring of the resurrection
-It no longer moves them
-It no longer touches their heart
-Today, I ask you to look anew at the resurrection
-Hear Christ’s words
-Of rebuke for your disbelief
-Of your refusal to listen to God’s messengers
-See His actions
-Of taking charge in your life
-Of blessing God on your behalf
-And likewise of blessing you with His gifts to you
-See Him
-With your eyes
-With your heart
-Let your hearts be strangely warmed today as you experience Him afresh today
-Invitation
