Restoring Hope to Broken Dreams
Part 1 of a 4 Part Series
Jim Pritchett
Swift Creek Community Church
Today is the beginning of a new service series “Broken.” We go around with smiles on our faces, trying to act like everything is OK. But in reality, most of us have broken dreams, broken hearts, and broken lives.
Today we’re talking about “Restoring Hope to Broken Dreams.” Experiencing broken dreams is not a rare experience–it’s all too commonplace. A few years ago, Jimmy Ruffin and the Temptations recorded a song that asked a question: “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?” He sang, “As I walk this land with broken dreams / I have visions of many things/ Love’s happiness is just an illusion / Filled with sadness and confusion/ What becomes of the broken hearted / Who had love that’s now departed? / I know I’ve got to find some kind of peace of mind/ maybe...”
There’s a scene in a recent movie about a broken dream. Friday Night Lights was set in west Texas, in the late 1980’s. Let me tell you, they are absolutely crazy about football in Texas.
This movie is supposed to be based on a true story. Boobie Miles was the star running back of his high school football team. All the colleges were trying to recruit him, and people were saying things like “Heisman potential” about him. After months of dreaming, and bragging, and talking trash, his football career ended with a knee injury, and was time to hang it up and to clean out his locker. There’s a really touching sad scene as this young man collapses into the arms of his uncle, with his great dreams of a championship football career all gone.
Sooner or later, you are going to have an experience like that. Sooner or later, you will experience some broken dreams along the path of life. Some of you may be struggling with feelings like this right now.
Luke Chapter 24 takes place after the Resurrection. Jesus had tried, over and over, to explain to his followers what was going to happen, but it’s like they just didn’t get it. I guess it was just too impossible. Too preposterous. Too wonderful.
Luke 24:13-17 (NLT)
That same day two of Jesus' followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles out of Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. Suddenly, Jesus himself came along and joined them and began walking beside them. But they didn't know who he was, because God kept them from recognizing him.
"You seem to be in a deep discussion about something," he said. "What are you so concerned about?"
They stopped short, sadness written across their faces.
There are a couple of key phrases here: “so concerned” and “sadness written across their faces.” Imagine these two, trudging along the road, with heads down, shoulders stooped, sadly putting one foot in front of the other on this slow, seven mile hike.
They replied to Jesus, (my paraphrase), “What rock have you been under? Haven’t you heard all of the news in Jerusalem? Haven’t you heard about Jesus of Nazareth? He was a great prophet, a teacher extraordinaire, and he performed miracles, and healings. But the chief priests rejected him, handed him over to the Romans to be crucified. We had hoped he would be the real Messiah, the one who would overthrow Rome, and redeem Israel. But now three days have passed, and some women have even reported that his body is missing! I guess we were wrong about him.”
Luke 24:25 (NLT)
Then Jesus said to them, "You are such foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures.
They were on a seven mile hike; they had time; so it says Jesus began with Moses and all the Prophets, and he explained everything that had been set forth in the Scriptures concerning himself. (Wouldn’t you like to have a recording of that?)
You would have thought the “light bulbs” would come on at this point, wouldn’t you? But these guys were just like we too often are. They didn’t quite yet get it. You see -
• Most of us have “head knowledge” about Jesus.
You can go to church every Sunday. You can read the Bible from cover to cover. You can listen to great preachers & teachers on your radio every day. But if it’s all just “head knowledge” it won’t help you much. You’ll be like these guys, still lonely and sad.
We need to have our eyes opened to spiritual things. All of you need to take the “Experiencing God” course. One of the main teachings you will learn is “God is at work all around us. Instead of trying to get God to bless what you are doing, you need to join God in what He is doing.” Point two:
• Many times, God is at work, but we do not recognize it.
These travelers had Jesus right there, walking with them, but they didn’t recognize him. Are we ever like that? You bet! Too often, we are focused on ourselves, and on what we want to do. It’s all about my own little agenda, and so I don’t experience God, or see Him at work.
I recently had a little bout with my eyes and my contact lenses. I scratched my cornea. It’s OK now. Sometimes it’s an aggravation to have to deal with glasses and contacts and all. But now, I understand. Now, I actually thank God that I am nearsighted. That’s right, I thank God.
Why? Because I was headed down a very different track in life. When I was in high school, my plans were to go to Va. Tech, and get a degree in Aerospace Engineering, and then join the Air Force. I had the grades. My aptitude tests matched up. I would finish school, enter the service as a Lieutenant, and then go to flight school. What a totally cool plan!
One of my best friends, Mike, wanted to do the same thing. We would be like on “Top Gun” – “Maverick” and the “Goose.” (I know you are all giggling, but we really were serious. Hey, somebody’s got to do it!) Then the day came to visit the Air Force recruiter. He liked Mike, and said, “Stay in touch, and let me know how you are doing in school.” To me he said, “Sorry. If you don’t have 20/20 vision or better, we can’t take you.”
Slam-Dunk!! I was crushed. You’re not supposed to cry in front of other guys, so I held it in. But when I got alone in my car, the scene was about like the one from Friday Night Lights. What was I going to do? My hopes and dreams were crushed. And my spirit cried out: “God, why did you make me this way? This is a bad dream. What can I do now? How about a miracle healing thing?” It took me years to realize that God was at work, and He had bigger plans, better plans for me. I am so glad now that I didn’t end up with an engineering degree, in the Air Force.
I don’t know all that is going on in your life, but I do know that God loves you. He has a wonderful plan for you. And He is at work, right now, in the world. We need to open the eyes of our spirits to see what God is doing, and then join Him.
In this account from Luke 24, I think it is significant that Jesus comes to Cleopas and the other unnamed person, the two travelers. He started walking with them. He matched their stride. He took time to understand what they were thinking and feeling.
Remember Psalm 23: “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”
This Luke 24 story helps us to understand that –
• God will reach out to you in your brokenness.
Things begin to change when you begin to listen to Jesus. The Spirit of God will move in your heart and mind. You begin to discern spiritual things, and you begin to experience the presence of the resurrected Lord. You might feel like these Emmaus Road travelers: dejected, discouraged, alone. You were hoping for something to happen, and it didn’t happen for you. But Jesus is reaching out to you. Like the old song says, “Put your hand in the nail-scarred hand.”
The Bible records that the three travelers came to a village, and night was falling, so they decided to spend the night. They invited Jesus to join them. (Maybe they thought splitting the cost of the motel room three ways instead of two would be smart!) So they check in, and then they go over to a nearby restaurant. The waitress brings them some bread, and when Jesus breaks the bread and blesses it, wow! Suddenly they recognized who it was! Wow! It is Jesus! And then the Bible says, “He disappeared from their sight.” (weird!!) Here’s my point:
• We will recognize Jesus when we fellowship with him.
How do you do that? It’s probably a little different for each person. I think it starts with an invitation.
Jesus said, “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in.” (Rev. 3:20)
Try things like: spending time alone, getting in touch with your spirit and God’s spirit, reading the Bible devotionally, and being in fellowship with God’s people.
Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I will be there.” (Matt. 18:20)
Another consideration is unconfessed sin. You can’t hold on to Jesus with one hand, and hold on to sin with the other hand. He won’t share your heart. If he’s not Lord of All, He’s not Lord at all. To fellowship with Jesus, you’ve got to confess your sins, repent, and ask the Spirit of God to fill your life.
Broken dreams are painful. They rip out your heart. You will feel like quitting life, if you are stuck there with no hope. The wonderful truth is:
• Your sadness can be changed into joy and peace when you encounter Jesus.
The two Emmaus Road travelers were so excited when they realized that they had been with Jesus, they forgot about the king-sized beds and cable TV and the free continental breakfast at the motel! Luke records that they got up and returned immediately to Jerusalem. In the dark. Without flashlights. They were dragging along before. Now, I imagine their pace picked up! They probably jogged most of the way. Kind of a half-marathon!
When they got there, they found the Believers assembled, and they shared their news. The others had a similar report. Jesus had appeared to Simon Peter. As they were talking, Jesus appeared again among them, and he said, “Peace be with you.”
What an interesting thing to say! Peace be with you. How true. How appropriate. These people were living with confusion, sadness, broken dreams. This was all replaced by understanding, joy, and peace. When you encounter Jesus, in his power and love, he sets things right.
Let’s pray
What’s going on with you?
Do you have a broken dream? A deep disappointment? Something that has not gone the way you hoped it would? Someone who has let you down?
Jesus will come along side you, if you let him.
He will help you sort things out.
He will give you hope and a new direction.
We call on You this morning.
Give hope to each person here today with a broken dream.
Replace it with something better.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen
You are invited to come forward for prayer as we sing our closing song.
