Sermon snippet – Confusion or Confidence? – The Choice Is Ours
INTRODUCTION – From Luke 24:13-35, I once preached a sermon containing thirty-nine points (for movie buffs, it was entitled “The Thirty-nine Steps”). Today’s message has only four points; try to hide your disappointment. We live in troubled times; each day brings new head-shaking revelations of perfidy and evil. I Corinthians 14:33 reminds us that “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” This Emmaus Road account tells us how to replace the world’s confusion with confidence in Christ.
- WE MUST COMMUNE
Cleopas and his unnamed traveling companion were clearly concerned about the crucifixion of Christ Jesus. Verse 21 reveals that they “trusted that it had been He [Who] should have redeemed Israel.” Their confusion was increased by the day’s news that Jesus had risen from the dead. Imagine that Cleopas had been walking alone (or that his friend had). It would have been even harder to deal with the onrush of information and the resulting intense emotions. Ecclesiastes 4:9a states, “Two are better than one.” We need each other to cope with life’s difficulties. We need the encouragement and fellowship of other Christians. These two “communed together” (verse 15) and were strengthened.
- WE MUST REASON
Verse 15 says that these two travelers “reasoned.” You have probably heard it said that Jesus died to take away our sins, not our minds. Christians should ponder the implications of God’s Word and seek to understand the world in its light. Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” This clarity will help us to grow in understanding so that we will not easily be fouled. It is possible to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2). We can think clearly amidst the confusion that surrounds us.
- WE MUST BURN
The Emmaus walkers testified in verse 32, “Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures?” Their hearts were warmed by the truth. Evangelist John Wesley famously said that his heart was “strangely warmed” as he listened to the reading of Luther’s preface to his commentary on Romans, and the result was Wesley’s salvation. I have read that preface and, although I appreciated its truth and intellectual power, was not especially moved. God knows each one of us and reaches out to us individually to bring us to a saving knowledge of Jesus, God the Son. What warms my heart – old Gospel songs, memories of Christians who have influenced me, glimpses of God’s creativity in nature – may not have the same impact on others. However, we all need to “burn within” when Jesus speaks.
- WE MUST REPEAT
In verses 33-35, the Emmaus believers retraced their steps and retold their story. In so doing, they were clarifying things for themselves and helping to clear away the confusion that the other disciples were experiencing. Much of the Christian life is remembering the truths of the faith; rejoicing in God’s past, present, and promised goodnesses; and repeating actions that are right and efficacious. I recall an anecdote about the evangelist Gipsy Smith. When asked why he continued to travel and preach even though he was in his eighties, he responded, “I have never lost the wonder.” He kept doing the same good things, and he was blessed and a blessing.
CONCLUSION – Commune, reason, burn, repeat – someone should sell a T-shirt with that motto on it! More importantly, together we can sweep away the clouds of confusion that cling to us and instead walk confidently in the clarity that Christ Jesus confers.