Staying Positive in a Negative World

Sermon Outline for Sunday, February 28, 2021

Luke 24:30–32 ESV

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?”

Psalm 118:6 ESV

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

We live in a world filled with people who have no hope. According to statistics, 69 percent of the population have negative outlook. Jesus said that in the last days, men’s hearts would fail for fear (Luke 21:26).

The Cause

• Financial distress—”But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped… when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Psalm 73:2, 3).

• Sickness and disease—Job is an example.

• Tragedy

• Rebellious children—”Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth” (Genesis 27:46).

• Unfulfilled dreams—”Hope deferred maketh the heart sick” (Proverbs 13:12).

• Trouble—”It is better for me to die than to live” (Jonah 4:8).

• Struggle and aggravation

• Unanswered prayer—Daniel’s prayer hindered

• Failure, sin, and backsliding—David’s transgressions

The Conditions of Recovery

• Fellowship (Luke 24:14—Fellowship is needed today instead of tendency to withdraw, become aloof.)

• Reason (v. 15)

• Consider past victories.

• Consider where you are now.

• Consider your blessings.

• Realization (vv. 15-17)

• Jesus walked the road with them. They failed to realize who He was. “Their eyes were holden.”

• Jesus is with us even in our darkest hour. He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. (The disciples aboard the ship in the midst of the storm. Jesus comes walking upon the water.)

• Relationship (v. 29).

• “The day is far spent” (v. 29)—the evening is upon us. It behooves us to stay in close fellowship with Jesus.

CONCLUSION: The disciples’ hope was renewed. The fire was rekindled (v. 32). They quickly went out to tell others about their experience with the resurrected Christ.

Pastor Andy Lambert ~ pastorandy@cvcog.church