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Teachable Spirit

Teachable Spirit

Words of Faith 2-26-19

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2019

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Luke 24

    [13] Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. [14] They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. [15] As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; [16] but they were kept from recognizing him.

    [25] He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! [26] Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" [27] And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

    [28] As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. [29] But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.

    [30] When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. [31] Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. [32] They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

 

       The first step of the journey to Emmaus is simply to start.  The second is to trust another.  The third is to welcome a stranger named Jesus.  We may not recognize Him at first because He is most certainly quite different that who we imagine Him to be.  But we do recognize it is the truth that He conveys.

        The fourth step of this journey is to have a teachable spirit.  The two travelers might well have been offended by the rebuke of this unknown traveler but instead they continued on with a teachable spirit.  When we encounter the risen Christ, He will always confront us.  He is gentle of course but He may confront our theology, our social views, our moral reasoning, our motivations or our lifestyle.  He will confront and rebuke us but we will also sense that His rebuke is given in absolute love for us. 

        We have a choice about the way we respond to the rebuke of Jesus.  If we choose to respond with a teachable spirit we will grow in our walk with Him.  After we welcome the Lord we must allow HIM to teach us.  We are not there to teach Him.  He reveals and explains the Scripture to us.  We may marvel at this earthly teacher or that.  Other teachers are helpful.  But we must be open to the Lord Jesus teaching us.   

        The alternative is to always be embattled in our walk with the Lord or to walk another way.  Many have sought to walk with the Lord but then have spent enormous energy justifying their lifestyle or theology to Him instead of listening.  Listen, with a teachable spirit.

        The fifth step of the journey is to invite Him to stay. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther.   But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.

        The Lord will come along side.  He will walk with us.  He will instruct us.  But at some point we must make that same decision.  There is a level of spiritual discovery that is enlightening but to move on we must make the decision to invite Him in.  Do you want Him to come in and stay?  Jesus does not want to just walk along with you for a while.  Jesus does not want to just reveal insight to you.  Jesus does not want to be your occasional advisor.  Jesus wants to come in for supper.  He wants to move into your house.  He does not want to be an occasional guest.  He wants a permanent place.

           When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.  They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

           When we invite Him in, He reveals Himself.  That is the order of things.  We get it backwards.  We often say:  If you will reveal yourself, then I will invite you in. Faith does not work that way.  By faith we invite Him in, and then He reveals Himself more fully.

         Where are you on the journey of the spirit?  Perhaps you are just taking the first step.  You may have even been in a very religious environment for a long time but until you actually start the journey you are still in a place of confusion.  Have you trusted another person?  Have you welcomed Jesus and walked with a teachable spirit?  Have you beckoned Him in to stay in your life? 

 

         Jesus, I want the wholeness that only You can provide.  I want the completeness of being home with You.  I offer myself to You with a teachable spirit.  Show me the things I need to change.  Reveal to me the ways I need to grow.  Come in a stay with me for always.  In Jesus' name.