Take Him At His Word
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Sermon Series: XXXXXXXXXX
Sermon: “TAKE HIM AT HIS WORD”
MATTHEW 28: 1-20 (FOCUS VERSE 5)
Date: 17 APRIL 2022
INTRODUCTION. Family, I don’t know about you, but I love kids.
They are beautiful, wonderful and amazing.
I have found out that if you promise a child something, you
better come through on your promise.
They hold and believe every Word you say.
I AM REMINDED OF A STORY. There were two children of one
parent. The father decides that he want to bless HIS TWO BOYS
with THEIR TOP, #1 TOY CHOICE.
Well, the older boy knows the present will be expensive. He
begins to doubt whether his father can afford to purchase it.
He remembers how he talked back to his father and
broken his parent’s commands, and, therefore, he doubts
whether he shall ever have it, for he feels that he is unworthy.
He walks around the house without any joy, no smiles, no
confidence. If anybody asks him whether his father will give him
this present or not, he says, “Well, I—I hope so. I trust so.”
Now, there is his little brother, and the moment he heard that
he was to have this present he clapped his hands and ran out to his
companions, and said, “I am to have such-and-such a thing given to
me.”
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His brother checked him got upset: “You are too arrogant to
say that.”
“No,” said the little one, “for father said he would give these
toys to us.”
“But,” said the other, “remember that you and I have often
broken his commands!”
“But he said he would.” “Oh, but the thing is expensive!”
“But father said he would. The little one got bold and
audacious.
Filled with faith, the little one said, “And unless you can prove
that my father tells lies, I will go and rejoice in the bright hope that
he will keep his WORD.”
My Brothers and Sister, No matter how excellent your
reasoning may seem to be, how clear the situation may be, or how
many people have let you down, it is always pride to doubt God.
It is always prided to Judge the goodness of God based on what
you went through.
Yet, to believe God, with your mind, which never can
understand the bravery of faith, it may look arrogant, but if you
know Him, you know what He Can Do!
Yes, My God can do exceedingly abundantly above all that
we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him
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be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever
and ever. Amen
God says, If I say it, It Will Happen. It will Come to Pass.
TRANSITION. I love this about God. He is a God Who Comes
Through on His Word.
He is God who can PUT up and SHOW up.
So I have something more than my retirement to rely
upon.
I have something more than my friends to fall back on.
And I have something more than my job to journey on.
Today, You and I have can the Word of God for our lives.
The Bible is the Word of God.
For, His Word Gives you Direction For the Bible says, “The
steps of a good person are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth
in his way.”
His Word Gives you a Future.[We All Want to Have a Great
Future for us and our kids] For the Bible says, “For I know the plans
I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not
to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”
And His Word Gives you Hope. [We Have All Had Some Rough
Times In Our Lives] For the Bible says, “weeping may endure for a
night, but joy comes in the morning.”
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God’s Word can you have all of this today. You may feel like
you are missing something in your life. You may have it all, or may
be missing a few things.
I know the secret that will push you to a better marriage; a
better life; a better bank account; a better network of friends; and a
better hope in healing and joy.
It is the Word of God.
For the Bible says, Man shall not live by bread alone, but
by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
It not a matter of what is said, but a matter of Who Says It.
Because of Whom Says It Let’s you know whether you can trust
them or not.
I know you know some folks in your family who say one thing
and do another. Some of you all still waiting on that ten dollars they
were supposed to pay you back.
Some of you all are still waiting for them to return a tank of
Gas.
Some of you are still waiting for them to show up at your game;
or even take you out.
People have abuse others because they failed to follow
through on their Word.
Don’t tell me that you will be there for me and when I need
you, you are no where to be found.
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Don’t tell me that you will help me get a job, but every time
I ask, you change the conversation.
Don’t tell me that you will love me and, but every time I see
you, you hugged up on someone else.
Don’t tell me that that you are a leader, a head, or even a
manager, but nowhere to be found in hard times.
You might not can trust the word of people, but Beloved, you
can Trust the Word of God.
For the Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and
lean not unto thine own understanding.In all thy ways
acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
It is with a Word, that Jesus shows you and I that we can trust
Him.
With a Word, Jesus Spoke a Word to a Syro-Phoenician
Woman. Her daughter was out of control, wilding out, and could not
find rest because she was possessed.
Yet, with a Word, Jesus said because of your faith, your
daughter is no longer troubled she is well.
With a Word, Jesus Spoke to a raging sea. Yes, it threatened to
flood the ship, capsized the boat, and drown the disciples.
Yet, with a Word, Jesus caused the Sea to be still and hope to
return to the disciples and faith increase.
• It was a Word.
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With a Word, Jesus spoke to a High Priest, Jarius, Daughter
who was pronounced dead on arrival.
Yet, Jesus took her small and fragile hand, spoke a Word,
Talitha Cumi which means “little girl, I say get up,” caused a great
family reunion.
It was a Word.
With a Word, Jesus spoke to a Roman Soldier’s beloved servant
who was paralyzed and suffered terribly.
Through faith, the Roman soldier believe if Jesus spoke a
Word without seeing the servant, the servant would be healed.
Yet, with a Word, Jesus said, As thou hast believed, so be it
done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the same hour.
It was a Word.
TRANSITION: In this season, we see Jesus NOW speaking a Word
about himself. He predicted his death (3) Times, but he also
predicted his Resurrection (3) Times.
In the 16 Chapter of Matthew, After feeding the 5,000 with
two fish and 5 loaves of bread.
After feeding the four thousand with a few fish and 7 loaves of
bread, Jesus says, “I must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things
from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, but
something will happen on the third day.
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I need you all to say tuned because where they buried me
at, I will not be there long. I will rise again.
This Is My Word.
In the 17 Chapter of Matthew, after the Mount of
Transfiguration, after causing a little boy to return to playing with
his friends, Jesus speaks a Word.
He says, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be
betrayed into the hands of men: 23 and they shall kill him, but
something will happen on the third day.
I need you all to say tuned because where they buried me
at, I will not be there long. I will rise again.
This Is My Word.
In the 20 Chapter of Matthew, after Jesus tells the Disciples
about the kingdom of God. He tells them that it does not matter
when people hear the Word and be saved, they will receive the same
reward.
Whether you were saved and went to church your whole life,
or if you come today and be saved, all will receive the same reward-
Eternal Life.
So watch what you say because all have sinned and fell short of
the Glory of God. But thanks be to God, there is enough love for
everyone to be saved. So the last shall be first, and the first last:
for many be called, but few chosen.
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After all of this, With a Word, Jesus says, Behold, we go up to
Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief
priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,
19and shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge,
and to crucify him: But I want to give you a sneak preview.
I want to give you the trailer, So say tuned because where
they buried me at, I will not be there long. I will rise again.
This Is My Word.
How do I know Jesus will rise again? After Lazarus had died,
Jesus said your brother will rise again.
Martha said, I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the
last day. Jesus, said, Listen Martha, In case you did not know. I am
the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he
were dead, yet shall he live”.
Jesus is showing himself to be Jesus. I love when Jesus is being
Jesus.
INTO THE TEXT. In this pericope as Matthew puts pen to paper
quill to Parchment, we find out that the Word of God has come true.
Many leaders of false religions have died.
Many leaders of false religions have lied. Many leaders of false
religions have not been crucified.
But, Christ, our leader was crucified, but is now alive.
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If He did not rise, then, (1) Our faith is vain, (2) Our
Preaching is vain,
(3) Our Hope is in Vain.
Because my Hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Blood and
His Righteousness.
THREE THINGS THIS WORD GAVE US: MIRACLE, MESSAGE,
AND A MASTER.
The text is tailor made to teach us today is that the Word Gives Us
a Miracle.
POINT (1) | MIRACLE. Verse 5-6 | “Fear not ye: for I know that ye
seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6He is not here: for he is risen, as
he said.”
This is the miracle of Resurrection Sunday.
Though He was Dead, He Lives Again.
It is interesting that Matthew pens the word, crucified.
The Bible is filled with facts about people rising from the
dead.
What is this all about?
Elijah brought back to life the son of the widow of Zarephath;
When the Israelites were burying a man, they saw a gang, threw the
dead man in Elisha’s tomb, and when the man touch the bones of
Elisha, the man came back to life;
Even Lazarus came back to life. What is so difference?
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All these people had sicknesses or died naturally.
Yet, no one is recorded in scripture who had been crucified,
pierce in their side, nails driven in their hands and feet, blood
streaming out, suffered under Near Eastern hot Sun, parched from
dehydration, and dehumanized and got back up again.
This is the miracle of the Resurrection.
Yes, you too are a miracle. Your life has had some twists
and turn, ups and down, and you felt almost leveled to the
grown.
People have actively tried to bury your name. Sickness has
actively tried to destroy your praise. And the Devil has actively tried
to get you to give up.
When you fail to know God, you forfeit your future and
sabotage your second Chance.
When we deny the God of miracles, we participate in our
own oppression. God has shown you that He can be trusted,
and it is up to you to take Him at His Word.
For the Bible says, The Grass Withers and the Flower Fades,
but the Word of God Shall Stand Forever.
Stop taking every Word you hear as Final, and Everything you
see because if God did not say it is over, then it is not over.
Facebook will try to cancel you; Gossipers will try to scandalize
you; and some of your friends will try to undercut you.
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Yes, you may come at me, you may even succeed, but I am
letting you know that a lot can happen in 3 days.
The same God that raised Jesus from the dead, is the same
God that can give you a second chance.
For the Bible says, Greater is He that is in me than HE that is In
the World.
Your setback is a setup for your comeback…Jesus is keeping
you. When you are up and when you are down, Jesus has hand on
you.
My brother lift up your head, Jesus will provide for you.
My sister lift up your head, Jesus has not forgotten you. Put
your belief in Jesus who who can give you a miracle. Put your hand
in the hand of the man
Who stilled the water
Put your hand in the hand of the man
Who calmed the sea
Put your hand in the hand of the man
From Galilee
The next thing, this text is tailor made to teach us today is that the
Word Gives Us a Message
POINT (2) | MESSAGE. Verse 7 | “And go quickly, and tell his
disciples that he is risen from the dead.” This was a message of
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comfort. A message of hope. A message to let them know that what
I said, it has come to pass.
Yet, You and I have heard some messages that have stopped us
in our tracks. Have you heard any messages or got Word that
dropped your heart?
When a mom or dad or loved died; When your healthcare
has been denied, or When the diagnosis is cancer or AIDs, our
hearts are aching to be relieved.
Weeks ago, I watch the Supreme Court Nominee, Katanji
Brown Jackson on trial, because that is what it looked like.
This barrier breaking moment was being challenged by
mockery and misinformation.
Did you see and hear the unprovoked attacks on her
character? The message she produced was top notch. Harvard
Law, graduated with honors, clerked for the Supreme Court
Justice, and Public Defender.
She is more qualified than any sitting Justice.
Yet, the message that came from the peanut gallery was that
she was unqualified, lenient on pedophiles, and unfit. The tension
was there.
Yet, there was another message that came forth. A message
that put a smile on her face and gave her a second wind.
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Cory Booker told her, I look at you and I am filled emotion.
You got here how every Black woman in America who's gotten
anywhere has done, by being like Ginger Rogers: 'I did everything
Fred Astaire did but backward, in heels. Filled will tears, He says,
Don’t Worry My Sister, God Has Got You.
That is my message today to some of you.
God has Got You. It looks bad; It looks like it will not work out,
but God has Got you.
You might not walk as fast, but keep walking, God has Got You.
You might not kick as high, but keep kicking, God has God
You.
You might smile as much, but keep on trying, God has Got
You.
You might not get the support you need, the love you want, the
joy you seek, nor the peace you desire, but keep on trusting God,
Because, God has Got You.
TRANSITION: The next thing, this text is tailor made to teach us
today is that the Word Shows Us The Master
POINT (3) MASTER: In verse 9, “And as they went to tell his
disciples, behold, Jesus met them.” They were already on their way
because they believed.
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They had set course, put the address in their GPS and headed
to home of the disciples. As they ran toward the house, they had a
delay. They had an interruption.
While they were on their way, The Bibles says, Jesus showed
up. While they were moving, walking, and running in obedience,
Jesus showed up.
He showed up as if to say, I know where you going. Don’t Lose
Heart. Take Me At My Word.
CELEBRATION
You remember on last Sunday, how a COLT WAS UNTIED,
CROWDS WERE CHEERING, AND CHRIST WAS BEING
CELEBRATED AND CHAMPION. T
hey were saying Hosanna, In the Highest, meaning Save Us, We
Pray. I told you that I would, so Take Me At My Word.
Yet, On Thursday, I observed the Passover. I washed the feet
my disciples and I told them, If you Want to be Great, Then First
Become a Servant. Take me at My Word.
On Friday, I was brutalized all night long, bludgeon with
fists, beating with cat-o-nine tails, and belittled by
bloodsucking busters.
Yes, I saw blood oozing all over the place, can you imagine it.
Tears flowed like a river, and pain covered me like a pitch-black
room.
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I had to carry my own cross | Dry my own tears | Suffer
without my friends | and I felt real pain where medicine could not
relieve it, a cliché could not cover it, nor a touch resolve it.
But I told you that I must be wounded for your
transgressions, bruised for your iniquities; the chastisement of
our peace was upon him; and with his stripes you are and will
be healed.
But I told you that I must suffer these things, so Take Me At My
Word.
They Hung Him High, Stretch Him Wide, and He Hung His Head
and for You He Died. Oh Didn’t Die. He Died, Oh Didn’t Die. Yet, He
said in Three Days, I will Rise Again, So Take Him At His Word.
They put Him in cold, old, borrowed Tomb.
On Friday Night, The Folks were Fickled with Fright
Flustered with Fear, and
Flabbergasted in their Faith
Yet, He Still Died.
He Died All Day On Saturday and Laid there in the breast of the
Earth, in a hollowed tomb, covered in darkness, from Sun Up to Sun
Down. Yet, He Said In 3 Days, I will Rise Again, Take Him At His
Word.
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For Bright Early on Sunday Morning, The Sun Cracked at
Twilight, the Darkness Retreated, and He Rose, He Rose, He
Rose from Dead, He Got Up. Living Once Again.
He Snatch the Sting out of Death and Stripped the Victory from
the Grave.
Oh Grave, Where is Your Victory. Oh, Death Where is Thy
Sting.
And Because He Lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He Lives,
All Fear Is Gone, and Because I know He holds the future. And life is
worth the living. Just because He lives.
Because He Lives- This Too Shall Pass
Because He Lives- This sickness will not win
Because He Lives- My loneliness will not last forever
Because He Lives- Trouble Won’t Last Always.
Because He Lives- I can Walk By Faith and Not Sight
I serve a Risen Savior,
IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US.
TAKE HIM AT HIS WORD.
ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD. BECAUSE OF HIS WORD
-The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
-Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. | Psalm 119:105
-Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. | Matthew 24:3
serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today
I know that He is living, whatever men may say
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
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And just the time I need Him He's always near