Take Ye Away The Stone

Theme: 

TAKE  YE AWAY THE STONE

Introduction

Take ye away the stone is a command from Jesus. There are many forms of situations and conditions in our lives today that bear similarity to that of Lazarus. Even though the stone may not be a physical rock but the effect of the presence may be the same, i.e Hindrance to do good, Poverty, Infertility in marriage, non-achievement, hardship and slavery, stagnation, general failure in all areas of your  destiny. It may even be your inability to boldly stand up to give your life to Jesus and be born again.
Jesus Christ said “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls”Mt11^28-29.

As you come today, may the word of the Lord find visible expression in those areas of your life where the world has placed a stone in Jesus name. Amen.

There is always a cause- Jn11¹

Lazarus, a friend of Jesus was sick. As Christians, many of us are sick (physically and spiritually) and we are not taking note. It is the Lord’s earnest desire to heal us and I pray the Lord will heal us in Jesus name. But in the case of Lazarus, Jesus said “the sickness is not unto death….” (Do you know why you are in that condition? Do not sorrow for the Lord will bring you out today in Jesus name). Lazarus died and was dead for four days before Jesus came.

Your View or God’s View Ps33¹¹, Jer29¹¹, 111Jn2 Isa43^1-2

Four days is more than enough for man to conclude that this sleep is nothing but death. Just like forty years is enough to conclude that a woman without child is barren, your age is enough to conclude you cannot marry again, get a desired job, get admission, your present situation that has persisted for so long is enough to conclude that you can no longer build your own house, start off your business, buy a car, gain admission WHEREAS to God , you should be strong in faith (he that believes will not make haste), thanking God and enjoying your leave like Lazarus.

Can the World Help Matters? Jn16³³, Jn15^19,24,

The world is always quick to jump into conclusions and label situations-barren, loser, cursed, incurable, closed case, etc. Once Lazarus closed his eyes in this divine sleep for a few hours- perhaps they called and he did not answer; they did pulse test that turned out to failures, then they concluded he must be dead.

Human Love is Limited

The people we would think they loved Lazarus but as soon as the all agreed he’s dead, the went and prepared him for burial, wrapped him in grave clothing’s, put him in a cave and ceiled the grave with stone-just to avoid the smell of the Lazarus they claim to love. They actually loved themselves- it was not recorded that they ever looked for Jesus while Lazarus was still sick.

Even Lazarus beloved sisters couldn’t think of anything else to do than to take him to that cave and bury him. The world will only help you to make your condition worse. They always take from you without thinking of what to give back to you-if they must give back, expect just anything. If you have money the world will take, food they will take, talents they will demand, life they will help you use till you die.

At the point they ceiled his grave the were saying in clear terms

This is Lazarus our brother, the friend of Jesus

This happens to be his last bus stop

This is where his destiny ended

We loved him but he has joined the ancestors

We will no longer see him again

He is no longer fit to be among us

He has been cut off from among the living

He has expired and is no longer relevant

Is the world saying this about your life in some areas, Just wait

And Here Come Jesus- Vs21,  Acts 10³⁸,Ps102¹³

Jesus knew that He had a divine appointment to see Lazarus and He knew very well His timing-Vs6

The disciples tried to discourage him(Vs8) and even mocked him(Vs16) but Jesus knew what He was going for.

It doesn’t matter who your enemies are when Jesus comes, only His opinion counts- Jer 29:11

How Well Do You Know Jesus- Phil3¹⁰

Matha thought she knew Jesus very well but she was wrong.

To her Jesus was a healer, petty miracle worker who could only open blind eyes, cause the lame to walk, cleanse lepers- as far as she was concerned Jesus can do it if the person is still alive BUT to raise a dead, no talk less of a dead of four days- decomposing, stinking rubbish- not possible and unimaginable.

She believed up to the last minutes of Lazarus but He died, she concluded like many of us today, that it’s finished. “I can no longer have a child(menopause), get healed of fibroids(it’s been there for long), get that job(age and experience), win that contract, build a house, buy a car, go to school(sponsor is dead) and most importantly some say I can no longer serve God(too far into sin and the world)

Even when Jesus was telling Matha what was about to take place, she still found it difficult to agree but said I know you talk so much about the resurrection of the dead, Lazarus will now partake of that. But Jesus said I am here now so, Life is here, Resurrection is here- I would like to see the situation

Where Do you Lay Him? Vs 34, Rev 2⁵ , 2Kgs 6⁶,2^19-21

This question came forth from Jesus to Lazarus’ sisters..

You must always remember at what point you lost the peace, the joy, the health you once had for your miracle starts at that point. There is a situation in your life, in your destiny, in your career that you have considered dead and the world has helped you to agree and to cover it with grave clothing and ceiled it for you. Jesus is asking where do you lay him?

Jesus Wept

Why did Jesus weep?

He wept to demonstrate His human nature

He was moved with compassion- Heb4¹⁵

He wept when he saw what men did to the one they confessed to love- He pitied those they hate.

He wept at the level of faith displayed

He wept at the level of selfishness and care for self displayed by Lazarus friends

He wept at what was done to His friend

As Jesus was weeping they misunderstood him thinking

See helpless Jesus, he would have healed him now if he’s still alive but now he’s dead

He was again cast down when the people said could he not keep him from dieing-Vs 37 & 38.

Many of us have done similar things to our talents and gifts that would have brought exploits to the kingdom and deliverance to us and our generation, we have not only buried faith, joy, peace, salvation, patience, longsuffering, giving to God but we have also laid a stone to ceil the tombs.

Action time

Take Away the Stone

Jesus did not continue to weep. He encouraged Himself (like David-1Sam30⁶)when He discovered that the professional pity party only made Him to be more sad and sorrowful with their increasing wailing and shedding of crocodile tears.

He wiped away His tears and went into action.

You must stop crying and see the opportunity for exploit in your situation by applying work and fighting the good fight of faith. How?

Jesus charged the professional pity party assembly to take away the stone-after all they laid it.

There are certain situations we find ourselves that we on our own cannot come out. We need each other

Just the time he asked them to take the stone away for Lazarus, divine ability to do it was released- do not fear when the Lord ask you to do a thing.

Lazarus being in the tomb could not help himself but Jesus used his people for the first step to his breakthrough

All things work together for good- they came to morn for him but they were used for his deliverance.

Jesus used the people who laid the stone to remove it(owners of evil load carry your load, I want to come out)

They Don’t Give up Easily Ps137^1-3, Zech3¹

Matha, even at the final point was still convincing Jesus of the need to leave the tomb alone

Even at the last point of your breakthrough, the enemy will still be trying but God has the final say

Thanks giving Phil4⁶, Ps100⁴

Finally Jesus gave thanks and acknowledged God, and confessed His belief that God has already heard him. Then he commanded- Lazarus come forth” and he came forth

He came forth to life but with the dead and graveyard identity. Jesus further said to his people, “loose him and let him go- There was rejoicing and surprises. Revival broke forth.

They did it to Jesus Too- Jn15¹⁸

Jesus Christ died and was buried just as Lazarus, a stone was rolled to ceil His tomb and soldiers were even appointed to ensure that no one came to Him.

At the time of resurrection God sent angels to roll away the stole.

Why the Stone was Taken Away

It was impossible for the living to dwell among the dead

God remembered the man the world has forgotten

Death was going to receive an august visitor that was coming to plunder him- 1Cor15⁵⁵

Hope was being restored to the hopeless

God will not allow His holy one to see corruption-Ps16¹⁰

Blessed are those who morn for they shall be comforted-Mt5⁴

Whatever a man sows that shall he also reap. Even if there is no one to pay back, the law of God cannot be broken; you will surely reap that which you sow.

PP

Lord I thank you that You have heard me. And You  always hear me in Jesus name

Lord remove my trouble from the source in Jesus name-Ps34⁶

From today, I view my self in the light of your word in Jesus name

O lord, remove every evil label/title on my destiny by the blood of Jesus in Jesus name

Let my time of deliverance and divine visitation come today in Jesus name

Lord, step into my life and change my destiny for the better in Jesus name

Help me Lord to know you and all you represent in Jesus name

Lord wipe my tears and open my eyes to see divine opportunities for exploits and breakthrough in Jesus name

Anointing to play my part well to receive my miracle fall on me today in Jesus name

Every stubborn enemy of my miracle be put to shame in Jesus name

Owners of evil stones in my life take away your stones and depart from me in Jesus name