"He Has The Keys 2" Series

Matthew 27:51-54

Revelation 1:17-18

5 August 2007

U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris

Fort Ord Chapel

Seaside, California

&

Community Missionary Baptist Church

Pacific Grove CA

BIG IDEA: PUT YOUR TRUST AND CONFIDENCE in Jesus who has the keys to open and shut the doors of hell and death.

REFERENCES: The Hebrew Name “Eliakim” means to “Whom God will raise up”; Eliakim was a good man (Isa. 22:20; 2 Kings 18:37), and had a splendid and honorable

career – Bible Encyclopedia; Romans 2: 11 (KJV) For there is no respect of persons with God;Revelation 1:17-18 KJV (And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last; I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death); Revelation 3:7 RSV (And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ’The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one shall shut, who shuts and no one opens); Isaiah 22:22 RSV (And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open); Psalms 24:7 (Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in); Matthews 16:19 (And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.); Matthew 27:51-54 KJV ( And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God);

I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: Matthew 27:51-54 KJV; Revelation 1:17-18 KJV

II. READ THE PERICOPE: Matthew 27:51-54; Revelation 1:17-18

III. READ THE TEXT: Revelation 1:18 KJV (I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore *, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death ).

IV. PURPOSE: To encourage believers to PLACE ALL OF THEIR TRUST AND CONFIDENCE in Jesus who has the keys to open and shut the doors of hell and death.

V. SERMONIC THEME: “He Has The Keys 2“

VI. Protaganist/Symbols: Door and Keys

INTRODUCTION:

Some time ago, while reading, I came across a story which addressed the necessity of motivation … and how …

with the right type of motivation … we (as human beings) … can be inspired to accomplish … what seemly can’t be done.

___________________

According to the story … there was a certain man who often walked through a cemetery on his way home.

However, one night, though, unaware that a new grave had been dug in his path, he tumbled in the new grave.

For some time, afterwards, he struggled to get out of the 7 Foot deep grave, … until finally he gave up … and settled down … for the night.

An hour later, a RETIREE who was out hunting … for Deer, Coons and Possums … came walking through the cemetery in Monterey…and he too fell into the grave.

The RETIREE started a desperate attempt to get out; unaware that there was anyone else in the grave.

The first man listened to him for a few minutes, … then he reached over in the pitch darkness … and laid a hand on the man’s shoulder saying,

“You can’t get out of here,” … BUT HE DID.

Now … we may laugh … but the events SURROUNDING THE First Day of The Week …

**********************TAKE 5 BEATS*******************

MOVE 1: …. GIVES US HOPE AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO DO … WHAT SOMETIMES LOOK IMPOSSIBLE!

a. BUT… WITH JESUS …. WE CAN DO ….

b. BECAUSE HE WILL NEVER FORSAKE US … AND THERE IS NO RESPECT OF PERSONS WITH … HIM (Rom. 2:11);

c. … FOR WHAT … HE HAS DONE FOR OTHERS, HE WILL DO FOR US…

d. I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED; BUT I’VE FOUND OUT ….HUMANKIND (BE IT EMPLOYEE OR EMPLOYER) WILL DISAPPOINT YOU …!

e. It doesn’t matter how CHARMING … or how powerful he or she maybe, …

f. … or what authority HE or SHE may have … the fact of the matter is … man IS … LIMITED.