We Can Take Him at His Word
Easter is one of those days where everyone walks in thinking, “I already know this story.”
Cross. Tomb. Empty. He is risen. Brunch.
But in Luke 24:44–53, Jesus gives us a lens that keeps Easter from becoming just a religious rerun. He reminds His disciples (and us) of something huge:
You can take Him at His word.
Over and over again, Jesus told His disciples:
- I’m going to Jerusalem.
- I’ll be betrayed.
- I’ll be killed.
- I’ll be buried.
- On the third day, I’ll rise again.
He was not subtle.
Even His enemies remembered this and posted guards at the tomb.
The disciples heard all of that… and still spent Friday night through early Sunday living in fear, confusion, and chaos. Why?
Because they didn’t take Him at His word.
And honestly, that’s us too.
This sermon walked us through what changes when we do take Jesus at His word—and how Easter proves we actually can.
Faith: Taking God at His Word
One simple definition of faith:
Faith is taking God at His word.
Not:
- “I feel it.”
- “I fully understand it.”
- “It matches my emotions.”
But:
“He said it. He is trustworthy. So I’m going to build my life on it.”
Our faith is only as strong as the object of our faith.
You might not understand how a plane stays in the air, but you trust it enough to get on.
With Jesus, Easter is the moment that settles the question:
- If He did not rise from the dead → nothing He said matters.
- If He did rise from the dead → everything He said is true and carries weight.
We’re operating from this conviction:
Jesus really rose from the dead.
And because He did, we can take Him at His word.
So what happens when we do?
Luke 24 shows us three big things.
1. When We Take Him at His Word, We Have Answers
“These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you,
that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
(Luke 24:44)
Before this moment, the disciples were:
- Confused
- Afraid
- Hopeless
- Emotionally spinning
But Jesus doesn’t give them a new plan—He reminds them of what He already said.
“These are my words… that I spoke to you…”
In other words:
“You wouldn’t have been this confused if you had believed what I told you.”
God is not the author of confusion; He’s the author of peace and a sound mind.
His Word doesn’t answer every question we can think of—but it answers the ones that actually matter:
- Where did we come from?
- Who are we?
- What’s wrong with the world?
- Is there any hope?
- What is life for?
And even when we don’t fully understand or emotionally agree, truth is still truth.
You might not like gravity, but you still live like it’s real.
You might not understand exactly how medicine works, but you take it.
You might not feel like you’re getting older, but your knees will tell you otherwise.
In the same way, God’s Word is true whether we:
- Like it
- Get it
- Feel it
Taking Him at His word means we let His truth define reality.
Live this out this week
- Name your confusion.
Where are you most anxious or uncertain right now? Finances? Health? Future? Relationships?
Write it down and literally pray: “Lord, I feel confused about ______, but I want Your Word to lead me, not my feelings.” - Find one clear answer in Scripture.
Pick a specific passage that speaks into that area:- Worried? → Philippians 4:4–7
- Afraid? → Isaiah 41:10
- Unsure of purpose? → Ephesians 2:10
Read it daily this week and treat it like a settled truth, not a vague idea.
- Limit your noise intake.
Trade 10 minutes of scrolling or news for 10 minutes in God’s Word.
Less confusion in; more clarity from Him.
2. When We Take Him at His Word, We Have Forgiveness
“This is what is written:
The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day,
and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all the nations…”
(Luke 24:46–47)
Jesus didn’t just predict His death and resurrection.
He also told us what it would accomplish:
Repentance for the forgiveness of sins
in His name
for all nations.
That means:
- Your sin is real.
- Your guilt is real.
- But His forgiveness is even more real.
Many of us are like Peter:
- We’ve blown it badly.
- We replay our worst moments.
- Emotionally, it feels unforgivable.
Peter denied Jesus three times.
Yet after the resurrection, Jesus specifically made sure Peter knew He was still wanted, still loved, still called.
You may not feel forgivable.
You may not understand how God could forgive you again.
But forgiveness isn’t based on your feelings.
It’s based on His promise:
“If we confess our sins,
He is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
(1 John 1:9)
There is no “maybe” forgiveness in Jesus—only promise forgiveness.
But there’s also an important word Jesus uses:
“Repentance for forgiveness of sins…”
We don’t get to cling to our sin and still claim His promises.
We lay it down, agree with God about it, and turn toward Him.
Live this out this week
- Call your sin what it is.
Not just “a struggle” or “a bad habit.”
In prayer, say plainly: “Lord, this is sin. I agree with You about it.” - Practice real repentance.
Repentance = a change of mind that leads to a change of direction.
Ask: “What is one practical step I can take to walk away from this?”
That might mean:- Deleting an app
- Setting a filter
- Ending an unhealthy situation
- Bringing someone else into the struggle
- Trust that He really does forgive.
After you confess, refuse to keep rehearsing old guilt as if He didn’t hear you.
When the shame comes back, answer it with His Word, not your feelings: “He said He forgives and cleanses. I’m going to take Him at His word.”
3. When We Take Him at His Word, We Have a Purpose
“You are witnesses of these things.
And look, I am sending you what my Father promised…
stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”
(Luke 24:48–49)
If there is no resurrection and no eternity, Paul says life basically boils down to:
“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” (1 Corinthians 15:32)
No resurrection =
No ultimate meaning.
No lasting purpose.
Just survival + pleasure until it’s over.
But because Jesus did rise:
- Your life is not random.
- You’re not an accident.
- You were created on purpose, for a purpose.
Jesus tells His disciples:
- You are witnesses.
- You will be empowered by the Holy Spirit.
- You’re going to carry this message—repentance and forgiveness in His name—to the nations.
That calling didn’t die with the original disciples.
If you belong to Jesus, your life is now tied to His mission.
Your job, your neighborhood, your school, your family, your gifts—
all of it becomes part of a bigger story:
Making Christ known.
Passing on the hope of the resurrection.
Living for something that outlasts you.
And here’s the good news:
You don’t have to be famous, impressive, or powerful to live a life that matters eternally.
Obscure Christians who take Jesus at His word and quietly live on mission often leave deeper eternal impact than the most celebrated names on earth.
Live this out this week
- Pray a simple availability prayer: “Jesus, I’m Yours. Use me however You want this week.”
Not complicated. Just honest. - Look for one person to encourage or invite.
- Share how God has been faithful in your life.
- Invite someone to church or your group.
- Check in on someone who’s hurting and pray with them, not just for them.
- Remember what lasts.
When you’re tempted to live only for comfort, money, or approval, remind yourself: “Everything I build for myself fades.
What I do for Jesus echoes into eternity.”
The Result: Worship, Joy, and Confidence
“After worshiping Him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
And they were continually in the temple praising God.”
(Luke 24:52–53)
Once the disciples finally connected the dots—
once they saw that Jesus really did exactly what He said He would do—
their fear turned into:
- Worship
- Joy
- Ongoing praise
Easter is God shouting to the world:
“You can take Me at My word.”
- You can trust what He says about sin.
- You can trust what He says about forgiveness.
- You can trust what He says about eternity.
- You can trust what He says about you.
If you don’t know Jesus yet…
The promise is for you too.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Turn from your sin.
Trust in what Jesus did on the cross and in His resurrection.
You don’t have to clean yourself up first—come to Him as you are in repentance and faith.
If you already belong to Jesus…
The question isn’t just, “Do I believe the resurrection happened?”
It’s:
“Where in my life am I still not taking Him at His word?”
This week, let Easter reshape how you:
- Think
- Trust
- Repent
- Worship
- Live on mission
Because He has risen just as He said—
and that means every other word He has spoken is just as trustworthy.