It’s Giving…Still Here I Robert Madu I Social Dallas

Summary

Social Dallas Podcast: "It’s Giving…Still Here" – Episode Summary

Podcast Information:

• Title: Social Dallas Podcast
• Host/Author: Social Dallas Church
• Episode: It’s Giving…Still Here | Robert Madu | Social Dallas
• Release Date: April 20, 2025

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Introduction

In the April 20, 2025 episode of the Social Dallas Podcast, Pastor Robert Madu and his Co-Pastor delve into a profound reflection on Resurrection Sunday. Titled "It’s Giving…Still Here," the episode intertwines biblical narratives with contemporary life applications, emphasizing the enduring presence and transformative power of Jesus Christ.

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Opening Scripture and Theme

Pastor Robert Madu begins the episode by reading Psalm 92:13-15, setting a tone of spiritual flourishing and resilience:

"Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age..." (00:21).

He introduces the sermon series inspired by Gen Z vernacular, focusing on the phrase "It's giving," evolving through various interpretations:

• Week 1: "It's giving. Not fair."
• Week 2: "It's giving. Never enough."
• Current Episode: "It's giving still here."

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Exploring the Resurrection Narrative

The hosts pivot to the Gospel of Mark (16:1-8), recounting the women’s discovery of the empty tomb:

"Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone because they were afraid." (02:09).

This passage serves as the foundation for the discussion on fear, expectation, and the ongoing presence of God.

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Key Discussions and Insights

God's Presence Anywhere

Pastor Madu emphasizes that God's presence transcends physical sanctuaries:

"Wherever we gather and whenever we gather, lifting up the name of Jesus, he will show up in that place." (05:02).

He shares testimonies of God's manifestation in various secular and unexpected places, reinforcing the belief that God can intervene anywhere:

• Granada Theater on Greenville Avenue
• Wind Spear Opera House
• Strauss Square
• First Fair Park

Co-Pastor adds personal anecdotes, highlighting God's presence amidst unconventional settings:

"I've seen him show up everywhere." (05:58).

The Power of Transformation

The discussion shifts to the transformative power of God, illustrating how He "flips" lives from failure to purpose:

"God will flip some things in your life...He will rewrite stories." (09:31).

Pastor Madu underscores that failures do not disqualify individuals from God's plans:

"Don't get it twisted. Some things I used to be that I'm not anymore." (10:53).

The Significance of the Resurrection

Exploring the resurrection's impact, Pastor Madu explains how it redefines the end:

"Resurrection revolutionized and redefined what it means to be done. Because up until the resurrection of Jesus Christ, death was the end." (15:21).

This victory over death transforms it from a conclusion into a gateway for eternal life.

Overcoming Fear and Doubt

The hosts address the pervasive fear and doubt that can cloud faith, especially in dark seasons:

"Fear not. He is not here, but he is still here." (35:40).

They encourage listeners to continue walking in faith despite uncertainties, drawing parallels to the first Easter:

"Can you still walk while you’re worried? Can you still worship even when you don’t know how it's going to turn out?" (27:36).

The Role of the Disciples

Co-Pastor and Pastor Madu reflect on Peter's transformation post-resurrection, highlighting redemption:

"Peter, you're not disqualified. You're now broken enough to get my grace." (41:07).

They emphasize that God's intent is to use imperfect individuals for His purpose, as exemplified by Peter's pivotal role in the early church.

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Practical Applications

Encouragement to Embrace Grace

Listeners are encouraged to embrace their imperfections and rely on God's grace:

"Don't walk away just because you saw something. The story's not over." (49:26).

Building Community Amidst Struggles

The hosts advocate for building genuine community, where individuals can share their struggles and triumphs, fostering a supportive environment.

Responding to God's Call

A poignant prayer segment invites listeners to surrender their lives to Jesus, reinforcing the message that God's plan continues beyond perceived endings.

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Conclusion

Pastor Robert Madu and Co-Pastor conclude the episode by reaffirming the enduring presence of Jesus Christ. They invite listeners to respond to God's call, reminding them that:

"You don't have a clue what God will do in you and through you." (11:07).

The episode wraps with a heartfelt prayer, urging attendees to give their lives to Jesus and experience the transformative power of His resurrection.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Pastor Madu [00:21]: "Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God."
• Pastor Madu [05:02]: "Wherever we gather and whenever we gather, lifting up the name of Jesus, he will show up in that place."
• Co-Pastor [05:58]: "I've seen him show up everywhere."
• Pastor Madu [09:31]: "God will flip some things in your life... He will rewrite stories."
• Pastor Madu [15:21]: "Resurrection revolutionized and redefined what it means to be done."
• Pastor Madu [27:36]: "Can you still walk while you’re worried? Can you still worship even when you don’t know how it's going to turn out?"
• Pastor Madu [35:40]: "Fear not. He is not here, but he is still here."
• Pastor Madu [41:07]: "Peter, you're not disqualified. You're now broken enough to get my grace."
• Pastor Madu [49:26]: "You don't have a clue what God will do in you and through you."

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Final Thoughts

The "It’s Giving…Still Here" episode serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering presence and the boundless possibilities that arise from embracing His resurrection power. Through scripture, personal anecdotes, and heartfelt prayers, Social Dallas Podcast invites listeners to deepen their faith, overcome fears, and trust in God's continuous work in their lives.

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Thank you for tuning into the Social Dallas Podcast. Subscribe and share to stay connected and build a global community centered on faith and transformation.

Transcript

[Robert Madu]

So let's read it together. Psalm 92. We'll start at verse 13, down to verse 15. Now, if you see somebody next to you who's not looking at the screen and they just got to memorize, don't be impressed. They've been reading it every single. Every single Sunday, we're going to read it together as one big family. Y'all ready?

[Co-Pastor]

You ready?

[Robert Madu]

One, two, three. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age. They shall be fresh and flourishing to declare that the Lord is upright. He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. So should you sound good on Resurrection Sunday. Yeah. Make way.

[Co-Pastor]

We got. We got seats. Come on.

[Robert Madu]

We got seats. We got season. Now, our text for today is going to be in the Gospel according to mark, chapter number 16. And I'm going to look at verses one through eight, mark 16, starting at verse number one. And we'll land at verse number eight. It says, when the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome, bought spices so they might go to anoint Jesus body. And very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb. And they asked each other, who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb? This is what's on their mind. How we gonna get that big old rock out of the way? But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side. That's an angel. And they were alarmed. I bet they were. Don't be alarmed. He said, you are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene who was crucified. He has risen.

[Co-Pastor]

He is not here.

[Robert Madu]

See the place where they laid him. But go tell his disciples. And Peter, he's going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him just as he told you. Verse 8 says, Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone because they were afraid. Can you say amen? Here at social, we have been in a series stolen straight from the vernacular of Gen Z. And that series is, it's giving. We've been asking the question, if somebody was to look at your life, what would they say? It's giving. We started off the series by saying, it's giving. Not fair. Then we preached another message. And we said, it's giving. Never enough. Last week, the message Was. It's giving worth it. By the way, all these are still on social Dallas YouTube, like share and subscribe. And today on Resurrection Sunday, I just want to continue in the series that I want to preach from this thought. It's giving still here. It's giving still here. Would you help me preach and get the atmosphere ready?

[Co-Pastor]

Just look at somebody next to you.

[Robert Madu]

And just say, neighbor, I got a testimony. I'm still here. Oh, that neighbor was stuck up and bougie. They must have been in the parking.

[Co-Pastor]

Lot a long time.

[Robert Madu]

Find another neighbor. Come on. Find another neighbor.

[Co-Pastor]

Come on.

[Robert Madu]

Say other neighbors.

[Co-Pastor]

I'm telling you, I got something to shout about. Want to know what it is? I'm still here. Somebody give God some praise like you're thankful.

[Robert Madu]

Still here, Father. Speak today. Amen. You may be seated if you can. It's giving still here. How many of you could raise your hand and say, this is actually your first time in a social Dallas gathering. Can I see your hand? First time in a social Dallas gathering. First time in a social Dallas service. Wow. Welcome to social athers. If you walked in, maybe you asked yourself the question, why in the world is a church having Easter services at the Toyota Music Factory? Maybe you saw the announcement. Next week we're celebrating our birthday at Texas Trust Theater. Why in the world is a church.

[Co-Pastor]

Having these services in these secular venues? How come y'all don't have a sanctuary?

[Robert Madu]

Where is your building? Well, first of all, you need to understand that here at social we fundamentally believe that wherever we gather and whenever we gather, lifting up the name of Jesus, he will show up in that place. I'm telling you, we believe that thing right there. We believe wholeheartedly that God can show up in anywhere. Hear me on this resurrection Sunday when I tell you God can show up anywhere. Y'all, I am not even four minutes into my Easter message, and I already gave you something you can take home with you to brunch, that God can show up absolutely anywhere. I'm telling you. Not something that I think.

[Co-Pastor]

I'm telling you something that I know.

[Robert Madu]

That your God, when he is invited, when he is welcomed, when he is worshiped in a space, he can show up anywhere.

[Co-Pastor]

Y'all, I've seen him show up at.

[Robert Madu]

Granada Theater on Greenville Avenue.

[Co-Pastor]

I have seen him show up at.

[Robert Madu]

The illustrious Wind Spear Opera house, Y'all.

[Co-Pastor]

I've seen him show up at Gillies in spite of the pungent odor of cannabis and wasps flying in the air. I've seen my God show up at Strauss Square we weren't even inside. We're outside, and we're seeing God's presence. Feel the atmosphere as people get baptized and show that they're going from death to life. I have seen God show up at First Fair Park. I've seen him show up everywhere.

[Robert Madu]

Because God will show up anywhere he wants to show up. You ain't got to take my word for it.

[Co-Pastor]

Somebody on your road will testify and.

[Robert Madu]

Tell you God will show up anywhere.

[Co-Pastor]

Because they've seen God show up in a hospital room. They've seen God show up in the middle of chemotherapy. Somebody will testify and say God will show up in your cubicle when you about to lose your mind and you want to let your co workers know that you can speak in a tongue that needs no interpretation. But you go to your cubicle and just have a moment and start worshiping, and all of a sudden, you cool. And the fruit of the spirit start flowing in your life, because God can show up anywhere. Somebody is watching this online right now and is finding out that God's presence knows no limits. And he's showing up in your living room right now. Somebody is watching this on an app called Pando, and they're watching it, finding out that God can show up in prison and you can be locked up, but be freer than ever before, because God can show up.

[Robert Madu]

He can show up anywhere. When he's welcomed, when he's worshiped, when he's invited. The Toyota Music Factory becomes a sanctuary and a place where he dwells. All that being said, though, I just want to let you know, easter, let's see, 2027. If you come here, we won't still be here. I'm already inviting you to Easter 2027. Now, I just want to let you know, we won't be here. We gonna be over there, like, over there. Over there.

[Co-Pastor]

Like 3.8 miles from here. We gonna be in that building right there. Will become a house of a worship, y'all.

[Robert Madu]

That is the building that our church has acquired, but we haven't stepped into. Yeah. Now, quick history about that building right there. That will be in Easter 2027. When it was originally constructed in 1995, it was the AMC Grand. It was the AMC Grand. It had 24 theaters, and it was on record. Check Google at the time as the largest movie theater in these United States of America. Look at the providential, prophetic nature of your God, who kind of has a sense of humor that he would call. Watch this. A kid that never wanted to be a pastor but always wanted to be an actor and flip the script and take him from being actor wannabe actor to a pastor and then get a building that was constructed to be a movie theater.

[Co-Pastor]

But flip that thing and turn it into a house of worship where Easter 2027. We'll make sure everybody can get in and everybody have a seat. And the name of Jesus will be exhausted. Only God can do that. I'm trying to tell you. This is what our God does. He's always.

[Robert Madu]

He's always flipping stuff.

[Co-Pastor]

That's why you should let God cook. Because God, he will flip some stuff. I'm telling you, read your Bible. You will find that God knows how to flip some stuff.

[Robert Madu]

He will flip a murderer and make.

[Co-Pastor]

Him a church planner. Ask Paul. He will flip a shepherd boy and make him a king. He'll flip something. He will flip a prostitute and named Rahab and make her the keeper of a promise. God knows how to flip some things in your life. He will flip a stutterer named Moses and make him a deliverer. God, if you'll let him cook, he will flip some things in your life. And it won't even look like what it was before when he flipped. Because God didn't just turn the page in people's lives. He will rewrite stories. Let me tell you why some people on your row ain't saying amen and giving that little cute golf clap. It's because they don't want you to know who they were before God. Flip some things in their life. But if the church would tell the truth and tell your real testimony, somebody will say God turned some things in my life. Don't get it twisted. There's some things I used to be that I'm not anymore. I used to be in the Toyota Music Factory and it wasn't for church. But thanks be to God that he can flip some things. So you gotta stop coming into church acting like you in the witness protection program. You ought to open up your mouth and tell God what he brought you out of what he redeemed you from. So somebody else can have hope. That if God say somebody has messed up like you, oh, surely there's hope for me. Somebody needs to take a 20 second praise break. If God has ever flipped some things in your life.

[Robert Madu]

Get somebody next to your high five.

[Co-Pastor]

Say he'll flip it.

[Robert Madu]

God knows how to turn some things around. And I'll tell you that. Hear me? To let you know you don't have a clue what God will do in you and through you. Did you hear what I just Said you don't have a clue what God will do in you and through you. I'll take it deeper. You don't have a clue what God will do, and you don't have a clue when God is done. You don't have a clue when God is done. I want you to know something today. I don't care how many degrees you got.

[Co-Pastor]

I don't care how smart you are. I don't care your cognitive capacity. I know you matriculated from the upper echelon of the most prestigious university.

[Robert Madu]

You'll know when God is done. And stop letting other people determine when God is done in your life. See, we live in a culture where.

[Co-Pastor]

Everybody is so quick to go, oh, they're done.

[Robert Madu]

They're done.

[Co-Pastor]

Oh, you see them?

[Robert Madu]

Oh, that marriage is done. Oh, you.

[Co-Pastor]

Oh, you see that career?

[Robert Madu]

Oh, he is done. Oh, you see her? I'm done with her. You might be, but that don't mean God is. You don't get to determine when God is done with something. You don't have a clue what God.

[Co-Pastor]

Will do, and you don't have a.

[Robert Madu]

Clue when God is done. Matter of fact, I want to ask you, here's a question that we can ponder on resurrection Sunday. When is God done? Yeah. How do you know when God is done? You ready for the answer? You ain't got to go to chatgpt. Here it is.

[Co-Pastor]

You don't. You don't know when God is done. So be careful when you write off somebody else.

[Robert Madu]

And be careful when people write you.

[Co-Pastor]

Off saying they're done. You don't know, y'all. We can't even agree on when steak is done. How you gonna tell me when God is done? We can't even agree on steak, y'all. Like, where are my rare people at? All my rare people. Living up to the name.

[Robert Madu]

That's about 18 hands.

[Co-Pastor]

All my rare people. Vampires. Bless you. Where are my medium rare people? Where my medium rare people? Okay, we getting close. Where my medium well people? That's who I'm trying to go to the stakeout with. Y'all. Y'all my people.

[Robert Madu]

Y'all waiting for me to say another one.

[Co-Pastor]

That's all it is.

[Robert Madu]

There's nothing else.

[Co-Pastor]

There is nothing. Well, he didn't say well done. That's on purpose. That's the people you don't invite to the steakhouse. Just a piece of rubber that you ordered. Don't. Isn't that just the most embarrassing thing?

[Robert Madu]

Well done. You know what, Raider? Give me the check. Just well done.

[Co-Pastor]

Is for heaven, not for your steak.

[Robert Madu]

You're welcome. We can't agree on when steak is done. So how you gonna tell me when God is done? When he's done with the life? When he's done with a story? You don't know when God is done. And here's what I love about humanity. Cause right when we put everybody in categories and we say, no, he's bad. Oh, he's the good one. He's in, she's out. Oh, he's canceled. She's not right. When you think you know who's in, who's out, and who's done, here comes the cross. And the cross cancels out every single person that you tried to write off. This is the power of what Jesus Christ did that day when he hung on that cross and died for the.

[Co-Pastor]

Sins, sins of the world. Notice what he said?

[Robert Madu]

He said, it is finished.

[Co-Pastor]

He never declared, I am finished. See, they thought he was finished, but he wasn't finished. He just completed the assignment of paying the price for the sin of the world. And right after the Roman government and all the hordes of hell said, we got him. He's finally done. He hung his head. Now he's dead. Here he comes. Three days later, talking about still here, still here, still, still here. Even after he ascended, they said, all right, maybe we done with him now. No, no, no. What goes up must come right back down. And in the upper room, some believers got together. It was packed kind of like this. And all of a sudden, a shaking as a mighty rushing wind filled that place. And now the same God that was with you is now in you. So guess what? Still here. Because the resurrection power is alive on the inside of it. Still here, still here.

[Robert Madu]

So be careful who you write off. Because our God, redefined, done. When he got up from the grave. This, hear me, is the power of resurrection. Resurrection revolutionized and redefined what it means to be done. Because up until the resurrection of Jesus Christ, death was the end. Until he defeated death. Now death is not the end. It turned death from a period into a comma. Death is now a doorway into something deeper.

[Co-Pastor]

Now I know why the apostle Paul, when he writes to the church of Corinth and he's trying to fix that jacked up church who has all kinds of issues with sexual immorality and issues with idolatry. And then on top of that, they gonna try to say, well, I don't.

[Robert Madu]

Know if we can believe in the resurrection.

[Co-Pastor]

And Paul said, hold up.

[Robert Madu]

You got to believe in the resurrection.

[Co-Pastor]

Because if Jesus didn't get up from that gr. That means we are still stuck in our sins and our faith is empty. But because he got up, that means we have hope.

[Robert Madu]

Because the resurrection redefined what it means to be done. Elbow the person next to you and say, you don't know when God is done. Elbow the other person right next to them. Right next to them say, hey, I'm telling you, you don't know when God is done. And I. I preached that on this Resurrection Sunday. But as I preach it, I can feel some of y'all talking to me. Oh, I hear you. I hear you going, that's real cute, preacher. And you got your little celebration and your led wall, and everybody got their cute little pastels on. And it's easy for you to say, you don't know when God is done. But I hear you saying, you don't have a clue what I'm going through right now. Somebody, believe it or not, in spite of being in this room, is in such a dark season. It's so dark, you can't decipher whether God's done or not. Because when it's dark, it looks like he's done. So I hear some people in here today who are like, I'm here. And I hear what you're saying, but it's hard for me to believe that God is not done because I'm in a situation that is so dark. Maybe you've never been there before. You ever come to church and been in such a dark place? Even people that worship next to you get on your nerves. Cause they got all this excitement. And you're like, you don't have a clue what I'm going through right now. And it's hard to believe that God's not done when it's dark. And to you, if that's you today, I would say, look at the very first Easter. Because the very first Easter did not have pastels and blue bonnets and Easter bunnies. And people shouted, the first Easter, ladies and gentlemen, was dark. Oh, it was so dark. In fact, the Gospel of Mark. Yo, Mark is dark. Mark. It's dark. As a matter of fact, the Gospel of Mark, especially in chapter 16, it starts off in the dark, and it concludes in the dark. Let me just address the hermeneutical elephant that's in the room.

[Co-Pastor]

Did you see this in your Bible?

[Robert Madu]

After we read verse number eight? Anybody see that in your Bible right after verse number eight, you got this little addendum that says the earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have verses 9 through 20. How many of you saw that in your Bible? Paper or electronic? You see that? That little note is letting you know. In the original manuscript, 9 through 20 wasn't there.

[Co-Pastor]

That means Mark concluded his Gospel originally.

[Robert Madu]

With this verse right here, Verse eight. Trembling and bewildered, the women went out.

[Co-Pastor]

And fled from the tomb.

[Robert Madu]

They said nothing to anyone because they were afraid.

[Co-Pastor]

God bless you.

[Robert Madu]

It's been so good be with you.

[Co-Pastor]

That's how Mark ends the gospel. You mean to tell me, Mark, you ending the gospel talking about, they walked away afraid? If that's not the most anticlimactic ending. All of you who want clarity, what.

[Robert Madu]

Do you do with Mark ending the verse saying, hey, by the way, they left and they were afraid. Maybe that gives us some hope to know that sometimes your questions might not be answered. And sometimes you have to walk in the confusion and walk still dealing with the fear. They tried to fix it later in other manuscripts, but the original one, that's how it ended. They were bewildered and afraid. It also starts in the dark. Because that first Easter, Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James and Salome, watch this. Are going to the tomb. And they're not going to the tomb carrying tambourines so they can have a praise break. They're going to the tomb holding spices. Why are they carrying spices? Because they're about to use the spices, and they're going to put the spices on the body of Jesus that they believe is still in the tomb. Now, can you think critically on Easter Sunday morning? Think about this. They are not coming to the tomb. Excited, talking about, ooh, he's gonna do what he said. Cause remember, he told them, after three days, I'm getting up from the grave. They're not coming there going, I can't wait, girl. You ready to praise? He said he was gonna come.

[Co-Pastor]

No, they're coming with spices that they bought because they were expecting his dead body to still be there.

[Robert Madu]

Okay. I love preachers. I'm one of them.

[Co-Pastor]

And preachers say stuff sometimes that sounds.

[Robert Madu]

Cute, but it don't really play out like preachers say this. I'm sure I've said it. You can find it somewhere on the Internet.

[Co-Pastor]

God will only meet you at the.

[Robert Madu]

Level of your expectation. You ever heard a preacher say that God only meets you at the level of your expectations? See, you ain't got nothing because you ain't expecting nothing.

[Co-Pastor]

If you expect something, he'll meet you.

[Robert Madu]

At the level of your expectation.

[Co-Pastor]

That sounds cute.

[Robert Madu]

Until you get to the resurrection, because.

[Co-Pastor]

Not a single one of the disciples were actually expecting Jesus to do what he said he was going to do. You would think that after he lived a sinless life, you would think that after he turned water into Pinot noir, you would think that after he called Lazarus out of the grave, you would think that after he had 100% success rate on every single miracle that he ever did, you would think that after he opened up blind eyes and deaf ears and caused the lame to get up and walk, you would think that after every word that he spoke never fell to the ground, but everything that emanated out of the mouth of the master always came to pass. You would think that if he told them, I'm only going to be dead three days, but please believe after that third day, I'm going to get up from the grave. You would think they would be outside the tomb with a hand, with the little seat, waiting for him to get out, talking about, I know he's going to do what he and as soon as he comes to that grave, we gonna give him praise. But none of them, not one, had.

[Robert Madu]

Expectation that he would actually do what he said. What made them lose their expectation? I'll tell you what made them lose their expectation. They saw him die. They watched not a movie. They watched his flesh lacerated. They watched his beard ripped from his face. They watched him struggle to breathe as he suffocated in his own blood. They watched him scream, my God, My God, why have you forsaken me? They watched him die. They watched soldiers pierce his body and water and blood come out. They watched the soldiers bring down his lifeless, limp body and put it in a grave. They watched Joseph of Arimathea put the spices and the ointment on his body. They watched grown men push a stone over the cave and close it. And when that stone was closed, so were their hopes. So were their dreams. They weren't getting ready to shout. They said, this is over. They heard what he said, but it's hard to understand what he said when you see what you see. Don't act like you ain't never been there before. Don't act like you have never had a word from God, but forgot the word when you saw what you were going through. So no, they weren't ready to shout. They were coming to put spices on the body of a dead savior. Can you see them walking to the tomb? The ladies, Mary Magdalene. Mary, the mother of James and Salome. Mary, Mary and Salome. And here's what they're stressing about as they're walking. I'm in the text. Girl, how we gonna move that stone? It took three dudes to put that stone.

[Co-Pastor]

How are we.

[Robert Madu]

Girl, I've been doing Pilates, but I ain't been doing that much.

[Co-Pastor]

How can you see Salome looking at.

[Robert Madu]

Mary, Mary trying to figure out how we gonna move this stone?

[Co-Pastor]

Can you see Salome, Mary, Mary, how are we gonna move that stone?

[Robert Madu]

And you can see Mary, Mary talking about, shh. I don't know. Cause in the corners of my mind, I just can't seem to find how we gonna move the stone? Never mind. You had to be in the praise.

[Co-Pastor]

In early 2000s to get that anyway. And they're stressing, worried, how we gonna move this stone? You know what would help move a stone?

[Robert Madu]

If you have like 11 dudes.

[Co-Pastor]

11 dudes, I'm assuming, probably help you move a stone. But we can't find the other 11 disciples. Cause these dudes are locked up in the house, scared, talking about, look, my.

[Robert Madu]

Anxiety is watching me, man.

[Co-Pastor]

They killed Jesus.

[Robert Madu]

They gonna get me too.

[Co-Pastor]

Can you see them inside the house? I'm being funny, but think about it. They crucified Jesus and they saw it. They said, hey, we were hanging with him. I think we might be next. So here they are, stressed and worried, stuck inside the house.

[Robert Madu]

What are you trying to say, PR.

[Co-Pastor]

I'm trying to say the very first Easter, every. Every single person that was close to Jesus was wrestling with worry and anxiety. The women are stressing and worried because they trying to figure out how we gonna move this big old stone. The disciples, the men are stressed out and worried because they're stuck in the house going, maybe we're about to be killed. Is that a soldier coming? They're stressed out and worried too. But guess what? If you gotta pick which group you're gonna be in, pick the ladies. Pick the ladies. Pick the lady. I thought I would get more of a shout than that. Ladies, if you gotta pick a group, since every one of the disciples was stressed in words. If you got to pick a group, pick the women, pick the ladies. Now I understand why they were the first ones to witness the resurrection. You know why they were the first ones to witness the resurrection? Because they were the only ones that in spite of their worry, in spite of their fears, in spite of their anxiety, they were still walking in the direction of the last place that they saw him. Oh, can I tell you? Can you still walk while you worried? Can you still worship even when you don't know how it's going to turn out? Can you still come to church, even when you resting with anxiety, because if you can, you might see the miracle that you've been waiting for. I don't know who's got some worries, but you better keep on walking while you worried, keep walking.

[Robert Madu]

Walk in the direction of the last place you saw him.

[Co-Pastor]

Oh, y'all can stay stuck in the.

[Robert Madu]

House if you want.

[Co-Pastor]

I ain't gonna do it. I might be worried, but I'm still gonna walk to the last place I felt his presence. I'm still gonna walk in the house of the Lord. I might be stressed out, but I'm still gonna bless the Lord at all times and his praise shall continually be in my mouth. I'm still gonna walk.

[Robert Madu]

While I'm worried. Maybe God doesn't necessarily just meet you at the level of your expectation, because none of them had any. Maybe he meets you in the movement of your direction. Maybe. Maybe when you learn to still have your fears, your worries, but still be walking towards the last place that you saw him. God, I don't know how I'm gonna pay these bills, but I'm gonna keep walking in the direction of the last place I saw God. I don't know how in the world we gonna get millions of dollars to renovate a former movie theater. And some people shout, but they don't give. But I just gotta keep walking, walking. I'm just talking about what worries me.

[Co-Pastor]

You fill in the blank for you.

[Robert Madu]

I just gotta get walk walking in the direction of the last place I saw him. And watch this. As they're walking, look at him worried. How we gonna move the stone, girl, I don't know how. Mary, Mary, get the shackles. Will y'all stop singing? How, how, how are we gonna move this stone? And I love it because as they're worrying, but still walking in the direction of the last place they saw Him. The Bible says they looked up. And when they looked up, the stone was already. Watch this.

[Co-Pastor]

They didn't get there and see it start rolling. When they got there, it had already been rolled. That means the whole time they were worrying, the whole time they were stressing about it, God was already working it out. While they were stressing, stressing about. I don't know who I'm preaching to, but God told me to tell you on Resurrection Sunday, you need to stop worrying and start worshiping and walking in the direction of the last place you heard his voice. Cuz, why you worried about it? He's already working on it. Can you see them getting to the tune, talking about, look at all that Time we wasted. Salama, you had all them charts and grass trying to figure out how we going to move it.

[Robert Madu]

We wasted all that time worrying it, and the stone was already rolled away. What if God is already working on what you've been worried about, but he just wanted to see. Can you still walk in the direction of the last place you saw him? The stone was rolled away. Watch this. Not so Jesus could get out. The stone was rolled away so they could get in. Can I fix something on Resurrection Sunday? Because we've been shouting about this stone a whole lot of Easter Sundays, and I'm glad we shout about it. I mean, the worship team just tore it up. Did y'all hear that part?

[Co-Pastor]

And when he moved, nothing was ever the same.

[Robert Madu]

I mean, he has a history of Rolling Stones way. He sure does. And we should shout about it.

[Co-Pastor]

We should sing about it.

[Robert Madu]

I just don't want you to think that he rolled away the stone so he could get out.

[Co-Pastor]

Y'All.

[Robert Madu]

He rolled away the stone so they could get in.

[Co-Pastor]

Jesus did not need that stone rolled.

[Robert Madu]

Away for him to make an exit.

[Co-Pastor]

Well, could you prove that in another passage of the scripture?

[Robert Madu]

Oh, yeah. Remember later on, remember the scary dudes who don't want to come out of the house? I said in the earlier service, I hope somebody watching this online who lives in Dallas.

[Co-Pastor]

Will come out the house.

[Robert Madu]

And get in community. But you remember, they were scared, oh, we gonna die. They gonna kill us. And all of a sudden, as they're locked up in the house. Read it. When you get to the crib, Jesus appears. The Bible says the doors were locked. Your God, apparently, in his resurrected body, can come through walls.

[Co-Pastor]

Remember, he came in.

[Robert Madu]

They were scared. What we gonna do? Omg. Omu. Hey. And he goes, peace, be still. I did what I said. Surprise.

[Co-Pastor]

And remember, Thomas ain't there. He comes back to the crib later.

[Robert Madu]

It's like he was here. They always got their friend. So you telling me he was here? Really? I don't believe unless I touch the wounds in his side, in his hands. All of a sudden, he shows up again. Hey, come on, Thomas. You heard that? Sure did.

[Co-Pastor]

Come on.

[Robert Madu]

So apparently, in his resurrected body, he.

[Co-Pastor]

Can come through walls.

[Robert Madu]

So I'm just using deductive reasoning. If the man can come through walls.

[Co-Pastor]

I think a tomb he can come through.

[Robert Madu]

He rolled the stone away so they could come in and see the evidence of what he said. Watch this. Even when the stone was rolled away, they still weren't expecting to not see him there. They were probably thinking, yes, the stone's gone. Now we can go in with our spices. It's like you're stuck on these spices. Spice girls, put your spices down. You don't need the spices because there is no dead body.

[Co-Pastor]

He has resurrected. Put your spices down.

[Robert Madu]

How many?

[Co-Pastor]

You don't need spices when you got a resurrected savior. I don't know who that's for right there. But you've been trying to spice up your life. Oh, maybe I need a new house. Maybe I need a new car. Maybe I need a new job. Oh, maybe I need a new boo. No, you just need a resurrected Jesus. And when you get a revelation of his resurrection. I don't need anything to spice up my life. Why do I need something to spice up my life? I got the resurrection and the life.

[Robert Madu]

So the stone was rolled so they could move in. And they move in and watch this. Look at the grace of God. His grace is so good because angels are already in the tomb to bring clarity on the evidence of his resurrection. And the angels say to them on that Easter, something that you need to hear on this Resurrection Sunday. They essentially say to the ladies, fear not, he's not here. Go get the disciples and Peter and tell them he went ahead of you to Galilee. Don't be afraid. Fear not. He's not here. He's risen. Oh, and go tell the disciples and Peter that he's gone ahead of you to Galilee. Somebody needs to hear that this Easter number one. Fear not. Don't be afraid. I think the angel said that first of all, because anytime in the Bible, whenever an angel was encountered, they got scared you would, too. Come on. I get scared in the middle of the night when my kids just come in my room. And you know how they do. They never speak first. They just stand in the darkness.

[Co-Pastor]

You got to wake up and just see a shadowy figure. And besides, scared out of your mind. Ow. Daddy, can I have some water? No. Go to bed. Say something. Don't just stand there.

[Robert Madu]

So, you know, they got scared. So I think the angel said, fear not, just because it's a lot. You're not expecting to see an angel, but I also think he said, fear not. Because this is the reality of the Resurrection. If we truly have a savior that defeated death, what are you afraid of? If we truly believe that he conquered death, what do you have to fear? What can anybody do to you if he truly defeated death? So the message of Easter is don't be afraid. I'm not saying you can't feel the fear. Don't be controlled by the fear. First words, fear not. Oh, then it goes, hey, he's not here. He's risen. He's not here. But he's still here. He's not here. And if it was me and you and we heard, he's risen. He's not here, we would have shouted just like you did. When I read the scripture, I heard somebody, are you a real church? And you're like, yeah, but think about them. Up until this point, they had only defined miracles by him being there. So anytime there's a miracle, he had to be there. Uh oh, only got two fish and five loaves. Don't worry, I'm here. Oh, Red Lobster for everybody. Let's go. All of a sudden, Lazarus is dead. What are we gonna do? Don't worry. I'm late, but I'm here.

[Co-Pastor]

Lazarus, come forth.

[Robert Madu]

Lazarus comes out of the grave. Every miracle, one with the issue of blood. Hold on. Don't worry, I'm here. Just touch. You ain't got to get the whole thing, just the hymn. I'm here. Every miracle was defined by his presence until the resurrection. Now the miracle is he's not here. That's good news. They didn't realize that his body not being there was not abandonment. It was an accomplishment. It meant that the debt of sin had been paid. It means that death is now a doorway into eternity. How many are thankful that he wasn't there? They didn't even know where to shout. It's a good thing he's not there. That means the victory has been won. This is why with God, silence is never absence. This is why with God, even when you don't sense him, it doesn't mean he's not there. Because the resurrection showed that for the first time, the miracle is that he's not there. He's gotten up from the grave. Last thing he tells them, oh, go tell the disciples. And Peter and Peter. Look at the person next to you, say, and Peter Barrett, play real soft. Make this sound spiritual.

[Co-Pastor]

That's the statement that jacked me up.

[Robert Madu]

And yet that's the most powerful.

[Co-Pastor]

Go tell the disciples. And Peter.

[Robert Madu]

My bad. I went to Sunday school.

[Co-Pastor]

Isn't Peter a disciple? Why in the world would a resurrected savior tell an angel to tell the women? Make sure they say, hey, go tell the disciples. And Peter, Peter, you're a disciple.

[Robert Madu]

Unless Peter has disqualified himself because of his failure. It's one thing to be in a grave. It's another thing to be in the grave of your own failure. Because remember, Peter's the one that said.

[Co-Pastor]

Jesus I'll never deny you.

[Robert Madu]

I'll always be there. And he denied him not once, not twice, but three times. So go tell the disciples. And Peter, because your God is so good and so gracious, he knows that if the women leave that tomb and they just go to the disciples and say, guess what?

[Co-Pastor]

He's gotten up from the grave.

[Robert Madu]

Come on. On. He told us to tell you disciples, Peter would have done like some of you today.

[Co-Pastor]

And he would have disqualified himself and said, no, I messed up too bad. I'm the one that denied him. I should have been there for him. So y'all go ahead. Y'all go run to this risen Savior. But I know he doesn't want to see me. Not with what I've done. Not after I let him down. Not after I've fallen down on the ground and failed so many times. But Jesus is so good. He said no. Tell the disciples. And Peter, because Peter needs to know that failure is not final. And that I can resurrect you out of the grave of your failure. And when you feel shame all over you, guess what, Peter? I'm not mad at you. I got up from the grave so you can have another chance. Somebody ought to thank God for a resurrected savior. That's bigger than your failures. That's bigger than your mistakes. Peter, you're not disqualified. You're now broken enough to get my grace. And I'm going to use you like never before. Cause now you know you need me, and you can't do it on your own. I don't know who this resurrection message is for, but have you disqualified yourself.

[Robert Madu]

Because of your failure?

[Co-Pastor]

Not knowing that we serve a God.

[Robert Madu]

That says, go tell the disciples. And Peter, Peter, I know you messed up. You messed up big time. But guess what? The greatest mistake often will produce the greatest level of repentance, which makes you the greatest candidate for the gospel. When are we going to get the revelation that God is not looking for perfect, polished people to proclaim his word? He's looking for somebody that knows what it's like to fall down, but get back up again and say, God, I'm worried. I'm afraid. But I'm still walking towards you. And Peter. You ought to look at that, Peter, and put your name in it, because he's calling you. He didn't just call him. Guess what else he did for him? He cooked for him. Read it when you get to the crib. Peter went back to fishing. Because that's how you do it.

[Co-Pastor]

I tried.

[Robert Madu]

Let me go back to my old life. And Jesus starts cooking fish. Only time you see Jesus cooking in the Bible for Peter, the dude that denied him. On another note, I want to live with that level of maturity to where it's like, you hurt me. I wish you were there for me. You weren't. But guess what? Come here. Come and get some fish.

[Co-Pastor]

Come on.

[Robert Madu]

Come on, eat. Come on, eat. He's cooking for Peter. And watch this. He's cooking over a coal fire. The only time you see that Greek word for fire is at the same place where Peter denied Jesus by a fire three times. So God is bringing him back to the place of his failure to let him know, I know you messed up, but I'm not mad at you. Guess what? I'm still here. And now you're broken enough for me to use you. So no wonder on the day of Pentecost, when God was looking for a preacher to preach the first Easter sermon. You ain't gonna take my word for it. Let's just read Peter's Easter sermon. If you didn't like this sermon, look at Peter's. I'm plagiarizing it. Here it is.

[Co-Pastor]

He stands up after the failure on.

[Robert Madu]

The day of Pentecost. I'm cutting in the middle of the message.

[Co-Pastor]

He says, fellow Israelites, listen to this Jesus of Nazareth, a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs which God did among you through him. As you yourselves know, this man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge, and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God, I had to stop right there. I don't know if Peter had a Hammond B3 organ, but that would have been a good place for it to crank up right there. But God, somebody came all the way to Resurrection Sunday just to get those two words right there. If you've ever been in a grave of failure, if you ever been buried in your shame, if you've ever wondered, how in the world am I gonna make it after this? You just need two words, but God. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death because it was impossible for death to keep his hold on him. Is there any but God? People, I was broken, but God, I was lost but God, I was a liar, but God, I was bound, but God, I was lost but God, Somebody get up on your feet and give him the best praise. If you're thankful, he can resurrect you. I'm done. I'm done.

[Robert Madu]

No, I'm not. You don't get to determine when God is done. How you gonna write yourself off when God is still writing your story? You don't get to determine when God is done. And if you're feeling like Peter, he just had me on Resurrection Sunday to remind you he's still here. And the thing you think disqualifies, you hear me, actually is the very thing that qualifies you. Because those who have been forgiven much, love much, those who have been through something and fallen down and messed up are the greatest proclamators of the gospel. God's not done. I'll close with this. If you could respect this moment. We're about to end. But I have three amazing little humans and my son, Robert Madu iii. Recently, I took him to go see Captain Brave New World. And it was interesting when I took him because we had some little attitude issues we were working on, and I started not to take him to the movies. But if you're a good parent and I'm not giving parenting advice, I'm still in the fight. So to each your own. If you're a good parent, you got to know that there's sometimes you need to discipline hard, and there's other times that even when they messed up the most, you got to let them know there's grace and. Come on, let's go to the movies. So he was. He was in. He's in trouble, but he wanted to see the movie. And so we go to see Captain America Brave New World. And I went all the way with it, too. We got the Captain America popcorn bucket. You know what I'm saying? It was like the shield that opens up to the popcorn bucket little $40 thing. I was like, for plastic. I was like, you know what? Come on here. My namesake. So there we are. He's having the time of his life eating that popcorn. We watched Captain Brave New World. It was amazing. We finished the movie, we walk out the movie, and we're going to the car. True story. And we're almost to the car, and he goes, oh, daddy. I said, oh, what? He said, my yo, yo. I left it in the theater. I said, yo, yo, yo. I said, yo, yo. No, no, we ain't going. Not going all the way back. I was like, I'll buy you.

[Co-Pastor]

And he messed me up because he was like, okay.

[Robert Madu]

I was like, man, come on, let's go get your. Let's go get your yo, yo. And we walk back. We walk back into theater and watch this as we walk back in the theater. People are still in the theater.

[Co-Pastor]

And when he saw there were people still there, he goes. He looked at me like I had.

[Robert Madu]

Stole something from him. He's like, they're still here. I was like, yeah, but don't worry about it. Come on, let's get your yo yo. Let's go.

[Co-Pastor]

And then we got the yo yo.

[Robert Madu]

And I could see him, like, wanting to stay. I was like, okay, let's stay. And I forgot that Marvel, Marvel has trained a whole generation to know. You don't get up and leave just because the credits are rolling.

[Co-Pastor]

Just because the credits are rolling, it doesn't mean the movie is over. It doesn't mean it's done. You don't get to determine done. Marvel has trained a whole generation to wait till after the credits when some people have walked away. Sit there and wait and wait and wait. And if you wait, you gonna see a preview of another coming episode. I came to tell somebody why I'm shouting on this resurrection Sunday. Because the enemy started rolling the credits when he died on that third day. But I want to thank God that he got up early Sunday morning with all resurrection power in his hand. And because he's not done. Your story's not done. And my story's not done. Somebody give him the best praise that he's not done.

[Robert Madu]

He's not done. Don't you walk away just cuz you saw something. Credits rolling. Story's not over.

[Co-Pastor]

I'm gonna ask.

[Robert Madu]

In this moment, every head be bowed, eyes be closed, please. Nobody moving. Please honor and respect this moment. I want you to honor this moment. It's because I came for Peter today. Yeah. The person that you've already disqualified yourself because of you, your mistakes. The person that has buried yourself in the grave of your failure. Can I tell you one more time? You don't have a clue what God will do. And you don't get to determine when he is done. I don't know what people have spoken over your life, but they don't get to determine when God is done. He's still writing your story. He is the author and the perfecter of your faith. You might see the credits rolling. It doesn't mean the movie's over today because of the resurrection, you can have new life. You can step into a new story. And he has a way of redeeming everything. So right after he preached that powerful message, 3,000 people on the day of Pentecost were added to the church. Not because they heard a message from a man who never messed up, but from the one that Denied Jesus three times. He's not looking for your perfection. He's looking for your brokenness. So with heads bowed and eyes closed today, if you'd be so honest to say, hey, pray on this resurrection Sunday. I need him to rewrite my story. Maybe you thought you were done. This message today is hope that you can be resurrected from the grave of your sin, your mistakes and your failures. And watch this. You can't do anything. You can't do anything. It's like the stone. You can't roll that thing away. He's got to do it. So with heads bowed and eyes close to. That's you. And you'd be so honest to say, I need to surrender my life. Not to church, not to a preacher, but to a savior. And his name is Jesus. Would you just lift up your hand high enough and long enough to where I could see it today to say, today's the day I'm giving him my life. Yeah. See hands going up all over this room today. Thank you. Thank you, God. Anybody else? His presence is here. I told you, God can show up anywhere. And he's here today. Not to beat you upside the head, not to condemn you. If God wanted to condemn you, he would have sent a condemner into the world. He didn't send a condemner. He sent a savior. All you have to do is say, I need to be saved. Just lift up your hand high enough long enough to where I can. I see hands all over this place today. Thank you, Jesus. That's what he wants. Just respond. Just respond. Thank you, Jesus. I want us to pray this prayer as one big family. We're all going to say it, but especially those of you who responded. Would you say this? Say, jesus, I need you. Lord, I come to you with my worries, with my fears, with my doubts, with my sin. Here's what I know. That you, Jesus, lived the life that I was supposed to live. You died the death that I was supposed to die. You took my place. So today I respond by giving you everything. My heart, my soul, my mind. I'm yours from this moment forward. I'm walking with you in Jesus name. Can you say Amen and give God the best praise that you got? Come on, you could do better than that. Would you give him some praise today?