Why Search for the Living Among the Dead?

Why Search for the Living Among the Dead?

Text: Luke 24:1–5 (KJV 1900)

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

6 He is not here, but is risen:

Introduction:

* One of the greatest questions ever asked in the Bible- Why search for the living among the dead?

* To fully understand this great question the Angels asked the disciples of Jesus, as they looked dumbfounded at the empty tomb, we must understand what was going through the disciple’s minds at the time. 1). The disciples understood that they lived in a Dark, Dark world.

John 1:1–9

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

2). The disciples had just witnessed the darkest day the world had ever known.

Luke 23:44–49 (KJV 1900)

44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. 48 And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.

49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

3). We also understand that we live under the curse of darkness and death because of Sin.

Romans 5:12–14 (KJV 1900)

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. * Because Adam and Even sinned mankind was cursed and cast out of the Garden of Eden and death and sin reign over all mankind. * Evidence of the darkens that rules in men’s hearts is all around us-

* Illustration of the beheading of 15 men I saw on the internet Romans 1:21–32 (KJV 1900)

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

5). Men are groping in this darkness and searching among the dead when they need to be looking to Chris who is alive!

* That morning of the resurrection of our Lord, the angles asked the disciples why they were searching for the living among the dead.

* Just like those disciples, men today are groping around in the darkness of this world looking for light. They are searching for eternal life!

* Some men are searching for eternal life among dead religions.

* Some men are searching for eternal life within themselves- If only they could live a good enough life- then they would make it to heaven! * Job said if he only knew where to find God! Job 23:1–5

Then Job answered and said, 2 Even to day is my complaint bitter: My stroke is heavier than my groaning. 3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat! 4 I would order my cause before him, And fill my mouth with arguments. 5 I would know the words which he would answer me, And understand what he would say unto me. * In Job’s heart he questioned “If only I knew where I could find God! I would go where he lives. 4 I would present ⌊my⌋ case to him. I would have a mouthful of arguments.

* This morning the men of this world grope around in darkness searching for God where he can not be found, because the Devil had blinded their minds.

2 Corinthians 4:3–4

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

* Even those who witnessed the great miracles of Jesus, were blinded by this dark world and it’s system of lies and misinformation.

John 12:37–40

37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: 38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

* Dead religions have blinded the eyes of the people of our generation. While they grope in the darkness, searching for the God of the Bible. Matthew 23:24–28

24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

* In our text In Luke 24, in verses 5 and 6, the Bible says:

5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

6 He is not here, but is risen:

* I want to remind you of a few things that are true because Jesus is not dead, but is alive this morning.

I. Because He lives, I am free from sin.

Romans 8:1-2 8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

* Because Jesus lives, no longer do we have to live under the condemnation of our sin. We have died to the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:31–34 (KJV 1900)

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Romans 6:17–18

17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

II. Because He lives, I will also live.

1 Corinthians 15:19–22 (KJV 1900)

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

* Because He lives I no longer have to fear death.

1 Corinthians 15:55–57

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

III. Because He lives, our religion is not dead.

IV. Because He lives, I will never be alone.

* There are those in this congregation this morning that lives have been touched by loneliness.

* There is great comfort in the Word of God in knowing that because Jesus is alive, you will never be alone!

Proverbs 18:23–24

And there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

* My friend, because Jesus is alive this morning you will never have to be alone! Jesus is alive and Jesus is your friend!

John 15:13–16 (KJV 1900)

13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Romans 8:35–39 (KJV 1900)

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

V. Because He lives, I can have my prayers answered.

Romans 8:31–32

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Matthew 21:21–22

21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.