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Morning Message Text: Luke 20: 27-38
The Resurrection and Marriage
27 Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question.
28 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.
29 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless.
30 The second
31 and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children.
32 Finally, the woman died too.
33 Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”
34 Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage.
35 But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage,
36 and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.
37 But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’
38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”
Morning Message:
I chose today’s sermon text for one reason; it is plainly spoken. Sometimes, I think we need straight forward conversation; the truth spoken plainly and honestly in this world is rare. I grow weary of trying to find the hidden meaning behind everyone’s speech and actions. The government shutdown: I hope by the time I preach this message this idiocy is over. Plainly spoken, I have no patience for temper tantrums by spoiled elected officials whose jobs are to protect and serve, not quit and shutdown because you didn’t get your way and harm millions of innocent people in the process. You can agree with me or not, but I would love someone to give me an explanation as to why this makes sense.
We are getting ready to celebrate Veterans Day on Tuesday. I consider myself to be very patriotic. I don’t place country before God, but I have a great amount of respect for those who have served this nation because it is only because of God’s grace and their bravery that any of us stand and sit here today. I never served. I was too busy in my youth serving myself and doing what I wanted to think about sacrificing for others. I know now that serving in the military was not part of God’s plan for my life, but I have a deep appreciation for those that answered the call of their country, the call that God surely put upon their hearts. They had a sense of duty and the rare ability to put the needs of their country ahead of themselves. I wonder if the members of congress could ever do that? What, if instead of standing for this country, our veterans decided to ignore the need of the country for political reasons?
The Sadducees didn’t last long, and when you look at what they didn’t believe in you can see why. They didn’t believe in life after death. They didn’t believe in angels or anything heavenly. In their minds there would be no resurrection. This was it. How would you like to be a member of that church? They were out to prove their point by putting a ridiculous scenario to Jesus.
How many of you watch shows like NCIS or Law and Order, or any other investigative crime show? I have watched enough of those shows to know that by the time the third husband died they would have hauled this woman in and accused her of killing her husbands. Seven brothers die after marrying this woman. Don’t you think that somewhere along the way one of the brothers would have seen the writing on the wall and said, “I’m not going anywhere near her. Such a dishonest approach because their argument made no sense. People do the same thing today. The truth of Jesus is right in front of them, but they make up every unreasonable excuse to denounce him.
What does Jesus say? Don’t try to compare the things of this world to the things of heaven. You have all heard the song, “In Heaven There is No Beer.” Well, there is no marriage either. Now you must not read through the coma like I sometimes do, or it will sound like this, “They neither marry or are given in marriage and they can no longer die.” That makes it sound like He is saying, they have suffered enough. There will simply be no need for marriage in heaven. Unfortunately guys, we will be on our own; no one to bail us out of trouble or keep us on the right path. I think more importantly, today is the plain truth that death is only physical. God is the God of the living. You will never die spiritually; your soul is eternal. Plainly spoken, God is never absent from you, and you are never, not even for a moment, out of his sight.
I have ten plainly spoken statements that I would like you to consider and think about. After you have heard them, if you would like a copy just let me know.
1. Jesus isn’t “my truth,” He’s the truth.
2. I’m not built to fit in. I’m built to stand firm.
3. Men and women are different; on purpose.
4. Families make nations strong. Destroy that, and everything crumbles.
5. Self-reliance isn’t selfish. It’s how adults operate.
6. Money made with integrity is something to be proud of.
7. Comfort is the drug that keeps people average.
8. I’d rather offend you with truth than comfort you with lies.
9. The loudest person in the room is usually the weakest.
10. God, family, and freedom come first. Everything else finds its place after that.
You don’t have to agree with these statements, but you should consider each and every one of them from a Christian point of view. With Jesus in your heart and the Holy Spirit’s guidance you can find plainly spoken truths in each of these statements. You must look. You must seek God’s truth, not what the world is trying to twist into your minds. Our God is the God of the living; let Him guide you into His truth, and you will know His truth.
In Christ’s Love and Peace,
Pastor Bob
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