God of the Living
Sermon November 9, 2025 Luke 20:27-38
God of the Living
Rev. Fred Okello
Our seminary professor always told us that we should be scholars who believe. He says that a believing scholar is honest about not having all the answers to theological questions. It's a humble way of saying that faith starts where human understanding stops.
One of the most significant problems in the history of religion has been the ongoing debates about what lies beyond us, such as heaven, resurrection, angels, and the mysteries of eternity. The Sadducees and the Pharisees were accustomed to engaging in such debates. They enjoyed discussing, debating, and sharing their own opinions. They often acted like they knew the answer to every spiritual question.
But when Jesus showed up, instead of listening to Him, who was the very embodiment of divine truth, they decided to test Him. They couldn't let go of their pride or open their hearts to the idea that God was revealing something new to them through His Son, even after they knew He was from God.
In today's reading, we see the Sadducees again. This time, they are not seeking the truth; they are trying to catch it. Jesus changes their question about what happens after death into a lesson about the living God, who is not of the dead but of the living.
The Sadducees brought a smart riddle to Jesus. They didn't believe in the resurrection, so they tried to make the whole idea sound silly to make it less believable. They talked about a woman who married seven brothers, and each one died without having any kids. Their question was meant to be funny: "Whose wife will she be when she comes back to life?"
But Jesus, who was full of wisdom and grace, helped them see beyond earthly categories. He told them that the life to come is not like the institutions we have on Earth, like marriage, possessions, or hierarchies. He said that when we rise from the dead, we will be like angels. This doesn't mean we become angels; it means we will live in a new way, where death no longer has power and relationships are made perfect in God's presence.
Then Jesus does something remarkable: He points them back to the Scriptures they claimed to know so well. He tells them about Moses at the burning bush, when God said, "I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Look at the verb: "I am," not "I was."
God still calls Himself their God, even though Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob have been dead for a long time. Why? They are alive in God's reality. God is not the God of the dead; He is the God of the living, because everyone is alive to Him.
Friends, this is the most important thing Jesus taught: God's love for us doesn't end when we die. We can't be separated from God by death if we belong to Him. He will always be with His people.
You could say that a seed might fall to the ground and die, but it will eventually come back to life. People who believe that death is just the planting of a seed that will bloom in the resurrection glory of God are right.
Jesus isn't just teaching doctrine; he's spreading hope. He says that life in God is stronger than death and that believing in Him will open the door to eternity.
If God is the God of the living, then our calling is to live as people of the resurrection — not just someday, but today.
We start living differently when we think that death isn't the end. We are brave in the face of challenges. We deal with pain with strength. We help others with kindness because we know that everything we do out of love has lasting value.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
Because we serve the living God, every good deed, every prayer, and every moment of forgiveness counts.
Our faith tells us that death is not the end of the story. A lot of us have stood by the graves of people we loved and felt the pain of loss. But as people of faith, we know something deeper: God's story doesn't end with the word "death."
The resurrection of Jesus guarantees that those who die in Him will live again.
"I am the resurrection and the life," Jesus said to Martha in John 11:25. "Anyone who believes in me will live, even though they die."
So we don't cry like people who have no hope. Yes, we grieve, but we do it with tears of faith, trusting that God is taking care of our loved ones forever.
When we are sick, in conflict, or afraid, we recall that God's power extends beyond this world. The same God who raised Jesus from the dead can also heal broken hearts, mend broken families, and give people new hope.
Having hope in the living God isn't just wishing for something to happen; it's putting your faith in the One who beat death.
Closing Prayer: Dear God, You are not the God of the dead but of the living. Thank you for giving us the peace of mind that our lives, hopes, and future are safe with you. Help us live each day as people of resurrection faith, with hope, joy in serving, and trust in Your promises. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who has risen. Amen.