God of the Living
Jeremy Bell
Luke 20:27-40
February 28, 2021
Sermon Video/Audio
Luke 20:27–40 [27] There came to him some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, [28] and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. [29] Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children. [30] And the second [31] and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. [32] Afterward the woman also died. [33] In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.” [34] And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, [35] but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, [36] for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. [37] But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. [38] Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.” [39] Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” [40] For they no longer dared to ask him any question. (ESV)
1. Life in the coming age will be different from life in the current age
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” – Psalm 16:11
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him” – 1 Corinthians 2:9
2. He is God of the Living!
“I am the resurrection and the life!” – John 11:25
The exaltation of Christ in His resurrection, ascension, and reign reveals the full glory of His mediatorial work. Raised by the power of God, Christ triumphed over sin, death, and Satan, and, as the firstfruits of the new creation, gives eternal life to all who are united to Him by faith. Having ascended to the Father’s right hand, Christ pours out the Spirit on His people and intercedes on their behalf as a Great High Priest, constantly advocating their cause and granting them access into God’s presence. As the exalted Lord, Christ reigns with all authority as universal king and head of His church, governing the affairs of men and nations and empowering His people to be victorious over sin and Satan. The consummation of Christ’s saving work will occur when He returns to judge the world in righteousness, deliver the kingdom to His Father, and receive eternal worship as King of kings and Lord of lords.” – Sovereign Grace Statement of Faith
An Implication of the resurrection: there is a coming judgment
“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Daniel 12:2
“If Jesus is precious to you, you will not be able to keep the Good News to yourself.” – Charles Spurgeon
Questions For Discussion/Application (Care Groups):
- Re-read the text, Luke 20:27-40. What initial observations and insights do you have from reading this text?
- Summarize the passage:
- The Sadducees didn’t believe in the resurrection. They wanted to prove Jesus’ teaching regarding the resurrection wrong.
They try to ridicule the idea of resurrection by referring to levirate marriage. This was a device to prevent a man’s name and family dying out. When a man died childless, his brother was to take the widow and raise up children to the deceased (Deut. 25:5ff.). Not many examples of the practice are recorded and interestingly those few always seem to regard the child as the child of its natural father and not of the deceased (cf. Ruth 4:5, 21). By New Testament times this custom seems to have fallen into disuse, so that the question was an academic one. But the Sadducees could argue that provision was made for it in the Law, and that the Law accordingly, at least by implication, rejects the doctrine of resurrection. They told a story of seven brothers who all at one time or another had been married to the same woman, in each case without her bearing a child. The Sadducees posed the question of whose wife she would be when the resurrection came. Clearly they thought that a definitive answer was impossible and that the impossibility of an answer showed the impossibility of a resurrection. – Leon Morris
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- As we learned on Sunday, in response to the Sadducees question, Jesus made it clear that life in the coming age will be different from life in the current age. One way it will be different is that there will be no more marriage as we know it here on earth. Marriage is not a permanent arrangement in God’s eternal purposes. It is only for this age, now. This is a reality that is difficult to comprehend. What comforts us is the eternally-satisfying joy of being united with Christ in the perfection of unhindered, sin-free fellowship with Jesus. We will find nothing lacking in heaven.
- How does it affect you when you consider that there will be no more marriage in heaven as we know it on earth? How does it land on you? How do you personally process what Jesus is saying?
- Jesus’ words can be difficult to process in part, because we have difficulty grasping the glory of what is yet to come, in heaven. Heaven is difficult to imagine, however John, in Revelation, gives us a glimpse into what it will be like.
- [1] Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. [2] And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. [3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. [4] He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1–4)
- What excites you the most as you read that passage? What are some of the joys we will experience as believers, as we dwell in the new heavens and the new earth? What do you most look forward to about heaven?
- What other passages come to mind, that help us to reflect on/anticipate the glory of heaven? Have members of the group read the passages that they think of to the group.
- Read the section of the Sovereign Grace Statement of Faith on the Resurrection (under point #2 in the Sermon Recap). What does it mean that Jesus, through His resurrection, “triumphed over sin, death, and Satan?” Take those as three separate questions. What does it mean that Jesus “triumphed over sin”, “triumphed over death” and “triumphed over Satan” ?
- When you think of the reality of a coming judgment, what effect does that have on you, especially as you consider people that you know and love who do not presently know Christ?
- Who might you consider giving the potted flower away too that the church is handing out on the Sunday prior to Easter, in order to show them God’s love in a small way?
- Consider taking time to pray, thanking God for the hope of heaven. Consider praying as well for unbelievers that God has placed us in relationship with, that they would come to Christ and experience the hope of eternal life.
Questions For Discussion/Application (parents with younger children):
- Re-read the text, Luke 20:27-40.
- Explain:
- Jesus made it clear that life in the coming age will be different from life in the current age. One way it will be different is that there will be no more marriage as we know it here on earth. Marriage is not a permanent arrangement in God’s eternal purposes. It is only for this age, now.
- Heaven is difficult to comprehend, but it is going to be wonderful and amazing and beyond comprehension.
- Heaven will have no more sin, no more sorrow, no more suffering, no more tears.
- Read John’s vision of heaven in Revelation:
- [1] Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. [2] And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. [3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. [4] He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1–4)
- Ask: What are some things you look forward to here on earth? The idea here is to help your children think through things they look forward to like their birthday or Christmas or vacation and then help them to understand that God wants us to look forward to being with Him in heaven even more than those things. This approach is drawn from Randy Alcorn’s excellent book Heaven for Kids.
- Ask: What do you most look forward to about heaven? What do you hope that you will be able to do? Parents consider sharing here what fun things you hope to be able to do in heaven. Consider sharing what relatives or others you love who have died and are with the Lord that you look forward to seeing.
- Explain: What will be the greatest thing about heaven is we will be with Christ, forever!
- Color: Heaven Coloring Page
- Pray: Ask God to help us to joyfully live for him while here on earth as we look forward to being with Jesus in heaven!