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LUKE 20:37, 38

"THE GOD OF THE LIVING"

I. IS THERE LIFE AFTER DEATH?
        A. This question lurks in the subconscious of every man.
                1. We don't think about it very often.
                2. It has a way of surfacing.
                        a. Maybe I have just had a close call.
                        b. A friend died or was killed.
                        c. Is this all?  Is this the end?
        B. A vitally important question.
                1. If life continues after death, what am I doing to prepare for it?
                2. I prepare carefully for retirement.
                        a. That can be such a short span of my life.
                                1. B & O Railroad.
                                2. Bo Bryant.
                        b. Yet I plan so carefully.
                3. Have I made any preparations for eternity?

II. JESUS ASSERTS THERE IS LIFE AFTER DEATH.
        A. "That the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush."
        B. He gives the scriptural basis for the fact.
                1. All of our doctrine or beliefs should be based on the scriptures.
                2. If Jesus referred to them for authority, how much more should we.
                3. If we accept any other authority, the result is confusion.
                        a. This is what the early church fathers taught.
                        b. This is what Joe Blow said.
                        c. Jeremiah 23:28.
        C. Let us go back with Moses to the burning bush.
                1. He had been in that desert 40 years.
                2. Saw a bush burning, yet was not consumed.
                3. He drew near and God spoke:  "I am the God of thy father, the God of 
                   Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob."

III. "HE IS NOT THE GOD OF THE DEAD, BUT OF THE LIVING."
        A. At the time God spoke to Moses; all three of these patriarchs had died over 400 yrs
           earlier.
                1. They were not yet living in the heavenly kingdom.
                2. These all died in faith, not having received the promised Messiah.
                3. Yet they were living at that time and Abraham, the father of faith was
                   comforting them. 
        B. "For all live unto Him."
                1. As far as God is concerned, those who believe and trust in Him are alive.
                        a. Some are in a different state.
                        b. I am presently alive unto God in this body.
                        c. One of these days I am going to move out of this body into a new
                           perfect model.
                                1. I will be alive unto God in my new body.
                                2. For all live unto Him.
                2. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection. . ."
                3. Paul said, for we know when this tent. . ."