WHY SEEK YE THE LIVING AMONG THE DEAD?

Text: Luke 24:5 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?

Intro: This question comes, not from Christ, but from the angels ABOUT Him. If this question is faced honestly, it will turn men from error to the shining light of truth.
They came to do a burial service for a dead Jesus and left worshipping a living Christ!

I He had indeed truly died!
1. The soldiers who were no strangers to death knew it.
John 19:33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already,they brake not his legs:
2.They pierced his side and provided absolute, medical proof of death.
John 19:34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
3.Mary and the other women knew it.
4.The priests recognized it.
5.Joseph of Aremathea knew it.
6.The earth and all nature experienced the death of the creator. (Darkness and earthquake.)

II.Yet He Lives! His promise is fulfilled.
John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down,and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
He proved that neither governmental power, religious edicts, military might nor even death itself, could bind the Prince of Life!.

Where he CANNOT be found today.
1.In the world’s sin-cursed search for self-satisfaction.
2.In false religions and rituals.
Prov 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
a.Why the ‘shroud of Turin ‘ can’t be his.
John 20:6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre,and seeth the linen clothes lie,
John 20:7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. The face couldn’t have been impressed on the shroud if the head was wrapped separately.
3.Not in a system of works for salvation.
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
4.Not in a disobedient life of a child of God.

B.Where he can be found..
The lost can still find him at the cross. It is the power of God unto salvation.
In scriptural service for the saved.
At the throne of Grace where he sits as our advocate.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with thefeeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as weare, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that wemay obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
In clouds of glory at the resurrection.
On David’s throne in the millennial reign.

III.What the living Christ means to mankind.
A.He is the assurance of our resurrection.
Rom 4:25 Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.
It means his presence in our services.
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
We have a High Priest.
Heb 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Heb 7:24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Our eternal life is assured.
John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.