'Easter' Sermon

The words of the angels at the empty tomb, as recorded in  Luke 24:5-6 are no doubt read more during this season than at any other time all year long. "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!"
Is it possible that any more triumphant words could fall upon human ears? Men have heard cries of victories of all kinds, the victory of the hunt, the victory of battle, victory in games, but never before the cry of victory over the dreaded tomb! "He is not here, He is risen!" Death, which has kept men in the bondage of terror has had its dread grip broken. In Christ it's fear is gone until the believer can say with Paul, "for me to die is gain."

Several years ago there was considerable consternation caused in some religious circles by the declaration of certain liberal theologians that "God is dead." Frankly, this didn't upset me too much because the world has for centuries been plagued with men who serve dead and lifeless gods. Whatever the thoughts or ideas of man might be, the words of the angels ring clear and true for those who have trusted Christ, "Why seek ye the living among the dead?" Christ is indeed alive and active today for those who know where to find him. He will not yet be found among the dead!

There are those who seek him in the dead works of ceremonial religion, but he cannot be found there. Listen to the words of Hebrews 9:14. "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God."
He is a living Christ and will be found in a Spirit-filled life. He is not to be found in the vast spiritual desert of Christless hearts or homes. Our nation, which was founded upon Christian principles has in a large measure become a spiritual Sahara in which the living water of Christ is found only in a rare oasis. But Christ does live and He is real! He is accessible to man today.

He is found in the preaching of the gospel. Paul declared the gospel to be the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth. Why should it be so powerful? There are tender stories that move men to tears; stories of atrocities that move man to righteous indignation; stories that prompt fear; stories that can cause men to move in almost any direction; but none other can do what the gospel can.

It is the story of how Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. It is able to exert such power because it is the story of the LIVING Christ. When one receives the Gospel, he receives not a story about one who lived a good life a long time ago but of one who NOW LIVES and sits at the right hand of the throne of God! The living Christ is still found today in the Spirit filled worship of the Lord's Church as they meet together, for he promised before he left, "I will be with you all the way, even to the end of the world."

Wherever our Lord went during his earthly ministry there was a stir caused by his presence. Never was he found sitting quietly by, while false religions and worldly men deceived the multitudes. So it is still today, when the living Christ is present, that presence is made known!

He is found, too, in the lives of consecrated children of God as they serve him. Paul said it for all who will truly let Christ live in them. "For me to live is Christ", and again, "The life that I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me."

Not only is Christ alive but he IS our life we are told in Col. 3:4 `When Christ, who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.' We are told in Acts 1:3 that He showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, but the unbelievers have from the very beginning questioned these proofs. We who have accepted him however, not only do not question the proofs of the resurrection but we have another proof of the living Christ that is beyond the range of skeptical examination. You may try to deny the empty tomb or doubt the appearance of Jesus to his disciples in the upper room, or upon the sea shore after his resurrection. You may question the word of the two disciples whose hearts were made to burn within them as he talked with them on the road to Emmaus, but there is a proof of the living Christ that is real and impossible to question in the heart of all those who have trusted him as their savior.

We are made to think of the words of an old song that will no doubt be sung in many congregations. "You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart! "In Col. 3:1 we read these words, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of the throne of God."

Christ is ALIVE and WE can go to the throne of grace in our time of need and talk to a Living Lord. Pity the one who bows and does obeisance to a lifeless idol. Our Christ ever lives to make intercession for us. Having lived in the likeness of sinful flesh we are told in the fourth chapter of Hebrews, he knows the feeling of our infirmities and we can therefore come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and grace to help in time of need.

If you desire present day testimony that he lives, then ask those who talk with him every day. Question those who have gone to him in an hour of desperate need and found the answer to the need, or the strength to face some trial.

Where will the living Christ be found? Not only in the places we have mentioned, but one day as he returns in great triumph in clouds of Glory He will be found with all his redeemed! Jude tells us that even Enoch, the seventh from Adam prophesied saying "behold the Lord cometh with tens of thousands of his saints. Job testified "I know that my redeemer liveth, and he shall stand in the latter days upon the earth."
The angels who stood by as the disciples watched him ascend up into the clouds, testified that this same Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner.

He is a living Christ, and though some might refuse to believe it now, the living, eternal Christ will someday return and EVERY EYE SHALL SEE HIM! He will be seen some day sitting on the throne of judgment for according to Acts 17:31 the assurance of the judgment is given to all men in that He raised up Christ from the dead.

My friend, it is not a question of whether or not he lives, nor is the question whether or not you will ever see him. He does live and you WILL see him! The only question is, will you find him now at the throne of grace as you come repenting of your sins or will you wait to stand someday before him in judgment. This is your only choice, but it is a choice that can only be made by you.

ALONE BEFORE CHRIST

When I shall look upon his face
as he sits upon his throne
and I shall stand before him
to answer for me alone,

Then no longer shall I hide behind
another faltering man,
but answer for myself alone;
how I've used life's span.

I'll not be able then, to blame
my brother where I've failed
nor say, "temptation, far too great,
my poor weak soul assailed!"

For he promised grace to overcome
to all who only call,
and so I'll answer all alone
for every sin and fall!

But if I labor faithfully
and rid myself of pride,
confessing all my sins to him
and nothing try to hide,

someday I'll stand before him
judged for myself alone
and rapturous joy will then be mine
if he but says, "Well done

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