Eʋe: Agbagbeawo ƒe Mawu

Texts: Job 19:23–27; 2 Thessalonians 2:1–5; Luke 20:27–38

Preacher: Rev. S. Y. Kpodonu (Rev. SKY)

INTRODUCTION

Beloved in the Lord, peace, grace and the love of God Almighty be with us all. Today’s reflection is on the theme – “The God of the Living” – calls us to reflect deeply on the power of God that transcends death and time.

In a world full of fear, decay, and uncertainty, many people live as though death has the final word. But our God is not the God of the dead. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — the God who continues to give life beyond the grave.

Let us open our hearts and allow this truth to restore our hope, strengthen our faith, and renew our love for the living God who never abandons His people.

OPENING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Living and eternal Father, You are the source of all life and hope. As we reflect on Your Word this morning, open our hearts to the power of Your living presence. Revive our faith and renew our strength, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ILLUSTRATION

A missionary once buried his friend in a small village. As he covered the grave, a local elder asked, “You speak of resurrection — do you really believe he lives?”

The missionary smiled and said, “Yes, because my God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

Years later, that elder became a Christian and testified, “I followed your faith because you believed in a God stronger than death.”

Beloved, our God is indeed the God of the living!

EXPOSITION

1. The Meaning of “The God of the Living”

In Luke 20:37–38, Jesus said: “When Moses called the Lord the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.” This means that our faith is not in a silent or distant deity, but in a living and active God—the same God who walked with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and who still walks with us today.

2. Understanding the Sadducees

The context of this passage involves the Sadducees, a Jewish religious and political group who denied the resurrection and spiritual realities.

a. Their Origin and Status:

They emerged around the 2nd century B.C. Composed mainly of priests, aristocrats, and wealthy families tied to the Temple in Jerusalem. Many served as chief priests and members of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling council). Their name comes from Zadok, the high priest during David and Solomon’s reign (2 Samuel 8:17).

b. Their Core Beliefs:

Scripture: They accepted only the first five books of Moses (Torah) as authoritative.

Afterlife: They denied resurrection, angels, and spirits (Acts 23:8).

Providence: They believed in free will with little divine intervention.

Temple Worship: They focused on ritual sacrifices and political influence.

c. Their Encounter with Jesus:

In Luke 20:27–40, the Sadducees tried to trap Jesus with a question about marriage after resurrection. Jesus rebuked them for not understanding Scripture or the power of God, affirming that God is “not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

This revealed that while the Sadducees focused on ritual and earthly power, Jesus emphasized a living relationship with God that transcends death.

d. Their End:

When the Temple was destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70, their power disappeared entirely. Unlike the Pharisees, the Sadducees left no surviving movement or writings.

SPIRITUAL LESSON

The Sadducees remind us that religion without faith in the living God becomes empty tradition.

We can have position, education, and ritual — but without belief in resurrection power, our worship loses life and purpose.

Jesus said in John 11:25:  “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live.”

When Job faced pain and despair, he still declared in Job 19:25: “I know that my Redeemer lives.”

Even in suffering, Job believed that God was alive, present, and working.

Beloved, our God is the God of life. He speaks life into dead situations — restores broken homes, revives weak faith, and renews fading hope.

As Romans 8:11 assures us: “The Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies.”

So no matter what you face — disappointment, sickness, fear, or loss — remember that the God of the Living is on your side.

He is not finished with you yet.

Your dream is not dead.

Your future is not buried.

God still lives and works through you!

Therefore, arise with faith and confidence. Live as one who belongs to the living God — walk in His peace, serve with joy, and spread His life wherever you go.

CONCLUSION

Beloved, today the Lord reminds us that He is (Agbagbeawo ƒe Mawu) — the God of the Living.

He was with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and He is with us today. Even when the body fails, the soul lives in His presence.

Therefore, live with faith, walk in truth, and serve Him with hope — for our God is indeed the God of the Living!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

● “Faith in the God of the Living turns every grave into a gate of glory.”

●”If God is alive in you, then no situation is truly dead.”

CLOSING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Eternal and Living God, thank You for reminding us that You are alive and at work in our lives. Breathe Your Spirit into us once again. Revive our faith, restore our strength, and help us to live as witnesses of Your life and power. Through Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.

Rev. S.Y. Kpodonu