Lessons From The Rich Man And Lazarus (Luke, Part 8) Series

Lessons from the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke, Part 8)

Luke 16:19-31

Introduction / Recap

- The study of Luke is an interesting one for believers to explore

-- We see Luke’s interest in humanity (it’s genuine, rem: career as a physician)

-- We also get to experience how Jesus interacts with society; He goes to them!

- Last week, we saw three specific challenges regarding choosing to follow God

1. A man/woman needs to hear an invitation to follow

2. Half-hearted choices are actually … worthless!

3. A half-hearted choice will always lead to being cast out

-- Each of these ties into one another, and is actually dependent on each other

-- Example: If we will invite, b/c we are fully committed, we show others Jesus

-- Re: Invite cards are available in the sanctuary for your use … take them!

- Today, I want us to examine a pretty familiar story, Lazarus, and the Rich Man

-- But I want us to take important note of what Jesus is demonstrating for us

-- It is more than just a story of two men … but a life challenge to us today

- Read Luke 16:19-31 / Pray

- Don’t miss: Jesus often taught in parables and referred to them as such

-- In this retelling however, there is no mention of it being a parable

-- This is a telling of an actual event – and He makes it very clear

-- Lesson: There is life after death … and we are about to see it

Point 1 – A contrast in life experiences

- Want us to see right off there is a big difference between these two men

-- Obvious: One was named, and the other was unnamed (v19)

-- Lazarus, whose name means “God is my Helper”, was known by God

-- The rich man, in contrast, was unknown and therefore nameless

- I find this a very interesting contrast for us to take note of

-- See this: Someone who is unknown by God, is simply: unidentified

-- It’s not that God doesn’t know who that person is …

-- But that person has no relationship and is therefore … “unknown”

-- Re: Matthew 7:23, Jesus says, “Depart from me, I never knew you …”

- Sort of like us knowing who a movie star is … but they don’t know you

-- Obviously, they know they have fans … but they don’t know you personally

-- This is the same thing shown here: one was intimate with God & one was not

- John 10:14, “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me”

- The rich man was obviously wealthy, and Lazarus was very poor

-- So poor that he was carried to the gates of the rich man to beg (v20)

-- Sure, the rich man isn’t at fault for Lazarus’ life, but he doesn’t help him either

- The rich man lived in luxury while Lazarus waited for his crumbs

-- There is even mention of Lazarus fighting off dogs from licking his wounds

-- It is an incredible indictment to the world: do we care about those struggling?

- Have to see this: The sin of the rich man was self-indulgence

-- He sought things of pleasure from this world and only took care of himself

-- Yet, laying right at his gate – was this man who known by God (Jesus)

- 1 John 3:17, “If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion - how can God’s love be in that person?”

-- It is an interesting challenge to consider – and it’s at the heart of today’s story

- TR: Even in death, there was a difference in how their lives ended

Point 2 – Fact: Death can bring rewards OR punishments

- The rich man probably had a lavish funeral, tons of mourners, lots of money

-- While Lazarus, I’m sure just died one day and his body was discarded

- However, look at what awaited each once their life was over: Lazarus:

• Existed despite being dead – and lived in comfort

• His soul was immediately met by God’s angels, and,

• He was carried to the source of all peace & wealth (God’s protection)

- The rich man:

• Simply, died and was buried, and went to the place of the dead (v22)

• And there, in torment (v23), the rich man saw and recognized Lazarus

- Want to stop and teach a bit on this and unpack it for us

- But first, have to correct something: I mis-spoke several weeks ago

-- I mentioned that Paradise and Heaven were two different places

-- And well, that was some bad doctrine that I had learned long ago