THE CONTRAST:
1. RICH MAN.
A man who was extremely rich, wealthy, respected and lived in extreme luxury on a daily basis.
- TO BE CLOTHED IN PURPLE, indicated great wealth. Purple was an expensive dye made from mollusks found in the Mediterranean Sea
- Luke 16:19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury.”
- He only used his money for his own enjoyment.
- Use all your wealth to honor God.
- The Rich Man was materialistically rich and wealthy but spiritually he was poor and bankrupt.
- Remember this, material prosperity is not evidence of spiritual prosperity.
Mark 8:36 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?
Mark 8:37 Is anything worth more than your soul?
2. LAZARUS.
- The name Lazarus means “he whom God has helped” or “God is my help.”
- Lazarus was a man who was extremely poor, had a physical illness and who lived his life as a beggar.
- Lazarus was so poor that he desired to eat from the left-over food or crumbs that the Rich Man threw away.
- The dogs mentioned here are likely street dogs.
- The parable thus portrays Lazarus in a degraded, humiliating state.
- When he died, it is possible that he was not buried. When unknown or unclaimed beggars died, their bodies were not buried but thrown into the burning garbage heap (“Gehenna”) outside the city.
LIFE LESSONS FROM THE STORY OF THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS:
1. There is a place of rest and a place of torment. Lucas 16:22-24
- Heaven and hell are real places. (LUKE 16:23)
- The Bible is clear that every person who has ever lived will spend eternity in either heaven or hell.
Matthew 7:13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.
Matthew 7:14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.
Matthew 7:22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’
Matthew 7:23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
2. All will ultimately face judgment. Luke 16:25
- Worldly wealth has no bearing on our eternity and our only hope is to put our faith in Jesus.
- “If we close our eyes to the truth we are given, then we are doomed.” - Ralph Wilson
3. There are no second chances after death. Luke 16:26
- The parable illustrates that once we cross the eternal horizon, that’s it.
- In verse 26, Abraham explains the situation and describes a great, impassable chasm that prevents anyone from passing from either side to the other.
- In other words, there is no hope of moving from torment to the blessings of Abraham's bosom, or of Lazarus helping the rich man.
- When believers die, they are immediately in the conscious fellowship and joys of heaven. [2 Corinthians 5:8; Luke 23:43; Philippians 1:23]
- When unbelievers die, they are just as immediately in the conscious pain, suffering, and torment of hell.
- Read: Hebrews 9:27
4. God's word is the only truth we can believe. Luke 16:27-31
- God’s word is our source of TRUTH. It is enough, don’t look for supernatural signs.
- God offers pardon to all people.
- In John 11, one named Lazarus was raised from the dead, but many still refused to believe.
- The most important thing is that you know where you will spend eternity, based on what God says in the Bible.
CONCLUSION:
1. What preparation have you made for death?
2. Have you made your choice to turn from your sins and accept Christ’s invitation?
- If you were to die apart from God you will spend Eternity in Hell forevermore.
- It is never too late to repent and turn back to God.
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