The gospel of Luke is the only book that carries this passage of scripture that some think is a parable.
However, as I preach this from this PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE, I need to mention that there are some preachers who refuse to preach this passage of scripture as a parable.
Some say it is not a parable because…
(1) If it is a parable t is the only one of the parables in which names of individuals are mentioned.
For example, they believe that:
• When the Lord spoke of this rich man, He was talking about a particular rich man in hell.
He referred to him as a “Certain rich man” in hell then and now.
• When the Lord spoke of Lazarus the beggar, He was actually talking about a beggar named Lazarus. (This is not the same Lazarus we find in John 11 the brother of Mary and Martha.)
Because these two individuals are mentioned some do not believe this is a parable but a true story the Lord is telling of these two men in Paradise.
Also, another reason it is not a parable because the Lord always address a parable by telling them it was a parable.
I ALSO NEED TO MENTION THIS ABOUT THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURES SOME OF THE CULTS HAVE A PROBLEM!!!
For example, this passage of scripture talks about LIFE AFTER DEATH.
Some religious groups do not believe in a LIFE AFTER DEATH.
WHO ARE THESE?
For example, the Jehovah witnesses do not believe in life after death.
If you refer them to this passage of Scripture that teaches LIFE AFTER DEATH, they will say “It is only a story, it is not teaching life after death.”
• They believe that when we die life will cease to exist. That’s it! There is no conciseness.
• You do not go anywhere; you only exist in God’s memory.
• They believe after Armageddons when the world is cleanse of all evil and uncleanness paradise is restored on the earth and all the dead people who ever lived will be resurrected in a physical body, but nobody goes up in the sky…NOBODY!!!
• They believe it has been predetermed by God that only a 144,000 will be allowed to live in paradise.
Everyone else will cease to exist!!!
The Bible does not teach the doctrine of ANNILATION. But this is what the Jehovah Witnesses believe and teach.
WHY WOULD ANYONE GO TO A CHURCH THAT TAUGHT THE DOCTRINE OF ANILATION.
Illus: Because this TEACHING appeals to some lost folks because they say in this life, they can live it up in sin and one day they will just CEASE TO EXIST!!! THERE IS NO HELL!!!
There are 7 million Jehovah Witnesses on the earth today, however, only 6,000 who live on earth actually BELIEVE they are included in the144,000 WHO WILL LIVE IN PARADISE.
Everyone who is not on that list will cease to exist.
So, when you talk to a Jehovah Witness they do not believe in LIFE AFTER DEATH and this passage of scripture is only a story and is not to be taken literally.
The Bible is CLEAR THERE IS A LIFE AFTER DEATH.
Look at 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Notice, Paul uses the word CONFIDENT when it comes to LIFE AFTER DEATH, we can be confident there is life after death.
In this passage of scripture, the Bible talks about PARADISE.
You need to know this that Paradise and Heaven are not the same place.
Let me explain…
The Bible is a book of two covenants, the Old Testament and New Testament.
Before Christ died…
• In the Old Covenant People were allowed to be temporarily saved by offering up a sacrifice for their sins once a year. AN ENNOCENT ANIMAL WAS SACRIFICED AND THEIR SINS WERE TRANFERRED TO THAT ENNOCENT ANIMAL. But it was only temporary because they had to go back every year to offer up another sacrifice for their sins.
• In the New Covenant when Christ died for our Sins. In this New Covenant we do not have to go back each year to be forgiven of our sins. We are ETERNALLY saved and given ETERNAL LIFE because the ULTIMATE SACRIFICE THE LORD JESUS TOOK OUR SINS UPON HIMSELF!
But let me mention something else in this passage of scripture teaches.
Under the Old Covenant when a Believer and unbeliever died, they went to a place call Paradise.
But this place is divided with a great gulf (Chasm) that divided it.
One side of this gulf (Chasm) THE BELIEVERS DWELLED on the other side THE SINNERS DWELLED.
They could communicate with each other.
HOW DO WE KNOW THEY CAN COMMUINICATE WITH EACH OTHER?
Because we know the rich man in hell asked Abraham for one drop of water to cool his tongue, but Abraham could not cross that gulf that divided paradise and give it to him. (This is the same Abraham we find in Genesis 6)
Once Christ died for our sins the Bible tells us he descended to hell for three days.
Look at Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so, shall the son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
This verse of scripture tells us two things…
(1) This verse of scripture tells us where hell is located. “So shall the son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Illus: Every time I see one of these volcanos belching up this hot LAVA from the earth it is no more than hell is expanding itself.
But this verse tells us something else.
(2) The Bible speaks after the Lord paid the price for our sins and died; He went to hell for three days.
Why?
To communicate to the SAINTS and the SINNERS.
To tell…
(1) Sinners, He loved them so much He died for them. Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels. But they chose to spend eternity with him.
Sinners will not hate God once they die and go to hell, they will hate themselves because they chose to go there.
The reason they were there was because they had rejected the price He paid for their sins, and they would not repent.
(2) To communicate to the Believers, He was going to take them out of this place called Paradise to a place called Heaven which He did after three days
Paradise still exists today, and the UNBELIEVERS are in this temporary place of punishment and will remain there until they are cast into hell at the resurrection,
PARADISE IS A HOLDING PLACE UNTIL CHRIST DIED ON THE CROSS. Christians could not go to heaven yet because He had not died for their sins yet.
Illus: Let me mention something that the Catholic believe. They believe there is such a place called Purgatory which they teach is a holding place.
They teach this is a temporary place that a lost person goes after death until they can work for their salvation and be taken to heaven.
You cannot find this teaching in the Bible ANYWHERE!!! It is absolutely a false teaching.
The Word of God tells us in Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
But it is believed that Catholic get the idea of Purgatory from the place call PARADISE which was a holding place for the saints and the sinners.
Once Christ died for the sins of the believers Christ went a removed them from this holding place call Paradise.
The sinners remain there until the RESURRECTION, and they are cast into hell.
The word Hell confuses some people because it is given three names.
1) In the Greek it is called “Hades”
2) In the Hebrews it is called “Sheol”
3) It is also called Gehenna.
What kind of place was Gehenna?
As Easton’s Bible Dictionary illustrates, “Here the dead bodies of animals and of criminals, and all kinds of filth, were cast and consumed by fire kept always burning. It thus in process of time became the image of the place of everlasting destruction.”
These THREE names mention in the scriptures Hades, Sheol, and Gehenna confuse people. THEY ARE ALL THE SAME PLACE THOUGH!!!
The word greek word HADES is translated to the ENGLISH word TO BE CALLED HELL THAT WE USED TODAY.
All three are the same place.
Later on, hell it is called other names in the scripture:
1. Bottomless Pit
2. Lake of Fire
3. Fire and Brimstone
The place called Paradise is the place where the SAINTS of God once dwelled but is now EMPTY. It is no more than a big empty parking lot!!!
Now when a Believer dies Paul teaches us to BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY IS TO BE PRSENT WITH THE LORD.
We no longer live in Paradise this temporary place for the Saints because under this New Covenant Christ has died for our sins. We now have a straight ticket to heaven with no LAY- OVERS!
In this passage of scripture, the Lord speaks of a world that none of us who are living know anything about.
The Lord can do this, because He knows everything there is to know about this AFTER LIFE.
There are only four people that can talk about LIFE AFTER DEATH…
1) The Lord Jesus
2) Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha
3) John the Revelator who was allowed to look into heaven
4) The Apostle Paul, in 2 Cor. 12:2, who was caught up to the third heaven
Illus: When Paul was literally caught up and went to heaven. He said he saw things and heard things he was not allowed to talk about.
Illus: But TODAY WE HAVE TV PREACHERS who claim to have gone to heaven, and they have come back and they talk about it on national television programs and write books on what they claim they saw and heard.
I ONLY BELIEVE THOSE WHO THE BIBLE HAS MENTIONED!!!
However, let’s look at this PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE and see some of the things it does teach.
First, we need to look at -
I. THE REVERSAL METHOD
This PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE shows us a reversal of roles.
WHAT IS THE REVERSAL ROLE?
• The rich man becomes poor,
• The poor man becomes rich.
Look at Luke 16:25, “But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.”
The roles of believers and unbelievers will be reversed in the life to come.
This is one thing for certain that this PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE is teaching.
But in saying that I need to mention there are some things this PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE DOES NOT TEACH!
For example, this PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE does not teach that riches and wealth of themselves are evil and will lead people to hell.
The scripture is filled with godly men who were rich.
• In the Old Testament, Abraham, Job, David and Solomon were wealthy.
• In the NT, Joseph of Arimathea was wealthy. He was a Christian.
Riches of themselves are not evil.
According to 1 Timothy 6:9-10, it is the love of money which leads people to damnation.
It is astounding what people will do for the LOVE OF MONEY.
• Steal
• Kill
• It will cause actors and actresses to remove their clothes appear naked in movies.
• It will cause women to lose all decency and sell their bodies for the almighty dollar.
• Lie
• Love of money has caused people to sell their souls for the love of money.
Illus: Someone said, you can follow the trail of money to every kind of evil exist TODAY!!!
The LOVE OF MONEY is truly the ROOT OF ALL EVIL.
We read In I Timothy 6:9, “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
There is nothing sinful about having money, but it is very sinful when money has us.
• This parable does not teach that this man went to hell because he had money.
This PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE does not teach that poverty, lead to everlasting life
Our text does not say that Lazarus was saved because he was poor.
Some are quick to quote Luke 6:20-22, where we read, “And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out.”
• RICHES WILL NOT SAVE YOU,
• AND POVERTY WILL NOT SAVE YOU.
Hell will be populated with RICH and POOR people.
This PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE is certainly not teaching salvation by RICHES or POVERTY.
WHAT IS IT TEACHING?
The parable of Luke 16:19-31 pictures the spiritual difference between BELIEVERS and UNBELIEVERS in this life and in the life to come.
One day the rich man will be poor, and the poor man will become rich.
This is called THE REVERSAL METHOD that one day will take place.
But let’s look at-
II. THE RICH MAN
THIS PARABLE HAS A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THE RICH MAN
We can read this passage of Scripture and develop a mental picture of him and his lifestyle.
For example, we see that:
He certainly does not represent all the rich people.
HOW DO WE KNOW THAT?
Because verse 19, we read, “There was a certain rich man…”
If all the rich men were like this RICH MAN, God’s Word would not have said there was a “Certain rich man”.
Illus: Some of God’s choice servants are rich people. They are able to do for the Lord what many folks are not able to do. Thank God for their willingness to use their wealth to promote the work of God, the same way that some that are blessed with talent are willing to use their talent to sing, teach or preach the Word of God.
Let me illustrate…
Illus: Years ago, there was a Bible conference in Lynchburg, Va. where the late Dr. Jerry Falwell pastored where thousands of preachers had gathered for this conference.
The conference was held in a new building that held as many as 5 to 6 thousand people.
During the conference he asked the t.v. camera man to focus the camera on him because he had something important to say.
• He said the building was completely paid for.
• He said no one in this large audience had contributed one dollar to pay for this building.
• He said no one who is watching on television has contributed one dollar to pay for this building.
• He said no one in his church has contributed one dollar to pay for this building
• He said two sisters in Texas wrote a check and paid thirty-two million dollars for this building to be built.
God has done some wonderful things for people who has been bless with a heart to give.
This church has been abundantly blessed with people who has been abundantly blessed to give with a heart of love for the Lord.
Thank God for such people. Sometime ONE OF THEM CAN DO MORE THAN A HUNDRED POOR PEOPLE!!!
But in this parable this CERTAIN RICH man did not have a heart of giving to the Lord.
(1) He lived a life of luxury.
Look at verse 19, we read, “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day.”
Today, when we look at people, we see that many folks wear different color clothes.
But back during this time they did not have the ability to dye clothing as we have today.
Only the rich could afford to be “Clothed in purple and fine linen.”
This is why the Lord speaks of the rich man in this manner, so we might recognize he was truly rich.
But notice something else the Bible said about him, “… And (he) fared sumptuously every day.” This means he had wealth, and he did not mind flaunting it in the face of everyone that knew him.
The Bible says this man lived a life of luxury EVERY DAY.
• He lived in the best
• He wore the best
• He ate the best
He was a man that many looked up to with envy.
But did you know that this is the only heaven that some folks will ever have?
They had better enjoy every minute of life they can enjoy, because eternity in hell is FOREVER!
This parable has a lot to say about how the rich man lived his life.
But also-
(B) THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE HAS A LOT TO SAY ABOUT LAZARUS
We can read this passage of Scripture and develop a mental picture of him and his lifestyle.
For example, we see that:
(1) He was a man of poverty.
Look at verse 21, we read, “And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores.”
He was so poor that all he had to eat were the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table.
Illus: Many of us know what it is to wear hand-me-down clothes. They have never had any store-bought clothes to wear in their life.
(2) He was an invalid.
Look at verse 20, we read, “And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores.”
This man knew a great deal about suffering.
When people have not suffered much in life, it is difficult for them to recognize suffering. But when a person has suffered a great deal in this life, they can recognize suffering when no one else.
Illus: In Columbia, South Carolina, there is a Christian lady by the name of Mrs. Betty Raynor, that has suffered severe pain for much of her life. One day while her pastor was visiting with her, he had a hurt back. When he got up that morning his back was hurting of the pain in the lower part of his back. But all day long he was able to conceal the pain, and no one even knew about it. He straightened up and walked into the room of this woman who had lived with pain much of her life, with a smile on his face never mentioning the pain in the lower part of his back.
After he had visited with her and had prayer for her, he was leaving her room and she said, “Pastor, is your back hurting you?” He said, “Yes, how did you know?” She said, “I thought so because I can recognize back pain!”
Often the Lord allows us to suffer so we can help those we come into contact with.
This poor beggar named Lazarus could sympathize with those in the worst of conditions, because he had experienced the same thing himself.
The rich man and Lazarus had lived OPPOSITE TYPES OF LIVES, but now they both shared the same thing.
Look at verses 22, we read, “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died and was buried.”
Let me share something from this passage that is taught of a great comfort.
So many times, I have heard Christians say how bad they felt when a loved one died, they died alone, and they wish they could have been there with them.
I can assure you that when your loved one died in Christ they were not alone.
Look what this passage teaches us when this beggar, a child of God died, we read in Luke 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died and was buried.
Illus: This could explain why many of us have seen a saint of God who was no longer conscious of our presence beside a bed side of watching them to reach out to the angels who came to get them. WE SAINTS OF GOD ARE NEVER ALONE WHEN WE DIE!!!
Someone said, “Death makes all men equal!”
That is, it does not matter how much a man or woman may have, they are all going to die one day.
• They might be able to afford the best doctors
• They might be able to afford the best of care and medicine
• But one day they are going to die just like the poor man dies.
• But notice, after death they did not both go to the same place.
This PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE teaches there is a hell and this rich man that loved riches more than he loved God is now in hell.
Look at verses 23-24, we read, “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.”
One of the terrible things about hell, is people’s memory.
• They will remember the times they heard the gospel
• They will remember the times they put ridiculous things ahead of the Lord
• They will remember the times they could have done so much good with their life
• They could have served this wonderful Savior that died for their sins.
According to this PASSAGE of scripture, the rich man in hell came to realize that he was doomed.
He had made the COSTLIEST MISTAKE OF HIS LIFE AND NOW HE IS GOING TO PAY FOR IT!!!
But now for the first time in his life he is concerned about the salvation of his brothers. He did not want them to come to this dreadful place.
Can you imagine how lost parents will feel when they open their eyes in hell and think about their children who are following in their footsteps.
They have taught them by example how to lie, curse, leave God out of their life and now in hell they know their children will soon join them in this terrible place call hell.
Look at verses 27-31, we read, “Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, they have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
The rich man in hell was of the persuasion that if one from the dead came back and preached to his five brethren, they would repent. But the Lord told him that if one came back from the dead, still they will not repent if they will not believe Moses and the prophets
There are those today who feel like the rich man had a good argument. And they will likewise say that if someone came back from the dead and preached to the multitudes they would repent.
May I remind you that someone did do this, HIS NAME IS JESUS, AND STILL MEN WILL NOT REPENT.
The Bible tells us, and he said, Nay, Father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they would repent.
Look at the word REPENT. The only way a person can be saved is to REPENT OF THEIR SINS.
• Baptism will not save you.
• Church membership will not save you.
• Tithing will not save you.
• Good works will not save you.
God’s Word says in Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Conclusion:
WHAT DOES REPENTANCE MEAN?
Let me explain…
Look at John 8:4-11 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So, when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again, he stooped down and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
“Go and Sin No More” John 8:11
YouTube
JESUS SAVES
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Feb 1, 2021
Go and sin no more!!!
I. THE REVERSAL METHOD
II. THE RICH MAN
