Title: The Great Divide
Theme: To show the difference between heaven and hell.
Text: Luke 16:19 – 31
Note: This message is part of a series I called the DNA of a Christian. It covers essential doctrines that Christians need to believe. It makes us who we are. In this message, although I leaned heavily on the commentary Preacher’s Sermon and Outline Bible for Luke 16:25 – 31 (used a lot of the commentary). I wanted to share it with you.
Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. (26) And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed (great divide), so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.'
They will not believe even if someone comes back from the dead
ii. Of course, Jesus did rise from the dead; yet many did not believe then. Additionally, a man named Lazarus also came back from the dead (Jhn_11:38-44) and the religious leaders did not believe him; they tried to kill him (Jhn_12:9-10).
There was a difference in how they lived in this life (vv.19-21)
(19) "There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day.
This is one of the reasons we call this a true story. It is not a parable. Jesus does not name names in parables.
“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine” (Jhn_10:14; see Jhn_10:27).
“But if any man love God, the same is known of him” (1Co_8:3).
“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (1Co_13:12).
(20) But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate,
a. The rich man was wealthy; Lazarus poor [v.20]
This was made very clear.
(21) desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
b. The rich man was healthy; Lazarus disabled [v.21]
Jesus seems to lean toward those, have compassion on those who are not self-dependent. Those who are in need.
Ask the Man at the pool of Bethesda
Ask the Man who was blind, born blind
Ask the Lame man
Ask the woman with the issue of blood
Jesus sees the broken heart.
Psalms 34:18 The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
(NLT) The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
(MSG) If your heart is broken, you'll find GOD right there; if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath
The rich man lived in luxury and extravagance; Lazarus begged, being helpless [v.21]
The crumbs were that which used by the Rich man to wipe his mouth after eating.
Rich man – luxury, extravagant. Home big gates, ignored the world
This says a lot about who he was. Not just living with what he needed but extravagant and luxurious. Everything he wanted or needed was at his finger tips.
d. The rich man was nameless; Lazarus named [v.19]
There was A difference in the way they died: Lazarus died and was escorted to paradise; the rich man died and was buried (v.22)
(22) So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
Notice, in this life there was much recognition to the rich man. I would assume there was an extravagant funeral. There was great mourning. But Lazarus died.
Notice next, Lazarus was escorted to Paradise.
Psalm 34:7 ESV / 5 helpful votes
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
What a joy that the Father takes that much care for us when we die. He does not leave us alone but escorts us.
- Enoch walked with God and was no more and God took him.
- Elijah on chariots of fire.
- Moses God escorted to heaven
There was a difference in their eternity (vv.23-31)
(23) And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
a. The rich man was in hell; Lazarus was in Paradise [v.23]
There is only two destinations. There is not third place. It is either heaven or hell. A place of paradise and peace or a place of torment and separation.
Mat 25:46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
(24) Then 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.
b. The rich man saw glory; Lazarus was in glory [v.24]
The rich man looked up and saw (Abrham’s bosom, paradise, now heaven). But Lazarus was in it.
I want more than a glimpse. Some of you here today have just gotten a glimpse. A touch.
Mark 8:23-25 So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. (24) And he looked up and said, "I see men like trees, walking." (25) Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.
I don’t want to have “been there” I want to be there. I am not just satisified to see the glory I want to be in the glory
c. Notice, The rich man was alone; Lazarus had fellowship [v.24]
Hell is a lonely place. It is no party. Heaven is a place of great fellowship. A place of reunions. I place of reconnections. A place of being in God’s presence.
d. The difference here is that The rich was in want; Lazarus was settled [v.24]
The rich man was in want. He wanted water. He could not demand any more. He was not entitled any more.
e. The rich man was tormented; Lazarus was comforted [v.24]
Description of hell: fire and brimstone, weeping and gnashing of teeth, torment.
There is no comfort in hell. There is not getting together with your friends in hell.
(25) But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.
f. The rich man remembered his former life; Lazarus was silent [v.25]
There is memory in hell. Wow. People will be conscience of their previous life. In heaven there is a settlement of what was expected.
(26) And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed (great divide), so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.'
g. The rich man was fixed in hell; Lazarus was fixed in Paradise [v.26]
Hell is a permanent place. Both heaven and hell.
(27) Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house,
h. The rich man agonized for loved ones; Lazarus was settled in eternity [v.27]
What if we had this same vision of heaven and hell. What if today before the end of this message we could see eternity as what it is. We would be more evangelistic. We would be more accepting of Christ.
(28) for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' (29) Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' (30) And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' i. The rich man begged for another chance; Lazarus was silently at peace (31) But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.' "
j. The rich man was unable to intercede for his family; Lazarus was at rest in God’s promises [v.31]
The rich man finally saw something. He saw a need to avoid hell. Hell became a reality.
For some today they use the word hell so loosely. With limited understanding.
They loose money on the stock market, “I am going through hell”
They get sick, “I am going through hell”
They have sorrow or heartache, “I am going through hell”
Truthfully this is a limited view of what hell is. Hell is eternal separation from God. It is living in regret. It is God allowing us to be what we truly want.
Conclusion
I am not trying to make light of hell. I am in no way joying in the fact that people will go to hell. In reality it pains me to know that God has made the way to heave so easy yet people will choose to go to hell.
I am not sure way. Maybe we here have forgotten what heaven is. Truly paradise.
Revelation 21:3-4 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. (4) And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
