What Do We Carry Out of This Life?

Luke 16:19–31

19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

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;

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 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.

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.

26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:

28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Ecclesiastes 5:15-17

15 As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?

17 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.

What Do We Carry Out of This Life?

INTRO:

Paul, speaking in 1 Timothy 6:6 tells us, “Godliness with contentment is great gain”

(V. 7). “For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”

Job said, Job 1:21 “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb and naked shall I return hither, the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away blessed be the name of the lord” .

(Ecclesiastes 5:15)—“As he came forth out of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.”

(V. 16)—“And this is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind.”

It seems these Scriptures are saying that we carry nothing out of this life.

This is speaking of the labour of our hands, food, raiment, gold, silver, houses, land, etc.

We cannot take any of those things with us, so that is why Jesus said in;

Mat. 6:19-21

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Colossians 3:2 —“Set your affection on things above and not on the things on earth”

1 John 2:17 —“The world passeth away and the lusts thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”

Though I’ve never seen a hurse pulling a U Haul trailer

There are some things we do carry out with us.

Wherever we go, heaven or hell, we take our five (5) senses with us.

I. WE CARRY OUT OUR CAPACITY TO SEE

A. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, it is evident that the rich man saw Lazarus, and

he saw the flames. He “saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”

B. The saved will see the beauty of heaven. Paul saw the wonderful sights of heaven when he was caught up 2 Corinthians 12:4

4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

C. The unsaved will see the black sooted walls of an eternal hell—see wretched lives—

see demons, gangsters, coals of fire, etc.

II. WE CARRY OUT OUR CAPACITY TO FEEL

A. Abraham told the rich man, “Lazarus is comforted, thou art tormented.”

Lazarus felt the comfort of God’s love and blessings. He was carried to heaven by a band of angels. What a trip! Joy never experienced by man!

B. The rich man felt the flames of hell—felt the wrath of God—felt the remorse of his conscience. He felt that conscience that, had no doubt, warned him many times.

III. WE ALSO CARRY OUT OUR CAPACITY TO HEAR

A. Lazarus heard angels singing—and the “well done” of our Lord.

B. The rich man heard; the screams of the tormented. Heard the crackling of flames of fire—taunting of demons—the blaspheming of God’s name. And he heard the pitiful cries for mercy.

C. All those who go to hell will try to close their eyes and their ears.

When Stephen said, Acts 7:56,57 “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God,” the mob “cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears …”

IV. WE will CARRY OUT THE CAPACITY FOR TASTE

A. The rich man asked for water (V. 24). Lost souls will beg for water and maybe food—and have a desire for God even in hell.

B. For the righteous, Psalms 34:8 “O taste and see that the Lord is good” blessed is the man that trusteth in him . And,

Psalms 103:5 “Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles” .

V. WE CARRY OUT OUR CAPACITY TO SPEAK

A. Father Abraham, send Lazarus, that …” (V. 24).

B. The righteous in heaven are praising and blessing God, crying “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty …” Revelation 4:8

C. The wicked are praying, crying, cursing, begging for mercy.

VI. WE CARRY OUT A CAPACITY FOR CONCERN OF LOVED ONES

Rich man wanted Lazarus sent to his father’s house to testify to his five brothers, “Lest they also come into this place of torment” (V. 28).

Abraham informed him that it was too late. And that though one rose from the dead, they would not be persuaded (V. 31).

VII. FINALLY, WE CARRY OUT OUR CAPACITY TO REMEMBER

A. Abraham said, “Son remember …” (V. 25).

B. The righteous will remember how they found God and all of His bountiful blessings bestowed upon them through the years.

C. The wicked will remember:

1. Lost opportunities

2. The Prayers of Mothers and Fathers

3. The Prayers of the church

4. Sermons preached in their ears

5. Songs

6. The Word of God

7. missed opportunities to go to The altar

8. The wooing of the Spirit of God

CONCLUSION: “The wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” Matthew 25:46

“And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever, and they have no rest day nor night …” Revelation 14:11 .