PARABLES OF JESUS - THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS

RICH MAN AND LAZARUS

2 weeks ago we looked at very difficult parable to understand – the Unjust Steward or the Dishonest Manager. We looked at how we have to be faithful in the small things and the big things. We have to have a correct view of reality – everything we have from the money in the bank to the clothes on our backs are a blessing from God and are His. The big question we kind of left with – if we can't be trusted with the earthly things here – how can God possibly trust us with Heavenly riches? What do we have an appetite for – God or money we cannot

love and serve both – what are we focused on?

Today we start week 14 of the series with the rich man and Lazarus. We see here there are only 2 possible destinations after your last breath leaves you – heaven or hell – no in between – no waiting room where you get prayed out of or work up to getting into heaven. This is a difficult passage to really digest – why doesn’t God give the rich man’s sons a second chance to change? We will look at that and more as we engage with Scripture this morning.

Let us pray!

THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS

Luke 16:19–31 – “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”

In Luke 16:14-15 Luke recounts this, “The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

Jesus admonishes them with the example of His cousin John the Baptist, how the prophets were treated and then he tells us what we call verse 19, “There was a certain rich man.

I. The People in the Story—vv. 19–21 – 2 different main characters

A. Man of wealth—v. 19. “There was a certain rich man,” Jesus said, “who was splendidly clothed and lived each day in mirth and luxury”— clothed in purple and fine linen who feasted sumptuously every day!

An example of misuse of the Gifts and Blessings God gives us – this rich man did not even try to help and he knew of Lazarus – pay attention that detail throughout the parable

Then there is Lazarus (the only named character in all the parables!) – meaning He whom God helps

B. Man of want—v. 20. The poor man begged for crumbs from the rich man’s table. He had no money for food or medicine; so he allowed the dogs to come and licked his sores.

Was laid – people carried Lazarus to the man’s gate and laid him there – unable to help himself – relying on the generosity of others – desired just what would fall to the floor – what the dogs would need – not even a full meal – just something

Then both men die …

II. The Particulars in the Story—vv. 22–26

A. Heaven—vv. 22. “the beggar died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham in the place of the righteous dead. The rich man died and was buried”—LB. All will die—

Hebrews 9:27 – And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

Lazarus – crippled, poor, died probably not a proper burial as he was poor but evidently lived a life of faithful service to God to get to Abraham’s side – Jewish belief where they would await the Judgement Day

The rich man lived life to the fullest, died, and was buried. He received a dignified burial but it was the last blessing of his riches

B. Hell—v. 23. “And his soul went to hell. There, in torment, he saw Lazarus in the far distance with Abraham”—LB.

The roles are now switched – the rich man is in pain and agony with end in sight and Lazarus is at the banquet table of Abraham and this is the last we hear of Lazarus – he was sitting at Abraham’s side. He recognized Lazarus, he remembered him, knew his name.

No indication that Lazarus could see him in Hades, in Hell

Rich man saw them – far off but saw them – wouldn’t this be the very definition of hell to see people we know in paradise and us to be suffering, unseen, unknown.

Not much is said of heaven – mostly so beautiful no words can describe and no tears

Revelation 21:4 – He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

The torment of hell –

Jesus speaks of eternal punishment in Matt 25:46

Revelation 20:20 lake of sulfur and fire

2 Thessalonians 1:9 – They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

C. Help—v. 24. The rich man cried out for water to cool his tongue from the heat of hell-fire –

Have pity on me – but as see in the story he never showed pity himself

And then asking not Abraham but Lazarus – the very man he had ignored to help ease his pain – irony – but he knew Lazarus – he remembered him, knew his name, recognized him.

Even in torment – his pride still sees that Lazarus is below him – to serve his needs, he could have asked for an angel or Jeremiah or someone – wants Lazarus

Still complete unrepentance towards how he treated Lazarus – pride is a powerful emotion that if we don’t control will control and consume us

There will be no help to stop or lessen the torment, pain, suffering awaiting those who reject Jesus and the Gospel

Mark 9:43-44 – And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. In that place, worms never die, and the fire is never put out.

v. 25. It was too late to change after death. There will be no second chance, no further opportunity to repent and be converted.

Our chance to accept God and His gift is now – our friends, family and neighbors is now – no one is promised tomorrow – and once someone is in hell – there is no escape

(Train station analogy)

(Touched by an angel example)

Once a person enters hell, he will remain. Seek Christ today—

Mark 16:16 – Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

And besides all this – besides the fact that you lived in luxury and you did nothing to help your brother and your brother who lived in agony and pain is no longer besides all this – besides all the opportunities you had to follow God’s commands on your life and you chose not to… besides all this no one can cross this chasm – you are in your final destination. Your train has arrived

God fixed the separation so no one condemned can enter heaven and no one not even angels can offer relief to those who chose to ignore God and His Love and forgiveness

III. The Prayer in the Story—vv. 27–31

A. Pain—vv. 27–28. The pain was great. The rich man wanted someone to warn his brothers not to go to this awful place

Not others, not the poor or the lost – his pride still requests only help for those he cares about

Send Lazarus – to my brothers – he still has no concept of eternity – still requests Lazarus serve his needs – still had not figured it out – his superiority is still showing through

Send Lazarus so they can be like the unjust manager and act shrewdly and prepare for a better eternity than I have

Warn them, call them to repentance

God

Revelation 20:10 – and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Revelation 14:11 – And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”

B. Prophets—v. 29. “But Abraham said, ‘The Scriptures have warned them again and again. Your brothers can read them any time they want to’ ”—LB.

When the prophets were alive – they were mistreated – even killed and then believed in

Jesus was mistreated – even killed – but the Son of God was right there speaking to them and the Pharisee’s could not recognize Him because they had created god in their image. Even when He rose – they refused to believe and started the rumor that the disciples had stolen the body that was being guarded by Roman Centurions.

They have the prophets – let them read them anytime they want

C. Proposal—v. 30. The rich man thought that if someone rose from the dead, his brothers would believe. But when Christ arose from the dead, they didn’t believe it.

A dead man was laid on top of the bones of Elisha and came back to life

It's not a matter of evidence but a matter of the condition on our heart

If our hearts are hardened – no amount of evidence would convince (Remember Pharaoh and the plagues and the death of 1st born’s)

D. Problem—v. 31. If the rich man’s brothers didn’t believe Moses, neither would they believe anyone else, even if that person rose from the dead.

The law and prophets do not have the power to bring the rich to repentance – only the Savior – only the Messiah – what do we do today with the Messiah –

Is he fire insurance – He’s my savior so I don’t go to hell

Or

Lord – He saved me from myself and my sin so I desire to serve Him I desire time with Him – He is more important that crops cattle and checkbook balances. Is He Lord and God over everything or just over Sunday’s?

We have a choice—whether we will have God’s heavenly reward or the fiery destruction of the wicked after death. Note these passages:

(1) those who forget God. Psalm 9:17—The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.

(2) everlasting punishment. Daniel 12:2— And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

(3) those doomed to the lake of fire. Revelation 21:8— But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

(4) Revelation 14:11 – And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”

Revelation 20:10— and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

There is no rest in hell. And if there is no rest in hell that means there is a hell. The bible warns us more about hell than it But, also, there is a heaven.

(1) The words of Jesus—John 14:1–3 – “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

(2) A home not made with human hands—2 Corinthians 5:1 – For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,

(3) Paul tells of being with Christ after death—2 Corinthians 5:8 – Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 12:2-4 – I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.

You can choose to accept or reject God’s plan of salvation. God sends no one to hell—they send themselves by refusing to accept God’s pardon – remember the train station analogy

Let us pray!