Bigger Than the Gulf of Mexico

One of Aesop’s fables concerned a turtle who envied the ducks who swam in the pond where he lived. As he listened to them describe the wonders of the world they had seen, he was filled with a great desire to travel. But being a turtle, he was unable to travel far. Finally two ducks offered to help him. One of the ducks said, “We will each hold an end of a stick in our mouths. You hold the stick in the middle in your mouth, and we will carry you through the air so that you can see what we see when we fly. But be quiet or you will be sorry.”

The turtle loved the idea. He took hold of the stick and away into the sky they went. The ducks flew up above the trees and circled around the meadow. The turtle was amazed and overjoyed at his new perspective on the world. He marveled at the flowers on the hillside. Just then a crow flew past. Astonished at the sight of a turtle flying through the air carried by two ducks he said, “Surely this must be the king of all turtles!”

“Why certainly…” the turtle began—but as he spoke, he lost his grip on the stick and fell to the ground below.

Everything was fine

until pride entered.

He was okay until

the desire to ascribe

to himself honor and power.

Pride is the silent killer

of the spiritual life.

Luke 16:19–21 (ESV)

“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.

This sermon is

not about money.

Focused on Money

in last sermon.

(used to be embarrassed).

The main idea is not

about money.

Two main characters

rich man

poor beggar, Lazarus.

The problem was not

one had money

the other didn’t.

The problem was

Jew’s belief about

money and wealth.

Money = God’s Favor

Jews believed

Money = God’s love/favor

No Money = God’s punishment.

Their conclusion:

rich people are righteous.

poor people are wicked.

Old Testament Welfare System

The problem is,

God has created

a welfare system for

underprivileged.

Gleaning.

Special Tithe once every 3 years for the poor.

Command to help widows, orphans.

No interest loans to fellow Israelites.

Rules how to protect slaves.

Rules to protect Foreigner.

Everyone received land (distribution of wealth)

Year of Jubilee

Repeatedly warned against extortion

The welfare system

not forced by the government

built into their religion

response of pity and love

for fellow citizens.

Yet,

by the time of Jesus...

most of the wealthy

would not perform

their duties because

their beliefs about poverty.

If they believed

the poor were wicked

and being punished by God...

They weren’t going to

help the poor...

God was punishing them!

How could they stand

in God’s way?

The purpose of

this parable is multifaceted.

First reason:

1. To Correct False Ideas About Wealth and Poverty

Jesus chooses these

two main characters

to turn false Jewish idea

upside-down.

Luke 16:19–23 (ESV)

“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...

If any other Jewish teacher

was telling the story

it would never

go like this.

The rich man is

supposed to go to heaven

poor man to hell.

In there world,

poor are wicked!

Jesus pulls the rug

out from under

false ideas.

Poor beggar

gets to go to heaven

Rich man

goes to hell.

Self-Sufficiency

Though on paper

we don’t teach

the same Jewish

false teaching

(rich blessed by God)

(poor are not).

We may not teach it

but we kind of

live as though

it is true.

Nowadays,

it has the same results.

Frequently,

rich feel they are

completely fine

need nothing

self-satisfied.

Poor

unhappy

want something more

realize money is not solution.

When I was

bible worker

knocking on doors.

Always start

in poor neighborhoods.

majority of good leads.

Rich and rural area

little to no leads.

Everyone had

everything they needed.

Truth is,

we know that

rich people are not

more happy than poor.

But in our society,

we try to pretend like it.

The poor

messed up.

We can see

dysfunction from

miles away.

Frequently

bad choices

substance issue

coarse language

bad examples.

Rich,

many of same issues

but hide them all.

Rich are

bad choices

substance issues

(But hidden)

smooth language

“good examples”

What is result of

all of this?

Externally,

we don’t teach

rich are loved by God

poor are cursed.

Internally,

we often believe the lie!

Results are same.

Rich southerners,

many think they are

going to heaven.

We look at “others”

living in the ghetto

sure they are not!

We are plagued

with same false thinking

a the Jews!

And the result

is the same.

The rich become:

proud

self-sufficient

The story is told of two women in Shanghai who were discussing the topic of pride and began to wonder if Hudson Taylor was ever tempted to be proud because of his many accomplishments. One of the women decided to ask Taylor’s wife, Maria, about it. Maria promised the woman that she would find out. When Mrs. Taylor asked her husband if he was ever tempted to be proud, he was surprised. “Proud about what?” he asked. “About all of the things you have done,” his wife explained. Taylor responded, “I never knew I had done anything.”

In our society

strong temptation

more affluent to become

proud

self-satisfied.

It is no wonder

message to Christianity today:

Message to Laodicea:

Revelation 3:17 ESV

For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

What is the problem?

we believe we are:

rich

prospered

need nothing...

Truth:

wretched

pitiful

poor

blind

naked.

Most dangerous spiritual issue:

think that we

need nothing!!!!

When we believe

we have arrive

we believe

we don’t need God!!!

Among all the issues

that Laodicea had

blindness was the worst.

To be spiritually blind

cannot see true condition.

It would have been

okay if we were

wretched

pitiful

poor

naked.

If we could see our

true condition

call out for help

God would provide.

When we are blind...

When we think

we are

rich

prospered

need nothing

we don’t call out to God!!!

The wealthy...

(financially and spiritually)

are in the most

dangerous condition.

Why?

They are tempted

to think they are

just okay.

He that is down needs fear no fall, He that is low, no pride; He that is humble ever shall Have God to be his guide.—John Bunyan

Back to story.

Luke 16:22–25 (ESV)

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.

Abraham explains

that each person

getting opposite of

what they recieved

in life on earth.

Those that received

bad thing will be

comforted some day.

The wicked that

seemed to succeed

in this life will

receive their final reward.

The message

of comfort is encouraging.

Let’s be honest,

we were not all

dealt same hand

in this life.

Some born with

silver spoon

in their mouth.

Others were

lucky if they

got a wooden one

after others

finished their food.

Many of you

been through

untold hardship.

This is not just about

wealth or poverty.

Wealth really is

individuals to have

great opportunity

great role models.

Poverty is

lack of opportunity

lack of positive role models.

Spiritual poverty

more than

financial condition

neighborhood grew up.

Spiritually,

many had great access to

everything needed - edification.

Others,

lacked basic

spiritual opportunities

spiritual role models.

God judges not

based on had

we were dealt

in this life.

But how we played

the hand

we were given.

Someday,

All that seemed

unfair in this life

will be made right.

Find comfort in the fact

wrongs will be righted

injustices resolved

Bible is clear,

we will be judged

by opportunities

that we had.

Lenny Skutnik had no intention of being a hero that day. The staffer at the Congressional Budget Office in Washington was having an ordinary winter day when Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th Street Bridge over the Potomac River shortly after takeoff. Those who survived the crash faced death as the plane sank in the icy waters.

A helicopter dropped a rescue line to one of the survivors, but she was too weak to hold on. Lenny Skutnik saw what was happening and dove into the water. He swam out to her and pulled her back to shore, saving her life. Two weeks later, President Ronald Reagan invited Skutnik to attend the State of the Union address, and in describing the accident said: “We saw the heroism of one of our young government employees, Lenny Skutnik, who, when he saw a woman lose her grip on the helicopter line, dove into the water and drug her to safety.”

Skutnik was honored by the president of the United States, not because he tried to draw attention to himself but because he did what was right in a crisis. Satan tells us that we need to be sure everything we do is seen and praised. Yet God reminds us that attempts to promote ourselves eventually backfire.

Lenny didn’t plan

to be a hero that day.

He didn’t tell others

how amazing he was.

He was in a position

to served and he did.

Others honored him.

Like our relationship with God.

If we seek to

honor ourselves

we are rejected.

If we meekly make

right choices to serve

God will honor us Himself.

Parable continues:

The Great Gulf

Luke 16:26 ESV

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.’

The great gulf...

I’m going to come

back to this point.

At his point

I have to address

glaring issues.

Our friends,

from other churches like

to use this parable

to explain

state of the dead

heaven

hell.

First,

let’s be clear.

Parable is not

designed to teach

nature of death

experience of heaven

experience of hell.

Parables are

fake stories

with symbolism

made to teach

important ideas.

Main idea

pride

self-sufficiency

is dangerous.

Parables are not Literal!!!

In this parable

so much

figurative.

Examples:

Heaven is on Abraham’s Chest???

In Hell people have regular conversations in torment.

He asked for a drop of water on tongue in fire.

Big chasm between heaven and hell but they can see and talk to people on other side?

They can’t travel across chasm but Abraham (in heaven) can talk to people burning in hell.

Abraham has super powers that other don’t have in heaven?

This is not literal

lesson is not

What happens when you die?

What is heaven like?

What is hell like?

Jesus uses false teaching

about heaven

and hell

because he knew that

many believe it.

In other words,

meeting people

on their ground.

You may have heard

pastors start a sermon with

joke about people

going to heaven

St. Peter is at gate

deciding who gets in.

Firstly,

Do I believe that

St. Peter is

door keeper?

gets to make final judgment?

NOOO!!!!

Why would we even

say such a thing?

We use many

jokes

euphemisms

ideas that we

don’t actually

teach or believe.

Why,

we know it is

not true but

that is not point.

Use the joke

lighten the mood

make a point.

Not to teach

what heaven is like!

This is exactly

what Jesus did

in telling this parable.

Don’t get caught up

making literal teachings from

fictitious metaphorical stories.

(OT parable about talking trees).

Focus on the

lesson to be learned.

Move on.

Lessons Taught in Parable

The Wealthy are Not Necessarily Spiritually Blessed

There Are No Second Chances After Death (2nd Coming)

Dangers of pride.

Continue Parable

No Second Chances

Luke 16:27–31 (ESV)

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 the parable

rich man is

shocked and confused

he ended up in hell

poor Lazarus in heaven.

He realizes

nothing can be done

for him now.

Rich man is

worried about brothers.

They are also

proud

arrogant

self-confident

self-sufficient

Rev:

rich

prosperous

in need of nothing!

Rich man

afraid brothers will

end up in same place.

He wants them

to be warned to

make changes

to their lives.

Rich man’s solution

send Lazarus from dead

to warn them about

this place of torment.

Rich man knew

they were all

on the same path.

Abraham said,

no, they don’t need Lazarus.

They have the Bible!

Rich man pleads,

if someone comes back

from the dead to warn them

they will take it more seriously!

Abraham argues,

no they won’t.

If they don’t believe the Bible

They won’t believe

resurrected Lazarus either!

(Lazarus did resurrected)

(Pharisees didn’t change).

This lesson is

for each of us.

We have the Bible,

we are not ignorant.

We are spiritually rich,

we have the truth.

We have complete access

to more truth

through Bible study.

When this life is over,

we cannot say...

I didn’t know better.

We had a whole life

with the Bible to

understand

right

wrong

repentance

need of Christ.

If we exit this life

not in heavenly bliss

it is because

we willfully chose

not to be there.

(Wanted this world more).

Brothers and sisters,

this entire life

a short period of probation.

We have a few short years

decisions affect eternal destiny.

When this life is over,

That’s it!

No more take-backs.

In the bathroom of a place of business in London, British newspaper publisher William Beaverbrook happened to meet Edward Heath, a young member of Parliament, about whom Beverbrook had printed an insulting article a few days earlier. “My dear chap,” said the publisher, embarrassed by the meeting, “I’ve been thinking it over, and I was wrong. Here and now, I wish to apologize.”

“Very well,” grunted Heath, “but the next time, I wish you’d insult me in the bathroom and apologize in your newspaper.”

Some day

there is no more

take-backs.

We know no

how much time

we have left.

Our only choice

do the best we can

with each moment we have.

Life life each day

like it may be

our last day.

Life life:

love

service

share Christ.

But of all things

let us not fool ourselves.

Don’t be like

the rich man.

He though he

surely be in heaven!

It is one thing

to choose to be lost.

Much worse to

think you are saved

and be lost!

The most dangerous lies:

pride

arrogance

self-sufficiency.

Just five days after accepting the position as head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team in December of 2001, George O’Leary resigned in disgrace. An investigation had revealed that more than twenty years before he had included false claims on his resume, including saying that he had lettered in football when he was not even on the team and that he had a master’s degree which he had not earned. The lies had not been discovered at any of his previous coaching jobs, but the high profile accorded the position of coach at Notre Dame led to his exposure.

In a statement O’Leary said: “Due to a selfish and thoughtless act many years ago, I have personally embarrassed Notre Dame, its alumni, and fans. With that in mind, I will resign my position as head football coach.” Though a considerable amount of time passed between O’Leary’s deception and its discovery, it did come to light with devastating results. He had seemingly reached the heights of his profession, only to wake up and find it all taken away.

Many Christians today

lied on their resume

claiming to be Christians.

In review:

Lessons Taught in Parable

The Wealthy are Not Necessarily Spiritually Blessed

There Are No Second Chances After Death (2nd Coming)

Genealogy Means Nothing to God

In the parable,

Rich man needed help.

He prayed to Abraham.

He did not pray to God.

He put “Father Abraham”

in God’s place.

Jews believed

rich are blessed.

poor cursed.

Jews blessed.

Gentiles cursed.

Rich man looked to

“Father Abraham”

in this story because

that is what Jews taught

reason of salvation.

If you have

“Father Abraham”

Biologically Jewish

You can be saved...

Biological Gentiles

will be lost

unless they become Jews

(circumcision).

Rich man looked to

Abraham for his salvation

Abraham did nothing to

save him from hell.

Hear people say,

5th gen SDA

as if meritorious...

So what,

that won’t help you

in the judgment.

If you grandpa

was the best missionary

of all time...

Does not help you in judgment!!!

We stand before God

individually and upon

our own choices.

We make our choices

here and now.

When we die

too late.

Pride comes to an end.

In the city of Hanover is a graveyard which has been closed for a number of years—the Garden Churchyard. Owing to its antiquated monuments and the fact of its being the resting place of a number of celebrated characters, it awakens the liveliest curiosity. A few paces east of the unassuming little church in the graveyard is a monument tottering from its foundation. It is built in the form of steps, and the massive stones are secured by heavy iron clasps. The monument was erected in the year 1782.

Beside the usual family inscriptions, at the base of the monument are engraved these arrogant lines: “The sepulchre, purchased for all eternity, is not permitted to be opened.” Opposed to this determination of man, a beech seed, perhaps carried by the wind, found its way into a crevice of the foundation.

In the course of years this little seed grew to be a strong, luxuriant tree, mocked the proud inscription of the monument, raised the massive stones from their foundation, and rent the strong iron clasp asunder.

This open grave reminds the visitor of the mutability of earthly scenes, and the fallacy of man’s resolution to project plans to last for “all eternity.”

Three Lessons:

Lesson Taught in Parable

The Wealthy are Not Necessarily Spiritually Blessed

There Are No Second Chances After Death (2nd Coming)

Genealogy Means Nothing to God

The Gulf of Separation Is Our Choices

Final point:

come back to gulf.

Sermon Title:

“Bigger than the Gulf of Mexico”

Biggest gulf in the world.

Back to the Gulf...

So,

parable says

great gulf between

righteous and unrighteous

what does that symbolize?

Symbolic.

What is that gulf?

Gulf is what

separates the

righteous from

unrighteous.

We know it is not

riches

ancestry

spiritual opportunities

teachings of childhood

good role models

good social-media profile

(looking good for others).

What is difference

between righteous

and the wicked?

Only difference:

our choices.

Those who go to heaven

made choices to

repent and obey.

Those who go to hell

made choices to

selfish

self-righteousness

disobedience.

Those in heaven

chose to be there.

And visa-versa.

Those in hell

chose not to be

in heaven.

They can’t be in heaven

because they would be

unhappy there.

Christ’s Object Lessons Chapter 21—“A Great Gulf Fixed”

They have not served God here; therefore they would not serve Him hereafter. They could not live in His presence, and they would feel that any place was preferable to heaven.

The gulf

between the

good and evil

choices....

Choices of love.

Love of God.

Love of Self.

There was a very unusual military funeral in California in December of 2013. Sgt. First Class Joseph Gantt, who fought in both World War II and the Korean War, was laid to rest. He had been captured in Korea in 1950 and died the following year. But his body was not returned for many years, and his death was never confirmed by the North Koreans.

His wife, Clara, waited for decades for her husband to come back. She regularly went to meetings with government officials seeking information about what had happened. Clara even bought a house and had it professionally landscaped so all Joseph would have to do when he came home was go fishing. She was ninety-four years old when his remains were finally brought home for a military funeral with full honors. It wasn’t the homecoming she dreamed of, but she finally knew his fate. Clara told a reporter who interviewed her, “He told me if anything happened to him, he wanted me to remarry. And I told him ‘No, no.’ Here I am, still his wife, and I’m going to remain his wife until the day the Lord calls me home.”

For Clara,

Love was daily choice.

She kept choosing love.

Perhaps the biggest

fallacy in Christianity

belief that

resurrection changes our character.

(changes our own choices).

At resurrection,

we are raised with

same character we died with.

Christ’s Object Lessons Chapter 21—“A Great Gulf Fixed”

When the voice of God awakes the dead, he will come from the grave with the same appetites and passions, the same likes and dislikes, that he cherished when living. God works no miracle to re-create a man who would not be re-created when he was granted every opportunity and provided with every facility. During his lifetime he took no delight in God, nor found pleasure in His service. His character is not in harmony with God, and he could not be happy in the heavenly family.

Major lesson

of the parable:

We choose here and now.

Not after death!

Appeal

Let’s make our choices

each day to

be in heaven

together and

with Jesus.

Choose each day

to love Christ

more than this world.