“A Window Into Eternity: What the Rich Man and Lazarus Reveal”

Scripture: Luke 16:19–31 ““There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 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. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. “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.’ 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. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you…” (NKJV)

🔥 Introduction: A Glimpse Into the Other Side of Life

In a world consumed by the pursuit of wealth, influence, and social status, there is an invisible reality that most ignore — a reality more permanent than skyscrapers, more certain than taxes, and more consequential than a thousand earthly decisions combined. It is the reality of eternity. Jesus, the Master Teacher and Savior of the soul, gave us more than just moral teachings or inspirational words — He gave us eternal truth. And in Luke 16:19–31, He draws the curtain back and gives us a terrifying yet necessary glimpse into the realm beyond the grave.

This is not a parable cloaked in metaphor, but a divine revelation. Jesus names one of the men — Lazarus — something He never does in other parables. Why? Because He wants us to know this isn’t a story crafted to entertain — it’s a spiritual window meant to awaken us. This is the courtroom of eternal consequence. Heaven and hell are not religious concepts invented by man. They are destinations revealed by God.

In this sacred text, we meet two men: one nameless in eternity, once great in the world’s eyes but now forgotten; the other, named Lazarus, forgotten by men but carried by angels into eternal rest. One had everything but God. The other had nothing but God — and that made all the difference.

📌 This message is not about the poor versus the rich — it’s about spiritual vision versus spiritual blindness. It’s about choosing God while breath is in your lungs because the moment you die, your destiny is sealed.

Real-life reflection: I remember hearing about a wealthy CEO who built an empire but never acknowledged God. At his funeral, people spoke of his success, his generosity to clients, his home on the hill... but not one person could say they ever saw him pray. And as they closed the lid of his casket, the silence shouted one question louder than any eulogy: “Where is his soul now?”

Eternity is real. Hell is hot. Heaven is holy. And the choice we make now echoes forever.

As we journey through this sobering passage, may the Holy Spirit grip our hearts, convict our souls, and provoke us to live with eternity in view — not just for ourselves, but for every soul we pass by in this life. Let us never be like the rich man who cried too late. Let us be like Lazarus, who clung to God when the world gave him nothing.

✨ Point 1: Earthly Riches Don’t Equal Eternal Favor

Text: Luke 16:19

“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day.”

The rich man had status, wealth, and every earthly comfort. But he was spiritually bankrupt. Many assume that blessing equals favor, but Jesus flips the script — prosperity is no guarantee of God’s approval.

Supporting Scripture:

Proverbs 11:4 – “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath.”

Matthew 6:19–21 – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…”

Illustration: Steve Jobs, despite his wealth, said on his deathbed: “All the recognition and wealth I took pride in has become meaningless in the face of impending death.” Earthly riches mean nothing if our souls are not anchored in Christ.

💔 Point 2: Indifference Is a Silent Killer

Text: Luke 16:20–21

“...a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores... desiring to be fed with the crumbs…”

The rich man didn’t abuse Lazarus — he simply ignored him. Indifference is not passive; it is an active refusal to love. God sees how we respond to suffering around us.

Supporting Scripture:

James 2:15–17 – “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute... and you do not give them what is needed…”

1 John 3:17 – “Whoever has this world’s goods, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?”

Illustration: A man once saw a homeless woman outside a church and walked around her. A little girl gave her her sandwich. That day, the girl did more ministry than the man who preached the sermon.

👼 Point 3: Death Is Not the End, It’s the Doorway

Text: Luke 16:22

“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.”

The beggar’s body was likely thrown into a pauper’s grave — but his soul was escorted by angels! Death is not the final stop; it is the door to our true, eternal home.

Supporting Scripture:

Hebrews 9:27 – “...it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”

2 Corinthians 5:8 – “...to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”

Illustration: D.L. Moody once said, “Someday you’ll read that D.L. Moody is dead. Don’t believe a word of it — I shall be more alive than I am now.”

🔥 Point 4: Hell Is Real, and It Is Torment

Text: Luke 16:23–24

“...being in torments in Hades... I am tormented in this flame.”

Jesus speaks more about hell than anyone else in Scripture — not to scare, but to warn. Hell is not symbolic; it is a place of conscious, eternal suffering for those who reject God.

Supporting Scripture:

Matthew 13:42 – “...there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Revelation 20:15 – “Anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”

Illustration: A firefighter once said, “The worst part of burning is not the fire — it’s the screaming.” If man-made fire brings such pain, imagine eternal flame without relief.

🔁 Point 5: Regret Can’t Undo Rejection

Text: Luke 16:25–26

“‘...remember that in your lifetime you received your good things... now you are tormented.’”

In hell, memory is a tormentor. The rich man remembered opportunities lost, mercy ignored, and truth denied. The greatest pain in hell is knowing it didn’t have to be this way.

Supporting Scripture:

Galatians 6:7 – “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked…”

Proverbs 29:1 – “He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed…”

Illustration: A man said after his son died in a car crash, “I wish I had just said, ‘I love you.’” Regret without repentance is a prison — in this life and the next.

🛑 Point 6: The Word of God Is Sufficient

Text: Luke 16:29–31

“‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’”

The rich man wanted a miracle — a resurrection — to warn his family. But Abraham made it clear: the Word of God is enough. If we won’t listen to Scripture, we won’t listen to anything.

Supporting Scripture:

2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…”

Romans 10:17 – “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Illustration: A pastor once said, “I don’t need God to show me a sign — He already gave me His Word.” The Word is not outdated. It is God’s final authority.

🚨 Point 7: Today Is the Day of Salvation

Text: Luke 16:27–28

“‘...send him to my father's house... lest they also come to this place of torment.’”

The rich man became an evangelist too late. He had passion, concern — but no longer had influence. Don’t wait for a funeral to cry out to God.

Supporting Scripture:

2 Corinthians 6:2 – “Behold, now is the accepted time…”

Hebrews 3:15 – “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”

Illustration: An evangelist once said, “Hell will be filled with people who planned to get saved... tomorrow.” But tomorrow is promised to no one.

🔥 Conclusion: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

This sobering account of the rich man and Lazarus is more than a sermon — it is a divine warning. A wake-up call from the lips of Jesus Himself. The rich man had everything... but he didn’t have God. Lazarus had nothing... but he had the Lord. One was carried by angels, the other was buried in torment.

Let this truth sear into our hearts: eternity is irreversible. The decisions we make now, in this fleeting vapor of life, shape where we will spend forever. The rich man didn’t go to hell because he was rich — he went because he lived without repentance, without mercy, and without God. Lazarus wasn’t saved because he was poor — he was saved because he trusted in the Lord.

There will be no second chances after the grave. No more altars to kneel at. No more time to make it right. No more sermons to respond to. Just the reality of eternity. The gulf is fixed. The door is shut. The verdict is final.

But right now, there is hope. Right now, the gates of heaven are wide open. Right now, Jesus stands with arms stretched wide saying, “Come unto Me.” Hell may be real — but so is the cross. The flames may burn — but so does the fire of the Holy Ghost calling you to repentance. God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

Today, you are not beyond reach. Today, you can change your eternal address. Today, you can be carried by angels, not buried in regret.

🙏 Closing Prayer:

Father in Heaven,

We thank You for the power of Your Word — sharp, alive, and eternal. Thank You for this warning, not of condemnation, but of compassion. Today, Lord, we choose life. We choose to turn from sin. We choose to stop walking past the Lazaruses of this world and begin living with eternal purpose. We refuse to be lulled into spiritual sleep by riches, pride, or comfort.

Lord, give us eyes to see what You see, hearts that break for what breaks Yours, and a fire that burns for souls. Save the lost today, stir the lukewarm, and awaken the church! Let the reality of heaven and hell ignite revival in our hearts. Let us never be the same again.

Holy Spirit, draw those on the fence. Call them now. Let no one leave this moment unchanged.

We declare: We will not be the rich man who waited too long — we will be the Lazarus who trusted in You.

In the mighty, saving, resurrecting name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.