It's Not Who You ARE, But Who You KNOW

“I’ll believe it when I see it

Q: Most incredible, tough to explain witness or experience

Rich man and Lazarus -

Story Elements

Lazarus - laid at the gate (by someone, assuming the “well-off” would help him

“eliezer” = “God helps” (a common name, and also the name of Abraham’s servant)

Rich man - (unnamed, as though unimportant, and as if God did not know him - OR allowing the hearers of the story to insert own name)

Dogs - used to describe the “unworthy” - not typically pets then; slur to slander the poor

Thoughts of the audience

Rich were favored, must be spiritual

Poor were poor due to their sin

This story presents a twist - not the outcomes they expected of these two characters

Jews believed in life after death, making this story plausible

Law required the better-off help the lesser-off

Those who had faith in God followed the law (the outward expression of their inner faith)

Therefore…rich man had every opportunity to get right with God, and help the poor. In this story, since he never helped him, it shows his heart never got right.

OVERALL POINTS TO THIS AUDIENCE

Trust God, He’ll take care of you forever

Trust in self - God’s justice will suffice, forever

Life forever, need relationship with God, here and now

What Jesus is Saying Through This Parable

1) These with God (believers) are in His presence after death

Lazarus represents those who God helps, secures eternally

Once an enemy (sinner), now in alliance with God

Colossians 1:21 NASB95

And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,

2) God has always spoken His truth through His Word - “What the Bible says, God says”)

Through Moses

Through Prophets

Now, through Jesus

Hebrews 1:1–2 NASB95

God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

Romans 1:20 NASB95

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

3) Repentance is the Key to Life (v. 30)

The desire is for his brothers to repent ( so as not to face the same fate)

(rich man still treats Lazarus like servant - “send him to tell...”, and his lack of compassion demonstrates his heart)

NOT material worth - shown by the element of Abraham being in Heaven (he was very wealthy), so that’s not it

Hebrews 11:8 NASB95

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Faith, not works

Lazarus, could do nothing of any worth in his condition

REPENTANCE LEADS TO OUTWARD EXPRESSION OF INNER TRUTH

And Hell is irreversible, so is Heaven.

Putting The Text To Work

A) Answer for life, eternity depends on NOW

Questions the neither the rich man nor Lazarus NOT asked upon death

When did you go to church?

When were your baptized?

How good a person were you?

When did you say some prayer?

However, THE question all must answer: WHEN DID YOU REPENT?

B) This parable supports Scriptural Truths

Eternal separation between Heaven and Hell

God provides what we need now, and will reward later (prosperity theology nonsense)

Salvation based on repentance

“YOLO” - um, NOT!

It’s a Valid Question: What WOULD it take for you, or someone you know/love, to REPENT?

One rising from the dead? (literally, one sitting up in a coffin, but applies well to Jesus, some foreshadowing)

WRONG - I’ll accept Jesus when I see _________

CORRECT - I’ll see the truth when I accept by faith

1 Corinthians 1:18 NASB95

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 2:14 NASB95

But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

God’s Word makes sense when a person yields to the H.S. conviction, becomes a believer (Illumination)

God’s Word (Moses, Prophets, Jesus) is spiritual, God-breathed, and not understood by the “natural man” (flesh)

H.S. convicts - by the Word

You accept - the Word

Born again - by the Word

New life is then guided - by the Word

CHALLENGE

What would it take for YOU to repent?

Possible to believe, but not repent, resulting in un-saved

James 2:19 NASB95

You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

James

(general idea of “yeah, God exists...”)

Some people KNEW Jesus rose, but tried to cover it up

People say things that they really don’t mean, such as:

If you find the ark, then I’ll believe - NOPE

Prove the Bible is true, and I’ll believe - NOPE

Someone comes back from the dead, then I’ll believe - NOPE

(if it takes you to believe such a sign, besides the truth of Jesus, then there is a lack of trust in God’s inerrant Word)

Jesus did the impossible

and people still would not believe and repent

result in some was hardened hearts

All Lazarus had in this story was trust and faith in God

2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB95

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

2 Cor 2:19

Like the Rich man and Lazarus:

All will see

Philippians 2:10–11 NASB95

so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Meanwhile,

2 Corinthians 5:7 NASB95

for we walk by faith, not by sight—