Just Keeping It Real (Part 4)
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
As we continue this series on Just Keeping It Real, I am amazed how God exposes the truth of His word in our contemporary times. At this moment in cities across this nation, we are witnessing the unvarnished reality of a fallen world.
In plain sight and on video we have seen injustice meted out at the hands of law enforcement. Those whom the public pays to protect and serve us failed to protect and did a disservice to one of its citizens.
This should not happen in the United States of America. Nevertheless, is does happen and has been happening for hundreds of years—particularly, to African Americans.
Why? What is the reason? Well, the appearance is racism. However, racism is the offspring of sin. Proverbs 14:34 says, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” Sin brings shame and are the seeds of discord.
There is a spirit of lawlessness running rampant across the land leaving death and destruction in its path. Despite who the perpetrator may be, lawlessness is sin, and is not of God.
We witness this lawlessness at every level of our government and throughout society—it is pandemic and can be deadly. When death occurs, this means that somebody has run out of time. Even bringing justice to a wrong does nothing for the victim.
Whether the victim was is the right or in the wrong will not add one second to their life. When you’re out, you’re out. The next victim could be me or you or anyone else. When time runs out, the victim is confronted with the question, “Now what?”
Well, this brings us to our text for today from Luke 16:19-31, which deals with a certain rich man and a poor beggar named Lazarus. The thought or theme is, “When You’re Out, You’re Out.”
Text
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.
This very familiar portion of Scripture evolves around Jesus’ teaching regarding the revelation of what is in the heart versus outward appearances. Also, it includes Jesus’ clear teaching that there is a real place called hell.
Were it not for Jesus’ teachings, we would know nothing about hell. This parable was aimed directly at the Pharisees who thought that riches were a result of righteousness, and poverty was a result of sin.
I know that death, and judgement are not popular topics, but I am convinced they are necessary topics. Although the prospect of death confronts us daily, we are reticent to talk about the other side.
Death and judgement from a biblical perspective, just makes people uncomfortable. It is one of the quickest way to break-up a party or to not get invited to one.
People have their own views on the subject, that they usually cannot support, so they avoid talking about them—it is too depressing. Life should be fun and happy. However, one day, everybody is going to be confronted with this reality. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.
Therefore, I continue to press the point, “You are going to run out of time;” “You are going somewhere;” “You better get an understanding;” and now, “When you’re out, you’re out.”
V. 19 – “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:”
When it comes to describing the characters in this parable, some people’s imagination may run wild. However, all we know is what Jesus tells us. There was a certain unnamed rich man, who daily lived a very lavish lifestyle.
Notice, Jesus did not say he was a bad guy, a cruel master, or dishonest. Neither did Jesus say that there was anything wrong with being rich.
Being rich really only does one thing for you—it increases your options. That’s it! The rich man seemed as though he had the world by the horns and was content with his life.
That said, Jesus gave warnings to those who were rich: Luke 6:24; 12:19-21; and Matthew 13:22, just to name a few. So, be careful if your heart is set on riches. I know not of a case in Scripture where a person has sought riches and it not become a snare to them.
V.20-21 – “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.”
Here we learn a little more about the plight of the poor beggar. This the only parable of Jesus where He actually gave the name of a participant. We learn that his name was Lazarus. He seemed to be cripple and in poor health. From the view of the Pharisees, Lazarus was obviously far from God.
Two men could not have been further apart—the rich man at the high end of the social ladder, and Lazarus at the lowest end. However, Lazarus’ physical condition did not reflect his spiritual position, and the same could be said of the rich man.
The same holds true today. A ones physical condition is an unreliable indicator of their spiritual position and relationship with their Maker. Like the Pharisees, the outward appearance can be clean and beautiful, yet inwardly be full of corruption. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.
V. 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;”
Now we arrive at the point where all men arrive— “It came to pass…” All men will run out of time. However, some people, like Lazarus are prepared, while most people, like the rich man, are not.
Lazarus died and was carried, while the rich man died and was buried!
Then what Happened?
V. 23-24 – “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.”
The rich man was Out of Time and Out of Options. He suddenly found himself in the torment of hell. Not on his way to hell, but there already. Jesus’ words leave the impression that this took place immediately. Lord I pray that somebody would hear me today.
I beg you, please do not allow anybody to fool you.
Hell is real and should be avoided at all costs. As we see here, the soul is conscious, and the sensation of pain is acute and unrelenting. The rich man realizing that he was Out of Time, still thought he had a few options that he rolled into some requests. Nevertheless, he discovered that he was Out of Options.
Vv. 27-31 – “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.”
Evidence of this truth was demonstrated at the raising of another Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha. After Jesus raised Lazarus, the Pharisees plotted to kill them both.
John 12:10-11 – “But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; (11) Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.”
This tells us that no miracle or any other sign will persuaded people of the truth of God’s word. Paul said, “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: (23) But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; (24) But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:22-24) Because, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
Conclusion
So, what is the message? I am so glad you asked. The message is that when you run out of time, you are not only going somewhere, you will already be at your destination. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.
So, no matter your station in life or what people may say or think about you, or the circumstances under which you departed this life. If you neglect to repent of your sins and trust Christ as your personal Savior, your destiny will be hell. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.
However, if you know Christ and He knows you when you depart this life, you will enjoy the blessings of heaven. As the Apostle Paul taught, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8) Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.
I heard Paul say, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” Romans 13:11
“(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” 2 Corinthians 6:2
I heard the song writer say:
Time is filled with swift transition,
Naught of earth unmoved can stand,
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.
Trust in Him who will not leave you,
Whatsoever years may bring,
If by earthly friends forsaken
Still more closely to Him cling.
Covet not this world’s vain riches
That so rapidly decay,
Seek to gain the heav’nly treasures,
They will never pass away.
When your journey is completed,
If to God you have been true,
Fair and bright the home in glory
Your enraptured soul will view.
Hold to His hand, God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to His hand, God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.
May the bless and keep you is my prayer.