Who's Your One - Sermon 3

Luke 16:19-31

Two Different Men (19-23a)

- Jesus begins by introducing two different men

- A rich man (19)

Very wealthy…fine clothes…an abundance of food…mostly lived in something similar to a place, based on the word used for gate in v20

- Lazarus (20-21)

- Beggar…covered in sores…hungry…only comfort was the dogs licking his sores.

- Both men die, but find themselves in two very different eternal locations. (22)

- Again, Jesus points out the difference in the two men…Lazarus dies and probably went unnoticed (carried to Abrahams side)…the rich man was buried (another sign of his wealth) and in Hades (Hell)

Simple Reminder: Heaven and Hell are both very well and one day we will spend eternity in one of them.

The Rich Man’s Response (23b-25)

- The rich man looks up and see Lazarus and Abraham.

- He is tormented and in flames and desires even a little relief

- Even in this torment the rich man’s arrogance still remains.

- He asked for Lazarus to be sent to dip his finger in water and cool his tongue. (24)

- A man so wealthy, he has always had people at his service, has the arrogance to ask Abraham to send Lazarus.

- The rich man received his reward on earth, but Lazarus was now receiving his (25)

Simple Reminder: Hell is a place of torment filled with arrogance. (People who had not worries about eternal life during this lifetime.)

The Rich Man Two Pleas for Mercy (24-28)

- The rich makes two pleas for Mercy…the first was for Lazarus to come and cool his tongue.

- Abraham tells him that it isn’t possible to cross the chasm that has been fixed between them.

- Lazarus and rich man are in an eternal place and cannot be moved from one to the other.

- There is no in between (no purgatory)…

- As the realization sits in the rich man makes another plea.

- Send Lazarus (notice again the arrogance) to tell my family (five brothers).

- He wants them to be warned…He doesn’t want them to experience the eternal torment that he is experiencing

- Many people in Hell would have a desire that their loved ones not experience what they are.

Simple Reminder: Hell is a place of eternal separation and sadness.

Abraham’s Final Response (29-31)

- They have Moses and the Prophets…listen to the scriptures (29)

- The rich mans says this isn’t enough, they need a sign/experience. (30)

- If they won’t listen to the scripture, someone raising from the dead change their minds.(31)

- Jesus is talking with the Pharisees (Rich Men) who knew the scripture, but liven lavish lives.

- Even Jesus raising from the dead wouldn’t convince them.

Simple Reminder: Only the Truth will save you, not an experience.

Gospel Presentation.