Lessons From the Rich Man and Lazarus

“the life and teachings of Christ” by Gordon Lindsay

Luke 16:19–31 = Parable of the Rich man and Lazarus

WHEN You Will Go = Unknown

The certainty of eternity – science cannot stop it or even slow it down much…

Inevitable – We will all someday leave this earth, either by rapture or by death – it is a matter of when, not if

Life is a vapor – eternity is forever

We don’t know when we will leave this life – the younger the person, the more distant eternity seems, so they oftentimes do not seem to be very concerned.

The older, the closer – will you tell the elderly and shut ins that Jesus died for their sins?

No one knows when they will go. Accidents or disease or crime can lead to premature death.

WHERE will you go – Heaven or Hell?

Gathering – at death people are bundled to their spiritual counterparts – they might have thought they were saved; and someone might have even led them to believe they were saved, but God makes it clear in the end.

Death is the final separation of good from evil – and evil from good

Judas went to his own place – Acts 1:25

How sure are you of your salvation?

WHY you will go = Stewardship

Be Driven by eternity, not the temporary

Wisdom lives for the life to come, more than the life today

The rich man lived only for this world and made no provision for the next.

Don’t let life go on the same day after day. – make the most of each day

Don’t live exclusively for this world and not be bothered with the one to come.

Example - saving up for retirement – how much more should we invest in eternity?

Challenge: Make the most of EVERY day!

Hebrews 9:27–28 (NLT)

27 And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,

28 so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.

Focus on the Future

The REALITY of eternity

Prioritize the Afterlife

The rich man showed no interest in making provision for what he knew was certainly coming.

The rich man rejected the call to his conscience.

He had no compassion on Lazarus despite knowing that it was God’s will to help those less fortunate than you. This is the golden rule and the highest commandment.

Too busy to be bothered, is that you?

The rich man’s will overrode God’s word. – temporarily. At least while he was alive.

WHO Will Go - Natural status does not guarantee spiritual status

Your status in life does not guarantee your status in the afterlife

The last will be first!

Financial –

· like the rich man, one can be rich now and poor later.

· Like Lazarus, can’t be poor now I’m rich later.

Social rank

· One can be unpopular with man, yet be popular with God. Which would you prefer?

· Role reversal – rich man became the beggar (especially in relationships), Lazarus became rich!

HOW you will Go

Up or down – Lazarus carried by angels, rich man not

WHAT Happens When You Go

Death is permanent

Human life is temporary, spiritual life is eternal

Appointed once

Permanent – Fate is sealed

Irreversible –

Will and choice – At death, God confirms man’s life decisions

during his life, man makes his decisions, at death God confirms it

God’s judgement is only a review of each person’s actions, words and motives – WE decide

Soul remains alive

Body dies – soul lives

Soul REMAINS – A person’s soul exists forever – whether in a state of eternal life or eternal death

Soul REALIZES – At death the soul realizes it is leaving this life forever.

The rich man realized that he as on the wrong side of Paradise.

Hell is not a joke.

The rich man realized there was no hope.

The rich man realized there was no help

Soul REMEMBERS the past – what I did, How I treated people, How I treated God, opportunities and chances for help people like Lazarus.

Souls can SEE – The departed Soul knows everyone by name – Rich man knew Abraham – who he never met

Souls can HEAR

Souls can TALK

Souls can TASTE

Soul can FEEL – pain or pleasure, Rich man was in agony, Lazarus was comforted

Souls can REMORSE or REJOICE.

Personal Challenge: Where will you spend eternity?

How often do you think about the afterlife, and your role in it?

What are you doing TODAY about your TOMORROW?

Do you have a relationship with God?

Respond to God’s grace TODAY!

John 3:3 (NLT)

John 3:3 NLT

3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”