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Service Notes
meeting about the missions conference at 4:30 pm
Snodes return on Wednesday (show slide)
Bible Reading
James Miyashita preached this passage in Japan 13 hours ago
Prayer for him as it has been for this moment.
That the Word would have God’s desired intent from our response to the Word.
James is in a series that deals with what we can know about life after death.
This is an appropriate place to look.
This story raises key questions about the afterlife.
What is hell like?
How permanent is it?
How should we read the imagery here?
It also discusses relational values and what God desires of us.
What does he expect of the wealthy?
How does he wish us to treat one another, especially in areas where people have needs?
How will he evaluate the stewardship of our lives?
Reminder this story comes as a response to the Pharisees who continue to deride Jesus as he was speaking to His disciples.
Remember the parable of the Prodigal Son.
Remember how we were left wondering how the older brother would respond.
Here we will see the destination of the older son, the pharisees, and any of us who will not listen to call of God to turn from our sin to Him.
Please follow along as I read: This account comes in three parts: the situation before death (vv.
19–21), the situation in the afterlife (vv.
22–23), and comments about that situation (vv.
24–31).
Luke 16:19–31 (KJV 1900)
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.
Sermon Introduction
There was a short trend of books about people going to heaven and returning.
“The Boy Who Came back from heaven” a best selling book in 2010.
I was skeptical.
Not just because the kids name was Alex Malarkey.
Paul refrained from describing what seems to have been his “life after death experience” 2 Cor 12:4 “4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”
We get a short description of Heaven from John in Revelation 4
We do not get a description from Lazarus as he was raised from the dead about Paradise / it is somewhat comical to consider how he might now wanted to get recalled after entering in to Heaven.
This description of hell is far from comical.
Hell and money are two themes that we could be tempted to ignore.
If we do, we will not be faithful to teaching this Text.
Review the Story
Certain rich man
wore nothing but the finest garments
Like the name brand shoes my son always wants.
Wants people to know he spent alot on them.
Proverbs 31 woman dressed her family in scarlet and she dresses in purple silk but she was also known for her taking care of others.
Loving money and not God
Gives the poor man no help.
Does he know about him?
He is at the gate.
He desires scraps.
They would use the broken pieces of bread to clean off their hands.
False-Doctrine Driven Apathy / don’t help the poor they are just getting what is coming to them
Parable or true story?
Yes.
Those of you who grew up around church may know there have been discussions about this being a parable or telling of an actual event.
Let’s be clear it is a true story regardless of how you slice it.
Look at the details of the parables.
They are based in reality.
There is reason to believe this is an actual historical event, but if is told as parable that does not negate the reality of the facts it presents.
There always has and always will be an attempt to erase Hell.
As we heard Jesus tell those listening last week.
The universe would as soon dissolve before you jot of His Word will change.
Hell is not going away no matter what man tries to do to God’s Word.
Now is the time to decide.
Let’s start where often I would end in a sermon.
There is a real urgency in the decision that will be made today.
The transition to our eternal state takes place the moment we die.
Luke 16:23 “23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”
There is no teaching in the Bible that supports the idea of purgatory.
2 Cor 5:8 “8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
Jesus teaches this truth the man on the cross beside him.
Luke 23:43 “43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
Between us and you there is a great gulf fixed
Luke 16:26 “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.”
The gulf is fixed and will not be crossed.
After death, is there a final chance to be saved?
No
Rob Bell wrote a book God Love Wins.
Widely popular because it was a pastor saying what so many people want to be true.
“Has God created millions of people over tens of thousands of years who are going to spend eternity in anguish?
Can God do this, or even allow this, and still claim to be a loving God?
Does God punish people for thousands of years with infinite, eternal torment for things they did in their few finite years of life?”
The Answer is a resounding “yes”
You can find in books that God would never leave people in this state of torment for all of eternity.
You will find that in books but not our Book.
After death is the judgment.
It is singular and not ongoing.
Hebrews 9:27 “27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”
Four truths about God’s wrath that this world is trying to erase.
God is willing to shew wrath.
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