Lessons from the story of the Richman and Lazarus!
Luke 16:19-31
- This is a true story not a parable—the use of actual names and events is not common in parables
I. Earthly expectations may turn out to be eternal eye opener!
a. The rich man seems to be the blessed one 16:19
b. Lazarus seems to be the forgotten almost cursed one 16:20-21
c. External earthly blessing and the good life shouldn’t give you much comfort
II. Death and judgment comes as sure to the rich as to the poor
a. Both men died 16:22
b. Their eternal destination had already been determined
i. The beggar is carried by angels 16:22
ii. The rich man lifts his eyes being in hell 16:23
c. It is appointed unto man once to die and after that the judgment Hebrews 9:27
d. Their eternal destiny was not determined by their economic lot in life rather by their relationship to the Word of God 16:29, 31
III. There are no second chances after death or moving from one side to the other 16:26
a. And in Hell he lifted up his eyes 16:23
b. He is already in torment 16:24
i. Physical torment
ii. Mental torment—he could remember 16:25
iii. Emotional torment—he knew his brothers were coming to his same end 16:27-28
iv. Eternal torment—there was a great gulf fixed 16:26
c. When a lost man dies so does his hope – no need to pray for the dead Proverbs 11:7
d. It will only get worse—the lake of fire Revelation 20:14
IV. We should go while we are still able to make a difference 16:27-28
a. They must be warned of such a horrible place that was never prepared for them Matthew 25:41
b. You have all you need to tell them—Moses and the Prophets or the Word of God and what He has done in your life
c. We should send missionaries to the far corners of the world so that their families do not suffer this anguish
d. We should put more emphasis on preaching and the Word of God – get them to the book!
