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The Lord’s Prayer.
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
This week we start a new study focusing on some of Jesus’ great parables, it is titled The Parables of Jesus Continue to Speak.
Today we are talking about Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
Text
Luke 16:31 NKJV
31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’
Scripture Reading
Luke 16:19-31 NKJV
The Rich Man and Lazarus
19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day.
20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate,
21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 “Then 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 in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.
26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’
27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house,
28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’
29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’
30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’
31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”
Prayer
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
Introduction
Our Scripture today is another passage that is treated as a parable even though it is not specifically stated that it is one.
However, to is a passage that can probe the depths of our soul.
No other passage presents life after death like this one does.
It is obvious that Jesus’ intent is to encourage preparation for eternity.
In this message today we will consider three different eras of life.
- Life on earth
In the parable we find contrasting lifestyles.
Lets look at the lifestyle of the rich man first.
We need to emphasise some truths about this man first.
The Bible says, “There was a certain rich man.”
This is intended to show a type, not a particular person.
The man was not condemned for being wicked, worldly, or rich.
The only negative thing said about him is that he trusted in the wrong things for eternity.
He is not even condemned for neglecting the poor man.
We can learn some lessons for modern living from this man’s life.
Material things are neither good nor bad as they are considered within themselves.
The significant thing is how we depend on them.
Another lesson is that the way we live in this life will determine where and how we live in the life after death.
Now lets look at the lifestyle of the poor man.
Notice poverty is not glorified.
The Bible does not portray the poor life as good.
The one thing that is pointed out as good about the man is that which he trusted for eternity.
We can also learn some lessons for living today from this man’s life.
We are never to substitute poverty for faith.
All of us should make sure we are trusting Christ for eternal life.
2. Death.
The poor man died and was carried to Abraham’s bosom by angels.
This is one of the greatest reasons for being a Christian.
Only God’s attending angel can be with a person in the hour of death.
The rich man died and was buried.
The horror here is that there was no angel.
In all probability, there was an elaborate funeral.
Everyone dies.
The point is, each of us should put our trust in Christ in order to have the assurance of an everlasting life with the Father.
3. Life after death.
The Bible tells us that the rich man was in torment.
Torment is the absence of all that is good and the presence of all that is bad.
The Bible says that the poor man was carried await Abraham’s bosom.
Abraham’s bosom is a phrase used for eternal bliss, or heaven.
Heaven is the absence of all that is bad and the presence of all that is good.
Conclusion.
This is a parable that tells of our eternal welfare.
To ignore this message is eternal damnation, while to respond favourably is to have eternal life.
I urge you to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of your life.
Until next time
Stay in the Blessings
Giving
I really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word.
When you spend time with God, your life will change in amazing ways, because God is a Redeemer.
Theres nothing thats too hard for Him, and He can make you whole, spirit, soul and body!
You’re important to God, and you’re important to us at www.refinerylife.org
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So whatever you’re concerned about and need prayer for we want to be here for you! Or even if you just want to say Hi, you can contact us
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