From One Rich man to another. [Luke 16:19-31]

Jesus know his audience and speaks to them on their level. This is seen in this parable when he references Abrahams’s bosom. Jesus time has not come yet, he has not accomplished the work of the cross. The promises of Abraham are still desired. However, we are to see and understand this parable in light of this side of the cross of Christ. For the promise has been fulfilled and Christ is now our hope and our prize.

I. Rich man vs Lazarus [v. 19-23]

Luke 16:19-23 “19 “Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. 20 “And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, 21 and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. 22 “Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. 23 “In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom.”

A. In life-

Rich man then Lazarus in description.

No name. Named. - book of life

Habitually dressed [19] vs Covered in sores [20]

Joyously living [19] vs longing to be fed [20]

Laid at His Gate [20] vs Buried at the gape [26]

B. In death-

Lazarus then Rich Man in description.

Carried away by angels vs. Buried [22]

Abraham Bosom vs Hades torment [23]

crumbs from table [21] vs. water from finger [24]

POINT: Their lives are completely reversed [25] The First shall be last and the Last shall be first.

NOTE: Little is mentioned about Lazarus after he is in the bosom of Abraham. Lazarus is busy with being comforted and loved.

II. Rich man vs. Abraham [v. 24-31]

These verses answers the question that we all have been asking about Jesus’ teachings on the rich. They seem so extreme that we are left feeling that being rich is a sick or that Jesus doesn’t want us to be rich but live lowly impoverished lives. though that may be the plight of some, and there is overwhelming evidence of their reward in heaven, there is also an answer to that question- are riches sinful. We are able to see on the one side “yes” and on the other side “no.” The difference is how the riches are stewarded. Here we are given a comparison from one rich man to another.

A. Father Abraham

Rich man (Genesis 13:2)

Genesis 13:2 NASB95

2 Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver and in gold.

Promise made (Genesis 15:5)

Genesis 15:5 NASB95

5 And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”

He was to bless the nations ( Galatians 3:8)

Galatians 3:8 NASB95

8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.”

Promise was in faith (Hebrews 11:12-13)

Hebrews 11:12–13 NASB95

12 Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. 13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

Promise is being realized in Heaven!

Abraham gets to receive his promise in Heaven welcoming all his descendants into his embrace and feasts with them.

B. The other rich man

Habitually clothed in Armani

Living in splendor every day

Ignored the poor and hungry at his gate

blessed only himself

continues in pride even in hell:

Wants Lazarus to serve him

Wants Lazarus to serve his family

Wants comfort in Hell

Doesn’t seem to ask to leave

III. Heaven and Hell

A. Heaven

Receive the promises of God. Heaven is first and foremost a hope for a person not a house or streets of gold.

Embraced by Abraham’s promised seed. Jesus’ bosom is what we will be carried to.

A Careless Comfort.

B. Hell

Awareness of Rewards

Agony and Torment

Ability (no opportunity)- FIXED

Already received their grace in life (given over to themselves)

Attitude of those in Hades.

C. The Gospel

No difference between the old and new both have lead to salvation.

Repent and believe while you still can.

IV. Application:

A. What company are you keeping?

Are there those in need around you- tend to them

Are there only those who are of no need- get rid of them and go find ones in need.

B. What habits be excessive or living so splendorous?

Could you not spend your excess and give it to those who have nothing? Would that hurt you?

Could you not invite those who have not experienced the joys of life to into one of the numerous days of your splendor?

The point is to share what you have with others not to hoard it.

C. What is in a name?

Will you simply just be a description of what you valued more than God?

Or will God give you a personal name of the great work He is done in you and through you?

D. Can you hear it?

We have everything spoken to us pertaining to life and godliness in God’s word. Have you heard it or ignored it.

Does it cause you to repent or are you not convinced?

There are some who have not been convinced nor will they be even if the Risen Lord come and knock upon their door. These better get while the gettin is good because their eternity will be misery and wanting.

E. Life Now or later?

Begin with the end in mind- Keep your hope towards what awaits you and only accept, in the present, those things that will grow your hope in what lies ahead.

See things upside down- we learn a great lesson from this parable that what happens in the eternal life is the reverse of what happens here in the present.

Faith like Abraham and Lazarus- patient and persevering.