Between Us and You
Book of Luke • Sermon • Submitted
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Service Notes
Service Notes
meeting about the missions conference at 4:30 pm
Snodes return on Wednesday (show slide)
Bible Reading
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
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
Review the Story
Certain rich man
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.
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.
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.
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
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”
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.
Four truths about God’s wrath that this world is trying to erase.
God is willing to shew wrath. Romans 9:22-23 “22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,”
The objects of God’s wrath are the unsaved Romans 1:18 “18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”
They will suffer eternal judgment John 3:36 “36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
Some are prepared by God for eternal judgment not because He delights to do so, but because of their sin. 2 Peter 3:9 “9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
“I could never love a God who would…”
“I could never love a God who would…”
Who would what?
Who would disagree with you?
Do things that you would never do?
Who would be more concerned with His own glory than your feelings?
Who would—send people to hell!
The absurdity of this idea, that God is somehow answerable to us, when we look to Scripture is clear. Do you not believe that God knows more about justice than we can ever know?
The Rich Man still does not change
The Rich Man still does not change
Luke 16:24 “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.”
His suffering has done nothing to change his sense of self-importance.
Here we have an acknowledgement that the Rich man knew who Lazarus was.
He wants to send Lazarus to warn his brothers.
Transition: All this to say, there is not second chance. But we should know that those who do not respond to the Word of God will not respond to any circumstance.
Transition: All this to say, there is not second chance. But we should know that those who do not respond to the Word of God will not respond to any circumstance.
The problem isn’t with the message; it’s with the audience.
The problem isn’t with the message; it’s with the audience.
Luke 16:27-31 “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.”
If you are not persuaded by the Word you will not be persuaded.
If you are not persuaded by the Word you will not be persuaded.
What if one rose from the dead? Would they believe then? We know the answer to this questions.
We have proof of this fact. Matthew 28:10-15 “10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. 11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. 12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14 And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.”
Riches are deceitful.
Riches are deceitful.
Not only do riches not get one into heaven, but they have the power to separate a person from God in a way that few other things can.
Riches are deceitful Mark 4:19 “19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”
Riches have the danger of changing our view of God because it has the ability to change our view of ourselves.
The Rich Man had no compassion for Lazarus because he could not see himself as a person who was also in need.
The Rich Man took earthly riches as false evidence that his life was please to God.
Transition: The man was rich but he was not free. He was mastered by his money. Our service to others shows something about our loyalty to God. One must be made free to be free to care for others. It is possible to know before death who is your master.
Transition: The man was rich but he was not free. He was mastered by his money. Our service to others shows something about our loyalty to God. One must be made free to be free to care for others. It is possible to know before death who is your master.
Death is the great equalizer since after death the one thing that counts is the human heart.
Death is the great equalizer since after death the one thing that counts is the human heart.
Look at the great reversal that takes place.
Rich Man had a name in this world. Lazarus has a name in eternity.
Lazarus desires food from his table. He now desires a drop of water.
Lazarus had no companions but dos. Rich man surrounded by those also in torment.
Rich man was separated by Lazarus but a gulf pride. Lazarus is not separated from the Rich Man from a gulf that is fixed.
The rich Man had close companions. Lazarus had the dogs. Now Lazarus is as close as you can get to Abraham. / Remember when we spoke about sitting order at the table.
Illustration: They will both stay in this state for all eternity. The Rich Man is still there today. Over 30 lifetimes have passed.
Your care for those in need isn’t insignificant.
Your care for those in need isn’t insignificant.
True followers of Christ will not be indifferent to the the poor like the rich man in this story was.
True followers of Christ will not be indifferent to the the poor like the rich man in this story was.
God loves the poor and is offended when His children neglect them. Proverbs 17:5 “5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: And he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.”
Jesus says if you minister to the poor you have served Him. Matthew 25:40 “40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
Christians are known by the fruit we bear. The Holy Spirit’s residence in our hearts will most certainly impact how we live and what we do!
Evidence his brothers would not listen
Evidence his brothers would not listen
Luke 16:29 “29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.”
They heard the teaching of Deut 14:28-29 “28 At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: 29 And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.”
Would the Rich Man feeding Lazarus saved him? No. But everyday he passed him he should have been reminded of the fact that he was mastered my money and not God. This realization should have led him to repentance.
God’s Word has made clear what he desires. Our devotion to him is seen in our care for others. Jesus calls this “the great commandment”—love God with your whole being and love your neighbor as yourself. Mark 12:33-34 “33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.”
Closing
Closing
Under the guide of southern kindness and manners we are not always truthful with people. Story// Stephanie talking to a friend from MI who moved here. We do this all the time at funerals. we try to place people in heaven who are not there and will never be there. This is a great disservice. Some of us know we have loved ones in hell today. We would do well to consider those they would cry out for someone to go and reach.
This is the story of a Rich Man and Lazarus.
One way or another this is going to be your story as well.
Do you know if you are mastered by the love for money or have God as your master?