<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Untitled Document • The Parable Of The Rich Man And Lazarus
• Luke 16:19-31

• Introduction
• One of the most haunting and sobering passages of Scripture is that of Luke 16:19-31.
• In this particular section of Scripture, we read of two men, two lives, two deaths and two eternal destinies
• Jesus taught there are only two pathways and two destinies that anyone can be on (Matt. 7:13-14).
• Jesus did not preface this story with such words as “the kingdom of heaven is like”.
• Some scholars believe this story is not fiction or even a parable,
• But an actual event spoken as if it actually happened.
• The events of the context should lead us to believe this to be a parable, but even if true, there are lessons to be learned.

• Luke 16:19-31 (Read)

• The Rich Man
• Early scholars also call him by the name of Maldives.
• It is obvious that his riches were more important than anything else.
• Lazarus was nothing more than a trophy to show off his benevolent side to others.
• Other than let Lazarus hang around to capture crumbs, he did nothing for the man.

• Lazarus
• Other than the fact he was poor and sickly, we know nothing of him from the scriptures.
• Yet we can reason from the scriptures to surmise that Lazarus was faithful to God.
• Otherwise he would not be in a place of comfort.

• Comfort And Torment
• Hades is the realm of the dead brought to mankind through the pagan religions and mythological stories of the day.
• The closest word in the Old Testament is “sheol” which in simple terms means the grave or death.
• It is obvious that there are only two destinies.
• Comfort for the faithful, and torment for the wicked.
• This parable also gives us a glimpse into the afterlife.
• Those who are not faithful will suffer torment.
• Combine this with darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth, where the worm dies not, fire and brimstone, the second death, loneliness.
• Worst of all, there will be separation from God.
• But maybe even worse than that:

• My Child, Remember:
• Certainly one of the worst things about being lost in the eternal realm will be the ability to remember what could have and should have been done while on earth.
• “Son, remember” echoes through the discerning reader’s mind.
• None of us wants to find ourselves looking back with regret after we leave this life.
• What should we remember as we consider this story?

• Earthly things will not last.
• The rich man seemed to have it all in this life (verses 19, 25), but nothing in death.
• None of us will be able to take our earthly goods with us when we die (Job 1:21; Ecclesiastes 5:19; 1 Timothy 6:6-8).
• Eventually the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up (2 Peter 3:10).
• Therefore, our thoughts and investments should be toward heaven (Matthew 6:19-21; Colossians 3:1-4).

• The faithful will be rewarded.
• Lazarus was rewarded for a life of faithfulness.
• Only the faithful will receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).
• Only those who have given themselves completely to God’s will and who die in the Lord will find eternal happiness (Revelation 14:13).
• I believe this describes Lazarus.

• Only one life is given to serve God.
• The rich man had his opportunity to focus on what really mattered—but he did not (Mark 12:30-31).
• Life is not a dress rehearsal or walk-through before the big game.
• It is the big game.
• Now is the time to get things right with the Lord and to seek Him first (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).

• In death one’s legacy is sealed.
• The rich man desired to help his five brothers in death (verse 28).
• But in death it was too late for him to be any kind of influence for his siblings.
• Whatever effect he had on their lives was “all said and done.”
• This reminds us of the need to take advantage of every opportunity to do good now (Ephesians 5:15-17).

• One day all hope will be lost for the disobedient.
• In life there is hope of salvation and a relationship with God.
• This hope in fact saves (Romans 8:24).
• However, when death comes and then the judgment, if one finds himself separated from God, there no longer remains any possibility of sweet redemption (cf. Hebrews 9:27).
• Therefore, we should remember the need to seek the Lord now while He may be found (Isaiah 55:6).

• Great Gulf (Chasm)
• Shows the impossibility to leave hell and get into heaven.
• Also shows the impossibility to leaven heaven to go to hell (but who would want to?).
• Also notice that the rich man could see Lazarus, but Lazarus did not see the rich man.
• Consider this also as a form of punishment, knowing that you could have lived your life to enjoy such comfort, but find yourself in torment.

• Only One Warning Available
• The word of God is all we have to mold, fashion, and direct our steps.
• We best allow God to guide us (Jeremiah 10:23)
• We best study God’s word to know how we are supposed to live.
• God has already offered His grace, and He will not offer any special privileges for anyone.

• If One Rise From The Dead
• This has never worked.
• People have always asked for a miracle so that they might believe, and turn to serve God.
• Remember that God did many miracles in the sight of His people, and they still ignored Him.
• We have the word of God.
• If we do not learn from it, we will be lost also.

• Conclusion
• This should be a very sobering passage of scripture.
• We need to be aware that our destiny is not just a myth.
• Our existence after this life is certain.
• Which destiny you choose is being made right now while you are living.
• Once dead, destiny is sealed.

By Carey Scott

Return to the Sermon Outlines page

Home / Bible studies / Bible Survey / Special Studies / General Articles / Non-Bible Articles / Sermons / Sermon Outlines / Links / Questions and Answers / What Saith The Scriptures /Daily Devotional / Correspondence Courses / What is the Church of Christ / Book: Christian Growth / Website Policy / E-mail / About Me /