Lazarus and the Rich Man

Luke 16:19-31

Introduction

1.      Theories concerning life after death

a.       Reincarnation

b.      Everyone goes to heaven

c.       The wicked cease to exist

d.      There is heaven for the righteous and hell for the wicked

2.       Our question:  Which did Jesus believe?  The story of the rich man and Lazarus gives us some specific information on the beliefs of Jesus!  

Discussion

1.      The fate of the rich man

a.       Factors of which we are aware

                                                            i.      Provided well for himself

                                                          ii.      Unconcerned about the poor man at his gate  

b.      Jesus’ description of his fate

                                                            i.      In torment

                                                          ii.      Desiring just a drop of water to alleviate his suffering – contrasted with the scraps that would have satisfied the poor man at his gate  

c.       His response to his predicament – concern for his brothers  

2.      The fate of Lazarus

a.       He goes to “Abraham’s bosom”  

b.      Some basic information about Abraham

                                                            i.      He was a rich man who provided well for his family and his household

                                                          ii.      He was declared “righteous” by God – Gen 15:6

                                                        iii.      He was called “the friend of God” – James 2:23  

3.      The fate of the rich man’s five brothers

a.       They already have what they need to avoid the fate of their brother  

b.      Someone returning from the dead would not affect their behavior  

4.      Some further considerations

a.       This is one of many examples of how Jesus valued the riches of this world  

b.      Every theory of what happens at death fails to explain this passage except the theory that people go to a place of comfort or a place of pain  

Conclusion

1.       Contrast Jesus’ description of what the rich man knows with the statement in Eccl 9:5 “The dead do not know anything” – calling Jesus’ story a parable does not change the facts

2.      To avoid the fate of the rich man we need to listen to Jesus and the apostles