The rich man and Lazarus

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM FAITH MISSION DRIVE-IN GOSPEL MISSION GARVAGH - 27 MAY 2021

LUKE 16 VERSES 19 - 23

Jesus shows us that there is far more to life than what we live here on earth.  2 destinations lie beyond heaven and hell just like the 2 men in this story.  Our destination depends on where we stand with Jesus.  One rich, one poor.  This poor man was a believer.  His final destination was in heaven.  This is not a parable nor a made up story.  Jesus gives us a case history and uses it to teach people the message and also a warning for us.  Hell is for the lost person, without a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Our destination is determined by what we do with Jesus Christ.  There are 3 differences between the sinner going to a lost eternity and a Christian going to heaven one day.

They experienced different things here on earth.  The rich man enjoyed everything life could offer to him, everything he wore, lived and experienced was that of luxury.  He was living not for others but solely for himself.  He had no thought for the needs of those around him.  Putting me first.  Trying to live doin the best he could.  He had no thought for what lay beyond the future and his time here on earth.  Verse 24 only cared for himself.  It is not a sin to have material possessions.  It doesn't condemn you to everlasting fire.  This worthy man is a picture of man who cares solely for himself, he doesn't care what God's word says.  Are you caring only for yourself?  We need to know that what Jesus teaches is complete truth.  If he had been right with God he would have spoken with the poor man at his gate.  Proverbs 14 verse 21 "he that despiseth his neighbour sinneth but he that hath mercy on the poor happy is he."  It was ultimately a lost life.  Are you so focused on this world that you have completely overlooked Christ?  Are you caught in the trap of material wealth?  Trying to create a sense of heaven here on earth.  Only one place you would end up - in a lost eternity.  If you are a Christian you have far more to experience and look forward to than this world could ever have.  No matter what this world offers you pales in comparison to that relationship with him and the home he is preparing for you.  This poor man Lazarus suffered day in and day out.  He had no riches.  Verse 21 the only beings who paid him attention were the dogs who licked the sores on his body.  Through all that hardship he was able to believe.  He knew this was not the final destination.  Lazarus is an example of the Christian.  The Christian make a conscious decision to separate themselves.  They want to reach others around them.  Many are in need of that opportunity to share the good news of gospel with others.  You have peace, joy, security.  If that is the case why would you not take the opportunity to share that with others so they could experience it too?  The Lord will never leave you nor forsake you.  You are part of God's family.  You have been made a new creation.  "Therefore if any man be in Christ the old things are passed away, behold all things are become new."  Both men experienced differences here on earth.  

There was also a difference in how they left the world.  One man would be alone in death.  Time had run out for the rich man.  All of his earthly possessions, family, friends were left behind. They would not follow him.  This is a tragic situation.  He had died, was buried, all his possessions would be sold or given to others.  If you are a Christian do you rejoice in your salvation?  I will not die alone like this rich man.  He had no hope, peace, no Saviour.  He would remain the same without everything throughout eternity.  He experienced a lonely death which led to a lost eternity not just for a period.  The ties with the world would be severed by death.  An endless eternity of hell.  When you look beyond this life do you look forward to being in heaven with Jesus?  The rich man didn't look forward to death.  He saw it as a loss.  The rich man and poor man were so far apart in death.  Lazarus didn't receive a proper burial.  He was taken to dwell in heaven.  He did not die alone.  He died in the presence of God.  He must have had a true relationship with God.  Romans 14 verse 8.  Who do you belong to?  To the world or God?  The world will discourage you.  God will keep you for eternity.  These 2 men lived vastly different.  Their experience of eternity would be vastly different.  Hell is far worse than you could imagine.  Many Christians do not like to speak of hell.  They would rather focus on God's grace.  2 destinations, heaven or hell.  We need to dwell on this place of darkness.  There are 5 things that one will experience in hell.  Hell is place of misery and pain.  Verse 24.  Hell is a place of  indistinguishable fire.  "If thy right hand offend thee cut it off and cast it from thee; for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish and not that thy whole body shoudl be cast into hell."  Hell is a place where you will never be forgiven.  Hell is a place of anger.  Hell is a place of eternal separation from God.  Hell is spoken of on many occasions in the bible.  The bible pictures how tragic it is for us to end up there.  If you are still not right with God now is the time to get right.  Maybe you are putting it off,  Now is the day of salvation to receive Jesus, don't wait a moment longer.  The rich man was condemned to suffer a lost eternity.  Lazarus was able to enjoy comfort and rest.  The biggest difference in heaven is that heaven is complete and the polar opposite to hell.  We see a place of pure beauty.  This is where Jesus is and where we will see the glorious face of God.  The glory of the Lord will be on display.  If you are a Christian tonight do you long for your home in heaven?  When you will look at your Saviour and say thank you?  What will you do with the gift Jesus offers you?  If you are without Jesus you don't have life.  Or are you merely seeking Jesus?  Will you not turn to Christ today?