Preaching on Parable of the rich man and Lazarus Luke 16:19-31

 Where We Will Spend Eternity: Parable of the rich man and Lazarus Luke 16:19-31

Our scripture reading from Luke 16:19-31, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, compels us to consider a reality far beyond our fleeting earthly existence: Walking Toward Eternity. This powerful narrative, told by our Lord Jesus Himself, lays bare the individual responsibility we bear in determining where we will spend eternity.

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I. THE DECISION OF WHERE WE WILL SPEND ETERNITY IS INDIVIDUAL (vv. 19-22)

This parable introduces us to two contrasting figures: a rich man, living in extravagant comfort, and Lazarus, a poor beggar afflicted with sores, longing for even the scraps from the rich man's table. Their earthly circumstances were vastly different, but the ultimate decision regarding their eternal abode rested solely on their individual lives and choices.

a. How do we spend our lives? (v. 19) The rich man lived a life of luxury, "dressed in fine purple and linen and lived in luxury every day." His focus was on earthly pleasures and material indulgence. Lazarus, on the other hand, endured hardship and suffering. How are we spending our days? Are we consumed by the pursuit of wealth and worldly comforts, neglecting the weightier matters of the soul? Or are we living lives of compassion, justice, and love, mindful of the needs of those around us? Our daily actions, our priorities, reveal the direction in which our hearts are truly walking.

b. What value do we place on material possessions? (v. 19) The rich man's identity seemed intertwined with his wealth. His fine clothing and lavish lifestyle defined his existence. The parable doesn't condemn wealth in itself, but it highlights the danger of allowing material possessions to become our ultimate focus, blinding us to the needs of others and our own spiritual poverty. What value do we place on what we own? Does it draw us closer to God and enable us to serve others, or does it become a barrier, separating us from the true riches of eternity?

c. How do we face adversity? (vv. 20, 21) Lazarus, in his suffering, remained at the rich man's gate. The text doesn't explicitly detail his inner thoughts, but his patient endurance in the face of immense hardship speaks volumes. How do we respond to adversity? Do we become bitter and resentful, turning away from God? Or do we, like Lazarus, cling to hope and perhaps even find a deeper reliance on God amidst our trials? Our response to earthly suffering can reveal the true state of our hearts and the direction of our eternal walk.

II. WE MUST BE PREPARED FOR THE INEVITABLE: THE PASSAGE TO ETERNITY (vv. 22-26)

The narrative takes a dramatic turn with the death of both men. This inevitable passage underscores the temporary nature of our earthly existence and the eternal consequences of our earthly choices.

a. How do we walk with God? The text simply states that Lazarus was carried by the angels to Abraham's side, a place of honor and comfort. This implies a life lived in accordance with God's will, a walk of faith that prepared him for this blessed reception. The rich man, in contrast, found himself in Hades, in torment. How are we walking with God now? Are we cultivating a relationship with Him through prayer, studying His Word, and living according to His commands? Our present walk dictates our eternal destination.

b. Jesus validated the existence of hell (v. 23). The rich man, in his torment, "looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side." Jesus Himself, in this parable, unequivocally confirms the reality of a place of suffering for those who reject God and His ways. Let us not be deceived by those who would downplay or deny this truth. In Hades, the senses are not lost, nor in heaven... The rich man could see, feel, and remember his earthly life and the missed opportunities. This stark reality should sober us and motivate us to live wisely.

c. There is no purgatory. From Hades we cannot pass to heaven (vv. 23-26). The rich man pleaded with Abraham to send Lazarus to cool his tongue and later to warn his brothers. Abraham's response, "Between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to 1 us," clearly illustrates the finality of the eternal separation. This passage offers no comfort for a second chance or an intermediate state like purgatory. The decisions we make in this life have eternal and irreversible consequences.   

 

III. OUR LIVES MUST BE PREPARED NOW TO GO TO ETERNITY (vv. 27-31)

The rich man's concern shifted to his brothers, still living in the same heedless manner. His plea highlights the urgency of preparing for eternity now.

a. We cannot pass back from the spiritual realm to the material realm (vv. 27-29). The rich man asked Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers. Abraham's reply, "They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them," emphasizes the sufficiency of God's revealed Word. Even a miraculous return from the dead would likely not persuade those who disregard the clear teachings of Scripture. We cannot rely on extraordinary events to jolt us into faith. The truth is already available to us.

b. We are responsible for our decisions (vv. 30, 31). The rich man persisted, believing that a resurrected Lazarus would be more convincing. But Abraham's final words are a powerful indictment: "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead." This underscores our personal responsibility. We have the Word of God, the witness of the Holy Spirit, and the teachings of Jesus Christ. If we choose to ignore these, no spectacular sign will change our hearts. The decision of where we spend eternity rests squarely on our shoulders.

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Conclusion:

Brothers and sisters, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus is not a comfortable story, but it is a necessary one. It strips away any illusions of a second chance after death and emphasizes the profound and individual nature of our eternal destiny. Our lives must be prepared now to go to eternity.

Let us examine our hearts. How are we spending our lives? What are our priorities? Are we allowing material possessions to blind us to the spiritual realities? Are we heeding the clear warnings and loving invitations found in God's Word?

The path we walk today determines where we will spend eternity. Let us choose wisely. Let us turn away from the fleeting pleasures of this world and fix our eyes on the eternal riches found in a relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let us walk each day with intention, with faith, and with a deep awareness of the eternal journey upon which we are all embarked. May we all be found on the path that leads to Abraham's side, to eternal comfort and joy in the presence of our God.

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Where Will We Spend Eternity? A Solemn Choice (Luke 16:19-31)

 Where Will We Spend Eternity? A Solemn Choice (Luke 16:19-31)

The sobering parable of the rich man and Lazarus, found in Luke 16:19-31. This passage forces us to confront the ultimate question: Where will we spend eternity? It is a question that demands our attention, a question that requires a serious and honest response.

I. The Decision of Where We Will Spend Eternity Is An Individual One (Luke 16:19-22)

This parable begins by contrasting the lives of two men: the rich man, adorned in luxury, and Lazarus, a beggar, covered in sores. Their circumstances were vastly different, but their ultimate destinies were determined by something far more profound.

    • a. How do we spend our lives? (v. 19): The rich man's life was consumed by earthly pleasures and material possessions. He lived for the moment, seemingly oblivious to the suffering around him. How are we spending our lives? Are we consumed by fleeting pleasures, or are we investing in eternal values? 

    • b. What value do we place on material possessions? (v. 19): The rich man's focus on material wealth blinded him to the needs of Lazarus. Do we allow our possessions to define us, or do we use them to serve God and others? 

    • c. How do we face adversity? (vv. 20, 21): Lazarus endured immense suffering, yet his hope remained in God. How do we respond to trials? Do we turn to God, or do we succumb to bitterness and despair? 

This parable reminds us that our choices in this life have eternal consequences. Our character, our priorities, and our response to suffering shape our destiny.

II. We Must Be Prepared for the Inevitable: The Passage to Eternity (Luke 16:22-26)

The parable then shifts to the afterlife, revealing the stark contrast between the rich man's torment and Lazarus's comfort.

    • a. How do we walk with God?: Lazarus was taken to Abraham's side, a place of comfort and fellowship with God. This indicates that Lazarus had a relationship with God during his life. How is our walk with God now? 

    • b. Jesus validated the existence of hell (v. 23): The rich man found himself in torment, a place of suffering and separation from God. Jesus, in this parable, confirms the reality of hell. In Hades, the senses are not lost, nor in heaven. This is a place of conscious suffering. 

    • c. There is no purgatory. From Hades we cannot pass to heaven (vv. 23-26): The rich man's plea for relief was denied. A great chasm separated him from Lazarus, symbolizing the unbridgeable divide between heaven and hell. There is no second chance after death. 

This passage is a solemn warning: our eternal destiny is sealed at the moment of death. We must be prepared to meet our Maker.

III. Our Lives Must Be Prepared Now to Go to Eternity (Luke 16:27-31)

The rich man's final plea reveals his desperate desire to warn his brothers, but his request is denied.

    • a. We cannot pass back from the spiritual realm to the material realm (vv. 27-29): The rich man's attempt to send Lazarus back to warn his brothers was futile. The spiritual realm is not subject to our control. 

    • b. We are responsible for our decisions (vv. 30, 31): Abraham's response was clear: "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead." We have the 1 Scriptures, the Word of God, to guide us. We are responsible for our choices.   

This parable underscores the urgency of repentance and faith. We cannot delay our decision to follow Christ.

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Conclusion:

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is not meant to frighten us, but to awaken us. It is a call to examine our lives, to repent of our sins, and to place our faith in Jesus Christ.

Where will we spend eternity? The choice is ours. Let us choose life, let us choose Christ, and let us live in light of eternity. Amen.

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Preaching on Tares and the Wheat Matthew 13:25-43

 The Field of the World: Lessons from the Wheat and the Tares

Let us turn our hearts to the profound parable of the wheat and the tares, a story Jesus told to reveal the realities of the Kingdom of Heaven and the spiritual warfare we face in this world.

1. The Good Seed and the Bad Seed – The Reality of the World (Matthew 13:24):

 “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.” Jesus introduces us to a field sown with good seed, representing the children of the Kingdom. The field symbolizes the world, a place where both the children of God and the children of evil reside. This parable acknowledges the reality that good and evil coexist in our world.

2. The Sowing Enemy – The Work of the Evil One (Matthew 13:25)

 “But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.” The enemy, the devil, sows tares, representing evil, false doctrines, and distractions. This reminds us that evil often works discreetly, taking advantage of our spiritual slumber. We must remain vigilant, aware of the enemy’s tactics.

3. The Growth of the Tares and the Wheat – Living in the World (Matthew 13:26):

 “When the grass grew and bore fruit, then the tares appeared also.” The tares grow alongside the wheat, illustrating that good and evil coexist until the end. The growth of evil is not always immediately apparent. As Christians, we must learn to live in this world, amidst its corruption, without allowing it to contaminate our faith.

4. The Servants’ Intervention – The Desire to Pull Out the Weeds (Matthew 13:27):

 “The servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where then do the weeds come from?’” The servants, representing disciples and spiritual leaders, see the problem and desire to eradicate evil. However, the master’s response, “Let them grow together,” reveals God’s wisdom and patience. We must trust in God’s timing, even when we desire immediate solutions.

5. Harvest Time – The Final Judgment (Matthew 13:30): 

“Let them grow together until the harvest. At harvest time I will tell the reapers, ‘First gather the tares and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’” The final judgment will come at God’s appointed time. Evil will be separated from good, and God’s justice will prevail. The harvest symbolizes the moment of separation, when God will distinguish the righteous from the wicked.

6. Jesus’ Explanation – The Meaning of the Parable (Matthew 13:37-38):

 “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the tares are the children of the evil one.” Jesus clarifies the symbolism, revealing the spiritual realities at play. This highlights the ongoing spiritual warfare in the world.

7. Judgment Will Separate (Matthew 13:30):

 “And in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, ‘First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’” In the end, God will separate the righteous from the wicked, with eternal rewards and punishments. God’s judgment is just and certain.

8. The Fate of the Tares – The Punishment of the Wicked (Matthew 13:42): 

“And he will cast them into the furnace of fire; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” The fate of the tares is eternal destruction, a symbol of the consequences of rejecting God. This serves as a solemn warning to repent and turn to God.

9. The Fate of the Wheat – The Reward of the Righteous (Matthew 13:43): 

“Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” The wheat represents the righteous, who will shine in God’s presence. The reward for faithfulness is glorious and eternal.

10. The Importance of Living Wisely (Matthew 13:43):

 “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” The parable ends with a call to action, urging us to apply its message. We must live wisely, seeking purity of heart and remaining faithful to God. Our choices have eternal implications.

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Conclusion

The parable of the wheat and the tares reminds us that we live in a world where good and evil coexist. Let us remain vigilant, trust in God’s timing, and strive to live righteously, knowing that our choices have eternal consequences. May we be found as wheat in the harvest, shining in the presence of our Father. Amen.

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