Bridging Chasms: Compassion and Justice in Action

This morning, we gathered to reflect on the story of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16, a parable that challenges us to examine the chasms that exist in our own lives and in our world. The story is not simply about wealth or poverty, nor is it a map of the afterlife; rather, it is a mirror held up to our hearts, inviting us to see where we have become indifferent to the suffering of others. The rich man, unnamed and isolated by his own choices, steps over Lazarus day after day, blind to the opportunity for compassion and relationship that lies at his very gate. Lazarus, whose name means "God will help," endures suffering with hope, trusting that God sees and cares for him even when the world does not.

The parable exposes the chasm of indifference that can grow between us and those in need, a distance that is not just about economics but about the failure to see, to notice, and to care. Jesus calls us to bridge these chasms in our lifetime, not to wait until it is too late. The grace in this story is that the chasm is not yet fixed; we have the opportunity, here and now, to reach across divides with acts of mercy, justice, and love.

We are reminded that the systems and structures of our society often perpetuate inequality, and that as followers of Christ, we are called to pay attention—to how we use our resources, how we treat those who serve us, and how we advocate for justice. The story challenges us to live with intention, to see the Lazaruses at our gates, and to recognize that every act of compassion is an act of bridging the chasm between ourselves and others, and between ourselves and God.

As a church, we are called to be a community that lifts up the lowly, that listens to the prophets, and that lives out resurrection hope in every act of mercy and justice. Our stewardship is not just about money, but about giving of ourselves—our time, our presence, our prayers, and our resources—to build a world where love is the true measure of wealth. Let us go forth, then, to live with open eyes and open hearts, ready to bridge the chasms in our lives and in our world, trusting that God’s grace is sufficient and that new beginnings are always possible.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The chasm between the rich man and Lazarus is not merely about wealth, but about the indifference that grows when we fail to see and respond to the suffering at our own gates. Every day presents opportunities to notice those on the margins and to act with compassion, rather than stepping over them in pursuit of our own comfort. Indifference is itself a chasm that can only be bridged by intentional acts of mercy. [32:33]
• 2. The choices we make in our daily lives—how we use our resources, how we treat others, and how we respond to need—have eternal significance. Jesus’ parable is a moral landscape, not a threat of punishment, reminding us that compassion delayed is compassion denied, and justice postponed is justice betrayed. The chasms of consequence are fixed by the patterns we establish in life, not by fate or accident. [39:07]
• 3. True wealth is found not in accumulation, but in relationship and generosity. The rich man’s lack of a name in the parable underscores the emptiness of a life lived for self alone, while Lazarus’ name—“God will help”—points to the hope and dignity that come from trusting in God and living in community. Our names matter most when they are spoken in love and service to others. [41:22]
• 4. Bridging the chasms of our world requires both personal and systemic change. We are called to examine not only our own hearts, but also the structures and systems that perpetuate inequality—whether in wages, access to healthcare, or opportunity. Faith is not just personal piety, but public action; to ignore the Lazaruses of our time is to ignore Christ himself. [46:09]
• 5. The grace of God is that the chasm is not yet fixed; we are given the chance, every day, to bridge divides through acts of love, justice, and generosity. The church’s mission is to go upstream, to address the root causes of suffering, and to be a community where the last are first and the poor are blessed. Every small act of faithfulness—every gift, every invitation, every prayer—contributes to the building of God’s kingdom on earth. [51:43]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:18] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
• [02:32] - Emergency Response Training and Community Involvement
• [05:52] - Opening Worship and Prayer
• [16:25] - Children’s Lesson: The Love of Money
• [18:10] - Keeping God First in Our Lives
• [26:21] - Gospel Reading: The Rich Man and Lazarus
• [29:56] - Exploring the Parable: Indifference and Chasms
• [34:05] - The Meaning of Lazarus’ Name and God’s Help
• [38:03] - The Great Reversal and the Chasm of Consequence
• [41:22] - Bridging the Chasm: Grace and Responsibility
• [46:09] - Modern Chasms: Wealth, Wages, and Justice
• [50:20] - Paying Attention: Seeing Christ at the Gate
• [53:08] - Living with Intention and Grace
• [55:25] - Affirming Our Faith and Prayers of Confession
• [59:21] - Assurance of Forgiveness and Call to New Life
• [63:03] - The Church’s Role: Going Upstream
• [66:23] - Stewardship, Generosity, and Church Finances
• [70:56] - Encouragement to Give and Trust God
• [76:36] - Offering, The Lord’s Prayer, and Closing Song
• [77:47] - Final Blessing: Seeing and Bridging Chasms
• [81:46] - Benediction and Sending Forth

Bible Reading

Luke 16:19-31 (ESV) — > “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house—for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

Observation Questions

1. In the parable, what are the main differences between the lives of the rich man and Lazarus, both before and after death?
2. What is the significance of Lazarus being given a name in the story, while the rich man remains unnamed? ([34:05])
3. According to the sermon, what is the “chasm” that exists between the rich man and Lazarus, and how is it created? ([32:33])
4. What does the rich man ask Abraham to do after his death, and how does Abraham respond? What does this reveal about the rich man’s understanding? ([39:07])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says the parable is not just about wealth or the afterlife, but about indifference. What does it mean for indifference to become a “chasm” in our lives? ([32:33])
2. Why might Jesus have chosen to give Lazarus a name, and what does his name (“God will help”) suggest about hope and dignity in suffering? ([34:05])
3. The rich man’s choices in life led to a fixed chasm after death. What does this suggest about the long-term impact of our daily decisions and patterns? ([39:07])
4. The sermon mentions that the systems and structures of society can create or widen chasms. How does this challenge the idea that faith is only a personal matter? ([46:09])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to “see the Lazaruses at our gates.” Who are the people in your daily life or community that you might be overlooking or stepping over? What would it look like to notice and respond to them this week? ([32:33])
2. Think about a time when you felt indifferent to someone else’s suffering. What led to that indifference, and what could you do differently next time to bridge that gap? ([36:35])
3. The story points out that the chasm is not yet fixed in our lives. What is one specific act of mercy, justice, or generosity you could do this week to bridge a divide you see? ([42:28])
4. The sermon talks about both personal and systemic change. Is there a system or structure (at work, school, church, or in society) where you see inequality? What is one small step you could take to advocate for justice or fairness? ([46:09])
5. The rich man’s life was marked by isolation and self-focus. In what ways do you find yourself tempted to live for yourself alone? How can you intentionally build relationships and community this month? ([41:22])
6. The church is called to “go upstream” and address the root causes of suffering. What is one area where you feel called to get involved or learn more, so you can help address suffering at its source? ([01:03:03])
7. The sermon reminds us that stewardship is about more than money—it’s about giving our time, presence, prayers, and resources. Which of these do you find easiest to give? Which is hardest? What is one way you can stretch yourself in stewardship this season? ([01:10:04])