Eternal Choices: The Parable of Dives and Lazarus

 

Summary

In today's exploration of the Gospel According to Saint Luke, we delved into the parable of Dives and Lazarus, a narrative that challenges our understanding and acceptance of eternal realities. This parable, found in Luke 16:19-31, presents a stark contrast between two men: a rich man, often referred to as Dives, who lived in opulence, and Lazarus, a destitute beggar suffering at the rich man's gate. Upon their deaths, their fortunes are reversed—Lazarus is carried by angels to Abraham's bosom, while the rich man finds himself in torment in Hades.

This story is not merely about wealth and poverty but serves as a profound commentary on the eternal consequences of our earthly lives. It underscores the reality of heaven and hell, a truth that Jesus emphasized more than any other biblical figure. Despite the discomfort it may cause, the doctrine of hell is an essential part of Christian teaching, as it reflects the justice of God and the seriousness of sin. Our reluctance to accept this doctrine often stems from a limited understanding of God's holiness and the gravity of sin.

The parable also highlights the irreversible nature of our eternal destinies. Once the rich man is in torment, he cannot cross the chasm to reach comfort, nor can he warn his living brothers. This serves as a sobering reminder of the urgency of repentance and faith in Christ. The rich man's plea for his brothers to be warned is met with the assertion that they have Moses and the prophets, emphasizing that the Scriptures provide sufficient testimony for salvation.

Ultimately, this parable calls us to examine our lives, our priorities, and our responses to God's word. It challenges us to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that our choices have lasting consequences. May we be moved to compassion for those around us, sharing the hope of the gospel with urgency and love.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Reality of Heaven and Hell: Jesus spoke more about hell than heaven, emphasizing its reality and importance. Our discomfort with the doctrine often reveals a shallow understanding of God's holiness and the seriousness of sin. Accepting the reality of hell is not optional for Christians, as it is integral to the gospel message. [08:22]

2. The Irreversibility of Eternal Destinies: The parable illustrates the fixed nature of our eternal destinies. Once in hell, the rich man cannot cross to heaven, nor can he warn his brothers. This underscores the urgency of repentance and faith in Christ during our earthly lives. [26:42]

3. The Sufficiency of Scripture: The rich man's plea for his brothers to be warned is met with the assertion that they have Moses and the prophets. This highlights the sufficiency of Scripture as a testimony to salvation, urging us to heed its message. [29:18]

4. The Urgency of Repentance: The parable calls us to examine our lives and priorities, recognizing that our choices have eternal consequences. It challenges us to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing repentance and faith in Christ. [31:31]

5. Compassion for the Lost: The rich man's concern for his brothers serves as a reminder of the importance of sharing the gospel with urgency and love. We are called to be moved by compassion for those around us, sharing the hope of salvation through Christ. [32:07]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Luke 16
- [00:42] - The Parable of Dives and Lazarus
- [01:13] - The Rich Man and Lazarus
- [02:01] - The Afterlife Reversal
- [03:32] - Prayer for Understanding
- [04:46] - Survey on Belief in Heaven and Hell
- [06:50] - Jesus' Teachings on Hell
- [08:38] - Struggling with the Doctrine of Hell
- [10:09] - Understanding God's Holiness
- [12:35] - The Earthly Lives of Dives and Lazarus
- [15:02] - The Suffering of Lazarus
- [18:34] - The Deaths of Dives and Lazarus
- [21:34] - The Rich Man's Plea for Mercy
- [24:26] - The Boundary of God's Mercy
- [28:43] - The Sufficiency of Moses and the Prophets
- [31:31] - The Call to Heed the Parable

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 16:19-31

Observation Questions:
1. What are the contrasting lifestyles of the rich man and Lazarus as described in the parable? [01:13]
2. How does the parable depict the afterlife experiences of both the rich man and Lazarus? [01:42]
3. What request does the rich man make to Abraham, and what is Abraham's response? [02:49]
4. How does the parable illustrate the concept of an unbridgeable chasm between heaven and hell? [26:42]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the reality of hell more than heaven in his teachings, according to the sermon? [07:09]
2. How does the parable challenge the audience's understanding of God's holiness and the seriousness of sin? [10:09]
3. What does the rich man's plea for his brothers reveal about the sufficiency of Scripture as a testimony to salvation? [29:18]
4. How does the parable highlight the urgency of repentance and faith in Christ during our earthly lives? [31:31]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current lifestyle and priorities. How do they align with living with an eternal perspective as emphasized in the parable? [31:31]
2. The sermon suggests that our discomfort with the doctrine of hell may reveal a shallow understanding of God's holiness. How can you deepen your understanding of God's holiness this week? [08:38]
3. Consider the people in your life who may not know Christ. What steps can you take to share the hope of the gospel with them urgently and lovingly? [32:07]
4. The rich man's concern for his brothers serves as a reminder of the importance of sharing the gospel. How can you be more intentional in your efforts to reach out to those who are spiritually lost? [28:10]
5. The parable underscores the sufficiency of Scripture. How can you make Scripture a more integral part of your daily life to strengthen your faith and understanding? [29:18]
6. Reflect on a time when you struggled with accepting a difficult doctrine. How did you work through that struggle, and what did you learn from it? [08:38]
7. The sermon mentions the irreversible nature of our eternal destinies. How does this truth impact your view of life and the choices you make daily? [26:42]

Devotional

Day 1: The Weight of Eternal Realities
The parable of Dives and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31 presents a vivid depiction of the eternal consequences of our earthly lives. It challenges us to confront the reality of heaven and hell, a truth that Jesus emphasized more than any other biblical figure. The discomfort we may feel towards the doctrine of hell often reveals a limited understanding of God's holiness and the seriousness of sin. Accepting the reality of hell is not optional for Christians, as it is integral to the gospel message. This parable calls us to live with an awareness of the eternal significance of our choices and to align our lives with the teachings of Christ. [08:22]

Isaiah 66:24 (ESV): "And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me. For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh."

Reflection: How does your understanding of God's holiness and the reality of hell influence the way you live your daily life?


Day 2: The Finality of Our Choices
The parable of Dives and Lazarus illustrates the irreversible nature of our eternal destinies. Once the rich man finds himself in torment, he cannot cross the chasm to reach comfort, nor can he warn his living brothers. This serves as a sobering reminder of the urgency of repentance and faith in Christ during our earthly lives. The choices we make now have lasting consequences, and the time to act is now. We are called to examine our lives and prioritize our relationship with God, recognizing that our eternal destinies are fixed at the moment of death. [26:42]

Hebrews 9:27 (ESV): "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to ensure that your life reflects a commitment to Christ and an awareness of eternal consequences?


Day 3: The Power of Scripture
In the parable, the rich man's plea for his brothers to be warned is met with the assertion that they have Moses and the prophets. This highlights the sufficiency of Scripture as a testimony to salvation, urging us to heed its message. The Bible provides all the guidance and wisdom we need to understand God's plan for salvation and to live a life that honors Him. We are encouraged to immerse ourselves in the Word, allowing it to shape our beliefs and actions. [29:18]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: How can you incorporate more time in Scripture into your daily routine to better understand and live out God's will?


Day 4: The Call to Repentance
The parable of Dives and Lazarus calls us to examine our lives and priorities, recognizing that our choices have eternal consequences. It challenges us to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing repentance and faith in Christ. The urgency of repentance is underscored by the rich man's inability to change his fate after death. We are reminded that the time to turn to God and seek His forgiveness is now, while we still have the opportunity. [31:31]

Acts 3:19 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out."

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you need to seek repentance and realign your priorities with God's will today?


Day 5: Compassion for the Lost
The rich man's concern for his brothers serves as a reminder of the importance of sharing the gospel with urgency and love. We are called to be moved by compassion for those around us, sharing the hope of salvation through Christ. This parable challenges us to consider how we can actively participate in God's mission to reach the lost, using our lives as a testimony to His grace and truth. [32:07]

Jude 1:22-23 (ESV): "And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of the gospel, and how can you share it with them in a loving and compassionate way today?

Quotes

There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day, but there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. [00:01:06]

And so it was that the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried, and being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom. [00:01:34]

And he cried and said Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this Flame. But Abraham said Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things. [00:01:59]

And likewise Lazarus evil things, but now he is comforted, and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great Gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us. [00:02:23]

Abraham said to him they have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them. And he said no Father Abraham but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent. But he said to him if they do not hear Moses and the prophets neither will they be persuaded. [00:03:01]

Jesus spoke more about hell than he did about heaven, so obviously it was a matter of great importance and great concern for him. Also, we hear so much more about hell from Jesus than we do from the prophets or from the New Testament apostles. [00:07:17]

The first is this, that we don't really understand who God is. We have hardly a clue about the depth and the breadth and the Heights of his perfection, of his holiness, and consequently, we don't have a clue about the sinfulness of sin. [00:09:55]

What repentance we have before God is shallow at best, as we sugarcoat the offenses that we have made not only against our neighbors but especially in ultimately against God himself. As I've told you before, if I die this afternoon and wake up in hell, I will be surprised. [00:11:05]

And the worst is this, it's almost certain that there are people in this room listening to me right now who will be there when they die. If you have any understanding of the reality of hell you would crawl on glass to the cross to the only one who can bring you safely home. [00:27:02]

And Abraham said you want me to send Lazarus, excuse me, don't they have Moses and the prophets, hasn't God given them all the information they will ever need to escape this place. If this Parable were given by Paul he would have said that they have Moses they have the prophets. [00:28:43]

If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, the one rise from the dead, truer words were never spoken, because one has risen from the dead, the very one who's telling this parable, and we still don't believe it. [00:31:00]

God grant that we heed this parable of Jesus and let it Pierce our souls and our hearts, and that a concern for the future of every person we meet weigh heavily on our hearts, because when they die, it's too late. [00:31:57]

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Transcript
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