Eternal Choices: The Rich Man and Lazarus

 

Summary

In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 16, verses 19-31, we find a profound narrative that is not merely a parable but a true account shared by Jesus Christ Himself. This story of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus is a solemn reminder of the eternal truths that Jesus came to reveal. It is a call to examine our lives, our priorities, and our eternal destinies. Jesus' teachings are unique, authoritative, and challenge the conventional wisdom of the world. They are not mere emotional appeals but calls to reason, to think deeply about the realities of life and death.

The story illustrates the stark contrast between two lives and their eternal outcomes. The rich man, who lived in luxury, and Lazarus, who suffered in poverty, both faced death, the great equalizer. Jesus emphasizes that what truly matters is not our earthly circumstances, wealth, or health, but our relationship with God and our eternal destiny. The rich man's focus on material wealth and comfort led to his eternal torment, while Lazarus, despite his earthly suffering, found comfort in the afterlife.

Jesus' teaching simplifies the complexities of life into fundamental principles. He presents life as a choice between two paths: serving God or serving worldly desires. This choice determines not only how we live but also how we die and our state after death. The story warns of the tragic folly of making the wrong choice, as the rich man did, and highlights the unchangeable nature of our eternal fate once we have passed from this life.

The message is clear: we must heed the teachings of Moses and the prophets, which point to the necessity of repentance and faith in God. Jesus, the fulfillment of these prophecies, offers the way to eternal life through His sacrifice. It is not about being frightened into belief but about understanding and accepting the truth of the Gospel. The call is to repent, to change our minds and lives, and to press into the kingdom of God, ensuring that when our time comes, we will be carried by angels into eternal joy.

Key Takeaways:

- Jesus' teachings are unique and authoritative, challenging us to think deeply about life and death. They are not mere emotional appeals but calls to reason and wisdom, urging us to consider our eternal destinies. [04:46]

- The story of the rich man and Lazarus illustrates the importance of our relationship with God over earthly wealth and comfort. Our eternal destiny is determined by our choices in this life, not by our material circumstances. [12:04]

- Life is simplified into two paths: serving God or serving worldly desires. This choice affects how we live, how we die, and our state after death. The story warns of the tragic folly of making the wrong choice. [09:13]

- Our eternal fate is unchangeable once we have passed from this life. The story emphasizes the importance of making the right choice now, as there is no second chance after death. [35:31]

- The teachings of Moses and the prophets point to the necessity of repentance and faith in God. Jesus, the fulfillment of these prophecies, offers the way to eternal life through His sacrifice. It is about understanding and accepting the truth of the Gospel. [40:55]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to the Story
- [00:58] - Authority of Jesus' Words
- [02:24] - Purpose of the Story
- [03:20] - Characteristics of Jesus' Teaching
- [04:46] - Call for Thought and Reason
- [07:47] - Simplicity of Life's Problems
- [09:13] - Two Paths and Choices
- [11:41] - The Most Important Thing in Life
- [18:38] - The Fact of Death
- [21:21] - State of the Soul at Death
- [27:43] - Mode of Death
- [33:05] - State After Death
- [35:31] - Eternal and Unchangeable Fate
- [40:55] - Hearing Moses and the Prophets
- [51:01] - Pressing into the Kingdom of God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 16:19-31

Observation Questions:
1. What are the main differences between the lives of the rich man and Lazarus as described in Luke 16:19-31?
2. How does Jesus describe the eternal outcomes for the rich man and Lazarus? What does this tell us about their earthly choices? [19:44]
3. What does the rich man request from Abraham after his death, and what is Abraham's response? [10:17]
4. How does the sermon describe the authority and uniqueness of Jesus' teachings compared to others? [04:11]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of our relationship with God over our earthly circumstances in this story? [21:38]
2. How does the sermon explain the concept of "two paths" in life, and what are the implications of choosing one over the other? [09:13]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the role of Moses and the prophets in understanding the necessity of repentance and faith? [40:55]
4. How does the story of the rich man and Lazarus illustrate the unchangeable nature of our eternal fate once we have passed from this life? [35:31]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current priorities. Are there areas in your life where you are prioritizing material wealth or comfort over your relationship with God? How can you realign your priorities this week? [12:04]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of making the right choice now, as there is no second chance after death. What steps can you take today to ensure you are on the path that leads to eternal life? [35:31]
3. How can you actively heed the teachings of Moses and the prophets in your daily life? What changes might you need to make to align more closely with their call to repentance and faith? [40:55]
4. Consider the two paths described in the sermon: serving God or serving worldly desires. Which path do you find yourself on, and what practical steps can you take to ensure you are serving God? [09:13]
5. The sermon calls for thought and reason in understanding the Gospel. How can you cultivate a habit of thoughtful reflection on your faith and its implications for your life? [04:46]
6. Think about a time when you were faced with a choice that had eternal implications. How did you approach that decision, and what did you learn from it that can guide you in future decisions? [10:44]
7. How can you use your resources, such as time, money, and talents, to serve God and others, rather than focusing solely on personal gain? [25:28]

Devotional

Day 1: The Call to Deep Reflection
Jesus' teachings are not just emotional appeals but profound calls to reason and wisdom. They challenge us to think deeply about the realities of life and death, urging us to consider our eternal destinies. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus presents a narrative that compels us to examine our lives and priorities. The rich man, despite his earthly wealth, finds himself in eternal torment, while Lazarus, who suffered in life, is comforted in the afterlife. This story is a reminder that our earthly circumstances do not determine our eternal fate; rather, it is our relationship with God that truly matters. Jesus' words are authoritative and unique, inviting us to engage with them thoughtfully and intentionally. [04:46]

"Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord." (Psalm 107:43, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to pause and deeply reflect on your relationship with God? How can you create space today to engage with Jesus' teachings more thoughtfully?


Day 2: Eternal Priorities Over Earthly Comfort
The story of the rich man and Lazarus illustrates the importance of prioritizing our relationship with God over earthly wealth and comfort. The rich man lived a life of luxury, yet his focus on material wealth led to his eternal torment. In contrast, Lazarus, who suffered in poverty, found comfort in the afterlife. This narrative emphasizes that our eternal destiny is determined by our choices in this life, not by our material circumstances. It is a call to examine where we place our trust and what we value most. Jesus invites us to consider the eternal implications of our daily decisions and to prioritize our relationship with God above all else. [12:04]

"Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven." (Proverbs 23:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways are you tempted to prioritize earthly comfort over your relationship with God? What is one practical step you can take today to realign your priorities with eternal values?


Day 3: Choosing the Path of Life
Life is presented as a choice between two paths: serving God or serving worldly desires. This choice affects not only how we live but also how we die and our state after death. The story of the rich man and Lazarus warns of the tragic folly of making the wrong choice, as the rich man did. Jesus simplifies the complexities of life into fundamental principles, urging us to choose the path that leads to eternal life. It is a call to serve God wholeheartedly and to resist the allure of worldly desires that can lead us astray. [09:13]

"See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it." (Deuteronomy 30:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one worldly desire that competes with your commitment to serve God? How can you actively choose the path of life today in your thoughts, words, and actions?


Day 4: The Unchangeable Nature of Our Eternal Fate
The story of the rich man and Lazarus emphasizes the unchangeable nature of our eternal fate once we have passed from this life. The rich man's plea for relief and warning to his family is met with the stark reality that there is no second chance after death. This narrative serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of making the right choice now, while we still have the opportunity. It is a call to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that our decisions today have lasting consequences. [35:31]

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

Reflection: How does the reality of an unchangeable eternal fate impact your daily decisions? What is one change you can make today to live with a greater awareness of eternity?


Day 5: Embracing the Fulfillment of Prophecy
The teachings of Moses and the prophets point to the necessity of repentance and faith in God. Jesus, as the fulfillment of these prophecies, offers the way to eternal life through His sacrifice. It is not about being frightened into belief but about understanding and accepting the truth of the Gospel. The call is to repent, to change our minds and lives, and to press into the kingdom of God. By embracing Jesus' sacrifice, we ensure that when our time comes, we will be carried by angels into eternal joy. [40:55]

"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." (Luke 24:27, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways do you need to embrace the truth of the Gospel more fully in your life? How can you actively press into the kingdom of God today through repentance and faith?

Quotes



Now the Lord was not speaking a parable here he was making a statement effect this is perhaps the most solemn statement that I our Lord ever made the most solemn statement even that Arnaud himself ever made and I would ask you to bear in mind as we consider the statement that it is his statement it isn't mine. [00:45:56]

The gospel of Jesus Christ calls everybody to stop and to think and to ask certain questions there's nothing under the Sun that does that tonight but this your newspapers are interesting you entertaining you your television your wireless your drink your gambling all of them are stopping your thinking here's the only thing that asks you to think. [00:44:57]

The teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ always makes the problem of life something which is essentially simple didn't you feel that as you have this great story again it's where you make a complication our palaces our finery our drink our business and all these things we met the complications there's something strikingly starkly simple about our Lord's view of it all. [00:47:50]

He always brings it to this that there are only two waves only two possibilities you see in this picture there are two mini ones right ones wrong he's already put it in words in verse 13 no servant can serve two masters either he will hate the one love the other or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. [00:54:44]

The most important thing in life what is the most important thing in life that's what the gospel is about it's about life and it brings us immediately to this question what's the most important thing in life in this world that's the simplicity that he holds before us in this naked stock never what is it well no then let's see how he works it out. [01:11:53]

Our Lord answers the question it is a man's outlook upon life it is a men's attitude to life what does our Lord say is really important when I look at this story for yourself analyze it and you'll discover the most extraordinary thing the thing I Lord puts first is this is the fact of death indeed this whole story is really an expanded treatment of the whole question of the fact of death. [01:18:05]

The thing they both died this world is only a temporary world the gospel of Jesus Christ primarily is not a prepare us for life in this world is to prepare us for life in the next one because as I'm going to show you it's only the man who's prepared for the next who knows how to live in this so he puts this first. [01:25:58]

The greatest benefactors this world has ever known have been the Christian saints why well you see they realized their responsibilities to God and they didn't live a selfish life they lived a life of service they lived as Christ had lived they did their utmost to follow him because of their view of what was coming. [01:39:09]

It came to pass that the beggar died and was carried by the Angels into Abraham's bosom the rich man also died and was buried that's what I mean by a difference in the mode of death what a difference what a contrast rich men die and all we can be told about him is that he was very bit but what we are told about the other men is that when he died he was carried by the Angels into Abraham's bosom. [01:49:36]

There is an unbridgeable gulf and that our eternal fate and destiny is decided in this life and in this world by what we believe very well that brings me to my third and my last proposition how can I then get the right view of life what am I to believe what must happen to me what must I do in order to make sure in this method and avoid the fate of the rich man. [02:09:49]

The law and the prophets were until John since that time the kingdom of God is preached and every man who's got any sense presses into it what's he talking about well it comes to this there's only one way to get the right view of life it is to hear and to pay heed and to and to listen and to follow the teaching of Moses and the prophets. [02:43:59]

The kingdom of God is preached in so you see Moses and the prophets and the son of God and the Apostles to whom he gave his message concerning himself they come to us and they say this realize the facts you've got to die it'll come to pass that you die and you stand before God and as you are you can't you're lost you're a sinner you're damned your volume you can't stand you these presents but this there is a way for men to be saved. [02:50:00]

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Transcript
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