Eternal Destiny: Choices, Urgency, and God's Grace

Life is full of uncertainty, but one thing is certain for every person: we will all face death, and with it, the reality of our eternal destiny. The story Jesus tells in Luke 16 about the rich man and Lazarus is a powerful reminder that earthly status, wealth, or poverty do not determine where we spend eternity. The world may judge by appearances—calling the rich man blessed and the poor man cursed—but God looks at the heart. The rich man, clothed in luxury and self-indulgence, and Lazarus, destitute and suffering, both died. Yet their destinies were completely reversed: Lazarus was carried to Abraham’s side, a place of comfort, while the rich man found himself in torment.

This parable is not just a story of reversal, but a warning and a call to examine what truly matters. Our culture is obsessed with controlling destiny, with self-help gurus promising that we can shape our own fate. But Scripture teaches that while we are responsible for our choices, our eternal destiny is determined by our response to God’s offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. Death is inevitable, and after death, our destiny is fixed—irrevocable. There is no second chance, no crossing over from one side to the other. The chasm is set.

The urgency of this truth cannot be overstated. The rich man, realizing too late the reality of his fate, pleads for his family to be warned. Yet Abraham’s response is sobering: they have Moses and the prophets—the Word of God is sufficient. Even a miracle, someone rising from the dead, would not convince those who refuse to listen to God’s Word. Today, we have even more: the testimony of the risen Christ. The question is not whether we will die, but whether we have responded to God’s invitation of grace. For those who trust in Christ, there is the promise of eternal comfort and joy. For those who reject Him, there is eternal separation and anguish.

This is a matter of grave urgency—not just for ourselves, but for those we love. God’s heart is that none should perish, but all should come to repentance. Now is the time to respond, to share, and to live with eternity in view.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Earthly status does not determine eternal destiny. God is not impressed by wealth, power, or outward appearances; He looks at the heart. The rich man’s luxury and Lazarus’s poverty were reversed in eternity, showing that what matters most is our relationship with God, not our circumstances in this life. [50:50]
• 2. Death is inevitable, and our time is unknown. Both the rich man and Lazarus died, regardless of their vastly different lives. No amount of wealth, planning, or even medical intervention can prevent the reality of death, and we must live with the awareness that our days are numbered and eternity awaits. [53:58]
• 3. Our eternal destiny is irrevocable after death. The chasm between comfort and torment is fixed; there is no opportunity to change one’s fate after this life. This truth should sober us and drive us to consider the weight of our choices and the urgency of responding to God’s grace now. [65:51]
• 4. God’s Word is sufficient for salvation. The rich man’s plea for a miraculous sign was denied because the Scriptures already contain all we need to know the way to eternal life. Miracles may catch our attention, but it is the living and active Word of God that convicts, saves, and transforms hearts. [73:39]
• 5. The urgency of the gospel demands our response and our compassion for others. The rich man’s concern for his brothers came too late, but we still have time to share the hope of Christ with those around us. God’s patience is great, but it is not endless—now is the day of salvation, and we must not delay in turning to Christ or in urging others to do the same. [80:37]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [29:18] - A Personal Story of Loss
• [31:44] - The Certainty of Death
• [33:28] - Reading Luke 16:19-31
• [36:59] - The Parable’s Contrasts and Reversals
• [39:23] - Earthly Status and Eternal Destiny
• [41:41] - The Plight of Lazarus
• [46:37] - The World’s View of Destiny
• [49:21] - God Knows the Heart
• [50:50] - Eternal Destiny, Not Earthly Destiny
• [52:31] - Death: The Great Equalizer
• [55:43] - The Two Destinies Revealed
• [58:00] - Consciousness After Death
• [65:51] - The Irrevocability of Eternal Destiny
• [68:46] - The Urgency of Warning Others
• [73:39] - The Sufficiency of God’s Word
• [78:27] - Assurance and Urgency for Today
• [80:37] - Invitation and Closing Prayer

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.’

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## Observation Questions

1. What are some of the main differences between the rich man and Lazarus in their lives before death? ([41:41])
2. After both men die, what happens to each of them? Where do they go, and what is their experience? ([55:43])
3. What does Abraham say is the reason the rich man’s brothers do not need a miracle to be warned? ([35:55])
4. According to the parable, what is the “great chasm” and what does it mean for the destinies of the two men? ([01:05:51])

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## Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus chose to name the poor man “Lazarus” but left the rich man unnamed? What might this say about how God values people? ([43:45])
2. The rich man asks for mercy and for Lazarus to help him, but Abraham refuses. What does this reveal about the finality of our choices after death? ([01:05:51])
3. Abraham tells the rich man that “they have Moses and the prophets.” What does this say about the sufficiency of God’s Word for salvation? ([35:55])
4. The rich man becomes concerned for his brothers only after it’s too late for himself. What does this teach us about urgency in spiritual matters? ([01:08:46])

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## Application Questions

1. The world often judges people by their wealth, status, or appearance. In what ways do you find yourself tempted to do the same? How can you remind yourself to see people as God does—by their heart? ([49:21])
2. The sermon mentioned that death is inevitable and our time is unknown. How does this reality affect the way you make decisions or set priorities in your life? ([53:58])
3. The parable teaches that our eternal destiny is fixed after death. Are there areas in your life where you are “putting off” responding to God or sharing the gospel with someone? What is holding you back? ([01:05:51])
4. Abraham says that God’s Word is enough for people to know the way to eternal life. How much time do you spend reading or listening to God’s Word each week? What could you do to make it a greater priority? ([35:55])
5. The rich man wanted someone to warn his family, but it was too late. Is there someone in your life you feel burdened to share the hope of Christ with? What is one step you can take this week to reach out to them? ([01:20:37])
6. The sermon talked about the urgency of the gospel and God’s heart that none should perish. How can you cultivate a greater sense of urgency and compassion for those who don’t know Christ? ([01:20:37])
7. The rich man was self-indulgent and ignored the needs at his own gate. Are there “Lazaruses” in your life—people in need whom you tend to overlook? What practical action can you take to show compassion this week? ([41:41])

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Closing Prayer Suggestion: — Pray for hearts that see as God sees, for courage to respond to His invitation, and for compassion and urgency to share the hope of Christ with others.