Living Purposefully: Embracing Eternity and God's Hope

Today’s teaching centered on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16, a story Jesus used to reveal the realities of death, eternity, and the kingdom of God. The narrative contrasts two men: one who enjoyed earthly wealth and comfort, and another who suffered in poverty and sickness. Yet, when their numbered days ended, their eternal destinies were reversed—Lazarus was comforted, while the rich man found himself in torment. This story is not meant to frighten, but to lovingly prepare us for what is certain for every person: death comes to all, and eternity begins immediately after.

We are reminded that our days on earth are limited, and wisdom is found in numbering those days—not to obsess over when our end will come, but to live each day purposefully, making the most of every opportunity. There are rare exceptions in Scripture, but for nearly everyone, death is the doorway to eternity. Jesus makes it clear that there is no purgatory, no second chance, and no negotiation after death. Our eternal destination is sealed at the moment our earthly life ends. This is not a message of condemnation, but of hope and urgency. God, in His love, has given us all the information we need to be prepared, and He has provided the way through Jesus Christ.

The reality of judgment is sobering, but for those in Christ, it is also a source of comfort. The finality of judgment means that all pain, sin, and suffering will be left behind for those who are ready. The Spirit of God is moving in our nation, stirring hearts—especially among the younger generations—to seek Jesus. As followers of Christ, we are called to set our sails to catch the wind of the Spirit, to be attentive and responsive to His leading, and to boldly share the hope we have. The time is now to prepare ourselves and to help others find the hope and assurance that only Jesus can give.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Death is Universal, but Wisdom Redeems Our Days Every person, regardless of status or circumstance, will face death. The call is not to fear this reality, but to gain a heart of wisdom by recognizing the brevity of life and making each day count for God’s purposes. Numbering our days is about living intentionally, investing in what truly matters, and not wasting the precious time we’ve been given. [44:14]
• 2. Eternity Begins Immediately—No Second Chances Jesus’ teaching dispels the notion of a waiting period or purgatory after death. The moment our earthly life ends, our eternal destiny is set—there is no further opportunity to repent or change course. This truth urges us to prepare now, not later, and to help others do the same, knowing that delay can have eternal consequences. [48:58]
• 3. Judgment is Final and Destinations are Fixed The parable reveals a great chasm between the places of comfort and torment, one that cannot be crossed after death. This underscores the seriousness of our choices in this life and the permanence of our decisions regarding Christ. God’s desire is not to condemn, but to awaken us to the urgency of responding to His offer of salvation while we still can. [54:00]
• 4. The Good News: In Christ, Judgment Brings Victory, Not Fear For those who belong to Jesus, the finality of judgment is not a threat, but a promise of eternal joy, healing, and reunion. The sting of death is removed, and victory is assured through Christ’s sacrifice. This hope frees us from fear and empowers us to live boldly and joyfully, knowing our future is secure. [60:11]
• 5. The Spirit is Moving—Set Your Sails and Respond There is a fresh movement of God’s Spirit in our nation, especially among the younger generations. Our role is to be attentive, to set our sails to catch the wind of the Spirit, and to be ready to speak and act as He leads. This means being bold in sharing our faith, sensitive to the Spirit’s promptings, and eager to help others find the hope that is stirring in so many hearts today. [64:11]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:00] - Prayer for Church Family Needs
• [06:30] - Introduction: Parables and the Kingdom of God
• [10:45] - The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
• [18:30] - Earthly Status vs. Eternal Reality
• [24:00] - The Certainty of Death for All
• [38:11] - The Meaning of Hades and the Afterlife
• [44:14] - Numbering Our Days and Gaining Wisdom
• [48:58] - Eternity Begins Immediately
• [54:00] - The Finality of Judgment
• [57:59] - The Hope of Resurrection and Victory in Christ
• [62:00] - The Spirit’s Movement in Our Nation
• [64:11] - Setting Our Sails: Responding to the Spirit
• [74:41] - Announcements and Community Outreach
• [78:53] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Reading

Luke 16:19-31 (ESV) — > 19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 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.’ 25 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. 26 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.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 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.’”

Psalm 90:10-12 (ESV) — > 10 The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.
11 Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you?
12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

1 Corinthians 15:50-57 (ESV) — > 50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation Questions

1. In the parable, what are the main differences between the lives of the rich man and Lazarus while they are alive? What changes after they die? (Luke 16:19-26)
2. According to Psalm 90, what does the psalmist ask God to teach us about our days on earth? Why? (Psalm 90:12)
3. What does Abraham say is the reason the rich man’s brothers won’t be convinced, even if someone rises from the dead? (Luke 16:29-31)
4. In 1 Corinthians 15, what is promised to those who are in Christ regarding death and the resurrection? (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)

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 views people? [39:03]
2. The sermon said, “Death comes to all. Death is no respecter of persons. It doesn't matter how much money you have. It doesn't matter how little money you have.” How does this truth challenge the way we view success and security in this life? [41:00]
3. The parable shows a “great chasm” fixed between comfort and torment after death. What does this teach us about the finality of our choices in this life? [54:00]
4. The pastor said, “Jesus, in telling this story, is not trying to scare us. He's not being morbid. He's saying, be wise about this. You all know this already. You've only got so many days. Be wise with the use of the days that you have.” What does it look like to “number our days” and gain a heart of wisdom? [47:07]

Application Questions

1. The sermon emphasized that “our days are already numbered, so learn wisdom to live those days in the best possible way.” What is one area of your life where you feel you are not using your days wisely? What is one step you could take this week to change that? [47:07]
2. The pastor said, “There is no waiting period. There is a theology...that has this concept of something they label purgatory or some in-between time there after you die. Well, Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is like this. When they died, was there any kind of a waiting period? No, they immediately went to where they were going to go for eternity.” How does knowing that eternity begins immediately after death affect the way you approach your relationship with God and others right now? [48:58]
3. The message stated, “God doesn't want you in that place of torment. How do we know that? Because he came here on a rescue mission to keep you from going there.” How does this truth impact the way you view God’s love and your own salvation? [55:59]
4. The pastor shared that “the Spirit is blowing and it blows where it will. We don't know how long it's going to blow either. But right now it is. And our role as a church is to set the sail and catch it and be part of it and participate in what the Spirit of God is doing in our world today.” What does it look like for you personally to “set your sail” and respond to the Spirit’s movement? [01:04:11]
5. The sermon challenged us to “be bolder than you've ever been to be willing to speak up, not be scared to do it.” Is there someone in your life you feel prompted to share your faith or invite to church? What is holding you back, and what could you do about it this week? [01:05:47]
6. The pastor said, “If you're ready, do you have to be afraid of it [death]? No. In fact, you can even look forward to it...because I am in Christ and I will appear before the Father covered with the blood of Jesus.” Do you feel ready for eternity? If not, what steps do you need to take to be prepared? [51:45]
7. The message mentioned that “depression and anxiety is also on the rise in our country while at the same time there's a spiritual movement happening.” How can you be attentive to people around you who may be searching for hope, and how might you help them find it in Jesus? [01:05:47]