Bible Reading
Luke 16:19-31 (ESV) – The Rich Man and Lazarus —
> “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.’”
2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) —
> “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
Luke 15:3-7 (ESV) – The Parable of the Lost Sheep —
> “So he told them this parable: ‘What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.’”
Observation Questions
- In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, what are some of the things the rich man is aware of after death? What does he remember, and how does he feel about his situation? ([25:47])
- According to the sermon, what does the “great chasm” between the rich man and Lazarus represent? ([25:13])
- What does 2 Peter 3:9 say about God’s heart toward people who have not yet repented? ([30:52])
- In the parable of the lost sheep, what does the shepherd do when one sheep is missing, and how does this reflect God’s attitude toward lost people? ([32:07])
Interpretation Questions
- Why do you think Jesus chose to make the rich man fully conscious and aware of his past life and relationships in the story? What might this teach us about eternity and our choices now? ([25:47])
- The sermon says that the rich man does not protest his fate as unfair. What does this suggest about God’s justice and how it will be understood in eternity? ([28:25])
- How does the reality of hell, as described in Luke 16 and the sermon, help us understand the seriousness of sin and the depth of God’s grace? ([29:02])
- What does the story of the lost sheep reveal about God’s priorities and His pursuit of people who are far from Him? How does this challenge common ideas about God’s attitude toward sinners? ([32:07])
Application Questions
- The sermon emphasized that the decisions we make about Jesus in this life are final, with no second chances after death. How does this truth affect the way you think about your own faith and the urgency of sharing it with others? ([28:25])
- The rich man wanted someone to warn his family after it was too late for him. Is there someone in your life you feel a burden to share the gospel with? What is one step you could take this week to reach out to them? ([25:47])
- The message said that God is not waiting to send people to hell, but is patient, longing for all to come to repentance. How does this view of God’s heart change the way you see people who don’t yet know Jesus? ([30:52])
- The story of the lost sheep shows God’s relentless pursuit of the one who is lost. Who is “the one” in your life right now, and how can you join God in pursuing them with love and truth? ([32:07])
- The sermon challenged us to live in light of eternity, not just for ourselves but for others. What is one practical way you can adjust your priorities, time, or resources this month to reflect the urgency of eternity? ([36:20])
- The gospel is good news for all people, not just those with a religious background or “clean” past. Are there people you tend to overlook or assume are not interested in Jesus? How can you break through those assumptions? ([34:26])
- The pastor shared about the church’s generosity and its impact in India. How does seeing the global need for the gospel and acts of love inspire you to be more generous or mission-minded in your own context? ([12:51])
