Lazarus and The Rich Man What is a Parable? Parables of Jesus- Instructive moral stories told by Jesus that contain symbolic significance and convey truth. In simple terms- a lesson that was given by Jesus that would have been an illustrative sermon. a way to make things more understandable to those seeking truth yet those with Hard hearts would not understand them. Big Ideas 1. Are we beggingly dependent on God? And how does that look for me? 2. Do we have a realistic idea of what the life of a Christian looks like? 3. Is the word of God enough for me? What is the foundation of my faith? Luke 16:1 NLT 1 Jesus told this story to his disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a manager handling his affairs. One day a report came that the manager was wasting his employer’s money. Luke 16:10–13 NLT 10 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. 11 And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? 12 And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? 13 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.” Then we learn that the Pharisees are also listening to the Parable which isn’t unnormal due to the fact they were trying to catch Jesus in false teachings Luke 16:14–15 NLT 14 The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this, and scoffed at him. 15 Then he said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God. Now if you have never heard this story, you are ready, but if you have let’s try today to hear it like the first time, the same way the disciples would have heard it. The Rich Man Luke 16:19 NLT 19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. This is the picture of what the Pharisees wanted, and the disciples saw as unattainable yet by the world’s standard it would have been the Goal. Money, easy life, everything is going to be awesome. This man was set apart from the normal Jewish citizen. Not just rich but daily enjoying in his richness for all to see. Lazarus Luke 16:20–21 NLT 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. Poor, broken, undesirable, untouchable, no one would want to be this man. Yet Jesus gives him a name. Why? John 1:12 NLT 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. ptōchos- to be Beggingly dependent Matthew 5:3 NLT 3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Luke 16:22(ptōchos) 22 “Finally, the beggingly dependent man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, Point 1 Are we beggingly dependent on God? And how does that look for me? So again, is Jesus saying that only the poor will go to heaven? Or that it is easier for a poor person to be dependent on someone else? Matthew 19:16 NLT 16 Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” He then goes on to list a bunch of commandments he must follow (the Law), And the young man responds with easy I do that, what else Jesus? Matthew 19:21–23 NLT 21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Again, money was not the issue it was he Love of money above God. So, let’s bring a conclusion to this point Why did Jesus say rich people aren’t likely to follow God and be beggingly dependent on Him? They have a lot more to lose and aren't willing too. Point 2 Do we have realistic goals on what a Christians life looks like? Luke 16:20–21 NLT 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. So, we now know that he was saved, so why did he look like that? Would a Christian really look like this? We are promised to live our best life and can pray for anything, right? What would you do if Lazarus walked into our church this week? James 1:2–4 NLT 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. Conclusion - Salvation based on outward appearance is a wrong understanding and will cause you to misunderstand God and His Will for his People. Luke 16:22–23 NLT 22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. Luke 16:24 NLT 24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ Luke 16:25–26 NLT 25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’ In other words, if during our time on earth we pursue after “things” instead of God—after luxury for ourselves instead of love for others—then earth will be the extent of our “heaven” and eternity will be our hell. But if during our time on the earth God is our treasure no matter how many bad things happen, then earth will be the extent of our “hell” and eternity will be our heaven. Luke 16:27–28 NLT 27 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. 28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them, so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’ Luke 16:29–31 NLT 29 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’ 30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ 31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Point 3 Is the word of God enough for me? What is the foundation of my faith? If Miracles were an evangelistic strategy, then Jesus wasn't very effective at creating genuine faith. Hebrews 11:1 NLT 1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Apparently, Faith must be founded on something else. Even though Miracles would strengthen belief in Jesus, we see that it isn’t something that creates lasting Faith. That is what the Parable is getting at. They already have the truth what else do they need. John 8:31–32 NLT 31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Luke 16:30–31 NLT 30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ 31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” But the rich man knows that his brothers do not listen to the Scriptures. They may have devotions in the morning for a few minutes and they attend church once a week, but he knows that their whole mindset about money is shaped by the world not God. And so, the rich man knows it is not going to do any good for Abraham just to say to them: read your Bible—read Moses, read the prophets! James 1:23–27 NLT 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. 26 If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. 27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. Deuteronomy 6:5 NLT 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. Philippians 3:12–18 NLT 12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers, and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. 17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. God, I see a burning rope each time a grab higher the past is burnt up. A no turning back lifestyle. The person I am today is not Person I am tomorrow. My identity is found in you when you search my name let you be found. I am a vessel planted by you to be used by you. Its not about me. – My journal (March 1st 2022) Take away questions 1.Are you beggingly dependent on God? And how does that look for you? 2. Do you have a realistic idea of what the life of a Christian looks like? 3.Is the word of God enough for you? What is the foundation of your faith?