Bible Text: Luke 16:19-31 | Preacher: Pastor Andrew Okai

Sermon prepared by the Holy Spirit

And Pastor Andrew T. Okai

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

September 25th 2016

Sermon text: Luke 16:19-31

Sermon theme: From Here to Eternity

 

Introduction

Grace mercy and peace…

 

Many people today wrestle with the uncertainty of what happens after death… (As a result of not being able to wrap their minds around this mystery, they become very uncomfortable with the subject of death is brought up)… (Even Christians)

 

Well, from our Lord’s words found in Luke 16 this morning regarding Lazarus and the rich man, we can see that it is a subject worth talking about. – There is a need to talk about it because far too many people today have been blinded by the axiom, which says that there is only one life to live… (Jesus refutes this idea this morning in our Gospel text)

 

This story also legitimizes the importance of us placing our trust and hope in God through his Son Jesus Christ for eternal life…

Why? Because this story establishes the fact that our final destiny is determined by how we live here on the earth… (Because in this story we find two classes of people – The rich & the poor/the one with God and the other without God) 

2nd – that our existence begins here; but it doesn’t end here…

3rd – that this story is not a parable but rather a true event that occurred somewhere in history, because Jesus gives us a name…

 

So just in case you have been one of those who were skeptical about eternity, bang! Here it is… Jesus is saying it is real…

 

Now, in order to trust the validity of this story one must first believe in Jesus… John 14:1 do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me…

 

This passage is one of contrasts. A picture is painted here of some of the differences between a lost man and a saved man. There are three primary areas where these contrasts are plainly visible. By God’s grace, I want to point those areas out today as we continue on this sermon titled From Here To Eternity.

The contrast in their earthly experience

Luke 16:19-21There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

One man lived a bountiful life: enjoyed the best life had to offer – lived for himself – lived for the now… (There is nothing wrong with having earthly riches, but what becomes wrong is when we live our lives for it… the story is told of a rich guy…
The other man lived a burdened life: while the rich man prospered, Lazarus suffered daily – he couldn’t afford medical insurance – the burden man was the blessed man (he did have medical insurance; but he had eternal assurance)

 

The contrast in their exit experience

Luke 16:22 the time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.

Since the two men in this story represent the two classes of people living on the earth, then we can now agree that all of us will exit this earth…

 

One man’s death was lonely

When one dies without God, he/she enters a state of eternal loneliness from the very second of death… (Cut off from the living and the dead… 14:11 and the smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever. And there will be no rest day or night. (It was all about self on earth and it is all about self in hell)

The other man’s was lovely

When one dies with God he/she enters into a state of eternal loveliness (Saints do not die alone…) Proverbs 14:32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.
Philippians 1:23 am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;

 

The contrast in their eternal experience Luke 16:23-31

One man found pain – the bible says that the rich man went to hell when he died – well, from all we know about that place, it is far more horrifying than we could ever imagine… here are a few things about hell…

A place of punishment Matt. 25:41 (prepared for the devil & angel)

A place of unquenchable fire Mark 9:43 (where the fire never goes out)

A place of memory and remorse Luke 16:25 (He wanted his brothers spared too Luke 16:27-31 (He experienced regret too)

 

The other man found peace – while the rich man suffered, Lazarus was at rest (Listen folks, everything hell is, heaven isn’t – it is a place free from the cares and burdens of this life…

It is a place of incomparable beauty Rev. 21:4

It is a place where God himself dwells and where his people will be able to see him face to face Rev. 21:3; 22:4

It is a place where sin, Satan, and sinners are forever banished

Rev. 21:27

It is the place we call home Philippians 3:20 (Our citizenship is in heaven…)

 

Please project these points one at a time

Thanks