"Where Will You Spend Eternity?"

 N.T.#605 "Where Will You Spend Eternity?"

August 5, 2025 

Luke 16-Part 5 

LET IT GLOW

Jesus finished teaching about having the right attitude towards money. He told about the "Rich man and Lazarus." It's about a billionaire and a beggar. Although, it could have been an account of two real men who are known as a certain rich man and a certain beggar. 

Here is a contrast:

• A rich man, which remains nameless, was always clothed in fine linen against his skin and a purple outer garment, that was the most expensive material. (verse 18)
• This man lived sumptuously (luxuriously) every day. (I wondered if he lived in a gated community.)
• He indulged his appetite with any food he desired.
• He received good things in his lifetime. (verse 25)
• He knew about Lazarus the beggar. Maybe he walked around him daily as he went outside his gate to go to work, town, or the store.
• When the rich man died, he was wrapped in aromatic spices and placed in a burial cave.
• Oh, he probably had family, friends, associates, city officials, and professional mourners to weep. 
• The rich man's soul went to hell, where he was tormented in a flame, and needing his tongue cooled by water. (verse 24)
• We know he had 5 brothers, for he begged Abraham to send someone to testify unto them. Yet it was not possible. There is a great gulf fixed between heaven and hell and no one can go to the other place. Ones eternity is sealed once one dies. (verse 28)
• The rich, selfish man thought if one came back from the dead, then people (his 5 brothers) would repent of their sins and believe in Jesus, not having to experience hell.

Hell is a real place for unbelievers in Jesus. It was designed for the devil and his angels to suffer for their sinful rebellion, wanting to be as God). However, when people do not repent and believe in Jesus as their Savior, the Son of God, The only way to heaven, then they spend eternity considering their mistakes.

The rich man did not show Lazarus compassion and this, he would not experience compassion for all of eternity. What a sad thing. It could have been avoided. And so it is for so many prideful souls.

LET IT GROW

Lazarus's life is such a contrast to that of the rich man:

• Lazarus was a helpless beggar who was laid at the rich man's gate, dying. 
• He was hungry, skinny, malnourished, desiring to eat crumbles which fell from the rich man's table. (Just give him some leftovers.)
• He must have been diseased, for Lazarus was full of sores, painful abscesses, which the dogs licked. What a pathetic situation in which to live. (verse 20-21)
• When this beggar died alone, he was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom, the Hebrew father of faith, surrounded by faithful ones in heaven. (verse 22)
• His body was probably hauled to the city dump-no elaborate burial, no mourners, no family.

The Pharisees had the Law, Moses' teachings, and the prophets, yet they didn't repent of their sins. 

Is heaven yours to gain or hell to receive forever? Friend, have you asked Jesus to forgive your sins and be your Savior? 

LET IT GO

We need Your grace and mercy, Heavenly Father.

Thank You for sending Jesus to die in our place for our sins.

How wonderful heaven must be!

Please change hearts today, save lost souls, help others to believe in You today.

Glory to Your name.