2022-07-03 Rich In Christ – Luke 16:19-31 3

2022-07-03 – Luke 16.19–31– Parables of Jesus – Rich in Christ

Good morning everyone. I am so pleased that you chose to spend the morning with us here today.. Tomorrow our nation celebrates Independence Day.. In that I pray you represent our Savior in whatever you choose to do. Especially these days in our world, people need to hear about your love for Him, and His love for us. I hope you will agree, We are Free in Christ and we are Rich in Christ, Amen?

The title of this message is “Rich in Christ” in that, of course I am not referring to money only, but more importantly all the blessings that God entrusted us with. Jesus warns us that no matter how much or how little we may have, we can easily become covetous by focusing too much on our earthly riches, and therefore squeezing God out of our lives to the point we may even stop trusting in Him, stop following Him, and stop serving Him. Instead, God wishes that we should all be wise with what He has blessed us with, knowing that it all comes from Him, and we are mere caretakers of His blessings. We are surely Rich in Christ Amen?

Turn in your Bibles to Luke 16:19–31, Page 929 of the New Testament, which is the Inspired, Infallible and Living Word of God.  Let us Pray…

This Lazarus and the Rich Man parable that we are going to read about today, makes a comparison between the lives of two men—one rich and affluent, and the other hungry and poor. As we will see today, that comparison extends even beyond this life and into the next, and it is most worthy of our attention. In this first set of verses Jesus describes who the “rich man” and the “poor man” are in this parable. Verse 19 starts off:

19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.

Although there are but few words in this first verse, there is still much for us to dissect and understand. The original audience that heard this parable from Jesus might have drawn some significant impressions from it. This rich man was not only wealthy from a worldly point of view, but he made a point of flaunting his riches by the clothes he wore and the feasts he put on. Jesus said he dressed in purple cloth, and fine linen which was something only the very wealthy of that day could afford. Back then, the common folk didn’t have much access to the fashionable clothes in all the colors of the rainbow that we enjoy today.

This man kind of reminded me that of the musical Artist formally known as Prince. Do you remember him? He wore a lot of purple clothes.
I saw Prince’s house a number of years ago. A dear friend of mine that lives in Minneapolis gave us a tour around one of the many lakes there. And I saw Princes Pink house on the other side of the lake. You might recall that Prince even had a song and a movie called Purple Rain, do you remember? Yes, the color purple throughout history has been known to represent royalty. Back in Jesus’s day the general process for getting purple came from extracting the purple dye from shellfish, and it was very labor intensive, thus making purple cloth expensive to buy. Royalty and those of high rank generally wore purple robes to show their affluence.

It also says here that the rich man also wore fine linen. The Greek word translated as “fine linen” means a delicate, soft and white, and it likewise was very costly to purchase. Wearing white linen garments under purple robes was indicative of great wealth and prestige. In addition to of all that, this verse shows that he “feasted sumptuously every day”, which might mean that he entertained guests on a regular basis and they ate very, very well. The point being made, both here and later in the story, is that this man was very rich and very self-absorbed and indulgent. Verse 20 continues:

20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. (very sad description indeed)

Although the information in this parable about poor Lazarus is sparse, there is one outstanding point, it is that Lazarus’s name is given. As a matter of fact, this is the only one of Jesus’ many parables in which proper names are used. Further on in this parable, Abraham, the father of the Jewish people is also named. The name Lazarus is actually the Greek version of the Hebrew name Elazar, which means the one who God helps. Also take note that this Lazarus shouldn’t be confused with Jesus’s good friend Lazarus whom Jesus later raises from the dead.

In this parable, Lazarus is so poor that he must beg for food. He is also ill, covered with open sores and cannot walk. Either his legs are paralyzed or he is so weak and ill that he was probably laid at the rich man’s gate by others.
In first-century Palestine, there were few social services that provided care for the poor, so such care had to be given instead by the family or community.

Interesting to know that it was also customary back then that when people ate dinner, they would break off a piece of bread and use it to scoop food from shared dishes. They didn’t have silverware or place settings, so throughout the meal, when they wanted to wipe their hands they would break off a bit of bread, and use it to clean their hands, and then throw it under the table. It was this scrap bread that the dogs and even Lazarus would have been hoping to receive.

So daily Lazarus would sit at the gate of the rich man, knowing that daily feasts were being eaten there, knowing that his hunger could be satisfied if he were just able to get some of the food being tossed on the floor. Then the verse here says that the dogs would come by and lick Lazarus’ sores. Lazarus was in a miserable state and he was considered an unclean social outcast. The next verse 22 says:

22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham.

I like the idea of being carried away by the angels myself one day, and being with the champions of our faith and with my departed loved ones again, don’t you?

Keeping in mind this parable story was told by Jesus before He died for our sins on the cross and thus before anyone was offered salvation through Him. Being with Abraham, or at Abraham’s bosom, as it’s sometimes translated, was an expression of the blessed state after ones death. Jesus said himself in Matthew 8:11: “I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven”.

So according to this parable, Lazarus, who was never invited to the rich man’s feast, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table, is now reclining at a feast table in the place of honor next to Abraham. Meanwhile, the rich man experiences a very different fate. Verse 22 continues:

The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. 24 He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’

So the unnamed rich man had died and was buried, undoubtedly with an elaborate and expensive funeral. However, his situation is now very different from what it was during his time on earth. He, who feasted daily with abundant food and wine, is now the one in need, and now the one begging to others for help.

Notice the dynamics of where this rich man was.. He was alone, he was tormented, he was thirsty, he was “in agony in flames”. A truly miserable place to say the least. I hope you realize this is Jesus telling us what hell is like. Are you paying attention. And in the midst of all that, the rich man called out to “Father Abraham”, perhaps hoping that by clinging to his Jewish heritage, that would in some way cause Abraham to have pity and mercy on him and help him.

At this point in the parable, the surprising discovery is that the rich man even knew Lazarus’ name. He was apparently aware of Lazarus after all, who sat daily in front of his house in desperate need. Notice however, that he still shows no remorse about his neglect of Lazarus; instead, he instructs Abraham to send Lazarus to perform a service for him. Author Kenneth Bailey expressed the situation well when he wrote: “The rich man’s first demand is unbelievable. When Lazarus was in pain, he was ignored by the rich man. Now the rich man is in pain, something must be done about it—immediately! After all, he is unaccustomed to such things. Instead of an apology he demands services, and from the very man he refused to help in spite of his great wealth!”
This man was vein and now he is suffering. Verse 25 continues:

25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony.

Note Abraham doesn’t answer harshly; rather he calls him “child.” He then instructs the rich man to think back on the life he led and all the good things he received and squandered, as opposed to the bad things Lazarus experienced. Abraham reminds him that his earthly life is finished, and due to his attitude and actions in that life, he is now paying for it with an eternity in anguish.

Poor Lazarus, on the other hand, is now comforted. Having lived a very difficult life on earth, he is no longer in pain or torment. He is no longer hungry or neglected. And that is heaven indeed. Then Abraham then said:

26 Besides all this, between you and us, a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you, cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’

According to this parable by Jesus, even if Lazarus compassionately wished to dip his finger in water and cool the rich man’s tongue, it would be impossible. And Lazarus would have been well within his rights to point out how ridiculous it was for the rich man to even ask for help from him. Yet Lazarus says nothing, as is the case throughout the whole parable. Then the rich man comes up with a new solution idea:

27 He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’

Realizing that his predicament isn’t going to change, the rich man asks that Lazarus be sent on a special mission to warn his brothers. He sees that the same fate perhaps awaits them if they don’t change. They probably lived in the same manner as he did, pursuing their own selfish pleasures with no concern for others

29 Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ 30 He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He [Abraham] said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Effectively Abraham states that the “Rich Man’s” brothers already have the five books of Moses known as the Torah or Pentateuch, as well as the writings of the prophets, which is much of what we now have in our Old Testament today. Abraham is saying that what is recorded by the profits in our Bible’s, God’s Holy Word, is sufficient instruction for the brothers (and us). If they choose to heed those words, obey and follow them, then they won’t end up as their dead rich brother has found himself to be in. Such a sad story for that rich man, but at the same time I am happy that Lazarus was finally comforted from his turmoil. This parable also gives me a little hope too, when I think of those that have gone before me. That they too might be thinking about me and my welfare as well.

That is the end of this parable. So what is Jesus trying to teach us with this?

Many of those that Jesus was speaking to that day, erroneously believed that earthy prosperity was God’s blessing and the lack of it was God’s judgment. Jesus was expressing that that idea wasn’t true. Having worldly riches isn’t necessarily a sign that one has received God’s special endorsement or that they are more righteous; nor are those who have less, suffering illness or poverty, necessarily being judged. God truly loves us all. But we live in a fallen world and we suffer now sometimes as a result.

Another point Jesus was making was that being of the lineage of Abraham wasn’t enough to keep the rich man from eternal torment. In John, chapter eight, some of Jews challenged Jesus saying, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did …” The same goes for us Christians as Jesus said, “you will know them by their fruit”.

This parable also reminds us to look after one another. Don’t ignore those who suffer. As Christians, as disciples, we are meant to respond with love and compassion when we see the condition of those in need. Be part of the solution.

This parable also gives a warning about ignoring or rejecting God’s Word. The rich man either had no belief, or a wrong belief in that regard. God held the rich man accountable because he had God’s Word available, yet he didn’t live in alignment with it. Don’t ignore God’s Word as it surely does have eternal implications.

Please also know that while Jesus used a wealthy man as a bad example in this parable, there’s nothing inherently wrong with being rich. Even Father Abraham was very wealthy. There is, however, danger when we let riches wrongly affect one’s attitude. It has to do with the place of importance we give our possessions and how we use them or not, to benefit humanity and the kingdom of God.

And we should try to be more mindful of the choices we make, how we live, how we use our freedoms, our money and possessions, and how we treat those in need. The sum of our choices, and actions not only make us who we are today, but affect our future in the eternal life after this one.

Finally, as we are about to celebrate our nations Independence Day this weekend, I pray you recognize the blessings we all have in this country. I won’t say this is the best of times, however in my opinion, this is still one of the best countries to be born into. We are truly rich brothers and sisters compared to most of the world. Both financially and in security to say the least. And as Christians, we each possess the most valuable thing anyone can have—eternal life in heaven, and a personal relationship with the one who makes it all possible, Jesus Christ. There are multitudes from all walks of life around us who are in desperate need, and we have the spiritual riches of our faith, of salvation, and of God’s deep love to share with them. Let’s do the very best we can to bring them comfort now, and perhaps help lead them to the blessed eternal home in heaven.

We will all face death one day, and perhaps like Lazarus, be carried off to heaven. Are you ready to face that? Will you take heed of what Jesus taught us today in this parable, that there really is an eternal life after this life, and that He wishes for you not to have the same demise and regrets as the rich man, but instead hold on to the hope of heaven? Perhaps you can declare this day your Independence from Satan and his schemes. Declare this day your Independence from the weight of sin and shame, and instead Declare this day your love for the lord and embrace Jesus Christ and the freedom He offers.

[Alter Call & Prayer] – Please Stand..      LORDS SUPPER

 

2017-07-02 – Luke 16:19–31– Parables of Jesus – A Rich Christian

19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. 24 He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ 27 He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ 30 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 listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”