To Hell and Back

A Fearful And Often Forsaken Part Of The Bible.

Fearful because of the subject involved.
Fearful because of the speaker. Christ.
It could be overlooked if the rantings of a madman.
It could be ignored if the folly of a religious fanatic.
It could be ignored if the brainstorm of a bigot.

But these words fall from the lips of the gentle Jesus the One who would die and rise again the One who is coming again.

Todays Message Is A Study In Contrasts: The Rich Man And Lazarus.

The Contrast of their Lives

read  Luke 16:19-21

A certain rich man he was very rich.

Purple a rare and precious die purple spoke of royalty.
Fine linen worth twice its weight in gold.
Fared sumptuously every day never in doubt as to daily bread.
May have even been a religious man but was lost.

A certain beggar named Lazarus.

Jesus calls His own sheep by name.  John 10:3
Some things we don´t know about the beggar.

• We don´t know his age.
• we don´t know how long he had been a beggar.

Speculation about former success.

What a contrast for the public to see.

But there were some things the public could not see.

They did not know the peace Lazarus had.
They did not know the emptiness within the heart of the rich man.

The Contrast of their Deaths

read  Luke 16:22

"And the beggar died"

Lazarus died first. That was no surprise.

But the hours of death can often be surprising.
The frailty and yet the endurance of our bodies.
No mention of a funeral or burial here at all.
Perhaps some potters field or the valley on Hinnom.

The rich man died also.

That was a surprise!
But wealth cannot buy life.
And was buried. A great funeral with hired mourners.
They probably listed all of his accomplishments.
The minister probably preached him right into glory.

In Hebrews 9:27 that "It is appointed unto man once to die"

The Contrast of their Experiences in Eternity

read  Luke 16:22-31

Lazarus was carried by the angels into Abraham´s bosom.

Christians who die now do not go to Abraham´s bosom.
That was only before Calvary.
Angels now carry Christians right to heaven.

The rich man awoke in hell.

The spirit is equipped to see, hear, cry, speak.
The spirit can recognize and remember.

The rich man´s great concern about lost brothers.

His concern surpasses the concern of most Christians.
Send Lazarus. No, the Bible is enough.

Conclusion

No Man Is Prepared To Live Until He Is Prepared To Die.

Do You Care About Those Who Will Die Lost?

Lazarus Cannot Go And Tell Them!

You Have To!

Bible Studies Home

Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
²⁰ And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
²¹ And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man´s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
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John 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
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Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
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Luke 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham´s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
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Luke 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham´s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
²³ And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
²⁴ And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
²⁵ But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
²⁶ And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
²⁷ Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father´s house:
²⁸ For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
²⁹ Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
³⁰ And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
³¹ And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
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Last updated on July 17, 2006