Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man

Luke 16:19-31, Sproul - 4, Mohler - 5, MacArthur - 9

www.trustworthyword.com/lazarus-rich-man

6 Important Truths

1.Earthly Blessings and Sorrows Are Not Predictors of Eternal Destinies

  • v.19-23 There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. [20] And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, [21] who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. [22] The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, [23] and in Hades, being in torment,

  • v.25 Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish’

  • Matthew 5:44–45 “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

  • Acts 24:14–15 “But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, [15] having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.”

2.Know The Reality of Hell

v.23 in torment

v.24 I am in anguish in this flame

v.26 you are in anguish

3.Know The Reality of Heaven

v.23 carried by the angels to Abraham’s side

v. 25 he is comforted here

4.Understand the Inescapable and Unchangeable Eternity After Death

  • v.26 between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.

  • Hebrews 9:27 “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment

  • Matthew 7:21–23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ [23] And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

5.Share the Most Important Message for One’s Family & Friends

v.27 & 28 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house—[28] for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’

v.30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’

1 Peter 3:15 “in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect”

6.Believe the Necessity of the Scriptures for Salvation

v.29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’

v.31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’

  • 2 Timothy 3:14–17 “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it [15] and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. [16] All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

  • How to Study the Bible www.trustworthyword.com/how-to-study-the-bible

    • Passages Emphasizing the Importance of the Study of the Bible

Discussion Questions:

  • Why is it so hard to see non-believers prosper and to see believers suffer? How can it impact our faith? How does this parable serve as a corrective and reminder to our earthly eyes?

  • What sorts of false descriptions or speculations about “the afterlife” or heaven and hell? Why do people have their own opinions about heaven and hell?

  • Can you think of examples of religions who have beliefs of your eternity changing after your death? Why do some religions contain a false hope for eternal change after death? Why is the fact that there is no “transfer” between Heaven and Hell so disheartening? And yet so encouraging?

  • What biblical descriptions of Hell sound most horrifying? Why? How can it be a helpful for a Christian to learn more about Hell? Why is it important for a lost person to hear the descriptions of Hell?

  • What biblical descriptions of Heaven get you most excited? Why? Why do you think God gives us so many descriptions about the reality of Heaven?

  • Why are family and friends some of the most important people we should share the Gospel with? Why are they often the most difficult and intimidating people to share the Gospel with?

Helpful Resources:

  • Rightnow Media: The Parables of Jesus by R.C. Sproul

  • What Do Jesus’ Parables Mean? By R.C. Sproul

  • Tell Me the Stories of Jesus: The Explosive Power of Jesus’ Parables by R. Albert Mohler Jr.

  • Parables: The Mysteries of God’s Kingdom Revealed through the Stories Jesus Told by John MacArthur