This morning, we continue our series on “The Parables of Jesus.” We will seek to glean “Pearls from the Parables.”
Before we get to the parable, let’s look at a scripture we have been looking at all year. This is something I believe the Lord wants us to meditate on.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us.
(Luke 16:19-31 NIV)
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.
20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores
21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
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.
23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family,
28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
30″ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'”
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Jesus made it clear that some people will wake up in heaven, and some will wake up in hell.
— The parable speaks of a great chasm between heaven (or what is known as Abraham’s bosom – where people went before Jesus) and hell. The chasm cannot be crossed.
— The parable makes it clear that there is comfort in heaven and torment in hell.
— The parable illustrates the finality of our earthly decisions within the context of our eternal destination. The decisions we make in time will determine where we spend eternity.
— The parable serves as a stark reminder of the realities of heaven and hell.
— It underscores that our choices on earth have eternal consequences.
— Jesus uses this parable to encourage a life of righteousness and compassion.
— The parable highlights the urgency of spreading and living the gospel daily.
2. The real you is a spirit, and your spirit will live forever in one of two places (there is no third option).
— Our physical life on earth is temporary, but our spirit lives eternally.
— This understanding should shape our priorities and values.
— Our spiritual state is far more important than our physical comfort or status.
— The parable teaches us to invest in our spiritual well-being and relationship with God.
— It teaches that if you get caught up in material things and neglect the salvation of your soul, you will pay for it with eternal torment.
— It reminds us to care for our soul and nurture our spiritual life through prayer, worship, and scripture.
— The story calls us to reflect on where we are directing our life’s efforts – towards temporary satisfaction or eternal joy.
— Understanding our eternal nature helps us grasp the gravity of Jesus’ message and mission.
3. Those who die and go to hell will regret their decision to reject God, but it will be too late for them.
— The rich man, in hell, was pleading for his family members, who were still alive, to learn the truth.
— The rich man’s regret illustrates the importance of making the right choices while we still have time.
— This part of the parable is a sobering reminder of the consequences of ignoring God’s call.
— It shows that earthly wealth and status provide no comfort or escape in the afterlife.
— The rich man’s pleas signify the urgency to heed God’s Word and live a life of obedience and faith.
— It encourages us to witness to others about the love of Christ and the reality of salvation.
— The parable is a call to repentance, emphasizing that now is the time to turn to God.
— It teaches us that our actions and decisions have a lasting impact beyond our earthly life.
— Hell is not discussed much today because people focus on “winning in life” and getting to the next level. But this parable is a reminder that winning in this life while losing eternal life is not a win at all!
— Jesus famously asked, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36,37). The rich man in this parable would have given up everything he had to make it to heaven, but it was too late for him. If you are reading this, it is NOT too late for you. Search your heart. Make sure Jesus is Your LORD!
4. Whatever your spirit looks like, it resembles your physical body.
— The parable speaks of the rich man and Lazarus in first person, even after their bodies were in the ground. This is a reminder that the real YOU is your spirit, not your body. When you die, your spirit (the real YOU) will leave your body, and if you are standing up, your body will fall to the ground. Once your spirit (the real YOU) leaves your body, your body is lifeless.
— The parable speaks of a finger and a tongue while talking about people’s spirits. Their physical bodies were buried, but in heaven and in hell, they had a finger and a tongue.
— Abraham had died thousands of years before Jesus taught this parable, and he was still alive and still recognizable.
— The parable suggests a recognizable continuity between our earthly form and our spiritual existence. Whatever our spirit looks like, it will be like what we look like now.
— There is a connection between body and spirit in our identity. We will be able to recognize each other in the world to come.
— Abraham’s presence points to the enduring nature of our spiritual identity.
— This aspect of the parable encourages us to view our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit.
— It reminds us that our physical actions and choices are deeply intertwined with our spiritual destiny.
— The story emphasizes the reality of eternal life. We will live forever, so we better make good decisions now!
5. Our Earthly Actions Have Eternal Implications.
— The parable teaches that how we live our lives on earth echoes into eternity.
— It shows that acts of compassion and righteousness are not just temporary good deeds, but they have lasting spiritual significance.
— The story is a reminder to use our earthly resources (time, talent, and treasure) for God’s glory.
— It underscores the importance of being mindful of the less fortunate and extending God’s love to them.
— I have told you many times that I believe the purpose of prosperity to be evangelism.
— God is not opposed to us creating wealth (because He gives us the power to do so; see Deut 8:18), but He wants us to use wealth to fund His projects, advance His Kingdom, and show kindness to the less fortunate.
— The contrast between the rich man and Lazarus serves as a warning against selfishness and a call to selflessness.
— It invites us to consider how our daily choices and actions align with God’s expectations.
— The parable encourages us to use earthly riches for God’s purposes and prioritize spiritual riches, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I openly believe in the realities of heaven and hell as revealed through Your Word.
I commit to living a life that honors You, acknowledging the eternal consequences of my choices.
I have repented of sin and accepted Jesus, the Christ, as my Lord. My salvation is secure in Christ and Christ alone.
The real me is a spirit, and my spirit will live forever with You.
You lead me to quickly repent of sin when I am going astray so I can remain on the path to my destiny.
I acknowledge the continuity between my physical existence and my spiritual identity. I will be recognizable in heaven. I will live forever. Therefore, I live today in preparation for my tomorrow.
I live my life in a way that honors You in this world and in the world to come.
I know it will be too late to tell people about eternal life after I am no longer in this world, so I commit to sharing the gospel NOW while I can.
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes in Him!
I commit to using my earthly resources for Your glory and the betterment of others.
I will leave a legacy of righteousness that will outlive me.
Living with this mindset, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
