Pastor Emeritus Marc Erickson continues our series on the parables of Luke’s Gospel account with a message on Lazarus from Luke 16:19-31.
SERMON OUTLINE
The universe of God is a place for persons…and you belong!
- the storyteller Jesus is hyper-personal (Joshua = YHWH saves)
- Luke 3:21-22—Father, Son, Spirit, incarnate, wading and praying
- Luke 20:27-38—All are alive to Him
- an unknown rich man
- a beggar named Lazarus = God helps
- his transporters to the gate
- his angelic transporters to Father Abraham’s side
- rich man’s 5 brothers
- Moses, the Prophets
- the disciples listening
- doctor Luke, Gospel investigator
Our world is a space-time continuum…here evil & good can be known
- here a rich man was dressed, lived in luxury, in a gated home
- outside a beggar named Lazarus was laid hungry and full of sores
Our experiences call for decisions about God while still alive
- a time came when Lazarus died and angels carried him to Father Abraham…both had become right by trusting God’s word
- a time came when a rich man died and was buried; in hades he looked up in torment and saw Lazarus and Abraham far away…he prayed!
In this age salvation is tilted in favor of children & humbled souls
- Surprise! Jesus the judge is gentle and humble (i.e. the Cross)
- “Son, remember that in your lifetime you received good things and bad things…”
- Now you are thirsty for life and tormented….Lazarus is comforted
- a great chasm has been set in place; impassable…godlessness!
The question of all questions: How can we keep sinners from hell?
- rich man’s suggestions….send Lazarus to my family..it didn’t work!
- Abraham’s conviction…both these Jewish men had God’s Word
- Last prophet John said…behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world….behold the one who will pour the Spirit out
Today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart (Psalm 1,23,90; Isaiah 53:6)
- the kingdom of heaven belongs to children; unless you repent and become like this child you cannot be saved…the first shall be last