Lazarus and the Rich Man

Lazarus and the Rich Man

Introduction
Open Luke 16:19–31. Jesus paints a scene that reads like a mirror held to the soul. A man in purple and fine linen enjoys daily luxury; a beggar named Lazarus lies at his gate, covered with sores, longing for crumbs. Death arrives for both. Angels carry Lazarus to Abraham’s side; the rich man wakes in torment. The Lord teaches how heaven measures a life, how memory follows us past the grave, and how Scripture gives all needed light for salvation today.

God’s Measure of a Life
People tend to prize what can be seen—clothing, tables, crowds. God weighs the heart (1 Sam 16:7; Luke 16:15). The rich man’s days glittered; Lazarus’s days groaned. Heaven reversed the scene. Appearance carries little weight where God’s throne stands. A faithful soul may occupy a poor porch; a barren soul may sit at a rich table.

The Trap of Trusting in Riches
Wealth by itself does not condemn a person. Devotion misplaced into wealth corrodes the heart. The rich man stepped past Lazarus and planned for comfort while neglecting his soul. Wisdom warns that reliance on riches collapses (Prov 11:28). Love of money pierces people through with many sorrows (1 Tim 6:10). The Lord charges the wealthy to be humble, generous, and ready to share, laying up a good foundation for the age to come (1 Tim 6:17–19). Gain without godliness leaves a person prosperous on paper and empty before God (Mark 8:36).

Death, Judgment, and the Great Reversal
Both men died. One receives an honorable burial; the other receives an angelic escort (Luke 16:22). Death awaits all and judgment follows (Heb 9:27). Honors at a funeral do not govern eternity. In Hades the rich man lifts his eyes, sees Abraham far off with Lazarus, and pleads for a single drop of water (Luke 16:23–24). Abraham answers with two realities: a lifetime remembered and a gulf fixed (Luke 16:25–26).

Consciousness Beyond the Grave
Jesus shows vivid awareness after death. The rich man can see, recognize, speak, cry, feel, reason, remember, and desire (Luke 16:23–31). Memory becomes its own fire. Every rejected warning, every overlooked opportunity, every neglected soul returns with clarity. Comfort endures for the faithful; torment endures for the impenitent (John 5:28–29; 2 Thess 1:7–9).

No Crossing and No Second Chance
The gulf between comfort and torment stands fixed (Luke 16:26). Requests for transfer receive refusal. The day of salvation belongs to the living (2 Cor 6:2). Boasting about tomorrow invites ruin (Prov 27:1). Wisdom urges seekers to call on the Lord while He is near (Isa 55:6).

Sufficient Light Today
The rich man begs for Lazarus to warn his five brothers. Abraham points to Scripture: “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them” (Luke 16:29). A heart that will not receive the written word would not receive a messenger from the grave (Luke 16:31). Jesus Himself rose, and many remained unmoved (cf. John 12:37). God’s word stands adequate to bring a person from death to life (Rom 10:17).

False Hopes Exposed
Universal salvation fades before this scene—one soul comforted, one soul tormented (Matt 7:13–14; John 8:24; Luke 13:3; Matt 10:32–33; John 3:3, 5). Materialism fades—death does not end existence (John 5:28–29). Spiritualism fades—the living do not converse with the dead (Luke 16:27–31). A second chance after death fades—the appeal for mercy receives denial (Luke 16:24–26). Temporary punishment fades—the gulf is not bridged later (Luke 16:26).

A Word to Families
The rich man remembers his brothers (Luke 16:27–28). He wants them warned. Let this call echo through our homes. Teach God’s words diligently (Deut 6:6–9). Speak at the table, along the road, in the field, and at bedtime. The ones at your gate today will remember your voice tomorrow.

Rich Toward God
True wealth displays itself in generosity, good works, and mercy toward neighbors (Luke 12:21; 1 Tim 6:18). Use resources to lift the poor at the gate and to advance the gospel that rescues souls. Lay up treasure in heaven where no moth or rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal (Matt 6:19–21).

Conclusion
Jesus names the beggar; the rich man remains nameless. Names written in heaven matter most (Luke 10:20). Choose the path that honors Christ now—faith, repentance, confession, and new birth of water and Spirit (John 3:3, 5). Live rich toward God, mindful of Lazarus at the gate, confident in the promises beyond the grave.

Lazarus and the Rich Man
Sermon Outline

• Text and Thesis

  • Primary text: Luke 16:19–31

  • Thesis: Heaven measures a life by the heart’s response to God and neighbor; Scripture supplies full light for salvation now.

• I. God’s Measure of a Life

  • A. Two men, two stations (Luke 16:19–21)

  • B. God looks at the heart (1 Sam 16:7; Luke 16:15)

  • C. Earthly honor vs. heavenly approval (Matt 23:27–28, principle)

• II. The Trap of Trusting in Riches

  • A. Reliance on wealth fails (Prov 11:28)

  • B. Love of money wounds the soul (1 Tim 6:10)

  • C. Charge to the rich: humility, generosity, hope in God (1 Tim 6:17–19)

  • D. Profit-and-loss of the soul (Mark 8:36)

  • E. Treasure in heaven (Matt 6:19–21)

• III. Death and the Great Reversal

  • A. Both die; different receptions (Luke 16:22)

  • B. Appointment with death and judgment (Heb 9:27)

  • C. Conscious torment and conscious comfort (Luke 16:23–25)

• IV. Consciousness Beyond the Grave

  • A. Eight capacities displayed: see, recognize, speak, cry, feel, reason, remember, desire (Luke 16:23–31)

  • B. Memory’s weight (Luke 16:25)

  • C. Eternal destinies affirmed (John 5:28–29; 2 Thess 1:7–9)

• V. The Fixed Gulf and the Urgency of Now

  • A. Great gulf fixed (Luke 16:26)

  • B. Today is the acceptable time (2 Cor 6:2)

  • C. Do not boast about tomorrow (Prov 27:1)

  • D. Seek the Lord while He is near (Isa 55:6)

• VI. Scripture as Sufficient Light

  • A. “They have Moses and the Prophets” (Luke 16:29)

  • B. Refusal of Scripture signals refusal of greater signs (Luke 16:31; John 12:37)

  • C. Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ (Rom 10:17)

• VII. False Hopes Exposed

  • A. Universal salvation denied (Matt 7:13–14; John 8:24; Luke 13:3; Matt 10:32–33; John 3:3, 5)

  • B. Materialism denied—life continues beyond death (John 5:28–29)

  • C. Spiritualism denied—no traffic with the dead (Luke 16:27–31)

  • D. Second chance denied—mercy sought too late (Luke 16:24–26)

  • E. Temporary punishment denied—no crossing later (Luke 16:26)

• VIII. A Word to Families

  • A. The rich man’s brothers still living (Luke 16:27–28)

  • B. Teach diligently at home (Deut 6:6–9; Eph 6:4)

• IX. Rich Toward God

  • A. True wealth: good works, generosity, readiness to share (1 Tim 6:18)

  • B. Rich toward God (Luke 12:21)

  • C. Treasure where Christ reigns (Matt 6:19–21)

• X. Gospel Appeal

  • A. Believe and confess Christ (Rom 10:9–10; Matt 10:32–33)

  • B. Repent (Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30)

  • C. Be born of water and Spirit (John 3:3, 5; Acts 22:16)

  • D. Walk in newness of life (Rom 6:4)

Call to Action
Examine where your confidence rests. If wealth or comfort holds the heart, turn to Christ today. Lift your eyes to the one who rose from the dead and speaks through Scripture. Warn your household while daylight remains. Believe, repent, confess Jesus, and be baptized into Him. Choose treasure in heaven and a life rich toward God. Remember the person at your gate and open your hand.

Scripture Reference List (with notes)

• Luke 16:19–31 — Core account: earthly contrast, eternal destinies, fixed gulf, sufficiency of Scripture

• 1 Samuel 16:7 — God evaluates the heart rather than appearance

• Luke 16:15 — Human esteem can miss God’s standard

• Matthew 23:27–28 — Outward polish can mask inner decay

• Proverbs 11:28 — Reliance on riches collapses

• 1 Timothy 6:10 — Love of money pierces the soul

• 1 Timothy 6:17–19 — Charge to the rich: humility, generosity, hope in God, true treasure

• Mark 8:36 — The soul outweighs the world’s profits

• Matthew 6:19–21 — Lay up treasure in heaven; the heart follows treasure

• Hebrews 9:27 — Death appointed; judgment follows

• John 5:28–29 — Resurrection to life or to judgment

• 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9 — Relief for the faithful; retribution for those who refuse God and gospel

• 2 Corinthians 6:2 — “Now” is the day of salvation

• Proverbs 27:1 — Do not presume on tomorrow

• Isaiah 55:6 — Seek the Lord while He is near

• Luke 16:29, 31 — Scripture sufficient; refusal of Scripture reveals the heart

• Romans 10:17 — Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ

• Matthew 7:13–14 — Narrow path to life; many choose the broad way

• John 8:24 — Unbelief leaves a person in sin

• Luke 13:3 — Repentance required

• Matthew 10:32–33 — Confession of Christ determines His confession of you

• John 3:3, 5 — New birth of water and Spirit for entrance into the kingdom

• Deuteronomy 6:6–9 — Teach God’s words diligently in the home

• Ephesians 6:4 — Bring children up in the Lord’s instruction

• Luke 12:21 — Being rich toward God defines true wealth

• Romans 6:4 — Walk in newness of life

• Acts 22:16 — Arise and be baptized, washing away sins

Prepared by Don Cope