Riches Reversed

Sermon 70 in Series

Luke 16:19-31

[19] “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, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. [24] And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ [25] But 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. [26] And besides all this, 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.’ [27] 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.’ [29] But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ [30] And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ [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.’”

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How do the previous two sections in Luke 16 set the stage for this section? How does this parable rebuke the Pharisees?
2.  What stark contrast is given between the rich man and Lazarus? How is this reversed after death?
3.  What is wrong with the rich man’s attitude and actions? How does his character warn us and call us to action?
4.  What does this passage teach us about the afterlife? Why is it a helpful evangelistic text?
5.  How does Jesus highlight the sufficiency of Scripture? In what ways do people today look elsewhere for God’s revelation?
6.  What does this parable show about the human heart? How does it remove excuses for unbelief?
7.  What two events does v. 31 anticipate? How is it an illustration of the religious leaders in Jesus’ day?

References: James 4:13 – 5:11 (corporate reading); Luke 16:13; 12:18-19, 21, 33; 6:20-21, 24-25; 9:25; Isaiah 66:24; Matthew 3:12; 5:22; 25:41; John 12:9-11; Matthew 28:11-14.