The individual who faces intense suffering, no matter the cause, often feels helpless. Personal struggles are amplified when we assume no one cares. Loneliness accompanies difficulty, and hope is lost.

We wonder: How much more can we take? Why doesn’t anyone seem to care?

God Heard Elijah’s Cry.

The prophet Elijah evidently felt this way in 1 Kings 19. After winning a great victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (see 1 Kings 18:20-40), Elijah was forced to flee for his life from Queen Jezebel.

Alone and in despair, he cried out to God:

“It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” (1 Kings 19:4).

Although the prophet was ready to give up on that occasion, God would not allow him. He provided for Elijah’s needs and eventually reminded him he was not alone (verse 18).

God cared for Elijah continually, especially as he faced the trials of life.

God Hears Our Cry.

As God cared for Elijah, He also cares for us. He is with us when we “walk through the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4); He is with us when we seek to resolve problems with others (Matthew 18:20).

His special care for us is best seen in His willingness to send Jesus to die in our place. Noting this, Paul wrote:

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Because He lived on this earth, Jesus understands “our weaknesses” (Hebrews 4:15) and “is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18).

No matter how bad things may seem, we are not alone. This is why Peter encouraged:

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares on Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).

God Remains Faithful.

In the 77th Psalm, the cares and concerns of the author take the center stage. Because of his problems, the psalmist could neither sleep nor speak (verse 4). He felt as if God had cast him aside (verse 7). In his despair, he wondered:

“Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed forevermore? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?” (verses 8-9).

Thankfully, he concluded this was not the case. God’s faithfulness in the past is proof He cares (verses 10-12).

Like the psalmist, we must avoid allowing the momentary trials of life to raise doubts about God. The trials we face do not indicate God has abandoned us. Instead, they remind us something much better awaits (see 2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

Whether we experience relief from the present trials of life, whatever they may be, we long for the place where “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

Chad Ramsey preaches for the Gloster Street Church of Christ in Tupelo, Mississippi. You can access their Bible classes and Chad’s sermons on Gloster Street’s YouTube page.

Chad was - and still is - “my preacher” from when I spent my high school and early college years at Gloster Street. I’m thankful to be able to share some of his writings with you.

In our last article, we discussed the contrasts pointed out in 1 Tim. 6:6-10, 16-19, which were “greed vs contentment,” “trusting in uncertain riches vs trusting in the living God,” and “living for the here and now vs living for the there and then.”

This week, we want to examine two individuals who fit these contrasts perfectly. Jesus taught about these two men and pulled back the curtain for us to see what happens beyond the grave. Truly, it is one of the most astounding reversals in all of Scripture!

Consider the Text.

I invite you to Luke 16:19-31. This is a very familiar text to any Bible student. I have preached several sermons from this text and have written several articles, even for this column, over the years. One amazing trait of the Bible is that you discover more the more you study, even if you have studied that same passage multiple times! The Bible is, after all, a living document (Heb. 4:12)!

Jesus tells of a rich man and his prosperity contrasted with a man named Lazarus and his poverty. First, we will examine the qualities of the rich man.

The qualities of the rich man.

The Bible says he “fared sumptuously” (vs. 19). Other translations say he “lived in luxury (NIV), “feasted sumptuously” (ESV), “he was joyously living in splendor” (NASB), “he was feasting lavishly” (CSB).

As we pointed out last week, there is nothing inherently wrong with having nice things and living this kind of lifestyle, but it can cost one their soul if it distracts them from living for God and using their wealth to His glory (Luke 12:13-21; 1 Tim. 6:6-10, 17-19).

Jesus also says that the rich man was “arrayed in purple and fine linen (vs. 19). The New American Standard Version says, “He habitually dressed in purple and fine linen.” Purple was very expensive in that day and age (Side note: Lydia was a seller of purple (Acts 16:14).

A third thing said about the rich man is that he “received good things” (vs. 25). We might say he lived the good life and never had to worry about anything.

The contrast between the rich man and Lazarus.

Now we want to examine the glaring contrast between the rich man and Lazarus.

He is described as a “beggar.” Biblically speaking, a beggar was a person with few or no possessions (1 Sam. 2:8; Luke 16:20, 22). He was also “Full of sores” (ESV: Covered with sores).

Lazarus “laid at the gate.” This makes me wonder if he was homeless or if he didn’t have a family. As a beggar laid at the gate, he “desired crumbs from the rich man’s table.”

If that wasn’t bad enough, the dogs came and “licked his sores.” This may have actually been a relief for him, but still consider the contrast with the rich man, for while the rich man received good things, Lazarus received evil things (vs. 25).

The great reversal.

I mentioned that an astounding reversal takes place, and now we want to examine that together.

Death is the great equalizer. Death is no respecter of persons, and we all have an appointment with death if the Lord delays His return before our time on this earth runs out (Heb. 9:27; Psa. 90:10, 12; Jas. 4:14; Eccl. 12:7). Both the rich man and Lazarus succumbed to death.

While they were on level ground when it came to death, their situations became very different. The rich man died and was in torments while Lazarus was “carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom.” While the Rich Man was being tormented, Lazarus was being comforted.

Friends, those two individuals are there as we speak! The Hadean Realm (unseen realm of the dead) holds the souls of those who have departed from this life. The unrighteous go into torments to await the Judgment, while the righteous go into Paradise to await the Judgment.

The rich man was physically rich, but spiritually poor. Lazarus was physically poor, but spiritually rich.

Which is better?

True wealth is found in Jesus Christ, and Heaven will surely be worth whatever we have to struggle with in this life.

If you have found yourself desiring to be rich and more concerned about the physical and material than the spiritual, I pray you will consider the content of this article and choose to live for God!

Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.

Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.

Recently, brother Glenn Colley preached in our gospel meeting.

This sermon was the one he preached during our Sunday morning assembly. Lord willing, I look forward to sharing more of what he preached during our meeting with you in the upcoming weeks!

Although Paul was not with Jesus during His earthly ministry, he was chosen by the Lord to be an apostle.

Jesus described Paul’s future work when He instructed Ananias to meet Paul in Damascus and teach the gospel to him. He told the reluctant Ananias:

“Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15).

Making a similar point to Paul, our Lord declared:

“I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive the forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me” (Acts 26:17-18).

That Paul understood his role is obvious, for he did not consider himself “at all inferior to the most eminent apostles” (2 Corinthians 11:5).

Importantly, Paul recognized his primary apostolic work to be among the Gentiles (see Galatians 2:9). In fact, he considered himself to be “a prisoner of Jesus Christ for [the] Gentiles” (Ephesians 3:1).

Because of this recognition, he went from place to place proclaiming “that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel” (Ephesians 3:6).

His message regarding the gospel’s universal scope was greatly appreciated by some (Galatians 3:26-28). Others strongly resisted Paul’s message. Not surprisingly, much of the opposition he encountered came from the Jews.

Paul’s experiences during his first missionary journey are typical of what he faced throughout his ministry.

* In Antioch of Pisidia, the Jews “were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul” (Acts 13:45).

* In Iconium, “the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles” (Acts 14:4).

* And at Lystra, “Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead” (Acts 14:19).

Despite the opposition Paul faced in the above-mentioned cities, congregations of believers were established in each location. Rather than avoiding the places where he was persecuted, Paul made an effort to encourage each church and revisited those locations before ending his first missionary effort (Acts 14:21-23).

That he cared deeply for these newly founded congregations can be seen from his later desire to “visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing” (Acts 15:36). Paul’s desire was realized during both of his subsequent missionary journeys (cf. Acts 16:1; 18:23).

Chad Ramsey preaches for the Gloster Street Church of Christ in Tupelo, Mississippi. You can access their Bible classes and Chad’s sermons on Gloster Street’s YouTube page.

Chad was - and still is - “my preacher” from when I spent my high school and early college years at Gloster Street. I’m thankful to be able to share some of his writings with you.

The Bible has a lot to say about wealth.

Jesus addressed the topic directly, through parables, and often gave warnings to the rich. While it is not sinful to be wealthy, if the heart is not right, wealth can lead to destruction.

In this week’s article, we want to discuss the contrasts between being physically rich and being spiritually rich. I invite you to the sixth chapter of Paul’s first letter to Timothy. Paul gives a warning about wealth but also provides the solution:

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows…Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (1 Tim. 6:6-10, 17-19).

Contentment vs. Greed

First, notice that Paul contrasts contentment with greed.

The word “content” means to be satisfied with things as they are (Note: Phil. 4:11; Heb. 13:5). The word “greed” means an excessive desire to have more.

Paul says that those who desire to be rich (are greedy) fall into temptation and a snare. It leads to destruction and even departing from the faith! He states that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, which points to the seriousness of his warning.

Christians are to be content with what they have, trusting that God will provide our needs (Gen. 22:8; Matt. 6:33).

Uncertain Riches vs. the Living God

Second, notice that Paul contrasts trusting in uncertain riches with trusting in the living God.

He points to two potential dangers: (1) Pride and (2) False security. He says, “not to be haughty,” which reminds us of the words of Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

False security refers to trusting in uncertain riches, which reminds us of another pertinent passage in Proverbs:

“Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.” (Prov. 23:5).

The solution Paul gives to these two potential problems is to trust in the living God, which points to His certainty. Once again, a passage in Proverbs complements the statement:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6).

The Temporary vs. the Eternal.

Third and finally, notice that Paul contrasts living for the “here and now” with investing in the “there and then.”

He gives four commands:

* Do good (cf. Acts 10:38).

* Be rich in good works (cf. Eph. 2:10; Tit. 2:14).

* Ready to give (cf. Prov. 3:27-28).

* Willing to share (cf. Heb. 13:16).

These four commands are all present active verbs, meaning we must keep on practicing them.

The New Testament repeatedly speaks of the importance of setting our minds and hearts on things above (Col. 3:1; Matt. 6:19-21), for our citizenship is in Heaven (Phil. 3:20).

Sometimes, if we are not careful, we can become too attached to this world. Paul instructs Timothy, and by extension encourages us, to “store up a good foundation for the time to come” and to “lay hold on eternal life” (cf. 1 Tim. 6:12).

We may never be physically wealthy or rich according to this world’s standards, but for the child of God, true wealth is found in Christ where all spiritual blessings are found (Eph. 1:3).

As we have noticed in our study, there are great differences between contentment and greed, trusting in uncertain riches and trusting in God, and living for the here and now instead of living for the there and then.

May we be content with the blessings God has bestowed upon us and live in such a way that Heaven will be our home!

Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.

Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.

I preached this sermon several weeks ago when the West Hobbs Street Church of Christ gathered to worship together.

This sermon examines seven responsibilities Christians have to one another, as taught in Scripture.

In recent headlines, Brendan Sorsby, the highly touted transfer quarterback at Texas Tech, entered a gambling addiction program after it was discovered he placed thousands of online bets on all kinds of sports. His future in sports does not look good.

This young man’s gambling problem is just a widely publicized example of the vast issue that addiction in various forms has become in this country.

A large part of the problem, according to David French, is “we are making virtue more difficult and vice easier to access” (We Are Gambling Away Our Future). He went on to state, “If you want to watch porn or place a prop bet, the wind is at your back. If you want to go to college or start a business, the wind is in your face.”

Those who promote these addictive vices are knowingly taking advantage of young men and boys at the worst possible time in their lives. But this problem is not limited to young men.

A recent study discovered that 52% of men between the ages of 18 and 49 have an account with an online sports betting site. 61% of the general population reports viewing pornography, including 54% of practicing Christians.

I won’t go into more detail here, but I just wanted to highlight that gambling and pornography addiction do not exist merely on the “fringes of society.” It is a struggle that the majority of the upcoming generations currently have.

If the church is going to continue to obey the Great Commission, taking the gospel into the world, and continuing to teach disciples to observe all that Jesus has commanded (Matthew 28:18-20), then the widespread vices of our time must be confronted.

But, how do we do this? Here are a few ideas.

#1 - Start with your own people.

There are over 8.2 billion people in the world. Where in the world do we start?

Scripture shows us to first start with ourselves. We must “examine ourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5). I won’t be able to do much good in helping someone else with their problem until I address my own issues (Matthew 7:1-5).

Then, we have a responsibility to see to our own family (1 Timothy 5:8). Parents are responsible for the spiritual development of their children (Ephesians 6:1-4). The father must “rule his own house well,” as a shepherd cares for his sheep (1 Timothy 3:4-5).

We also have a responsibility to help our “family in Christ.” We must help one another when we fall into temptation and sin (Galatians 6:1-2). We encourage and strengthen one another to “love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

As we have the opportunity, we must also do all we can to help anyone who comes into our lives (Galatians 6:10). The Good Samaritan didn’t have the opportunity to help every person who needed something that day, but he helped the one he had an opportunity to help (Luke 10:33-35).

#2 - Be proactive, not merely reactive.

Parents must be proactive in looking ahead to the problems their children may have in the future and helping them prepare for those things before they face them (Proverbs 22:6). Sometimes parents will have to be reactive in their parenting, because they can’t anticipate everything that might happen. But parents who aren’t proactive in rearing their children are failing as parents.

The same is true in the church.

Paul warned the elders of the church of Christ in Ephesus to be proactive in watching over the flock before problems arose (Acts 20:28-31). While there will always be situations where elders must react to what happens - they cannot anticipate everything that could happen - the shepherds of the church must be proactive in preventing the sheep from being attacked.

Gambling and pornography addiction could rightly be called a widespread epidemic in this country, especially among younger people, young men in particular. If we sit back and wait until we have to react to one of these problems arising in the church, the situation will have already spiraled out of control.

We must be proactive in helping people navigate these issues, rather than waiting until their lives fall apart to offer help.

#3 - Show the seriousness of sin, and the greatness of God’s love.

Before anyone will turn away from sin, they must first be shown how serious their sin is. Paul reminded the Christians in Corinth of this.

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

That’s a pretty sobering statement. Those who practice these sorts of things will not inherit God’s kingdom. Sin is a serious problem.

But may we never fail to remind those caught in sin that they have a way out because of God’s great love for them. Paul went on to say:

And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)

Some of the Christians in Corinth had once lived in the sorts of sins Paul had just listed in the previous verses. But this now describes them in the past. It’s who they once were - but no longer. Now, they had been cleansed, set apart for God, and made right by Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Because of God’s great love for sinners, Jesus died for us (Romans 5:6-8; John 3:16).

People who feel trapped and are overwhelmed by sin often feel shame and guilt for what they are doing. We need to show them why they feel that way, but also, they need to hear that God loves them already, and that we love them, too. God didn’t love us after we got our lives cleaned up. He loved us when we were sitting in the filth of our own sins.

#4 - Walk and sit with them.

Having a group of people support them is a critical component for someone turning away from whatever it is they are addicted to.

The church is uniquely structured to be the best “support group.” Paul referred to Christians as being individual members of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Romans 12:4-5). When one member of the body hurts, the rest of the body hurts with it.

One way the church could take a proactive approach to these issues is by making sure each Christian in the congregation has a “support system” in place.

While many of us don’t like asking for help, we are rarely able to handle our struggles, problems, and sins on our own. James reminded Christians to “confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16).

Let’s be there for one another, bearing each other’s burdens, “and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

The West Hobbs Street Church of Christ is having our Spring Gospel Meeting this week, April 26-29.

I hope you will come be with us if you live nearby! Otherwise, I hope you will livestream or go back and listen to the sermons as you have the opportunity.

Meeting Times:

* Sunday (9:00 & 10:00 AM; 1:00 PM).

* Monday - Wednesday (7:00 PM).

Watch on Facebook.

When we buy a new car, we are excited about it. We vow that we will take care of that car. We will have it serviced. We will wash it regularly. We will not eat in it. We will drive carefully. We will keep it new for the next 200,000 miles.

In time, the newness wears off. We do not treasure the car the way we did when we purchased it. It gets some dings. We have to eat in it from time to time. We keep it serviced, but we often stretch out the times between service appointments. If the car is dirty, we do not rush to get it washed the way we used to. The car still provides us with the same benefits. The difference is that we do not appreciate the vehicle as a treasure like we once did.

The same can happen in one’s Christian life. We have many treasures given to us to enjoy. But, over time, we don’t appreciate them the way we used to. Some examples include:

* A relationship with the Godhead

* A holy Book that contains God’s words.

* An avenue called prayer that allows us into God’s throne room.

* The cleansing blood of Jesus Christ.

* A church family that can love and support us.

* Periods of worship and Bible study.

* Opportunities to serve in various capacities.

* The hope of eternal life.

This is just a short list of the treasures Christians possess. They are worth more than we can possibly imagine. However, we have a tendency to be less grateful for them than we should. They become “common” when they ought to be extremely unique.

Have you ever seen a person have an older car that was in pristine condition? You may have seen the person at the car wash. He may have had the car for 15, 20, or 30 years. That car ran well. It looked almost brand new. When you spoke with the individual, he told you he was the sole owner of the car. How did he do it? How did he maintain the vehicle?

He did so in the same way we must come to appreciate our spiritual treasures. We must have an intentional mindset. We realize we have been blessed. WE never forget what we have. We focus on it each day. In fact, we express our gratitude for our treasure(s) on a regular basis.

“Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people” (1 Chron. 16:8).

“O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever” (1 Chron. 16:34).

Victor M. Eskew preaches for the Oceanside church of Christ in Atlantic Beach, Florida.

The church offers a variety of free Bible study courses for anyone interested in studying God’s word. They also have a large archive of videos on their YouTube channel. I appreciate Victor’s teaching in this article!

This article will conclude our study of “Avoiding Apostasy.” I hope and pray that this study has been pleasing to God, Scripturally accurate, and helpful for all who have been engaged in it.

We have discussed several passages, including Hebrews 3:12, John 10:28, and Revelation 2-3 (the seven churches of Asia). While there are a multitude of passages that emphasize the importance of staying faithful, we want to close by examining one passage in particular, as well as some practical applications that will hopefully help us:

“Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble” (2 Pet. 1:10).

The Exhortation.

First, observe the exhortation. Peter is writing to “brethren.” These are Christians who “obtained like precious faith” (2 Pet. 1:1). They had received “exceedingly great and precious promises” as those who had “escaped the corruption that is in the world” (2 Pet. 1:4).

Peter emphatically encourages the brethren to grow and mature in the faith.

The Application.

Second, observe the application. Because they were faithful Christians, Peter exhorts them to stay the course by listing the “Christian Graces” (2 Pet. 1:5-9).

There are eight of these graces and they are encouraged to “add to their (1) faith (2) virtue, and to virtue (3) knowledge, to knowledge (4) self-control, to self-control (5) perseverance, to perseverance (6) godliness, to godliness (7) brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness (8) love."

The phrase “giving all diligence” is rendered “make every effort” (ESV), and “supply” (ASV) pointing to the fact that Christians, those we have obtained salvation in Christ, must stay faithful and continue to grow so we do not “fall” and so we are not “led away with the error of the wicked (2 Pet. 3:17-18).

The Implication.

Third, observe the implication.

“For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble” (2 Pet. 1:9-10).

What is implied is that Christians, those who have been “cleansed from his old sins” were told to make their call and election “sure.” The ESV says to “confirm” their call and election, and if they do, they will never fall.

What happens if we don’t do these things? Would it not be possible to fall?

What Must We Do?

So how do we make “our call and election sure?” How do we ensure that Heaven will be our home?

Acknowledge that God is the Judge.

First, you must recognize and appreciate the righteousness of God. His judgment is according to truth (Rom. 2:2). He does not make mistakes, and He will not make any mistakes on the Day of Judgment.

We will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account (2 Cor. 5:10), and the words of Jesus will judge us (John 12:48).

Obey God.

Second, you must obey God. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).

Jesus Himself is the Author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Heb. 5:8-9). According to Jesus, those who believe and are baptized will be saved (Mark 16:16) while those who do not obey the Gospel will be lost (2 Thess. 1:7-9).

Be Faithful to God.

Third and finally, after obeying the Gospel of Christ, you must be faithful because it is possible to fall away and lose your salvation (2 Pet. 2:20-22). God will give the “crown of life” to those who are faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10).

Those who exercise their free will to leave the faith will be in danger of losing their salvation and being separated from God for eternity.

Obey God before it is too late!

Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.

Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.