Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

October 28th

The bible reading is in Luke chapters 16 and 17.

“The poor man Lazarus died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.

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.’

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.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭16:22-25‬

And God said unto him, 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 where you are to us."

‭‭Luke‬ ‭16:24, 26‬ ‭

Yesterday, our podcast focused on three parables that Jesus spoke in the presence of grumbling, unbelieving Pharisees in Judea.

The first was about a lost sheep. The second was about a lost coin. And the third was about a lost boy. The shepherd went after the lost sheep and found it. The shepherd celebrated his good fortune by throwing a party. The woman swept her house and looked into every nook and corner of it and finally found the lost coin. She was so happy that she invited all of her neighbors to feast joyfully with her. And the Father was broken over his lost boy but God broke the boy and sent him home. The lost boy was found and welcomed home with a joyful party.

All three stories reflected an attitude of God toward lost sinners. He goes after them...and He rejoices with the angels over one sinner who repents, believes, and is eternally saved!

Today’s podcast reveals another attitude of God toward sinners. It’s not a happy story. It’s often passed over in our readings and our sermons. We usually speak of an abundantly gracious God who fills guilty empty sinners with faith and forgiveness of sins and hope for eternal life through the death burial and resurrection of Jesus for our justification and a place in heaven with him one day.

But today Jesus speaks of judgment for unrepentant sinners. We must listen to his story of Lazarus and the rich man.

The unbelieving rich man had died. All those days months and years that he had passed by Lazarus on the street...not giving a second thought to the poor man’s life message of the Gospel of God. Now in hell, the unbeliever wants a favor from God.

And God tells him some bad news...“I cannot help you”. You died without Me. You died without hope of eternal life. You died and your soul is forever separated from my kingdom of heaven...my kingdom of love, grace, and mercy.

You, dying without me, find yourself in outer darkness...where the flame of divine judgment is never quenched and the worm never dies. The place prepared for the devil and his demons will be your abode forever.

“And neither can Lazarus help you now.” That’s the unbridgable difference between you two.”

Why? Because God decreed that His faith followers would be forever shut up with Him, with His everlasting joy and righteousness...never to cross the divide into the world of the wicked.

O friends, knowing this somber message of Jesus, may the Lord relight the spiritual fires of evangelism and witnessing and soul-winning in our souls. May we with fearless love share the gospel of Christ with our elderly parents and grandparents before it's eternally too late. What we do in life is all we can do for their salvation. When we die we take our sheaves with us. We cant come back...to preach one more gospel sermon or share our testimony with an invitation of tears.

Think about it...and if you listen to this podcast and you are in doubt of what will happen to you when you die...talk to Jesus about it right now. Ask him to help you believe in him and follow him as his disciple. Then write me a note and tell me. Praying for you.

Have a great day