Pastor Terry Dashner………………Faith Fellowship Church PO Box 1586 Broken Arrow, OK 74013Three essential things…
Luke 16:19-31 is
story about rich man and Lazarus. It is more than a parable. It is a story told by Jesus, Himself, about a man who “faired sumptuously” and another man who writhed in agony while living on earth. What makes this story stand out from other parables of Jesus? This is only story that Jesus told, giving personal names to story characters (Lazarus, father Abraham).
I believe story is true, and Jesus told it to teach His disciples three essential things about next life. I’d like to share these truths with you. It won’t take much time to read through them; however, they are of such importance that they can lead you through this life and into next.
The first point of emphasis is this. God is an either or God. There is no “variableness” with Him—no “shadow of turning,” says James chapter one. The first thing I notice about story of rich man and Lazarus is stark contrasts. One man is rich, and other is poor. One man is regal, other is a pauper. One man is self-righteous, and other is crying out for mercy. The list goes on. What does this say? I’d rather be one calling out for mercy in this life and, thus, be granted eternal life through Christ Jesus in next then to be full of self-righteousness, fairing well in this life and miss eternal life. How about you?
The second point of emphasis is this. The story underscores immutable character of God. God is faithful and can not be unfaithful. Why? Because His character is immutable. He does not vacillate from faithfulness to unfaithfulness, although we do. When God tells us something, we can take it to bank. He will not lie. His character won’t let Him lie. God says that righteous will one day be rewarded for trusting Him in this life. He means it. God also says that unrighteous will not see life, but wrath of God awaits them. This is sad, but true. Yet nobody has to experience wrath of God.
