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Scripture Reading:  Luke 16:19-31

A Message From Torment

Intro.

1.  God forbids seeking after the dead for un­derstanding of the realm beyond – Deut. 18:9-14.

2.  On rare occasions, God has allowed the dead to speak to man (1 Sam. 28:15-19).

3.  Luke 16:19-31 – Rich man & Lazarus:  A message from torment.

  a.  Life…Death…Hades (realm of the dead, de­parted spirits, cf. Acts 2:27)… Judgment… Eternity.

  b.  Lessons for us in this message from torment.

 

I.  SALVATION IS NOT UNIVERSAL.

  A.  One was Saved & One was Lost – 16:23.

    1.  God wants all saved & offers salvation to all – 1 Tim. 2:3-4.

    2.  But few will be saved – Lk. 13:23-24; Matt. 7:13-14.

  B.  Salvation is Conditional – 16:25; cf. Rom. 6:17-18; Heb. 5:9.

    1.  We reap what we sow – Gal. 6:7; Matt. 7:21-23 (Eph. 2:8-9).

    2.  Hear (Rom. 10:17); Believe (Jno. 8:24); Repent (Acts 17: 30); Confess faith (Matt. 10:32); Baptized (Mk. 16:16) -- Saved.

    3.  Be faithful (Rev. 2:10).

 

II. DEATH DOES NOT END ONE’S EXISTENCE.

  A.  Man is more than Flesh (dual being) – 16:22-23.

    1.  Gen. 1:26 – Image of God (Jno. 4:24; Lk. 24:39).

    2.  Gen. 2:7 – Spirit animates the body.

    3.  2 Cor. 4:16 – Outward/inward man.

  B.  Death is a Separation of Flesh & Spirit – 16:22.

    1.  “Separation” – Gen. 2:17; Jas. 2:26.

    2.  Eccl. 12:7 – Flesh to dust/Spirit to God.

  C.  There is Consciousness After Death – 16:23f.

    1.  Sight, speech, anguish, reasoning, de­sires – All present here.

    2.  Jehovah’s Witnesses - Cease existence; 7th-day Adventists (soul sleep).

    3.  Lk. 20:37 (Exo. 3:6) – Jesus implied con­tinued spirit existence of the fathers.

  D.  We do Not Become Angels or Ghosts at Death – 16:22, 31.

  E.  We do Not Go Directly to the Final Reward – 16:22.

        -Phil. 1:23 – Paradise is under the care & keeping of Christ (Eph. 1:21), who gives rest to those who die in Him (Rev. 14:13).

 

III.  “SECOND CHANCE” DOCTRINES ARE FALSE – 16:26; Heb. 9:27 (2 Cor. 6:2).

  A.  Catholic Purgatory - cf. 2 Pet. 2:9.

  B.  Mormonism’s Vicarious Works for the Dead (temples:  baptism for dead, marriages, endowments) – cf. Mk. 16:15-16.

  C.  Eastern Religions’ Reincarnation – 16:27, 31; Heb. 9:27.

 

IV.  FOOLISHNESS OF TRUSTING IN RICHES – 16:19, 25, 14; Lk. 9:25; 1 Tim. 6:9-10; Job 1:21 (Matt. 6:19-21).

 

V.  GOD’S PRESENT TRUTH PERSUADES US TO BE READY FOR DEATH – 16:27-31.

  A.  No Messages from the Dead!

  B.  The Gospel is the Only Means of Persua­sion for Sinners – Rom. 1:16; Acts 13:26; cf. Heb. 2:2-3.

    1.  16:31 – Resurrection of Jesus confirms its validity, yet, most not persuaded (Rom. 10:16-17).

    2.  Many have turn to gimmicks & changed the gospel message in order to persuade folks – Not of Christ!  (Gal. 1:6-9)

 

VI.THE TERRIBLENESS OF BEING LOST – 16:23-24.

     -(Torment, anguish, anxiety over bros.); cf. Mk. 9:43-48; Matt. 25:41; 2 Ths. 1:8-9.

 

VII.  THE COMFORT OF BEING SAVED – 16:22, 25.

     -(Comforted, 16:25 – “Combines encouragement with alleviation of grief.”)  

  A.  The Christian is Comforted from Effects of Sin – 2 Ths. 2:16-17.

        -At death, eternally so.

  B.  Give Diligence to Enter that Rest – Heb. 4:9-11.

 

Conclusion

1.  An eternal rest & reward is available.

2.  Are you pre­pared for death?  (In faith, obey the gospel of Christ.)

3.  Where will you spend eternity?