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.
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?