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Rich ManPoor Man
Mountain Life Church/Life Pack/August 17, 2014
Rich Man Poor ManSermon Notes
August 17, 2014I. Jesus’ Discourse with the Religious Big Shots
A. He knew their hearts1. They loved money2. They believed that
riches were a sign that God was blessing them
B. He was attacking their idol of greed1. The preceding context2. The earlier parable3. The sneering of His
audience
II. The Earthly Life of the CharactersA. Introducing the characters
1. The rich mana. Extremely opulentb. Very selfishc. Chooses to be ignorant of Lazarus’ suffering
2. The poor man - Lazarusa. A Beggarb. Diseasedc. His only friends are stray dogs
B. The painful imagery1. The rich man represents Jesus’ audience2. Lazarus represents sinners, tax collectors, the poor, and
even Gentiles
On hearing Him, the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, scoffed at the Lord (Luke 16:14), who then accused them of being self-righteous and trying to press, or force their way into the Kingdom on their own terms (Luke 16:15-16). That is to say, they were counting on their self-proclaimed righteousness to open the door of the Kingdom to them. Jesus plainly declared that the terms of the Law were solid and could not be circumvented. The principles underlying the Mosaic Law express God’s character, and therefore the Law is more enduring than the whole of creation (Luke 16:17). He then revealed their hypocrisy by pointing out that their attitude about divorce and remarriage was not in line with God’s purposes (Luke 16:18; cf. Matthew 5:31-32; 19:3-9).The key to understanding the point that the Lord is making in telling the story of the rich man and Lazarus is found in verses 15 and 16; “And He said unto them, ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. The Law and the Prophets were until John: since that time the Kingdom of God is preached and every man presseth into it” (Luke 16:15-16).Though their self-justification might gain them favor among men, it would not gain God’s favor because He knew what was in their heart (cf. Jeremiah 17:9-10). The things that men hold in high regard, things that gain them position and respect among men, are disgusting to God. In truth, the love of money reveals a covetous heart that has given its allegiance to “mammon” rather than God (cf. I Timothy 6:10).In the Law and the Prophets, a general term for the Old Testament Scriptures, is found the promise, or proclamation of God’s coming Kingdom on earth, which Israel was waiting for. John the Baptist came on the scene to introduce the Messiah, who would usher in the Kingdom Age, to Israel (John 1:26-34). After being baptized by John Jesus Christ began His public ministry by saying, “The Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel” (see Mark 1:9-15).Of course, the Jews, especially the Pharisees, knew that entrance into the Kingdom was conditioned on obedience to God’s Law. To drive home His point about how the money-loving Pharisees were misusing their wealth, to their own peril, the Lord told the true story of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man wasn’t lost because he had wealth, nor was Lazarus saved because he was poor. This was a matter of the heart with the focus being on the rich man, not Lazarus.
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The Rich Man & Lazarusby W. Edward Bedore, Th.D.
The main point of the story of the rich man and Lazarus is that an individual’s wealth and social standing, or the lack thereof, is not necessarily an indication of that person’s spiritual standing before God. Many of the Jews believed that the fact that they had accumulated wealth that afforded them social status and prominent positions in the religious community proved that they were under the blessing of God. They also thought, according to their logic, that those who were poor were under the curse of God. They no doubt appealed to the promises made to Israel in the Law of Moses concerning the blessings of prosperity for obedience to God’s Law and the curses of poverty because of disobedience, failing to recognize the national rather then the personal nature of those promises (see Deuteronomy 28:1-45ff.; etc.). They were also ignoring the many warnings found in “Moses and the Prophets” that were directed towards the leaders of Israel who selfishly misused their power and wealth (see Isa. 56:10-12; Ezekiel 34:1-4; Micah 3:1-4; etc.).
To challenge their seriously flawed thinking, the Lord Jesus told the parable of the unjust (or dishonest) steward (Luke 16:1-13). The main point of this parable was that the dishonest steward, who represented the Gentiles, was wiser than the “children of light,” a reference to the sons of Israel, who were to be a channel through which God’s light would reach the Gentiles, i.e., the nations of the world (Isa. 42:5-7; 49:5-6; 60:1-3; 62:1-3). The true Light of the World is Jesus Christ Himself (John 8:12), who is the Messiah of Israel. In the prophetic program, the only avenue through which the Gentiles can come to the Light is through the nation of Israel (Isa. 60:1-3; Zech. 8:20-23). The point of this parable was that those who were striving after riches were actually self-serving rather than servants of God. He was calling on them to choose between the two, saying: “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon [money]” (Luke 16:13). The implication was that those whose priorities were based on accumulating wealth were demonstrating that their hearts were not right with God (cf. Matt. 6:19-21).
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III.The After-Life ConversationA. Jesus turns conventional thinking on its head
1. The rich man was in Sheola. He had not listened to the Law and Prophets (probably
specifically as they prophesied the coming Messiah - Jesus)
b. He had lived a life of self absorptionc. He was unrepentantd. Therefore, riches were NOT a sign of God’s blessing
2. Lazarus was in Abraham’s bosom
B. Sheol and Abraham’s Bosom - the Concepts explained1. Sheol - Before about 500 BC, a place of the dead
a. Everyone went thereb. There was no evil or good ascribed to it
2. Sheol - After 500BC up to Jesus’ timea. A place for sinners, unbelievers, and the Gentilesb. Good Jews went to Abraham’s Bosom
3. Abraham’s Bosoma. A concept popularized by religious thinkers starting
around 500BCb. A place for the righteous before the recreation of the
heavens and the earthc. Paradise
C. The Rich Man in Torment1. Unrepentant and miserable
a. Still sees classes between peopleb. Still sees Lazarus as a servantc. Still spiritually blindd. His request of Abrahame. Please send a resurrected Lazarus back to warn my
brothers2. Request denied
a. Abraham denies the rich man’s requestb. The significance of the name Lazarus
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IV.And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtorsA. Acknowledge my sin and thank God for forgiving me
through Jesus’ sacrifice on the crossB. Forgive and release others for their sins against me
1. Acknowledge that someone sinned against me and hurt me
2. Give the memory of the violation to God3. Cut them loose from all debt they owe me4. Acknowledge that bitterness has NO HOLD on me5. Lavish love on them and pray for God to bless them
V. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evilA. Put on the whole armor of God (Put on the Lord Jesus Christ)
1. The belt of truth (Mentally accept God’s truth over lies I have been hearing)
2. Breastplate of righteousness (Thank Jesus for giving me His righteousness which enables me to boldly enter His presence)
3. Shoes of preparation (readiness) of the Gospel of peace (Take time to digest the scriptures - committing them to memory)
4. Shield of faith (Step out on God’s truth for my situation)5. Helmet of salvation (Thank God that He has saved me
and remember that I am different than the world. Satan has no power over me except the power I give him by believing lies.)
6. Sword of the Spirit (Apply the Word to the lies I hear, and the situations I find myself in today.)
B. Run to the Lord for protection (You are my refuge, my fortress, my God in whom I trust!)1. I set my mind on things above, not on things of the earth2. God has set His love upon me3. He knows my name and will never leave me or forsake
meVI.For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the
glory foreverA. Make your faith declarationsB. Return to praise
This outline inspired by Henry Blackaby & Larry Lea
Life Group Questions for August 17, 2014
Message = Rich Man Poor Man
Ice Breaker: Tell about one of your first experiences with someone poor or less fortunate and how it impacted you.
Read Luke 16: 19-‐‑31:
1. What stands out to you about this parable?
2. How does this parable sober you? Does it in any way cause you to sense that God is just?
3. What do you think the rich man’s sin was that got him sent to Sheol?
4. Describe the rich man’s aCitude while in Sheol.
5. As a group, discuss what the contemporary definition of the words “Abraham’s Bosom” and “Sheol” mean.
6. Does the reality of a Hell cause you to live differently? Please explain.
7. Have someone read verses 27-‐‑31 again. What do you think of Abraham’s answer to the rich man about believing the Law and the Prophets?
8. What specific message in the Law and the Prophets do you think Jesus was referring to in this parable?
9. Pray for one another.
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Prayer Guide
I. Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your NameA. Picture Calvary and thank God you can call Him
Father by virtue of the blood of JesusB. Hallow (lift Him above everything in your life) the
names of God corresponding with the five benefits in the New Covenant and make your faith declarations
II. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done (God, what are you doing? How can I (others) get in on what You are doing?)A. Myself
• Give me awareness of how to meet others’ needs today• I choose to take the initiative to love others
B. My family (spouse, children, other family members)
C. My church (pastor, other leadership, faithfulness of people, the harvest)
D. My nation (city, state, and national political and spiritual leaders, the harvest)
III.Give us this day our daily breadA. Believe that God desires to provide for meB. Be specificC. Be tenaciousD. Talk openly about my worries and give them to HimE. Today’s needs - Tomorrow will care for itself
This outline inspired by Henry Blackaby & Larry Lea516
Personal Devotion PagesThe following pages are designed to help you enjoy a regular time alone with God. We have divided up the curriculum to help us grow wherever we are at in our relationship with God and in our knowledge of His Kingdom.
LEVELS: Since we are a Colorado church, we use skiing imagery to communicate the different levels of intensity and time involved in relating to God.
BEGINNER: If you are new in your relationship with God, we encourage you to try the exercises under this symbol:
INTERMEDIATE: If you have walked with God for some time and would like a little more challenge and more time involvement, try the exercises under this symbol:
ADVANCED: These exercises are for people who have walked with God for some time and display maturity in their relationship with Him.
These exercises provide a practical way to encounter God and His truth on a regular basis. There are no rules here. Please don’t hurry through the process. Slow meditation and memorization seems to soak in better than cramming.
Enjoy!
Benefit Sanctify
Spirit
Soundness
Success
Security
NameJehovah-TsidkenuJehovah-M’Kaddesh
Jehovah-ShalomJehovah-Shammah
Jehovah-Rophe
Jehovah-Jireh
Jehovah-NissiJehovah-Rohi
MeaningJehovah our righteousnessJehovah who sanctifies
Jehovah is peaceJehovah is there
Jehovah heals
Jehovah provides
Jehovah my bannerJehovah my shepherd
Day One1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy
thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately.
2. Slowly read Luke 16: 19-‐‑31.
3. What have you heard God say to you this week? Write it down in this space.
Memorize Psalm 25: 1-‐‑2. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight into the meaning of this verse.
Memorize Psalm 25: 1-‐‑3. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight into the meaning of this passage.
Memorize Psalm 25: 1-‐‑7. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight into the meaning of these passages.
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Then the rich man said, “Please, Father Abraham, send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them about this place of torment so they won’t have to come here when they die.” But Abraham said, “Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read their writings anytime they want to.” The rich man replied, “No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will turn from their sins.” But Abraham said, “If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.”
~Luke 16:27-31, NLT
Abraham’s discussion with the doomed rich man should sober any of us who read it. Abraham tells the man that if his brothers don’t believe Moses and the prophets, then they will not believe the message of a man risen from the dead! Apparently, if I cannot humble myself enough to believe the Old Testament, then I certainly wouldn’t believe a miraculous messenger telling me the same message.
What’s interesting is those same Jews saw another guy named Lazarus get resuscitated from the dead in John 11. You should check that passage out and see the reaction of the Jewish leaders. They were even more anxious to kill Jesus after that than they ever had been before! It was as if Jesus was prophesying that they would reject Him after He raised his friend from the dead.
Simple belief in the words of the Bible is what transforms us. When I believe what it says about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, He begins to transform my life! Oh God! Bring it on!
Day Five
Repent!
Day Five1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy
thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately.
2. Read all of Luke 16 today.
3. Take time to pray God to show you what He is doing today and ask Him how you can get in on what He is doing.
4. Finish your Bible memorization today.
Day OneJesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed and who lived each day in luxury. At his door lay a diseased beggar named Lazarus.”
~Luke 16:19, 20, NLT
In Luke chapter 16, this parable seems to jump up out of the narrative like Mount Hood pops up out of the landscape around Portland. Or, maybe not. Perhaps Jesus tells this parable to His audience made up of lots of religious big-shots in order to further shake them up. Just a few verses above, we find them sneering at his words about faithfulness with money because they were lovers of money. Maybe Jesus is still talking about the selfishness that can capture us when we get consumed with riches. Perhaps He is trying to sober them with this parable.
After reading it, we should all be sobered.
Jesus introduces the unnamed rich man to us first in this parable. He’s filthy rich. He wears the finest of clothing, usually reserved for the ruling class, and he lives in an opulent house, complete with an outer gate. He ate of the finest foods EVERY DAY, which tells us he’s probably a plus size.
No greater contrast could be made than the character of Lazarus, the poor beggar Jesus introduces next. He lays at the gate of the rich man daily, hoping just to get crumbs from the rich man’s table. Where the rich man has only the most influential and wealthy of friends, Lazarus’ only company is the mangy strays who lick his boils and sores. We get the picture - Lazarus is diseased.
Father, speak to me through this parable. Show me where I have neglected You for my own comforts.
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Day Two1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy
thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately.
2. Slowly and carefully read Luke 16: 19-‐‑31 again today.
3. Who do you relate to more, Lazarus, or the rich man? Please write down why in this space.
4. Pray for your loved ones and family. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you specific requests for each one.
5. Continue memorizing and meditating on the scriptures for this week.
Day FourBut Abraham said to him, “Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. Anyone who wanted to cross over to you from here is stopped at its edge, and no one there can cross over to us.”
~Luke 16:25, 26, NLT
As we read this discussion between Abraham and the rich man, we must remember that during his life on earth, Abraham was himself a very wealthy man. The rich man is apparently not assigned to the place of torture just because he was wealthy - otherwise Abraham would be the chief of hypocrites!
The first sentence above conveys the idea that there was no mercy, no sharing with the poor emanating from the rich man when he lived. At the time, there were no napkins, and people ate with their hands. Typically, the wealthiest of people would use chunks of bread to wipe their hands off after eating. Lazarus had sat at the gates hoping the rich man’s servants would throw the scraps to him. That was his greatest hope - to get a scrap of dirty bread!
The story tells us that the man lived in great luxury without any thought of his fellow man. His was a life of self absorbed opulence. I think he begins to recognize this and later hopes that Lazarus would return and tell his brothers to repent of their self centered lifestyles.
Father, give me eyes to see my own selfishness and any focus on comforting myself rather than caring for others.
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Day TwoFinally, the beggar died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Lazarus in the far distance with Abraham.
~Luke 16:22, 23, NLT
This story flies in the face of the contemporary theology of Jesus’ day. The Jews believed that the outward sign of God’s blessing was material wealth. In their worldview, poverty and sickness were laid on people because of sin.
Jesus gets His audience’s attention when He says Lazarus, whose name means God is my help, gets carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man is buried and goes to the place of the dead.
Abraham’s bosom was a paradise where good Jews went after death. Most Jews believed they were destined to go there simply because of their Jewish blood, but also because they were law abiding people. Sheol was the Hebrew place of the dead which carried with it the idea of torment for sinful, or non-Jewish people.
Just imagine the surprised looks on the faces of Jesus’ audience when He said the rich man went to Sheol! And how could a poor, diseased man go to paradise? Jesus flipped everything on it’s lid!
The rich man went to Sheol because he did not believe the Law and the prophets’ message about the Messiah. Jesus continually showed the Jews that He came as a fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.
What do I believe about the reality of Heaven and Hell?
Day Four1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy
thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately.
2. Read slowly through Psalm 25.
3. As you think about the rich man and Lazarus, try to objectively look at your life and see how willing you are to share your resources with those who are in need.
4. Continue meditating on and memorizing the scripture for this week.
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Day Three Day Three1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy
thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately.
2. Meditate on Luke 16: 19-‐‑31
3. Bring at least three friends or loved ones to the Lord and ask Him to bring them to repentance and faith. Ask Him to show you how you can boldly love them and speak the words of Jesus into their lives.
4. Continue meditating on and memorizing the scripture for this
week.
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The rich man shouted, “Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in anguish in these flames.”
~Luke 16:24, NLT
The painful message of this parable is that not only is there a paradise for those who follow Jesus, but there is definitely a place set aside for those who do not believe in Him. This parable makes Jesus quite edgy. He’s not a sweet little sugar daddy - He’s Lord of the universe and refusing Him has eternal consequences!
As we observe the rich man in Sheol, the first thing we may wonder is if this place is equivalent to what we call Hell. The brief answer is a definite Yes. The man is in agony. It’s hard to read with any level of intellectual honesty.
What makes the parable even more difficult is that we see no humility, no confession of sin, and no remorse for his unbelief. He still sees himself as a man of authority and power, and his only request is to get the no longer sick or poor Lazarus to bring him some water.
Take note of how the socio-economic lines are still drawn between him and Lazarus in the afterlife. Though his eternal destiny is sealed, he still thinks he can throw out orders to a man he sees as inferior. Jesus reveals this about the man to show his hard heart, his stubborn will, and his unrepentant attitude - even after being thrown into a place of torture!
Father, show me the reality of Heaven and Hell. Grant me a passion to help others come to know You!
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