WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:17.600 I turned 50 earlier this month. 00:00:23.179 --> 00:00:25.560 People have asked me how I feel. 00:00:25.559 --> 00:00:36.780 And my response has been consistently that the thing that has struck me the most, people 00:00:36.780 --> 00:00:40.320 think 40 is the big deal over the hump, halfway, whatever. 00:00:40.780 --> 00:00:45.739 But when I got to 50, that was when I started to really realize that I have less time in 00:00:45.739 --> 00:00:48.259 front of me than behind me, most likely. 00:00:50.480 --> 00:00:52.039 And it's a sobering thought. 00:00:52.039 --> 00:00:56.979 It's sobering to think about what is my life about. 00:00:58.740 --> 00:01:04.900 It makes me realize that when I was in my 20s and 30s, I thought I was a pretty eternally 00:01:04.900 --> 00:01:06.439 minded kind of guy. 00:01:07.500 --> 00:01:14.799 But now that I'm 50, it's starting to sink in at a whole new level for me to think about 00:01:14.799 --> 00:01:16.899 what is my life here on earth about? 00:01:17.560 --> 00:01:19.739 And what will my eternity be like? 00:01:22.739 --> 00:01:27.719 For those of you who are younger, this day is coming. 00:01:28.099 --> 00:01:31.780 Some of you are already nodding your heads and saying, yes, we understand. 00:01:33.159 --> 00:01:42.379 So, but as we think about this question, as I've pondered this this week in my own life, 00:01:42.379 --> 00:01:46.500 I want to put the question for you, how much do you think about these questions? 00:01:47.039 --> 00:01:51.619 About how your life today connects with your eternal state? 00:01:52.859 --> 00:01:57.319 This is, in fact, part of what our passage this morning addresses. 00:01:58.219 --> 00:02:03.780 And this is why I raise the question, because Jesus has things to say to us. 00:02:04.259 --> 00:02:08.859 He has lots to say about eternity and about our lives now in light of it. 00:02:08.860 --> 00:02:13.400 And so we're going to continue in our series in Luke. 00:02:13.440 --> 00:02:16.880 If you have a Bible, you can turn with me to Luke 16. 00:02:18.940 --> 00:02:20.420 I forgot my program. 00:02:20.520 --> 00:02:21.700 Anyone want to give me a page number? 00:02:23.500 --> 00:02:26.540 823 in your pew Bible, if you're using the pew Bibles. 00:02:26.680 --> 00:02:33.860 Luke 16, we're going to be starting in verse 19 for most of our, for our parable today. 00:02:33.860 --> 00:02:36.720 But I'm actually going to start in verse 14 as I read. 00:02:38.380 --> 00:02:40.220 And 822. 00:02:40.920 --> 00:02:41.400 Thank you. 00:02:42.140 --> 00:02:43.500 822 is where it is. 00:02:44.440 --> 00:02:50.400 Part of what you see, if you remember, Greg last week talked on the parable of the dishonest manager 00:02:50.400 --> 00:02:56.240 and how to understand the shrewdness of taking our worldly beings, our worldly possessions, 00:02:56.520 --> 00:03:00.880 and investing them for eternal purposes and eternal values. 00:03:00.879 --> 00:03:04.139 And then Jesus continues. 00:03:04.280 --> 00:03:09.299 And in 14 through 18, these are not passages, verses we're going to spend a lot of time on today. 00:03:09.419 --> 00:03:13.659 And I'll just note verse 18 is a whole sermon in and of itself. 00:03:14.560 --> 00:03:17.780 But in terms of the flow of thought, let me just walk you through it. 00:03:17.859 --> 00:03:25.359 Verse 14, the Pharisees who were there heard Jesus talking about how to use their money for eternal purposes. 00:03:25.360 --> 00:03:28.900 And they responded with ridicule. 00:03:29.760 --> 00:03:35.220 And Jesus confronts them and says, you are those who justify yourselves before men, 00:03:35.340 --> 00:03:41.580 but God knows your hearts for what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. 00:03:42.080 --> 00:03:45.940 And then he turns this corner, which feels very abrupt to talk about the law and the prophets. 00:03:46.460 --> 00:03:51.120 But what he's really saying is, if you understood the law and the prophets, 00:03:51.260 --> 00:03:54.480 you would not be a lover of money rather than a lover of God. 00:03:54.479 --> 00:03:58.679 And in fact, you would say a hearty amen to what I just preached about, 00:03:58.959 --> 00:04:02.000 using your money for the poor, for those in need, 00:04:02.319 --> 00:04:05.799 for the sake of eternal values of building God's kingdom. 00:04:08.379 --> 00:04:10.699 But because you don't understand the law, 00:04:11.339 --> 00:04:12.899 because you don't understand the prophets, 00:04:13.019 --> 00:04:15.120 because you have hardened your hearts against God, 00:04:15.599 --> 00:04:18.539 you instead respond to my parable and ridicule. 00:04:18.540 --> 00:04:21.840 And then verse 18 is thrown in there as a, 00:04:22.520 --> 00:04:24.660 oh, and by the way, the law still stands. 00:04:24.780 --> 00:04:28.180 The law is still important because it points us to important things. 00:04:28.780 --> 00:04:31.360 Now, how verse 18 fits into there is a whole other sermon. 00:04:31.480 --> 00:04:32.760 I'm just going to bracket it and say, 00:04:32.939 --> 00:04:35.320 come back another time, we'll deal with it. 00:04:35.320 --> 00:04:36.259 But not today. 00:04:36.259 --> 00:04:42.360 But it's in this context of Jesus' confrontation with the Pharisees 00:04:42.360 --> 00:04:50.500 and this sort of head-to-head where Jesus is exposing their lack of heart submission 00:04:50.500 --> 00:04:54.620 to God's word that we come to the parable that we come to today. 00:04:55.319 --> 00:04:56.579 And so I wanted to point that out, 00:04:56.740 --> 00:04:58.839 spend a few minutes walking through that 00:04:58.839 --> 00:05:02.860 so that we understand where this parable is going. 00:05:02.920 --> 00:05:05.199 Because this parable is an interesting one. 00:05:05.199 --> 00:05:07.899 It's one of the more challenging ones as we look at it. 00:05:08.219 --> 00:05:13.959 So, having said that, let's look together at God's word starting in, 00:05:14.079 --> 00:05:18.099 I'll read starting in verse 14 so you can get the flow of what I just described. 00:05:18.680 --> 00:05:20.219 And we'll read to the end of the chapter. 00:05:21.360 --> 00:05:26.319 The Pharisees who were lovers of money heard all these things and they ridiculed him. 00:05:26.860 --> 00:05:28.219 And he said to them, 00:05:28.539 --> 00:05:31.139 you are those who justify yourselves before men. 00:05:31.480 --> 00:05:33.399 But God knows your hearts. 00:05:33.399 --> 00:05:37.979 For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. 00:05:38.579 --> 00:05:41.019 The law and the prophets were until John. 00:05:41.399 --> 00:05:43.899 Since then, the good news of the kingdom of God is preached 00:05:43.899 --> 00:05:46.159 and everyone forces his way into it. 00:05:46.519 --> 00:05:49.279 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away 00:05:49.279 --> 00:05:52.419 than for one dot of the law to become void. 00:05:53.120 --> 00:05:56.219 Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery. 00:05:56.299 --> 00:06:00.799 And he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery. 00:06:00.800 --> 00:06:03.160 And then he begins this parable. 00:06:04.040 --> 00:06:08.639 There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen 00:06:08.639 --> 00:06:11.300 and who feasted sumptuously every day. 00:06:12.079 --> 00:06:15.720 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, 00:06:15.840 --> 00:06:16.879 covered with sores, 00:06:16.980 --> 00:06:20.960 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. 00:06:22.120 --> 00:06:24.980 Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 00:06:24.980 --> 00:06:29.480 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. 00:06:29.960 --> 00:06:32.700 The rich man also died and was buried. 00:06:33.480 --> 00:06:35.400 And in Hades, being in torment, 00:06:35.819 --> 00:06:40.400 he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 00:06:40.840 --> 00:06:41.600 And he called out, 00:06:41.700 --> 00:06:44.080 Father Abraham, have mercy on me 00:06:44.080 --> 00:06:47.000 and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:48.540 and cool my tongue. 00:06:49.259 --> 00:06:51.300 For I am in anguish in this flame. 00:06:51.300 --> 00:06:53.860 But Abraham said, 00:06:54.079 --> 00:06:58.240 Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things 00:06:58.240 --> 00:07:01.199 and Lazarus in like manner bad things. 00:07:01.680 --> 00:07:05.460 But now he is comforted here and you are in anguish. 00:07:06.139 --> 00:07:07.660 And besides all this, 00:07:07.780 --> 00:07:09.560 between us and you, 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:12.060 a great chasm has been fixed 00:07:12.060 --> 00:07:14.439 in order that those who would pass from here to you 00:07:14.439 --> 00:07:15.340 may not do so 00:07:15.340 --> 00:07:18.280 and none may cross from there to us. 00:07:18.279 --> 00:07:20.599 And he said, 00:07:21.059 --> 00:07:22.699 Then I beg you, Father, 00:07:22.799 --> 00:07:24.659 to send him to my father's house, 00:07:24.979 --> 00:07:25.899 for I have five brothers, 00:07:26.219 --> 00:07:27.819 so that he may warn them 00:07:27.819 --> 00:07:31.679 lest they also come into this place of torment. 00:07:32.339 --> 00:07:33.859 But Abraham said, 00:07:34.059 --> 00:07:36.279 They have Moses and the prophets. 00:07:36.739 --> 00:07:38.559 Let them hear them. 00:07:39.219 --> 00:07:39.959 And he said, 00:07:40.019 --> 00:07:41.199 No, Father Abraham, 00:07:41.379 --> 00:07:43.519 but if someone goes to them from the dead, 00:07:43.599 --> 00:07:44.419 they will repent. 00:07:44.420 --> 00:07:46.780 And he said to them, 00:07:47.040 --> 00:07:48.280 and he said to him, 00:07:48.580 --> 00:07:51.140 If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, 00:07:51.319 --> 00:07:52.800 neither will they be convinced 00:07:52.800 --> 00:07:56.300 if someone should rise from the dead. 00:07:57.439 --> 00:07:58.680 Let's pray together. 00:07:59.840 --> 00:08:01.720 Lord, we thank you for your word. 00:08:02.819 --> 00:08:04.639 Lord, we confess at times 00:08:04.639 --> 00:08:08.520 that we find it challenging 00:08:08.520 --> 00:08:10.180 to know what your word says. 00:08:10.180 --> 00:08:12.439 But Lord, we pray this morning 00:08:12.439 --> 00:08:13.560 that we would have hearts 00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:16.139 that seek to submit to your word 00:08:16.139 --> 00:08:18.939 and minds that seek to understand your word 00:08:18.939 --> 00:08:21.319 and wills that seek to do your word. 00:08:22.560 --> 00:08:24.939 Lord, help us to know it rightly 00:08:24.939 --> 00:08:27.300 and to respond appropriately to it. 00:08:28.220 --> 00:08:29.280 Lord, we thank you. 00:08:29.879 --> 00:08:31.600 We pray these things in Jesus' name. 00:08:32.019 --> 00:08:32.259 Amen. 00:08:32.259 --> 00:08:32.399 Amen. 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:32.459 Amen. 00:08:39.519 --> 00:08:40.779 In this parable, 00:08:41.740 --> 00:08:45.179 Jesus tells us two things about eternity. 00:08:46.720 --> 00:08:48.120 The first thing is 00:08:48.120 --> 00:08:50.139 that eternity may not be what we think. 00:08:50.939 --> 00:08:52.220 And the second thing is that 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:55.039 the heart of eternity is in the heart. 00:08:56.899 --> 00:08:58.460 I'm not usually that poetic. 00:08:58.600 --> 00:08:59.579 Come on, I need a little love here. 00:09:00.220 --> 00:09:01.159 So here we go. 00:09:01.159 --> 00:09:04.879 So, eternity may not be what you think. 00:09:05.879 --> 00:09:08.079 And the heart of eternity is in the heart. 00:09:08.219 --> 00:09:10.179 Let's look at those two points together. 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:11.379 The first thing is 00:09:11.379 --> 00:09:13.120 eternity may not be what you think. 00:09:13.339 --> 00:09:14.179 This is what we see 00:09:14.179 --> 00:09:15.299 in the first part of the parable 00:09:15.299 --> 00:09:17.600 from verses 19 through 26. 00:09:18.659 --> 00:09:20.019 And it starts right at the beginning. 00:09:20.819 --> 00:09:22.379 Jesus lays out a situation 00:09:22.379 --> 00:09:23.799 where there are two men, right? 00:09:23.899 --> 00:09:26.759 And they could not be more polar opposite 00:09:26.759 --> 00:09:28.199 in their life circumstances. 00:09:28.779 --> 00:09:30.459 There's rich detail in this. 00:09:30.460 --> 00:09:31.519 The man is described 00:09:31.519 --> 00:09:32.900 as being clothed in purple, 00:09:33.019 --> 00:09:34.160 which was very rare, 00:09:34.280 --> 00:09:35.639 and therefore only the wealthy 00:09:35.639 --> 00:09:37.500 could wear it. 00:09:37.720 --> 00:09:38.540 And fine linen, 00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:40.100 and who feasted sumptuously, 00:09:40.200 --> 00:09:41.139 not just occasionally, 00:09:41.300 --> 00:09:42.500 but every day. 00:09:43.220 --> 00:09:45.400 He lived in the lap of luxury. 00:09:46.440 --> 00:09:47.400 And at his gate, 00:09:47.500 --> 00:09:49.120 there was the opposite man, 00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:51.040 the poor man named Lazarus. 00:09:51.039 --> 00:09:52.919 Not only was he poor, 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:54.439 but he was laid at his gate, 00:09:54.500 --> 00:09:56.659 which suggested that he was probably lame 00:09:56.659 --> 00:09:58.339 or crippled or ill in some way. 00:09:59.379 --> 00:10:03.579 And so he was in quite a dire situation. 00:10:04.099 --> 00:10:05.959 And he was covered with sores, 00:10:06.719 --> 00:10:09.219 and he desired to be fed with the scraps 00:10:09.219 --> 00:10:11.459 that fell from the rich man's tables. 00:10:12.179 --> 00:10:14.500 And even the dogs came and licked his sores, 00:10:14.500 --> 00:10:18.919 which is not a nice sort of helpful healing thing. 00:10:19.059 --> 00:10:23.120 This is a sign that he was so unable 00:10:23.120 --> 00:10:24.279 to defend himself. 00:10:24.700 --> 00:10:26.220 And in a Jewish context, 00:10:26.340 --> 00:10:28.759 this also meant that he was made richly unclean. 00:10:29.440 --> 00:10:32.620 And so he was in every way 00:10:32.620 --> 00:10:34.460 needy and impoverished. 00:10:35.019 --> 00:10:36.539 And the rich man seemed to have 00:10:36.539 --> 00:10:37.840 everything that he wanted. 00:10:37.840 --> 00:10:40.680 And in the first century, 00:10:41.440 --> 00:10:44.560 many would have equated God's blessing 00:10:44.560 --> 00:10:47.160 with material wealth and prosperity. 00:10:48.200 --> 00:10:50.920 Many of us maybe still think that today 00:10:50.920 --> 00:10:51.700 in some ways. 00:10:54.139 --> 00:10:56.800 Jesus then goes on to say, 00:10:57.740 --> 00:10:59.960 but then eternity happened. 00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:03.139 Verses 22, 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:04.259 the poor man died, 00:11:05.080 --> 00:11:07.519 and he was carried by angels 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:09.340 to Abram's side. 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:11.980 The man who couldn't walk 00:11:11.980 --> 00:11:13.980 was carried to the gate 00:11:13.980 --> 00:11:16.319 of the rich man's house in need, 00:11:16.579 --> 00:11:18.759 was carried to a place of comfort. 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:21.860 In Abram's side is an imagery 00:11:21.860 --> 00:11:24.019 that pictures this place of welcome 00:11:24.019 --> 00:11:26.579 in God's people and in God's place, 00:11:27.019 --> 00:11:28.399 this comfort and provision 00:11:28.399 --> 00:11:30.019 of all that he needed. 00:11:31.559 --> 00:11:32.980 And the rich man also died 00:11:32.980 --> 00:11:33.919 and was buried. 00:11:33.919 --> 00:11:39.539 And he went to Hades. 00:11:40.379 --> 00:11:42.120 Description of the place for the dead. 00:11:45.719 --> 00:11:48.120 Their eternal destinies were flip-flopped 00:11:48.120 --> 00:11:50.699 from their earthly realities. 00:11:51.059 --> 00:11:52.439 And in fact, you see this, 00:11:52.740 --> 00:11:54.299 Abraham says this very clearly 00:11:54.299 --> 00:11:55.740 in verse 25, does he not? 00:11:56.419 --> 00:11:58.139 In your lifetime you got good, 00:11:58.139 --> 00:11:59.480 but then you ended up 00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:02.399 in not so good place. 00:12:03.319 --> 00:12:06.720 He had a hard road in this life 00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:09.100 and yet he ended up in heaven. 00:12:11.100 --> 00:12:14.159 Now, we're going to unpack this 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:14.899 a little bit more. 00:12:15.319 --> 00:12:16.819 This is not saying that the poor 00:12:16.819 --> 00:12:19.480 are inherently spiritually 00:12:19.480 --> 00:12:22.539 superior to others, 00:12:22.580 --> 00:12:24.179 nor does it mean that those who are rich 00:12:24.179 --> 00:12:27.000 are inherently superiorly inferior 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:29.179 or acceptable or not acceptable. 00:12:29.359 --> 00:12:30.500 That's not what the point 00:12:30.500 --> 00:12:31.719 of the parable is. 00:12:32.459 --> 00:12:34.799 But what I want to take from you 00:12:34.799 --> 00:12:36.000 is in the first century, 00:12:36.099 --> 00:12:37.259 this would have been a surprise, 00:12:37.679 --> 00:12:38.379 this reversal. 00:12:39.579 --> 00:12:41.259 The question I want to ask you is, 00:12:41.339 --> 00:12:43.299 who do you think gets into heaven today? 00:12:46.259 --> 00:12:46.819 Interesting. 00:12:47.179 --> 00:12:48.979 Lifeway Research did some 00:12:48.979 --> 00:12:50.099 interesting research 00:12:50.100 --> 00:12:52.420 and said that 60% of Americans 00:12:52.420 --> 00:12:53.379 think that people are 00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:54.460 pretty much good. 00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:58.860 And while every culture 00:12:58.860 --> 00:13:00.060 will have its own subset 00:13:00.060 --> 00:13:01.379 of what they think is good 00:13:01.379 --> 00:13:02.220 or good enough, 00:13:03.540 --> 00:13:05.379 I think the prevailing view 00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:06.480 in our world today, 00:13:07.040 --> 00:13:08.800 and maybe even in our own hearts, 00:13:09.800 --> 00:13:11.600 is that good people 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:15.080 probably don't deserve hell. 00:13:17.379 --> 00:13:19.940 Hell is for really bad people. 00:13:21.060 --> 00:13:22.220 People who do... 00:13:22.220 --> 00:13:23.240 Now, and you can define 00:13:23.240 --> 00:13:24.200 really bad things. 00:13:24.340 --> 00:13:25.180 You know, you can define 00:13:25.180 --> 00:13:26.680 really bad as not recycling. 00:13:27.040 --> 00:13:28.379 You know, we can... 00:13:28.379 --> 00:13:30.000 We'll all have different standards 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:31.960 of what we think is really bad 00:13:31.960 --> 00:13:32.820 and not bad. 00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:37.519 But I think most of us, 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:39.180 if you really push us, 00:13:39.560 --> 00:13:40.720 do we really think 00:13:40.720 --> 00:13:44.860 that good people 00:13:44.860 --> 00:13:47.000 should get into heaven? 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:49.840 And there's a church version 00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:51.139 of good people too, 00:13:51.200 --> 00:13:51.659 isn't there? 00:13:51.820 --> 00:13:52.840 I come to church. 00:13:53.059 --> 00:13:55.779 I give my money to the church. 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:57.279 I find a place to serve. 00:13:57.779 --> 00:13:59.519 I'm a good community participant. 00:13:59.720 --> 00:14:00.779 Isn't that enough? 00:14:05.960 --> 00:14:07.120 I was... 00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:08.279 Some of you have heard me 00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:09.360 talk about this before, 00:14:09.580 --> 00:14:13.480 but back in the 1990s, 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:16.120 there was a very momentous week 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:16.800 in my life 00:14:16.800 --> 00:14:18.120 because my grandfather 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:18.899 passed away 00:14:18.899 --> 00:14:20.680 the same week 00:14:20.680 --> 00:14:21.800 that Ted Bundy did. 00:14:22.200 --> 00:14:23.460 Some of you may be too young 00:14:23.460 --> 00:14:25.019 to remember who Ted Bundy was, 00:14:25.080 --> 00:14:26.320 but he was a serial killer 00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:28.560 who was really atrocious. 00:14:29.320 --> 00:14:30.940 He was a truly... 00:14:30.940 --> 00:14:31.920 The things he did 00:14:31.920 --> 00:14:32.759 were truly evil. 00:14:34.539 --> 00:14:36.539 And yet, rumor has it 00:14:36.539 --> 00:14:37.820 that Ted Bundy, 00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:39.039 on death row, 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:40.300 before his execution, 00:14:40.299 --> 00:14:42.339 repented of his sin 00:14:42.339 --> 00:14:43.500 and trusted in Jesus 00:14:43.500 --> 00:14:45.219 for his salvation. 00:14:46.539 --> 00:14:47.479 My grandfather 00:14:47.479 --> 00:14:49.779 was a great philanthropist. 00:14:50.359 --> 00:14:51.079 The library 00:14:51.079 --> 00:14:52.419 in Weston, Massachusetts 00:14:52.419 --> 00:14:54.079 has a plaque on the wall 00:14:54.079 --> 00:14:55.659 because he gave 00:14:55.659 --> 00:14:57.000 most of the money 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:57.919 for it to be built. 00:14:58.679 --> 00:15:00.919 He was an upstanding citizen 00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:01.819 in every way. 00:15:01.959 --> 00:15:03.000 He would have been seen 00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:03.939 as a good man 00:15:03.939 --> 00:15:04.779 in the community 00:15:04.779 --> 00:15:06.079 in every way. 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:08.299 But he had no concern 00:15:08.299 --> 00:15:09.759 for God in his life. 00:15:10.779 --> 00:15:11.679 And he had no faith 00:15:11.679 --> 00:15:12.279 in Christ. 00:15:15.199 --> 00:15:16.699 The gospel tells us 00:15:16.699 --> 00:15:17.639 that all have sinned 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:18.219 and fall short 00:15:18.219 --> 00:15:19.219 of the glory of God. 00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:21.659 And that the basis 00:15:21.659 --> 00:15:22.379 upon which 00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:23.299 we get into heaven 00:15:23.299 --> 00:15:24.479 is not our goodness 00:15:24.479 --> 00:15:25.699 or our badness. 00:15:28.059 --> 00:15:29.219 But it is, in fact, 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:30.059 our abandonment 00:15:30.059 --> 00:15:31.120 of all of our attempts 00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:32.179 to save ourselves 00:15:32.179 --> 00:15:33.279 or to prove ourselves 00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:33.919 good enough 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:35.740 to God on our own 00:15:35.740 --> 00:15:37.539 and to trust wholly 00:15:37.539 --> 00:15:38.219 in Jesus. 00:15:40.299 --> 00:15:43.579 So the first thing 00:15:43.579 --> 00:15:44.699 this parable points us to 00:15:44.699 --> 00:15:46.120 is a surprising sense 00:15:46.120 --> 00:15:48.240 of who gets into heaven. 00:15:50.199 --> 00:15:51.179 The second thing 00:15:51.179 --> 00:15:53.179 this parable points us to 00:15:53.179 --> 00:15:54.000 is that the weight 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:54.659 of eternity 00:15:54.659 --> 00:15:56.679 is greater 00:15:56.679 --> 00:15:59.120 than we assume. 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:01.479 The picture of comfort 00:16:01.479 --> 00:16:02.579 at Abraham's bosom 00:16:02.579 --> 00:16:04.159 is a beautiful one. 00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:05.159 It is saying 00:16:05.159 --> 00:16:06.779 heaven is going to be 00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:07.599 the fulfillment 00:16:07.599 --> 00:16:08.779 of all of your hopes. 00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:09.419 Right? 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:10.799 This man in his life 00:16:10.799 --> 00:16:13.139 longed for comfort, 00:16:14.579 --> 00:16:16.419 for food, 00:16:16.699 --> 00:16:17.399 for provision, 00:16:18.059 --> 00:16:18.980 for relief 00:16:18.980 --> 00:16:20.139 from his sufferings. 00:16:20.459 --> 00:16:21.319 And when he was 00:16:21.319 --> 00:16:22.539 carried by the angels 00:16:22.539 --> 00:16:23.360 up to the bosom 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:24.579 of Abraham, 00:16:24.959 --> 00:16:26.220 to the side of Abraham, 00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:27.259 he was, in fact, 00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:28.639 welcomed and embraced 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:30.139 and all of the things 00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:31.000 he longed for 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:32.039 were his. 00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:35.559 And so the comfort 00:16:35.559 --> 00:16:36.419 was wonderful. 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:38.240 And yet, 00:16:39.059 --> 00:16:40.159 the contrast again 00:16:40.159 --> 00:16:41.000 is strong here. 00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:42.219 The torment 00:16:42.219 --> 00:16:43.179 was great. 00:16:44.679 --> 00:16:46.219 If you look at verse 25, 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:47.199 you see this. 00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:48.539 Well, 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:50.059 and even verse 24, 00:16:50.719 --> 00:16:52.240 the man cries out 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:53.459 and asks for help 00:16:53.459 --> 00:16:54.699 from Father Abraham, 00:16:54.700 --> 00:16:56.480 please come and 00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:58.080 cool my tongue 00:16:58.080 --> 00:16:59.300 for I am in anguish 00:16:59.300 --> 00:17:00.759 in this flame. 00:17:04.840 --> 00:17:06.400 The Bible depicts 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:06.819 hell 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:08.580 as a terrible place 00:17:08.580 --> 00:17:09.299 to be. 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:10.420 It is a place 00:17:10.420 --> 00:17:11.299 of torment 00:17:11.299 --> 00:17:12.740 and anguish. 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:13.519 Now, 00:17:13.600 --> 00:17:14.299 let's just stop 00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:15.019 and think about this 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:15.380 for a while 00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:16.259 because we don't talk 00:17:16.259 --> 00:17:17.180 about this very much, 00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:17.559 do we? 00:17:18.100 --> 00:17:19.019 We don't talk about 00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:20.299 it's a pretty distasteful 00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:21.340 thought for us today 00:17:21.340 --> 00:17:22.059 in our culture. 00:17:22.059 --> 00:17:23.519 you are thought 00:17:23.519 --> 00:17:25.319 a cruel 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:26.579 and unkind person 00:17:26.579 --> 00:17:27.799 to think that 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:28.720 someone might go 00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:29.240 to hell 00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:30.179 unless you're really 00:17:30.179 --> 00:17:30.919 angry at them 00:17:30.919 --> 00:17:31.639 and then you just, 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:32.819 it just comes out 00:17:32.819 --> 00:17:33.679 and then you wish 00:17:33.679 --> 00:17:34.359 you hadn't said it 00:17:34.359 --> 00:17:35.259 because you really 00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:35.819 don't want it. 00:17:36.119 --> 00:17:36.519 But, 00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:37.679 here's the reality. 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:39.099 We are uncomfortable 00:17:39.099 --> 00:17:40.559 in our culture today 00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:42.599 in a tolerant culture, 00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:43.460 in a tolerance 00:17:43.460 --> 00:17:44.259 of trying to seek 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:44.839 understanding, 00:17:45.099 --> 00:17:45.960 we're uncomfortable 00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:46.960 with hell. 00:17:48.539 --> 00:17:49.019 And yet, 00:17:49.119 --> 00:17:49.679 we know that 00:17:49.679 --> 00:17:50.500 the Bible talks 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.379 about it a lot. 00:17:52.059 --> 00:17:54.460 let me just give 00:17:54.460 --> 00:17:55.339 a couple of thoughts 00:17:55.339 --> 00:17:56.179 on this. 00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:56.980 First of all, 00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:59.079 one of the ways 00:17:59.079 --> 00:18:00.460 that has been 00:18:00.460 --> 00:18:01.000 most helpful 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:01.819 for me to think 00:18:01.819 --> 00:18:02.399 about hell 00:18:02.399 --> 00:18:03.559 is that there are 00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:04.119 some people 00:18:04.119 --> 00:18:05.619 that I truly do think 00:18:05.619 --> 00:18:06.500 deserve judgment. 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:07.779 Okay? 00:18:08.599 --> 00:18:09.359 This weekend, 00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:10.659 we had in our world 00:18:10.659 --> 00:18:11.440 yet another 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:12.859 terrible attack 00:18:12.859 --> 00:18:14.019 where someone 00:18:14.019 --> 00:18:14.940 out of hatred 00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:16.099 of another 00:18:16.099 --> 00:18:16.899 who was different 00:18:16.899 --> 00:18:17.480 from them 00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:19.079 took a gun 00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:19.819 and shot 00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:20.559 and killed 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:21.819 over 50, 00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:23.000 maybe more people. 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:25.899 You want 00:18:25.899 --> 00:18:27.339 justice to happen. 00:18:27.599 --> 00:18:28.139 You want 00:18:28.139 --> 00:18:28.879 that person 00:18:28.879 --> 00:18:29.879 to be judged. 00:18:30.359 --> 00:18:31.000 You want 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:32.019 there to be 00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:33.379 a response 00:18:33.379 --> 00:18:34.079 to evil. 00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:34.139 people. 00:18:38.859 --> 00:18:39.559 And that's 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:40.480 what I want 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:40.859 too, 00:18:41.119 --> 00:18:41.699 I think. 00:18:41.899 --> 00:18:42.379 That's what 00:18:42.379 --> 00:18:43.139 we all want. 00:18:43.179 --> 00:18:43.599 And we can 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:44.460 recognize that 00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:45.480 there are people, 00:18:45.679 --> 00:18:46.119 there are 00:18:46.119 --> 00:18:47.539 sex traffickers 00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.799 and there are 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:50.379 war mongerers 00:18:50.379 --> 00:18:51.399 and there are, 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:52.379 you know, 00:18:52.419 --> 00:18:53.339 we can go on. 00:18:54.299 --> 00:18:55.279 There are some 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:56.079 people who deserve 00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:56.839 to be judged. 00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:57.679 The problem 00:18:57.679 --> 00:18:58.379 is not that 00:18:58.379 --> 00:18:59.019 we don't like 00:18:59.019 --> 00:18:59.419 judgment. 00:18:59.579 --> 00:19:00.019 Ultimately, 00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:00.899 that's just 00:19:00.899 --> 00:19:01.399 untrue. 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.220 The problem 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:02.640 is that we 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:03.040 want to be 00:19:03.040 --> 00:19:03.460 on the right 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:03.880 side. 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:05.060 And we want 00:19:05.060 --> 00:19:05.480 to be far 00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:06.220 enough away 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:07.420 from the wrong 00:19:07.420 --> 00:19:08.740 side that we 00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:09.220 need to give 00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:09.820 a lot of other 00:19:09.820 --> 00:19:10.440 people a lot 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:11.140 of credit and 00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:11.360 say, 00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:11.940 well, you know, 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:12.480 they don't deserve 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:13.000 to be judged 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:13.500 either because 00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:13.860 that's too 00:19:13.860 --> 00:19:14.400 close to me 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:14.759 and I don't 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.140 want to be 00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:15.620 on the wrong 00:19:15.620 --> 00:19:16.519 side of that. 00:19:18.600 --> 00:19:19.340 But I want 00:19:19.340 --> 00:19:20.120 to tap into 00:19:20.120 --> 00:19:21.780 our fundamental 00:19:21.780 --> 00:19:22.759 human desire 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:23.580 that in fact 00:19:23.580 --> 00:19:24.360 we do want 00:19:24.360 --> 00:19:25.100 evil to be 00:19:25.100 --> 00:19:25.580 judged. 00:19:27.580 --> 00:19:28.320 The question 00:19:28.320 --> 00:19:29.280 is not 00:19:29.280 --> 00:19:30.280 whether we 00:19:30.280 --> 00:19:30.780 would want 00:19:30.780 --> 00:19:31.060 that, 00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:31.399 but the 00:19:31.399 --> 00:19:32.059 question is 00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:32.879 where do 00:19:32.879 --> 00:19:33.559 we stand 00:19:33.559 --> 00:19:34.399 in relationship 00:19:34.399 --> 00:19:35.159 to it? 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:37.460 Maybe another 00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:37.980 way to say 00:19:37.980 --> 00:19:38.859 it is that 00:19:38.859 --> 00:19:39.379 a God 00:19:39.379 --> 00:19:41.460 without judgment 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:42.319 is a God 00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:42.679 who would 00:19:42.679 --> 00:19:43.679 ignore evil. 00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:45.359 This is not 00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:45.740 good. 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:49.000 Second thing 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:49.460 about hell 00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:49.879 that I want 00:19:49.879 --> 00:19:50.339 to say is 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:50.720 that there 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:52.500 are pictures 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:53.179 here, right? 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.159 Flames, 00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:55.960 fire. 00:19:57.919 --> 00:19:58.539 What is 00:19:58.539 --> 00:19:58.940 that all 00:19:58.940 --> 00:19:59.240 about? 00:19:59.240 --> 00:20:00.200 There's 00:20:00.200 --> 00:20:00.720 been lots 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:01.680 of conversation 00:20:01.680 --> 00:20:03.240 about how 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:03.819 literal or 00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:04.380 not literal 00:20:04.380 --> 00:20:05.059 this picture 00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:05.519 is. 00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:06.519 I think 00:20:06.519 --> 00:20:07.059 that Jesus 00:20:07.059 --> 00:20:07.640 is tapping 00:20:07.640 --> 00:20:08.099 into a 00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:08.759 first century 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.839 view that 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:10.660 these two 00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:12.460 pictures would 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.400 be that there 00:20:13.400 --> 00:20:13.839 was some 00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:14.859 sense of an 00:20:14.859 --> 00:20:15.380 intermediate 00:20:15.380 --> 00:20:16.839 place on 00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:17.460 your way to 00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:17.940 your eternal 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:18.680 destinies, 00:20:19.220 --> 00:20:21.620 that Jesus 00:20:21.620 --> 00:20:22.299 is using 00:20:22.299 --> 00:20:22.720 what would 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:23.579 be a 00:20:23.579 --> 00:20:24.000 culturally 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:24.680 understood 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:25.460 form. 00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:26.240 although even 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:27.039 in the 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:27.340 cultural 00:20:27.340 --> 00:20:27.799 understanding 00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:28.039 of the 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:28.279 day, 00:20:28.279 --> 00:20:28.720 that did 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:29.380 not mean 00:20:29.380 --> 00:20:30.460 that there 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:30.840 was a 00:20:30.840 --> 00:20:31.539 chance for 00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:33.200 switching over. 00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:34.720 But he's 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.259 using this 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:35.720 imagery, 00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:37.140 and with that 00:20:37.140 --> 00:20:37.779 imagery then, 00:20:37.860 --> 00:20:38.600 he uses this 00:20:38.600 --> 00:20:39.200 imagery of 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:39.840 flames and 00:20:39.840 --> 00:20:40.180 fire. 00:20:40.940 --> 00:20:41.340 And we 00:20:41.340 --> 00:20:41.600 think, 00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:41.960 really? 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:42.980 It's just 00:20:42.980 --> 00:20:43.420 kind of 00:20:43.420 --> 00:20:44.140 incredulous. 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:45.299 And some 00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:45.680 of us, 00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:46.360 out of desire 00:20:46.360 --> 00:20:46.640 to say, 00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:46.840 no, 00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:47.420 the Bible's 00:20:47.420 --> 00:20:47.680 literal, 00:20:47.819 --> 00:20:48.200 this is what 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:48.680 it says, 00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:49.220 says, 00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:49.400 well, 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:49.600 no, 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:49.960 there have 00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:50.220 to be 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:50.940 real flames. 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:53.380 Tim Keller 00:20:53.380 --> 00:20:54.259 says this 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:55.360 in response 00:20:55.360 --> 00:20:55.779 to that, 00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:57.480 to say that 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.019 the scriptural 00:20:58.019 --> 00:20:58.640 image of 00:20:58.640 --> 00:20:59.559 hellfire is 00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:00.160 not wholly 00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:01.980 literal should 00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:02.620 be of no 00:21:02.620 --> 00:21:03.180 comfort 00:21:03.180 --> 00:21:04.240 whatsoever. 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:06.299 The reality 00:21:06.299 --> 00:21:07.140 will be far 00:21:07.140 --> 00:21:08.420 worse than 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:09.000 the image. 00:21:10.080 --> 00:21:10.740 What then 00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:11.220 are the, 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:11.559 quote, 00:21:11.640 --> 00:21:12.420 fire and, 00:21:12.600 --> 00:21:12.700 quote, 00:21:12.779 --> 00:21:13.140 darkness 00:21:13.140 --> 00:21:13.980 symbols for? 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:14.799 They are 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:15.779 vivid ways to 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:16.580 describe what 00:21:16.580 --> 00:21:17.259 happens when 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:18.059 we lose the 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:18.860 presence of 00:21:18.860 --> 00:21:19.259 God. 00:21:20.039 --> 00:21:20.380 Darkness 00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:21.180 refers to 00:21:21.180 --> 00:21:21.940 the isolation 00:21:21.940 --> 00:21:23.200 and fire 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:23.700 to the 00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:24.660 disintegration 00:21:24.660 --> 00:21:25.460 of being 00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:26.000 separated 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:26.800 from God. 00:21:27.800 --> 00:21:28.660 Away from 00:21:28.660 --> 00:21:29.200 the favor 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:29.980 and face 00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:30.540 of God, 00:21:30.600 --> 00:21:31.540 we literally, 00:21:32.540 --> 00:21:33.060 horrifically, 00:21:33.360 --> 00:21:34.100 and endlessly 00:21:34.100 --> 00:21:35.360 fall apart. 00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:38.800 When God 00:21:38.800 --> 00:21:39.420 brings his 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:40.420 judgment on 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:40.860 us, 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:41.860 when he 00:21:41.860 --> 00:21:42.640 casts us 00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:43.480 away from 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:44.180 him in 00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:44.800 his righteous 00:21:44.800 --> 00:21:45.400 wrath, 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:48.140 we are 00:21:48.140 --> 00:21:48.560 separate 00:21:48.560 --> 00:21:50.360 from him. 00:21:50.380 --> 00:21:50.980 in such 00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:51.540 a profound 00:21:51.540 --> 00:21:51.980 way. 00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:53.800 And it 00:21:53.800 --> 00:21:54.500 is terrible. 00:21:55.060 --> 00:21:55.600 And it 00:21:55.600 --> 00:21:56.280 is horrible. 00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:58.600 And at 00:21:58.600 --> 00:21:59.020 times in 00:21:59.020 --> 00:21:59.440 the past, 00:21:59.520 --> 00:21:59.920 the church 00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:00.460 may have 00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:02.720 over-literalized 00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:03.280 and used 00:22:03.280 --> 00:22:03.920 this as a 00:22:03.920 --> 00:22:04.640 cheap threat. 00:22:05.280 --> 00:22:05.960 But in 00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:06.460 fact, 00:22:07.300 --> 00:22:08.800 that cheap 00:22:08.800 --> 00:22:09.300 threat was 00:22:09.300 --> 00:22:09.920 pointing to 00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:10.760 a much more 00:22:10.760 --> 00:22:11.460 profound 00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:12.980 reality and 00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:13.620 a much more 00:22:13.620 --> 00:22:14.200 profound 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:14.900 warning. 00:22:14.900 --> 00:22:14.980 thing. 00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:20.120 This man, 00:22:20.320 --> 00:22:20.940 the rich man, 00:22:21.040 --> 00:22:21.660 ended up in 00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:21.940 hell, 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.700 not because he 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:24.259 was rich 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:24.960 completely, 00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:27.960 but because in 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:29.019 his riches he 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:30.180 refused the 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:30.900 word of God. 00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:32.900 He ignored the 00:22:32.900 --> 00:22:33.660 poor man at 00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:34.140 his gate. 00:22:34.300 --> 00:22:34.680 He did 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:35.900 nothing to 00:22:35.900 --> 00:22:36.660 share from 00:22:36.660 --> 00:22:37.620 what he had 00:22:37.620 --> 00:22:38.840 to bless the 00:22:38.840 --> 00:22:39.519 person who 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.720 was in need 00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:41.660 right before 00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:42.060 him. 00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:44.019 not only 00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:44.299 that, 00:22:44.379 --> 00:22:44.639 but you 00:22:44.639 --> 00:22:45.240 begin to 00:22:45.240 --> 00:22:46.679 see in 00:22:46.679 --> 00:22:47.619 his response 00:22:47.619 --> 00:22:48.159 to his 00:22:48.159 --> 00:22:48.980 situation in 00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:50.059 heaven or 00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:50.500 in hell. 00:22:50.619 --> 00:22:50.960 Isn't it 00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:51.359 interesting? 00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:51.960 He doesn't 00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:52.220 say, 00:22:52.599 --> 00:22:53.059 please, 00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:53.980 Father Abraham, 00:22:54.119 --> 00:22:54.639 get me out 00:22:54.639 --> 00:22:54.980 of here. 00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:57.299 I know I've 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:57.559 sinned. 00:22:57.619 --> 00:22:58.000 I know I 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.919 deserve this, 00:22:59.359 --> 00:23:00.299 but have 00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:01.159 mercy on me. 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:02.519 Instead he 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:02.759 says, 00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:03.500 have mercy on 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:03.619 me. 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:04.159 Can you give 00:23:04.159 --> 00:23:04.539 me a little 00:23:04.539 --> 00:23:04.980 comfort? 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.599 He doesn't 00:23:10.599 --> 00:23:11.440 even then 00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:11.919 own, 00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:12.500 that he 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:14.200 maybe deserved 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:14.799 to be 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:15.059 there. 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:18.740 And so, 00:23:19.899 --> 00:23:20.960 eternity 00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:21.759 tells us 00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:24.639 that the 00:23:24.639 --> 00:23:25.039 people that 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.779 we see 00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:26.440 get into 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:27.960 heaven or 00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:28.419 hell may 00:23:28.419 --> 00:23:29.379 be surprising. 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:30.179 The second 00:23:30.179 --> 00:23:30.700 thing is that 00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:31.039 the weight 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:31.579 of it is 00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:32.019 serious. 00:23:32.639 --> 00:23:33.039 And the 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:33.619 third thing 00:23:33.619 --> 00:23:34.480 is that 00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:35.579 eternity 00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:36.639 is just 00:23:36.639 --> 00:23:37.039 that. 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:37.700 It is 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:38.240 eternal. 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:40.220 I want 00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:41.059 to just 00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:41.460 sit there 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:41.779 for a 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:42.079 minute and 00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:42.579 think about 00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:42.920 what does 00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:43.440 that mean? 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:43.960 Because I 00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:44.480 think that 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:45.620 part of 00:23:45.620 --> 00:23:45.900 what you 00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:46.400 see very 00:23:46.400 --> 00:23:47.180 clearly here 00:23:47.180 --> 00:23:47.759 is particularly 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:48.220 in verse 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:48.900 26. 00:23:49.860 --> 00:23:50.759 Abraham says, 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:51.380 this is a 00:23:51.380 --> 00:23:51.940 chasm that 00:23:51.940 --> 00:23:52.660 cannot be 00:23:52.660 --> 00:23:53.160 crossed. 00:23:54.140 --> 00:23:54.799 Though there 00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:55.620 was in the 00:23:55.620 --> 00:23:56.100 story, 00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:56.880 in the 00:23:56.880 --> 00:23:57.420 metaphorical 00:23:57.420 --> 00:23:57.660 story, 00:23:57.740 --> 00:23:58.039 you could 00:23:58.039 --> 00:23:59.079 view a 00:23:59.079 --> 00:23:59.579 cross and 00:23:59.579 --> 00:24:00.079 communicate 00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:00.900 a cross. 00:24:00.900 --> 00:24:00.940 cross. 00:24:01.580 --> 00:24:02.360 In the 00:24:02.360 --> 00:24:03.060 end of 00:24:03.060 --> 00:24:03.640 the day, 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:07.320 what happens 00:24:07.320 --> 00:24:07.900 in eternity 00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:08.720 is fixed. 00:24:08.900 --> 00:24:09.460 This is what 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:09.980 the Hebrews 00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:10.900 passage ended 00:24:10.900 --> 00:24:11.500 with that we 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.120 read earlier 00:24:12.120 --> 00:24:12.740 this morning. 00:24:13.300 --> 00:24:14.140 That as human 00:24:14.140 --> 00:24:15.040 beings, we are 00:24:15.040 --> 00:24:16.180 to live one 00:24:16.180 --> 00:24:17.560 life and 00:24:17.560 --> 00:24:18.200 then to die 00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:19.660 once and 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:20.300 then to face 00:24:20.300 --> 00:24:20.759 judgment. 00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:22.560 And what 00:24:22.560 --> 00:24:23.320 happens when 00:24:23.320 --> 00:24:24.200 that happens, 00:24:24.580 --> 00:24:25.820 at the end of 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.379 our human 00:24:26.379 --> 00:24:27.259 lives here, 00:24:28.819 --> 00:24:30.879 that judgment 00:24:30.879 --> 00:24:31.279 is an 00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:32.039 eternal one. 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:33.659 There is no 00:24:33.659 --> 00:24:34.379 going back. 00:24:34.639 --> 00:24:35.279 There are no 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:36.220 second chances. 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:38.159 There are no 00:24:38.159 --> 00:24:39.179 ways to say, 00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:40.419 well, I 00:24:40.419 --> 00:24:41.119 didn't mean it. 00:24:41.179 --> 00:24:41.740 Can I get a 00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:42.240 do-over? 00:24:47.679 --> 00:24:48.579 And that's a 00:24:48.579 --> 00:24:49.659 very sobering 00:24:49.659 --> 00:24:50.059 thought. 00:24:52.419 --> 00:24:53.740 It also is a 00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:54.740 very dignifying 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.139 thought. 00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:56.020 It means that 00:24:56.020 --> 00:24:56.900 our life now 00:24:56.900 --> 00:24:57.540 matters. 00:24:58.840 --> 00:24:59.740 God gives us 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:01.580 this life to 00:25:01.580 --> 00:25:02.440 respond to 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:04.180 Him as He 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:04.640 would have 00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:05.000 us. 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.980 He gives us 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:11.920 this life to 00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:12.620 respond to 00:25:12.620 --> 00:25:14.680 His word with 00:25:14.680 --> 00:25:15.340 faith and 00:25:15.340 --> 00:25:15.960 trust and 00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:16.460 belief. 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:18.180 He gives us 00:25:18.180 --> 00:25:19.140 this life to 00:25:19.140 --> 00:25:20.280 turn from sin 00:25:20.280 --> 00:25:21.820 and from a 00:25:21.820 --> 00:25:22.680 life apart from 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:22.980 Him. 00:25:25.140 --> 00:25:26.100 and a 00:25:26.100 --> 00:25:27.020 holy trust in 00:25:27.020 --> 00:25:27.759 Jesus' name. 00:25:33.820 --> 00:25:34.520 This would 00:25:34.520 --> 00:25:34.900 have been a 00:25:34.900 --> 00:25:36.080 great sermon 00:25:36.080 --> 00:25:37.100 if I could just 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.740 end it right 00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:38.060 now. 00:25:39.560 --> 00:25:40.180 And the 00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:41.540 parable feels 00:25:41.540 --> 00:25:42.040 like it's 00:25:42.040 --> 00:25:42.460 done. 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:43.880 Okay, now we 00:25:43.880 --> 00:25:45.140 know what Jesus 00:25:45.140 --> 00:25:46.180 wants to tell us 00:25:46.180 --> 00:25:46.860 and He's warning 00:25:46.860 --> 00:25:48.040 people. 00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:48.540 But the 00:25:48.540 --> 00:25:49.220 interesting thing 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:49.980 is this parable 00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:50.740 goes on. 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:52.539 It doesn't just 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:53.220 tell us about 00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:54.099 eternity in these 00:25:54.099 --> 00:25:54.539 ways. 00:25:55.120 --> 00:25:55.720 But the 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.620 parable goes on 00:25:56.620 --> 00:25:57.960 to talk about 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:59.299 how then do we 00:25:59.299 --> 00:26:00.539 think about who 00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:01.240 is it that does 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:01.960 get into heaven? 00:26:02.180 --> 00:26:03.019 How is it that we 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:04.180 think about how do 00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:05.099 we respond to 00:26:05.099 --> 00:26:05.500 this? 00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:09.420 I think at the 00:26:09.420 --> 00:26:10.140 core of it what 00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:10.900 Jesus is saying 00:26:10.900 --> 00:26:11.720 is this, that 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:12.200 the heart of 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:13.259 eternity is in 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:14.380 the heart. 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:17.160 Part of the 00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:17.680 reason that I 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.599 say that is the 00:26:18.599 --> 00:26:20.599 context going 00:26:20.599 --> 00:26:21.240 back to verse 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:22.259 15 when it 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:23.140 says God 00:26:23.140 --> 00:26:25.059 knows your 00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:25.700 heart. 00:26:28.619 --> 00:26:29.259 Because it 00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:30.039 sure seems like 00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:30.839 this whole parable 00:26:30.839 --> 00:26:31.500 is a warning 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:33.519 to the Pharisees, 00:26:33.700 --> 00:26:34.180 doesn't it? 00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:35.920 you go back to 00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:36.600 the rich man and 00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:37.180 you think about 00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:37.940 it as we've 00:26:37.940 --> 00:26:38.460 already talked 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:38.660 about. 00:26:38.860 --> 00:26:39.680 He has not 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:40.920 treated Lazarus 00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:41.980 well in life. 00:26:43.080 --> 00:26:43.960 He did not 00:26:43.960 --> 00:26:45.100 respond to the 00:26:45.100 --> 00:26:45.779 need of this 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:47.000 man before him. 00:26:47.160 --> 00:26:47.860 The man whose 00:26:47.860 --> 00:26:48.820 very name says 00:26:48.820 --> 00:26:49.799 God helps him. 00:26:51.860 --> 00:26:52.700 Instead he's 00:26:52.700 --> 00:26:53.380 ignored him. 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:55.000 He's ignored 00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:55.620 God and 00:26:55.620 --> 00:26:56.460 ignored God's 00:26:56.460 --> 00:26:57.019 word and 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.560 ignored the 00:26:57.560 --> 00:26:58.140 need in front 00:26:58.140 --> 00:26:58.500 of him. 00:26:59.259 --> 00:27:00.000 This has been 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.640 a broader 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:01.480 theme that we've 00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:02.160 seen throughout 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:02.680 the book of 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.180 Luke, isn't 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:03.380 it? 00:27:03.380 --> 00:27:04.140 That the 00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:05.280 material possessions 00:27:05.280 --> 00:27:05.900 and the things 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:06.700 we do with our 00:27:06.700 --> 00:27:07.420 money and our 00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:08.160 stuff and our 00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:08.900 time and our 00:27:08.900 --> 00:27:10.880 love, that these 00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:12.080 make a difference 00:27:12.080 --> 00:27:13.980 because they're the 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.980 expressions of the 00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:15.900 kingdom of God and 00:27:15.900 --> 00:27:16.840 if we claim to be 00:27:16.840 --> 00:27:17.760 followers of Jesus, 00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:19.180 these things ought to 00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:21.540 be true of us as a 00:27:21.540 --> 00:27:22.500 result of our 00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:24.160 salvation, as an 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:25.140 outworking of it. 00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:28.380 This man didn't 00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:31.360 exhibit those 00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:32.899 characteristics on 00:27:32.899 --> 00:27:33.299 earth. 00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:35.619 And when he then 00:27:35.619 --> 00:27:39.199 gets to hell, part 00:27:39.199 --> 00:27:40.339 of his attitude seems 00:27:40.339 --> 00:27:41.699 to be, I don't 00:27:41.699 --> 00:27:42.579 deserve this. 00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:45.119 I deserve relief 00:27:45.119 --> 00:27:45.740 from this. 00:27:45.879 --> 00:27:46.699 Please, Abraham, 00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:47.679 give me relief. 00:27:48.719 --> 00:27:49.919 Maybe Lazarus, your 00:27:49.919 --> 00:27:51.299 servant boy, can come 00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:51.899 and help me. 00:27:51.900 --> 00:27:57.720 recognize that the rich 00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:58.780 man here has not 00:27:58.780 --> 00:28:00.740 suddenly become a 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.680 sympathetic figure. 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:03.800 He continues in his 00:28:03.800 --> 00:28:04.220 arrogance. 00:28:05.220 --> 00:28:06.280 Lazarus should come and 00:28:06.280 --> 00:28:08.380 serve me in my 00:28:08.380 --> 00:28:08.720 torment. 00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:11.320 And then this whole 00:28:11.320 --> 00:28:11.880 thing with the 00:28:11.880 --> 00:28:12.840 brothers, what is 00:28:12.840 --> 00:28:13.940 Jesus pointing to when 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.460 he says that? 00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:16.279 I think what he's 00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:18.360 saying is, look, 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.660 Jesus, I don't think 00:28:19.660 --> 00:28:20.819 that this is my fault 00:28:20.819 --> 00:28:21.779 because I don't think 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:22.840 I truly understand. 00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:24.160 No one came to me 00:28:24.160 --> 00:28:24.980 from the dead and 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.579 said, look, it's 00:28:25.579 --> 00:28:26.360 really bad. 00:28:26.720 --> 00:28:27.779 Don't do this. 00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:28.720 Change now. 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:31.279 It wasn't my fault. 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.680 I didn't know enough. 00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:34.160 But maybe my brothers 00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:35.299 would respond differently, 00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:36.360 so go tell them. 00:28:36.359 --> 00:28:44.039 His heart is not even 00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:45.699 in hell and in 00:28:45.699 --> 00:28:48.259 torment, responding 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:49.919 with a brokenness or 00:28:49.919 --> 00:28:51.019 a recognition that, 00:28:51.219 --> 00:28:51.919 in fact, he did 00:28:51.919 --> 00:28:52.679 deserve it. 00:28:56.479 --> 00:28:57.639 And Abraham rebukes 00:28:57.639 --> 00:28:58.879 him and reveals this 00:28:58.879 --> 00:28:59.240 to him. 00:28:59.279 --> 00:28:59.899 He says, no. 00:29:00.939 --> 00:29:01.500 No. 00:29:01.879 --> 00:29:03.299 They have Moses and 00:29:03.299 --> 00:29:04.479 the prophets just like 00:29:04.479 --> 00:29:05.719 you did, and they're 00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:06.339 not living any 00:29:06.339 --> 00:29:07.100 differently than you 00:29:07.100 --> 00:29:07.339 are. 00:29:07.900 --> 00:29:08.519 Don't think they're 00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:09.180 going to change. 00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:11.660 Even if someone from 00:29:11.660 --> 00:29:12.940 the dead comes and 00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:13.819 speaks to them, 00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:16.600 because the heart of 00:29:16.600 --> 00:29:17.700 eternity has to do 00:29:17.700 --> 00:29:18.400 with your heart 00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:19.100 response. 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:21.140 And if your heart 00:29:21.140 --> 00:29:21.940 isn't willing to 00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:22.759 believe the things 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.460 you do know, 00:29:24.860 --> 00:29:27.400 you're not going to 00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:28.160 respond to something 00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:30.319 new and different. 00:29:31.920 --> 00:29:32.779 Recognize that what 00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:33.839 Jesus is doing is, 00:29:34.259 --> 00:29:35.160 in this, he is 00:29:35.160 --> 00:29:38.420 very poetically but 00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:39.500 very directly 00:29:39.500 --> 00:29:40.420 confronting the 00:29:40.420 --> 00:29:41.019 Pharisees. 00:29:41.540 --> 00:29:42.820 He is saying, you 00:29:42.820 --> 00:29:44.100 know the law and 00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:44.640 the prophets. 00:29:45.540 --> 00:29:48.040 You know that they 00:29:48.040 --> 00:29:49.759 called on God's 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:52.279 people to not be 00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:53.320 lovers of money but 00:29:53.320 --> 00:29:54.840 to love mercy and 00:29:54.840 --> 00:29:57.140 justice and the poor 00:29:57.140 --> 00:29:58.120 and the needy. 00:29:58.119 --> 00:30:02.159 you know that God's 00:30:02.159 --> 00:30:03.899 word called Israel to 00:30:03.899 --> 00:30:04.939 be a light to the 00:30:04.939 --> 00:30:06.699 nations and you 00:30:06.699 --> 00:30:07.619 have made it a 00:30:07.619 --> 00:30:09.379 sectarian, selfish 00:30:09.379 --> 00:30:10.000 empire. 00:30:13.779 --> 00:30:14.679 And most 00:30:14.679 --> 00:30:19.479 importantly, having 00:30:19.479 --> 00:30:20.219 been rich and 00:30:20.219 --> 00:30:21.399 ignoring the poor, you 00:30:21.399 --> 00:30:23.059 also have ignored God's 00:30:23.059 --> 00:30:24.500 word which is now 00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:25.679 living right in front 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:26.039 of you. 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:28.400 As the Bible says, 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:29.980 God spoke in various 00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:30.720 ways through the 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:31.519 prophets and through 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:32.519 Moses but in his 00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:33.720 last day he spoke 00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:35.440 through Jesus Christ 00:30:35.440 --> 00:30:36.060 himself. 00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:38.019 And Jesus is 00:30:38.019 --> 00:30:38.779 confronting the 00:30:38.779 --> 00:30:40.340 Pharisees and saying 00:30:40.340 --> 00:30:41.519 to them, will you 00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:43.660 respond to me now? 00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:47.080 And here's the irony 00:30:47.080 --> 00:30:48.120 of it, right? 00:30:48.560 --> 00:30:49.580 In the parable, 00:30:49.840 --> 00:30:50.860 Lazarus' brothers, 00:30:51.320 --> 00:30:52.220 or the rich man's 00:30:52.220 --> 00:30:53.320 brothers don't get any 00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:55.539 second chance, right? 00:30:56.700 --> 00:30:57.799 But the whole point of 00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:59.079 the parable is for 00:30:59.079 --> 00:31:00.279 Jesus talking to the 00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:01.579 crowd in front of him 00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:03.439 to say, you now do 00:31:03.439 --> 00:31:04.399 have that chance. 00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:06.299 You can now respond 00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:08.399 right now differently 00:31:08.399 --> 00:31:09.659 than what you are. 00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:12.720 Rather than ridiculing 00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:14.539 and hardening your 00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:16.000 hearts, you can respond 00:31:16.000 --> 00:31:17.700 to this word right 00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:18.319 now. 00:31:18.319 --> 00:31:22.059 And Luke's 00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:22.619 audience, 00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:24.220 reading this 00:31:24.220 --> 00:31:26.059 after the 00:31:26.059 --> 00:31:26.619 resurrection, 00:31:27.859 --> 00:31:29.460 must just chuckle 00:31:29.460 --> 00:31:30.119 at the irony. 00:31:33.879 --> 00:31:35.399 Because one did 00:31:35.399 --> 00:31:36.579 come back from the 00:31:36.579 --> 00:31:37.519 dead, didn't he? 00:31:40.960 --> 00:31:42.139 And even then, 00:31:42.379 --> 00:31:43.339 not all believe. 00:31:43.339 --> 00:31:48.899 Not all responded 00:31:48.899 --> 00:31:50.579 to the resurrected 00:31:50.579 --> 00:31:51.699 word of God. 00:31:53.359 --> 00:31:54.559 And so, this 00:31:54.559 --> 00:31:55.959 message, this 00:31:55.959 --> 00:31:56.879 parable is a 00:31:56.879 --> 00:31:57.220 warning. 00:31:58.139 --> 00:31:59.439 It is a warning 00:31:59.439 --> 00:32:01.279 to us that 00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:02.199 our hearts 00:32:02.199 --> 00:32:05.699 need to respond 00:32:05.699 --> 00:32:06.579 to God and 00:32:06.579 --> 00:32:07.359 to His word. 00:32:09.059 --> 00:32:10.059 If you're here 00:32:10.059 --> 00:32:10.899 this morning and 00:32:10.899 --> 00:32:11.959 you haven't responded 00:32:11.960 --> 00:32:14.140 to God in faith, 00:32:15.120 --> 00:32:15.920 forsaking your 00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:17.039 own means of 00:32:17.039 --> 00:32:17.579 trying to get 00:32:17.579 --> 00:32:18.340 into heaven or 00:32:18.340 --> 00:32:19.340 God's good graces 00:32:19.340 --> 00:32:20.079 by your own 00:32:20.079 --> 00:32:22.400 effort, God 00:32:22.400 --> 00:32:22.980 is calling you 00:32:22.980 --> 00:32:23.579 to forsake 00:32:23.579 --> 00:32:24.299 those and to 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:25.279 trust in Him 00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:27.299 today, holy 00:32:27.299 --> 00:32:28.440 and only in 00:32:28.440 --> 00:32:29.019 what Jesus 00:32:29.019 --> 00:32:29.740 has done for 00:32:29.740 --> 00:32:30.079 you. 00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:34.120 And if you're 00:32:34.120 --> 00:32:35.140 here like the 00:32:35.140 --> 00:32:35.900 Pharisee, 00:32:36.700 --> 00:32:37.460 believing that 00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:37.980 your church 00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:38.960 involvement and 00:32:38.960 --> 00:32:40.720 your good works 00:32:40.720 --> 00:32:41.519 and your 00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:43.079 participation in 00:32:43.079 --> 00:32:43.799 our community 00:32:43.799 --> 00:32:44.740 is enough 00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:46.440 without a 00:32:46.440 --> 00:32:47.519 real heart 00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:49.120 submission to 00:32:49.120 --> 00:32:49.960 and response 00:32:49.960 --> 00:32:50.720 to Jesus, 00:32:51.720 --> 00:32:54.960 this parable 00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:55.779 warns us, 00:32:56.380 --> 00:32:57.039 warns you. 00:32:57.039 --> 00:33:00.759 Do you receive 00:33:00.759 --> 00:33:01.659 and follow the 00:33:01.659 --> 00:33:02.299 word of God? 00:33:03.200 --> 00:33:03.940 Do you believe 00:33:03.940 --> 00:33:04.799 in and follow 00:33:04.799 --> 00:33:05.440 Jesus? 00:33:07.000 --> 00:33:07.779 Do you follow 00:33:07.779 --> 00:33:08.639 Him in a way 00:33:08.639 --> 00:33:10.019 where all of 00:33:10.019 --> 00:33:10.519 your life, 00:33:10.659 --> 00:33:11.279 including your 00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:11.879 money and your 00:33:11.879 --> 00:33:12.399 resources, 00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:13.139 are at His 00:33:13.139 --> 00:33:15.420 disposal for 00:33:15.420 --> 00:33:16.259 His glory and 00:33:16.259 --> 00:33:17.019 for His kingdom? 00:33:20.420 --> 00:33:21.319 Now I've said 00:33:21.319 --> 00:33:21.899 that the heart 00:33:21.899 --> 00:33:22.759 of eternity is 00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:23.379 in our hearts 00:33:23.379 --> 00:33:24.859 and what we've 00:33:24.859 --> 00:33:25.639 seen here is 00:33:25.640 --> 00:33:26.500 that this 00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:27.040 parable has 00:33:27.040 --> 00:33:27.920 actually focused 00:33:27.920 --> 00:33:28.120 in. 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:28.700 If you notice, 00:33:28.960 --> 00:33:29.960 Lazarus disappears 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:30.500 halfway through 00:33:30.500 --> 00:33:30.940 the parable, 00:33:31.140 --> 00:33:32.080 right? 00:33:32.440 --> 00:33:33.440 It's really 00:33:33.440 --> 00:33:35.120 about the 00:33:35.120 --> 00:33:35.640 rich man 00:33:35.640 --> 00:33:36.960 and what we've 00:33:36.960 --> 00:33:37.620 seen is the 00:33:37.620 --> 00:33:38.420 picture of his 00:33:38.420 --> 00:33:39.200 hardened heart 00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:40.080 and his 00:33:40.080 --> 00:33:41.100 unwillingness to 00:33:41.100 --> 00:33:42.240 receive God's 00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:42.620 mercy. 00:33:45.020 --> 00:33:45.920 And we need 00:33:45.920 --> 00:33:46.440 to hear that 00:33:46.440 --> 00:33:46.820 warning. 00:33:49.500 --> 00:33:50.220 But the 00:33:50.220 --> 00:33:51.100 reality is that 00:33:51.100 --> 00:33:51.920 our hearts can 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:52.880 only respond 00:33:52.880 --> 00:33:54.720 to God 00:33:54.720 --> 00:33:55.960 when we see 00:33:55.960 --> 00:33:56.600 His heart 00:33:56.600 --> 00:33:57.420 for us. 00:33:59.280 --> 00:33:59.740 You see, 00:33:59.840 --> 00:34:01.420 we zoom back 00:34:01.420 --> 00:34:01.840 from this 00:34:01.840 --> 00:34:02.980 particular parable 00:34:02.980 --> 00:34:04.420 to the whole 00:34:04.420 --> 00:34:04.980 section. 00:34:05.200 --> 00:34:05.460 And if you 00:34:05.460 --> 00:34:06.120 remember when 00:34:06.120 --> 00:34:07.380 Greg introduced 00:34:07.380 --> 00:34:08.480 this section to 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:09.160 us way back 00:34:09.160 --> 00:34:09.940 when, he said, 00:34:10.400 --> 00:34:11.039 this whole section 00:34:11.039 --> 00:34:11.880 in Luke 9 to 00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:13.780 19 is Jesus 00:34:13.780 --> 00:34:14.760 turning from His 00:34:14.760 --> 00:34:15.780 ministry up north 00:34:15.780 --> 00:34:16.940 in Galilee and 00:34:16.940 --> 00:34:17.820 He is turning and 00:34:17.820 --> 00:34:18.760 heading towards 00:34:18.760 --> 00:34:19.380 Jerusalem. 00:34:19.380 --> 00:34:19.519 Jerusalem. 00:34:20.440 --> 00:34:21.500 He has set 00:34:21.500 --> 00:34:22.099 His face 00:34:22.099 --> 00:34:22.980 towards Jerusalem 00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:23.780 which means that 00:34:23.780 --> 00:34:24.220 He has set 00:34:24.220 --> 00:34:24.800 His face 00:34:24.800 --> 00:34:25.920 towards the 00:34:25.920 --> 00:34:26.740 cross and His 00:34:26.740 --> 00:34:27.680 crucifixion and 00:34:27.680 --> 00:34:28.740 His death on 00:34:28.740 --> 00:34:29.640 behalf of sinners. 00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:33.740 And when we 00:34:33.740 --> 00:34:34.220 look at the 00:34:34.220 --> 00:34:35.039 cross, we see 00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:35.619 God's heart 00:34:35.619 --> 00:34:36.420 most clearly. 00:34:37.720 --> 00:34:38.680 We see that 00:34:38.680 --> 00:34:39.559 God cares 00:34:39.559 --> 00:34:40.579 enough about 00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:41.480 good and evil 00:34:41.480 --> 00:34:42.200 that He will 00:34:42.200 --> 00:34:43.039 not let evil 00:34:43.039 --> 00:34:44.079 go unpunished. 00:34:45.720 --> 00:34:46.579 That He will 00:34:46.579 --> 00:34:47.260 not simply 00:34:47.260 --> 00:34:47.860 wave a hand 00:34:47.860 --> 00:34:48.140 and say, 00:34:48.300 --> 00:34:48.920 it's okay. 00:34:50.119 --> 00:34:51.019 But God will 00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:51.599 say, evil 00:34:51.599 --> 00:34:52.320 must be 00:34:52.320 --> 00:34:52.820 punished. 00:34:56.240 --> 00:34:57.099 But then He 00:34:57.099 --> 00:34:57.740 says, but I 00:34:57.740 --> 00:34:59.019 will in My 00:34:59.019 --> 00:34:59.800 mercy and 00:34:59.800 --> 00:35:01.640 grace provide 00:35:01.640 --> 00:35:03.860 a way for 00:35:03.860 --> 00:35:05.000 sinners like 00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:06.019 you and me to 00:35:06.019 --> 00:35:06.960 not be under 00:35:06.960 --> 00:35:07.900 that judgment for 00:35:07.900 --> 00:35:08.740 the evil of our 00:35:08.740 --> 00:35:09.340 own sin. 00:35:11.099 --> 00:35:12.460 He says, evil 00:35:12.460 --> 00:35:13.400 will be punished 00:35:13.400 --> 00:35:14.019 and that's how 00:35:14.019 --> 00:35:15.260 much I care about 00:35:15.260 --> 00:35:15.780 righteousness. 00:35:15.780 --> 00:35:15.860 righteousness. 00:35:18.720 --> 00:35:19.620 But He cares 00:35:19.620 --> 00:35:20.380 enough to send 00:35:20.380 --> 00:35:21.240 Jesus to take 00:35:21.240 --> 00:35:22.140 that for us. 00:35:22.680 --> 00:35:23.519 To take that 00:35:23.519 --> 00:35:24.420 judgment in our 00:35:24.420 --> 00:35:24.980 place. 00:35:28.060 --> 00:35:29.160 And Jesus does 00:35:29.160 --> 00:35:30.320 this with the 00:35:30.320 --> 00:35:31.000 initiative where 00:35:31.000 --> 00:35:31.960 He comes to us 00:35:31.960 --> 00:35:33.080 just as Jesus is 00:35:33.080 --> 00:35:34.220 coming to the 00:35:34.220 --> 00:35:35.560 Pharisees to 00:35:35.560 --> 00:35:36.680 say, turn now 00:35:36.680 --> 00:35:37.620 while you can. 00:35:37.760 --> 00:35:38.500 Change your mind 00:35:38.500 --> 00:35:39.300 now while you're 00:35:39.300 --> 00:35:39.940 still able. 00:35:40.420 --> 00:35:41.560 Respond while you 00:35:41.560 --> 00:35:43.200 are still in this 00:35:43.199 --> 00:35:44.179 life before 00:35:44.179 --> 00:35:45.379 eternity is fixed 00:35:45.379 --> 00:35:46.439 and unchangeable. 00:35:50.379 --> 00:35:51.219 This is the 00:35:51.219 --> 00:35:51.980 heart of God 00:35:51.980 --> 00:35:52.879 that He has 00:35:52.879 --> 00:35:53.879 come to 00:35:53.879 --> 00:35:55.159 rescue sinners 00:35:55.159 --> 00:35:56.480 like you and 00:35:56.480 --> 00:35:56.779 me. 00:35:59.659 --> 00:36:00.619 And He calls 00:36:00.619 --> 00:36:01.559 us to respond. 00:36:02.779 --> 00:36:03.879 He calls us to 00:36:03.879 --> 00:36:04.960 respond in faith 00:36:04.960 --> 00:36:05.699 and trust in 00:36:05.699 --> 00:36:05.980 Jesus. 00:36:06.359 --> 00:36:07.119 He calls us to 00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:08.919 respond to His 00:36:08.919 --> 00:36:09.960 Word in a life 00:36:09.960 --> 00:36:10.839 that is surrendered 00:36:10.839 --> 00:36:11.879 to Him and to 00:36:11.879 --> 00:36:12.399 His kingdom. 00:36:12.400 --> 00:36:16.460 He calls us to 00:36:16.460 --> 00:36:17.280 respond and to 00:36:17.280 --> 00:36:18.960 live the way God 00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:19.980 has called us to 00:36:19.980 --> 00:36:22.240 as His children. 00:36:26.539 --> 00:36:27.740 And this is why 00:36:27.740 --> 00:36:29.260 it is so important 00:36:29.260 --> 00:36:32.039 for us to 00:36:32.039 --> 00:36:32.920 celebrate communion 00:36:32.920 --> 00:36:33.559 this morning. 00:36:35.920 --> 00:36:37.000 As we continue 00:36:37.000 --> 00:36:37.840 with our service 00:36:37.840 --> 00:36:38.720 we're going to 00:36:38.720 --> 00:36:40.139 transition to 00:36:40.139 --> 00:36:40.599 communion. 00:36:41.079 --> 00:36:41.619 The Lord's 00:36:41.619 --> 00:36:41.880 Supper 00:36:41.880 --> 00:36:41.920 prayer. 00:36:42.660 --> 00:36:43.280 This is what 00:36:43.280 --> 00:36:44.420 Jesus instituted 00:36:44.420 --> 00:36:45.539 before His death 00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:46.860 for His disciples. 00:36:48.079 --> 00:36:49.160 And in it He is 00:36:49.160 --> 00:36:50.280 reminding us of 00:36:50.280 --> 00:36:50.860 His heart. 00:36:51.900 --> 00:36:53.099 In the bread and 00:36:53.099 --> 00:36:54.039 in the cup we are 00:36:54.039 --> 00:36:55.099 reminded that His 00:36:55.099 --> 00:36:56.740 body and His 00:36:56.740 --> 00:36:59.660 blood were broken 00:36:59.660 --> 00:37:02.900 and shed to 00:37:02.900 --> 00:37:04.160 experience the 00:37:04.160 --> 00:37:05.280 judgment of God 00:37:05.280 --> 00:37:06.340 upon sin. 00:37:07.740 --> 00:37:09.280 Upon our sin. 00:37:09.280 --> 00:37:09.340 God. 00:37:09.340 --> 00:37:16.580 He did this in love 00:37:16.580 --> 00:37:17.800 and in mercy so 00:37:17.800 --> 00:37:19.200 that we who don't 00:37:19.200 --> 00:37:20.600 deserve to know 00:37:20.600 --> 00:37:21.620 God or be accepted 00:37:21.620 --> 00:37:22.260 by Him 00:37:22.260 --> 00:37:25.500 might be able 00:37:25.500 --> 00:37:28.120 to enter in 00:37:28.120 --> 00:37:29.740 by grace into 00:37:29.740 --> 00:37:30.960 a relationship with 00:37:30.960 --> 00:37:32.300 God where we 00:37:32.300 --> 00:37:33.560 would sit at the 00:37:33.560 --> 00:37:34.560 bosom of Abraham, 00:37:35.120 --> 00:37:36.140 the side of Abraham, 00:37:36.139 --> 00:37:37.420 and know His 00:37:37.420 --> 00:37:38.199 comfort and His 00:37:38.199 --> 00:37:39.019 peace and an 00:37:39.019 --> 00:37:41.519 eternity of 00:37:41.519 --> 00:37:42.299 relating to 00:37:42.299 --> 00:37:43.920 God rightly 00:37:43.920 --> 00:37:46.440 where His glory 00:37:46.440 --> 00:37:47.519 envelops us 00:37:47.519 --> 00:37:48.779 and captures us. 00:37:48.920 --> 00:37:49.619 This is what 00:37:49.619 --> 00:37:50.119 communion 00:37:50.119 --> 00:37:51.559 celebrates. 00:37:53.559 --> 00:37:54.980 It should be for 00:37:54.980 --> 00:37:56.420 us both sobering 00:37:56.420 --> 00:37:57.420 as we remember 00:37:57.420 --> 00:37:58.139 the warnings 00:37:58.139 --> 00:38:00.400 but also 00:38:00.400 --> 00:38:01.779 encouraging and 00:38:01.779 --> 00:38:02.920 strengthening as we 00:38:02.920 --> 00:38:03.779 remember God's 00:38:03.780 --> 00:38:05.380 heart for us. 00:38:11.500 --> 00:38:12.360 What I'd like to 00:38:12.360 --> 00:38:13.300 do is to pray for 00:38:13.300 --> 00:38:13.860 just a minute 00:38:13.860 --> 00:38:16.900 and then if 00:38:16.900 --> 00:38:17.380 those who are 00:38:17.380 --> 00:38:18.160 serving can come 00:38:18.160 --> 00:38:19.120 forward as I come 00:38:19.120 --> 00:38:19.460 down. 00:38:19.840 --> 00:38:20.560 I want to just give 00:38:20.560 --> 00:38:21.400 us a moment to 00:38:21.400 --> 00:38:22.760 just have quiet 00:38:22.760 --> 00:38:24.680 before we begin to 00:38:24.680 --> 00:38:25.500 observe communion 00:38:25.500 --> 00:38:26.000 together. 00:38:26.260 --> 00:38:26.980 So let's pray 00:38:26.980 --> 00:38:27.440 together. 00:38:27.440 --> 00:38:33.320 Holy Spirit, I 00:38:33.320 --> 00:38:34.179 ask for you to 00:38:34.179 --> 00:38:34.860 come now. 00:38:36.400 --> 00:38:37.480 Lord, and show 00:38:37.480 --> 00:38:38.679 us our hearts. 00:38:40.559 --> 00:38:41.720 Reveal to us if 00:38:41.720 --> 00:38:43.579 there is hardness, 00:38:44.960 --> 00:38:45.740 wickedness. 00:38:47.220 --> 00:38:48.159 Lord, where we 00:38:48.159 --> 00:38:49.000 are treasuring 00:38:49.000 --> 00:38:51.059 independence or 00:38:51.059 --> 00:38:53.840 selfishness, where 00:38:53.840 --> 00:38:54.579 we are treasuring 00:38:54.579 --> 00:38:55.659 anger and 00:38:55.659 --> 00:38:56.019 hatred. 00:38:56.019 --> 00:38:58.739 we are treasuring 00:38:58.739 --> 00:39:01.659 pleasure in this 00:39:01.659 --> 00:39:02.880 world more than 00:39:02.880 --> 00:39:03.139 you. 00:39:07.420 --> 00:39:09.119 Lord, show us if 00:39:09.119 --> 00:39:09.699 there is an 00:39:09.699 --> 00:39:13.300 unbelieving or 00:39:13.300 --> 00:39:15.119 hardened heart in 00:39:15.119 --> 00:39:15.460 us. 00:39:19.679 --> 00:39:20.780 Lord, we pray to 00:39:20.780 --> 00:39:21.340 you that you would 00:39:21.340 --> 00:39:22.340 show us your heart 00:39:22.340 --> 00:39:22.880 for us. 00:39:23.739 --> 00:39:24.519 Your grace and 00:39:24.519 --> 00:39:25.539 your mercy shown to 00:39:25.539 --> 00:39:26.400 us in Christ. 00:39:28.380 --> 00:39:29.059 Lord, that we 00:39:29.059 --> 00:39:30.539 would respond to 00:39:30.539 --> 00:39:32.380 you, Lord, in 00:39:32.380 --> 00:39:34.079 faith, in 00:39:34.079 --> 00:39:35.079 abandon, in 00:39:35.079 --> 00:39:35.480 hope. 00:39:41.279 --> 00:39:42.380 Lord, we pray that 00:39:42.380 --> 00:39:43.079 you would, by your 00:39:43.079 --> 00:39:44.759 spirit, do this in 00:39:44.759 --> 00:39:45.500 our hearts in the 00:39:45.500 --> 00:39:47.920 next few minutes as 00:39:47.920 --> 00:39:48.559 we observe the 00:39:48.559 --> 00:39:49.000 Lord's Supper 00:39:49.000 --> 00:39:49.420 together. 00:39:49.800 --> 00:39:50.599 We pray this in 00:39:50.599 --> 00:39:51.239 Jesus' name. 00:39:51.719 --> 00:39:52.039 Amen. 00:39:52.039 --> 00:39:52.159 Amen. 00:39:52.159 --> 00:39:52.219 Amen. 00:39:52.219 --> 00:39:52.239 Amen.