I am heading off towards holiday this week and I want to start by telling you this wonderful news.
! I practice at home a song to sing in Bulgaria in karaoke with my father. It's a Bulgarian anthem of the foreigners abroad, immigrants who are returning home and hugging their moms and rejoicing.
So, when I practice the song, I actually start crying and I try it a second time and I start crying because my mom passed away and we are going to celebrate one year. This is our month anniversary.
But what I am going to do is I can hug my father. And imagine this story would have turned a completely different way if my mom hadn't repented and had the same story like the rich man.
So, notice the audience at the beginning of chapter 16, verse 1, are the disciples. But when you go down and look at the parables, in verse 14, we already see the Pharisees.
So, Pharisees were thinking that they are certainly doing well and not going to hell. Very similar to what a rich man thought. He is blessed and that means he is not going to hell.
But what God says is this, you are those who justify yourself before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is abomination in the sight of God.
So, the key to understanding the parable is simply this, we look at the external aspects of our lives where God looks at our hearts.
We look at the material aspects where God looks at the spiritual.
And so, this story is about false religion. It is a genius story. It is a story about contrast and reversal.
And so, let me run a few contrast and reverses.
There is a rich man and there is a poor man. The rich man becomes horribly poor and the poor becomes rich.
There is a rich man on the inside and there is a rich man on the outside and that changes.
And then there is a rich man who feasted sumptuously and there is a poor man who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table.
And then there is a poor man at the feast and there is a rich man who can't even find a drop of water.
There is a poor man with immense needs and there is a rich man with no needs.
And there is a poor man with no needs and a rich man with great needs.
There is a poor man who has nothing and desires everything and there is a rich man that has everything and desires nothing.
And a poor man that has everything and desires nothing.
So, there is a poor man licked by dogs and there is a rich man surrounded by dignitaries.
And then there is a poor man surrounded by dignitaries and a rich man surrounded by worst of dogs.
And there is a poor man who suffers and a rich man who is satisfied.
And then a rich man who suffers and a poor man who is satisfied.
There is a poor man who is honored and a rich man who is humiliated.
There is a poor man who seeks help and a rich man who gives none.
And there is a rich man who seeks help and a poor man who can't give any.
there is a poor man who is nobody
and a rich man who is somebody
and then there is a poor man who is somebody
and a rich man who is nobody
a poor man who has a name
and a rich man who hasn't even got a name
a poor man
with no dignity in life
becomes somebody dignified
and the opposite for the rich man
so there is a poor man with no hope
and a rich man with hope
and a poor man whose hope is realized
and a rich man who has none
and I found this contrast helpful
and look at the rich man
he is described as what he wore
what he had
and what he had
what a way to describe a person
he wasn't a teacher with profound wisdom
he wasn't contributing anything to the society
but how would the Lord describe us
do we love the Lord
do we serve Him
do we know Him personally
are we a blessing to other people
are we humble people
are we good people
are we people
who find against our sins
do we use our money for ourselves only
or are we people of value
and helpfulness
and purity
notice that the poor man
is silent in heaven
in heaven
in the story
he is only there
for the contrast
but the story
is not about heaven
it is a story
about rich men
in hell
only the rich man
speaks to Abraham
and he is the main character
in the story
he gives a personal testimony
of what it is
to be in hell
the Lord gives
a wonderful name
to Lazarus
which means
somebody
to whom
God helps
we see that
God gives him
access to heaven
grant him salvation
no one in hell
has a name
there are no
relationships in hell
but everyone
in heaven
has a name
and his story
breaks into three parts
life
death
and life
after death
what I really like
about the story
is that the Lord
paid unforgettable
images
the rich man
was clothed
in purple
in that time
to dye
clothed in purple
was extremely expensive
who does he think
he is
a royalty
in purple
indulgence
and splendor
was his activities
daily
on the other hand
we see Lazarus
extremely poor
and sick
he was covered
in sores
he had probably
had some
crippling disease
which
and because of that
he was laid
at the gates
and the rich man
was like the Pharisees
detestable
to God
and so the rich man
gives Lazarus
no help
does he know him
of course
he knows him
he is laid
everyday
in his gates
licked by the dogs
and at that time
the dogs
were not pets
but what happened
what is in verse 22
they both
died
and everybody
dies
there is one
event
in our lives
that is
absolutely certain
we may
or we may not
achieve our dreams
the life
may or may not
turn the way
we want it
but it is
one thing
which is certain
we will
die
it is
irreversible
that
they say
that every
single
second
somebody
dies in this
world
and yet
vast majority
of people
are not
prepared for it
there is so
many people
in London
today
who have
only a vague
idea
what is hell
and heaven
and they
would meet
with God
one day
unprepared
Lazarus
probably did not
have a
proper burial
most likely
he was in
common grave
or dump
but the rich
man
though
has a
certainly
proper burial
with lots of
guests
who were
honoring him
but the shock
is that
Lazarus
is being
carried
by angels
where
in heaven
and that
takes us
to life
after that
the rich
man
is in
torment
in hell
this is
completely
opposite of
what the
Pharisees
would expect
to hear
God
sends
angels
to take
care
of
one
of
his
own
to be
a companion
of
Abraham
the
Jewish
hero
remember
the father
was their
pride
the father
of faith
a friend
of God
and the
Pharisees
wonder
how can
a poor
and cursed
man
become
a guest
of honor
in heaven
extreme
reversal
on the
other
hand
the rich
man
is in
hell
or in
Hades
he had
everything
in life
but now
is in
hell
and there
is no
transition
from hell
there is
no
purgatory
this is
a snare
delusion
when I
was younger
I watched
a movie
which confused
me so much
I lived
probably
10 years
with this
movie in
my head
because this
movie was
about people
who were
stealing
they lived
50 years
in purgatory
and eventually
end up
in heaven
and there
were murderers
who lived
150 years
and they
eventually
said their
sins are
forgiven
what a
lie
I was
so confused
with this
until I
got really
converted
and find
out the
truth
and so
this is
the experience
of the
rich man
he is in
torment
the way
Jesus
explained
is
gnashing
of teeth
wailing
fire
and for
the sake
of the
example
rich man
is allowed
to look
at heaven
and here
is the
shock
sometimes
we become
so superficially
familiar with
the bible
that we
miss to
see the
shock
and instead
of saying
the rich
man
say
oh
Lazarus
please
forgive me
I got
it all
wrong
he ignores
him
he doesn't
even speak
to him
instead
he speaks
to Abraham
he assumes
because he
is a child
of Abraham
he would
have to
take care
of him
have mercy
on me
he is
playing his
Jewish race
card now
notice that
he was
the one
that never
showed
mercy
to Lazarus
and asking
for mercy
now
Lazarus
was a
beggar
but now
the rich
man is
begging
the rich
man
cannot
give him
give up
his
self
importance
send
Lazarus
to dip
his finger
to cool
my tongue
not a
glass of
water
just to
dip
in other
words
he demands
mercy
from
somebody
to whom
he never
showed
mercy
he never
even gave
him
dog food
there is
no repentance
here
the suffering
and pain
in hell
is so
severe
that
one tiny
drop
will make
a huge
difference
for him
but there
is no
relief
in hell
once
no crumbs
for the
poor
man
but now
no
drop
for the
rich
man
and
Abraham
answered
him
yes
generically
speaking
you are my
child
but during
your life
you received
the good
things
and Lazarus
in like
manner
bad things
but now
he is
comforted
here
and you
in
anguish
and it's
true
believers
could die
poor
and unbelievers
could die
few
thinking rich
like some
billionaires
die
one can
enjoy the
providence
of God
in common
grace
and go
to hell
and spend
eternity
without
God's
presence
there
instead
of going
from
providence
to faith
in God
we see
him
going
into
self
indulgence
you might
wonder
how
Lazarus
got to
this
state
in life
so
maybe
physical
disability
is the
reason
we don't
know
but
in that
time
we must
have
it must
have been
really tough
for disabled
people
not like
what we
have now
and Abraham
answers
this
Lazarus
is comforted
now
and you
are in
agony
the
Lazarus
was
temporarily
and you
are going
to be
eternally
miserable
what you
did not
provide for
Lazarus
he cannot
provide for
you now
and it's
never going
to change
and besides
this
between us
and you
is a great
chasm
has been
fixed
and in
order
those
who
pass
from here
to you
may not
be able
and none
may cross
from there
to us
and mark
the words
of Jesus
when you
are in
hell
you are
not going
to heaven
and when
you are in
heaven
you are not
going to
hell
it's fixed
forever
no relief
no hope
there is
no love
in hell
there is
no friendships
no tenderness
there are
no smiles
there is
no laughter
no music
can you
imagine life
without
music
no craft
no science
nothing good
only fear
and hatred
once you
die
and pass
into eternity
and if you
have not
established
a relationship
with God
you stand
before Christ
not as a
savior
but as a
judge
and you
hear
guilty
and it's
too late
you've left
it too late
a great
sorrow
and fear
will grip
your soul
and you'll
hear
no more
gospel
you'll hear
no more
earnest
appeal
from
preachers
or from
Christian
friends
or from
Christian
parents
husbands
lives
relatives
you'll
hear
no more
appeals
turn to
Lord
be safe
repent
for your
sins
believe in
Christ
and he
will
freely
forgive
you
you'll
never
hear
anything
like
this
again
no more
pleading
no more
movements
in the
spirit
of your
heart
urging you
to come
to Jesus
Christ
no one
will invite
you to
church
on Sunday
or for
Christmas
carols
or mowed
wine
and
lunchtime
talks
you are
going
to
eternity
it's
too late
you only
hear the
voice of
the judge
sending
you into
this
terrible
place
of
punishment
and all
that you
know
is
I
deserved
it
you
would
hate
to
say
but
you
deserve
it
you
rejected
him
and now
he is
rejecting
you
don't
you want
to be
persuasive
that there
is a
savior
a
redeemer
who
will
save
your
soul
and
forgive
your
sins
and
make
you
his
own
and
change
your
life
and
bring
you
to
love
him
and
walk
with
him
in
this
world
doesn't
creation
persuade
you
that
there is
a
wonderful
divine
creator
one
day
you
would
have
to
look
him
in
the
face
and
there
is
nothing
more
scary
to
look
at
the
Lord
with
sins
not
forgiven
don't
your
instincts
tell
you
that
there
is
a
life
after
that
and
you
better
be
ready
for
it
haven't
you
spoken
with
other
Christians
and
they
say
oh
of
course
it's
real
I'm
experiencing
this
every
day
it's
real
to
know
him
it's
real
to
walk
with
him
and
it's
real
to
love
him
can
nothing
convince
you
not
the
words
of
God
in
the
Bible
is
your
heart
so
hard
or
you
better
pray
tonight
Lord
soften
my
heart
Lord
take
these
chains
away
from
me
which
bind
me
in
the
way
to
hell
and
for
your
heart
to be
softened
that
you
may
see
the
truth
and
may
see
reality
don't
go
just
looking
at
the
external
look
at
the
spiritual
things
you
must
come
to
him
don't
throw
your
life
away
Satan
is
pulling
you
down
as
each
day
goes
by
do
you
want
to be
described
like
the
rich
man
what
you
had
what
you
had
what
you
wore
seek
the
Lord
and ask
him
for
his
wonderful
love
and
mercy
why
you
still
here
and
it's
possible
and
he
would
forgive
you
and
he
would
bless
you
and
make
you
his
own
child
he
would
change
your
whole
character
and
make
himself
known
to
you
and
if
you
mean
this
prayer
he
will
but
the
rich
man
is
not
satisfied
he
has
now
one
more
request
then
I
beg
you
father
verse
27
to
send
him
to
my
father's
house
for
I
have
five
brothers
so
that
he
may
warn
them
lest
they
also
come
to
this
place
of
torment
if
he
ever
hit
any
redeeming
value
that
was
it
and
I
like
this
about
this
about
him
although
some
people
disagree
with
that
but
he
knew
that
his
brothers
were
like
him
and
they
were
coming
so
in
order
to
prevent
that
he
says
if
I
knew
what
horrible
place
the
hell
is
I
would
never
have
come
here
but
do
you
know
what
his
problem
was
he
did
not
listen
to
the
word
of
God
and
that's
exactly
what
people
do
Jesus
says
you
hear
but
you
don't
understand
they
have
Moses
and
they
have
the
prophets
let
them
hear
from
the
old
testament
they
would
have
learned
about
the
creator
the
lawgiver
the
judge
the
true
God
they
would
have
known
about
their
sinfulness
and
need
for
repentance
they
would
have
heard
about
salvation
by
faith
alone
in
Christ
alone
they
would
have
understood
that
substitution
the way
that God
deals
with sin
is
substitution
they
would
have
understood
that
there
is
a
Messiah
coming
he
would
crush
the
head
of
the
Satan
the
redeemer
would
provide
redemption
for his
people
and
he
would
be
the
suffering
substitute
and
then
he
would
establish
his throne
finally
they
would
have
understood
the
need
to
repent
and
believe
to
forsake
their
other
gods
and
if
they
listened
and
understood
the
prophets
they
would
have
known
that
Jesus
is
this
Messiah
who
has
been
promised
so
let
them
hear
the
scripture
salvation
comes
by
hearing
the
word
of
God
if
they
don't
hear
the
scripture
there
is
no
hope
and
it's
so much
easier
for us
we have
because
we have
not only
the
Old
Testament
we have
the
New
Testaments
we have
all
the
Gospels
all
the
prophecies
fulfilled
we have
the
epistles
that the
apostles
wrote to
the
churches
established
in
first
century
we even
have
the
revelation
of
God
and
the
second
coming
of
Jesus
we have
everything
what
else
we need
but
no
said
the
rich
man
father
Abraham
you are
wrong
once
he was
a rich
man
then he
became
poor
man
now he
becomes
a
theologian
let me
correct
your
theology
if
you
somebody
goes
from
that
they
would
repent
father
Abraham
scripture
is not
enough
I
had
the
scripture
Pharisees
had
the
scripture
and they
didn't
understand
and they
were
heading
the same
direction
like the
rich
man
and that's
the point
of the
story
and he
goes on
my
brothers
knew
this
wretched
Lazarus
and if
they
see
that
this
poor
guy
come
back
from
heaven
and tell
them about
heaven and
hell
they would
certainly
listen
and avoid
the torment
but
who was
raised from
the dead
Jesus
did they
did everybody
believe him
no
in fact
in the
interesting
divine
coincidence
Jesus
raised from
a man
called
Lazarus
and the
rulers
knew that
and that's
one of the
reasons they
wanted to
kill him
if you
don't
want to
go to
hell
be warned
religion
will not
protect you
going to
church
will not
rescue you
having
friends
and relatives
who are
Christians
will not
help you
only the
true gospel
will help
you
and only
sincere
faith
and believe
in Jesus
Christ
Jesus
Christ
went to
the cross
to take
the punishment
we deserve
for our
sins
all we
have to
do is
believe
and ask
for
forgiveness
and like
Lazarus
God will
send angels
to escort
you to
heaven
into the
fellowship
rejoicing
with all
the saints
and the
faithful
including
Abraham
and in
my
conclusion
I want
to say
this
remember
I told
you
the
beginning
of
the
story
about
my
mom
the
reason
between
the
difference
between
me and
my
father
who is
non-believer
is that
I know
that I
will see
her
she
loved
dancing
and
singing
and we
will dance
and sing
again
together
with her
but my
father
has only
memories
that connect
him
to her
like
Hollywood
movies
he goes
to the
grave
and talks
to her
he even
I'm not
sure
some of
you don't
even remember
but we used
to have
this
not tapes
but big
round circles
with huge
tape
so they
were
going like
this
and so
playing
using
recording
that was
in 70s
and my
father
even
restored
this
machine
that is
like
antique
and ancient
in order
to hear
her voice
when he
was recording
her in
70s
but
one day
if we
believe
we will
all meet
together
and we
all sing
together
and let
me give
you
a glimpse
of what
God
has
given
us
in
the
revelation
about
heaven
God
will
wipe
away
every
tear
from
people's
eyes
that
shall
be
no
more
neither
shall
there
be
mourning
no
crying
no
pain
anymore
there
would
be
not
even
need
of
sun
because
God's
glory
will
shine
in
heaven
and
Jesus
says
surely
I'm
coming
soon
come
Lord
Jesus
may
the
grace
of
the
Lord
Jesus
be
with
you
amen
Thank you.