Springs Sermon 2023-04 (3)

Luke 16:13-31, Revelation 21:7-8

Will every Christian or churchgoer make Heaven?

  • No! Only genuine and faithful believers in Christ
  • “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” –  Matthew 7:21

Why can’t I serve two masters according to Luke 16:13?

  • Because YHVH is a jealous God, Exodus 20:5, 34:14, Deut. 4:23-24
  • When the situation is critical, you will choose (prefer) the master that you love more (whether God or Mammon)
  • If the love of Mammon is dominating you, you are serving Mammon

What is Mammon?

  • Mammon is money, possessions, fashion, jewellery, entertainment, pleasure, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord
  • Mammon represents idolatry!

Can you describe Hell based on the account in Luke 16:19-31?

  • Hell is a place of torment in flames, thirst and evil things
  • There is no escape from hell!

Can you describe Paradise based on the account in Luke 16:19-31?

  • Paradise is a place of comfort and good things
  • Paradise is a place of eternal bliss!

Why did the Rich Man go down to Hell?

  • He was proud and pompous
  • He was mean and selfish
  • He had a hard heart (lacking genuine compassion)
  • He thought his riches was proof of God’s approval
  • He was a self-righteous religious hypocrite who didn’t pay attention to the weightier matters of the Law: justice, mercy and faithfulness, according to Matthew 23:23 AMP
  • He was dominated by Mammon (materialism)!

Why did Lazarus make it to Paradise?

  • He was hopeful and believing
  • He persevered in righteousness (despite his lack and suffering)
  • He refused to curse God or people
  • He refused to compromise God’s Word
  • He refused to be bitter and unforgiving

Did the rich man and Lazarus die at the same time?

  • According to the story, Lazarus died first and his spirit/soul was carried by angels to Paradise
  • Lazarus body was not ‘buried’. It’s likely that the Rich Man ordered his servants to throw it (as scum) into the burning garbage dump (e.g. the Valley of Hinnom)
  • The rich man died later and was likely given a magnificent state burial with eulogies and earthly monuments erected in his memory

Why did the rich man care about his 5 brothers not coming to join him in Hell?

  • He was motivated by guilt and fear!
  • He was their mentor – he had mentored them in the ways of materialism and religious hypocrisy

Why did Jesus share this story according to Luke 16:14-15?

  • He was talking to the Pharisees (religious hypocrites) who loved money and derided his teachings
  • The Pharisees rejected the resurrection of Lazarus (Mary and Martha’s brother) and wanted to kill him, John 12:9-11
  • The Pharisees instigated the crucifixion of Jesus and rejected the validity of His resurrection
  • The Rich Man was a typical Pharisee!

How can I be sure of making Heaven?

  • You need genuine faith and faithfulness!
  • Faith starts the journey and faithfulness completes the journey
  • Faith without corresponding actions is dead!

*The evidence of genuine faith is faithfulness (commitment). Your faith in anyone or anything can be measured by your commitment to them. If your commitment is dwindling, so is your faith. To measure your faith in God, check your attitude towards prayer, Bible study, fellowship, giving and service in the Church.

To find out more, listen to the audio sermon