Consequence

In America, I hear a lot about over countless I am a capitalist believing that I believe in capitalism, where you work hard you have the freedom to work and to pull yourself up by your bootstraps and not been blessed coming in this great nation. The opportunities God has given the rules, regulations that help me to survive and know that no one can become taken with what's amazing please listen if that's what you believe capitalism is you are mistaken you what really is. God says I will give you wisdom. I will give you strength, I will give the opportunities I would allow you to be born in a family in a place in a time where you can succeed and flourish, so you can become my hands and feet go feed the hungry will clothe the homeless go share the gospel of Jesus. I will bless you so you can be me, you start a portion of the upcoming message titled consequence Pastor Abbott on shot of Clearview church in Henderson, North Carolina I Clearview focus is on making Christ visible for the way we worship the way we serve the way we love one another. Come check us out at 3485 Oxford Rd. in Henderson or visit us online@clearviewbc.org and join us for the rest of this week's message this morning. We are in our series on the parables of Jesus and today we come to the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, and the message is titled consequence how you live here does make a difference in eternity not only for you but also for those around you.

You have Bibles with you, trying to Luke chapter 16 starting in verse 19 and let's all stand once again for the reading of God's word. Luke 16 verse 19.

There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day sumptuously means the eight lavishly every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table.

Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. So it was that the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom.

The rich man also died and was buried in being in torments and Hades he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things. But now he is comforted and you are tormented and besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from their house to us again. Parables are like mirrors when you read that story when you hear the parable.they are a reflection of who we are in that story.

So the question is who are you and that story are you the rich man or are you poor Lazarus, are you the person who is living for temporary pleasures.

It's all about you. It's all about your joy. It's all about your happiness as long as you and yours are taken care off. It doesn't really matter what's happening to people around you is that you is that you do you care to notice those around you who are hurting and less fortunate. And will your end be like that, selfish, self-indulgent, rich man. You see it's not about how much money you have in your bank account. It is a mindset that says I'm living for me is that you because of your saved you no longer yours. You have been bought with a you belong to Jesus Christ and everything else you have so today. If you've never prayed to receive Jesus you're not saved. I want to pray right now pray right now you know who you are. Never prayed to receive Jesus as your Savior hears the prayers ready dear Jesus come into my life.

Forgive me of my sins and take over.

I can't manage my life. I can take care of me but I need you Jesus come into my life. Forgive me of my sins and tickle the parable of the rich man and Lazarus has fascinated me all through life. The imagery is so incredibly vivid, just to see this how beautiful the paintings have been but if you look at it carefully. You see the rich man living it up and on the other hand, you see poor Lazarus suffering he the rich man is enjoying a lavish banquet every day and has no regard for others and there is the beggar Lazarus lying by his gates covered in sores and eating crumbs from the rich man's table not growing up in India. I saw many beggars on my way to town on my way to school. I remember this one who was sent by the train station bridge there was this one spot. He always sad and he was blind and he was saying and you could hear his voice, even a mile away. He was singing and begging for alms and then several times and I went back home, years and years ago I would look at that spot and often wondered what happened to him because he wasn't there and and I wondered how his and came was anybody there with him when he died, anybody offer him a couple water as he was breathing his last or did his family even come to to claim his body or did the local authorities just dispose them all their millions of people like that who are living on the streets of India, and even here there is nothing that I have anything and so this has has been permanently etched in my memory that man's face that beggars face. Why did Jesus give this parable of the rich man and Lazarus was his purpose behind it. Not first glance, the parable appears to be saying that if your ranch you have been disqualified from heaven, and then if you're poor then automatically you get to go to heaven.

Is that what the Bible is talking about was that the reason Jesus gave this parable, we know that can be true.

Many of God's people in the old and the New Testament were very wealthy. Abraham was very wealthy. Barnabas we know about was very wealthy. Some of the women who supported Jesus's ministry were also rich. So this cannot be about. If you're rich cannot go to heaven if you're poor. Come on in. That's not really what's happening also. Throughout history there are many rich people who have followed Jesus Christ but also many poor people rejected Christ so being rich does not automatically disqualify you from heaven and being poor does not automatically guarantee heaven and plus we also know how do you get to heaven. Ephesians chapter 2 tells us by grace through faith. You are saved, not of works, not of yourselves. This anyone should boast is not about how much money you have or you don't have that get you into heaven. The key to heaven is not your bank account. The key to heaven is whether or not you receive Jesus as your Savior in this life. That's how you get into heaven, so this is not about salvation. So why did Jesus give this parable to understand that reason, we have to look at the Top context context is very important few verses earlier in Luke chapter 16 in verse 13 Jesus made a very provocative statement.

I will put on the screen for you to read with me this note. He says no servant can serve two masters for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mammon is that word Mammon mean it's a Hebrew Aramaic word that simply means money. What Jesus did here in this passage is that he deified money is as if he said you cannot serve the living God and the dollar is it yes is what Jesus was saying was sometimes money can take on godlike attributes you trust in God you trust in money, we submit to God. Sometimes we submit to money so money has has this way of taking on godlike attributes.

What is the first of 10 commandments you shall have no other gods before me gets what money says serve me and me only worship me and me alone, but you cannot serve to God's already go to worship the living God or are you gonna worship Mammon or money know why did Jesus say all that. Why do you say these these words listen to the very next verse which is verse 14 now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, never really been talking by the Pharisees throughout the series.

They had one weakness always their weakness. They were lovers of now. Jesus repeatedly talked about this in Luke chapter 20 verse 46, he said, beware of the scribe scribes and Pharisees, went hand in hand. Beware of the scribes who devour widows, houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. What would they do what I would a woman could come to a scribe or a Pharisee and say my husband died. I really don't know how to manage my is a stay… Just barely have this little house but want to make sure that I have all that I needed and I would be set for life.

I don't have any anybody the Pharisee was so no problem, I'll help you out. Let's look at the law or the law. Is this and this and this. But he let me make it simple for you, go ahead and sign the property over to me it makes it simple. You know once I it makes it real simple so I can be the one standing as your guardian and I will take care of you. You have to worry about a thing decided over to me and I will handle all the details and that poor little woman would say okay I guess that I think that's the best option, go here we go here's my property and then the Pharisee will say something like the xenon. Note this is a good is going to cost me. I hope you know that anybody else get this. This is really going to get on, going above and beyond to help you out of this is is is more for you than for me and is more of a burden for me they were lying and then that would make a long prayers that God would you please bless his widow woman and bless me Lord that I have to now take on this burden to help her out.

One of the during the process, he just took a property and guess how they would feel don't feel justified. It would feel like on Loki and doing her a favor. Not she can manage that time helping her out.

I just took a property article on her land and Jesus saw through this and he called them lovers of money, and then he says in verse 14 of the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things and they derided which means they ridicule Jesus, they mocked him to give you little secret if he ever want to not do what I'm telling you, or what the word of God really is telling you. Would you like to know the secret on how to can't escape all that anybody got much better than last crowd.

Last is a yes we want to know how can we get away from doing what God tells us to do.

Would you like to know Ron would you like to know sure are just make fun of me just mock me just ridicule it just did you skip these by W.

Doug about you all where we all do that because they are so funny of your breach of the breach, all you have to do is when I sick this is what God is saying that's a sin, repent or turn just make fun of it does make a lot of it. When you get home and you sit down with the children make fun of what somebody says somebody did or some some way. I said something I miss that it front of it. That's a quick way to neutralize what God is telling God. When Jesus confronted the Pharisees were being lovers of money, and what they did very smart. They just made fun of him. They just mock him and I look at the juvenile is a Galilean accent cut front of 40 of investment doing another talk over you can neutralize what the Holy Spirit is telling you just make fun of what is being said, it takes away the edge and that's what they did, and Jesus saw that it listen to what he says in verse 15 and he is sent to them. You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts before me, you can laugh it off before me, you can ridicule a charge or somebody else but DOS is I know your heart, what's inside of you for what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God says they would walk the streets. People would go with the young people to those Pharisees men are not a business mine to make money. You notice what the did over there with those videos and and got all that property. Man I wish I could do stuff like that. They were looked upon with highest Steve but God says that's an abomination in your paper rescue question this morning is that you are you a lover of money. This is what Paul says in first Timothy chapter 6 verse nine he said, but those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare is not wrong to be the desire to be successful is not wrong to have an income to build a business to take something from nothing and create something nothing wrong with that but do you desire to be rich. Are you a money lover because here's the promise to you. You will fall into temptation and a snare into many foolish and harmful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition listen to what Paul says again he says for the laugh of money is a root of all kinds of evil, not money, but that love that attraction I want more. I want more, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness. Are you a lover of money.

This message is for you and three versus later, Jesus gave the parable of the rich man and Lazarus.

There is this this rich man he dies, he is buried with the poor man to make it a funeral, but now there is a reversal that happened the poor man is taken to Abraham's bosom by the rich man is taken to Hades, where he is being tormented by the flames. And as he is burning. He begins to cry to Abraham on the other side and says please let Lazarus dip his finger to keep in mind Lazarus in this life was covered with sores.

Have you ever seen anybody, covered with sores. I have open sores is ongoing care I don't care if he is healed. I don't care if he is all I just wanted to dip his finger in the water somewhere in heaven.

And please drop it on my tongue because I'm dying burning here doesn't care what a reversal that would people have done there. Try to build the doctrine of eschatology from this parable was awarded eschatology needed means. How are things going to be in the end, or especially how are things on the other side folks listen very carefully. This was not the reason why Jesus gave this parable. So here you have rich man and Lazarus. Don't get caught up into how does that work with Hades and can people talk from heaven to Helen help is just a story meant to communicate that how you live in this life makes a difference. On the other side. But what is Abraham's response, Abraham says to the rich man who is now in hell son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things. But now he is comforted and you are tormented and besides all this with us and you there is a great gulf fixed you can come here we can go there, which means this once you cross this life.

There is no going back.

You cannot get on the other side. And so it would wait wait wait so I get it now. You can do that it's over.

There is a finality to that judgment. The point is the consequence of how you live here. Are you tired old if here you live for South if here you live for your own pleasures.

It makes a difference how you spend eternity not assume Iago is a bit of it. As long as I know Jesus as my Savior. I thought that pretty much settles it a listen.

If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, it changes the way you live hasn't changed you how to change your priorities. You care more about others are still about yourself that I would really question whether or not you truly saved. Listen to what Paul says, don't listen to me does what Paul says in first Timothy 618, let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give willing to share storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come listen this in opening years that they may lay hold on eternal life know so you're not getting this be read again, you're ready. It is let them do good. You say your say let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give willing to share storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come that they may lay hold on eternal life. So if your group is slipping. How's it coming for you given are you sharing or is it pretty much all about you found this life. You can see all you want to. I'm saved. I'm going to have it on the what I did not know I was. But if you're living for self and you continue to live and there has been no change. You finish that sentence statement. What foundation are you building upon are you living for others, or are you living for South in America. I hear a lot about over capitalist.

I am a capitalist I believe in that I believe in capitalism, where you work hard you have the freedom to work and to pull yourself up by your bootstraps. I'm not been blessed coming in this great nation. The opportunities God has given the rules and regulations that help me to survive and know that no one can come take it away.

What's amazing please listen if that's what you believe capitalism is you are mistaken you know it really is. God says I will give you wisdom. I will give you strength, I would give the opportunities I will allow you to be born in a family in a place in a time where you can succeed and flourish, so you can become my hands and feet and go feed the hungry go clothe the homeless go share the gospel of Jesus Christ. I will bless you so you can be me know what we've done God blessed me in this datum away funny drunk calling you think that's capitalism you serious is not capitalism.

Are you really right now living for others in a one reason why clearly is blessed with like to know what that reason is.

The hands are open and money comes in and keeps going out, and God gives bring it and share how he's doing it.

I just keep going is a God, please don't stop if I mess up please tell me correct me, cleanse me, but keep on doing it and as long as we keep doing that helping people serving the needs sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no end about you all well you know and I work very hard and are you telling me that only to save and I don't need to focus on the tongue by saving on nothing but planning.

I love talking about looking ahead, but the question is are you truly generous with what God has blessed you or is it all about you as long as I'm happy as long as I get to enjoy my life as long as I get to do what I want to do the work and go to hell. Those were the Pharisees, there's more. Then he said the rich man said to Abraham there's a conversation taking place in heaven and hell now thereby knows by now, right this is not husband to be uniting to be in heaven be able talk to people in hell. And then I don't even talk to you. This is just a story meant to communicate a point.

He said I bet you therefore, father that she was send him Lazarus to my father's house, for I have five brothers that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment. What in the world did Jesus say all that what you mean come to this place of torment.

You see what the rich man is realizing. And hell is not only did his own actions have consequences, but it also affected the people around him. He said the course for the lives of his five brothers and listen. Are y'all still awake the women if you're living your setting the course for your children's lives because they think like you thought about you live for yourself the best you can to heck with the world a make the right connections to be successful.

Be happy. That's it. And this man in Hades is beginning to realize wait a minute, wait a minute, I not only messed up my own destiny but also their Esther. Please send someone back, this is what Abraham says he said can do. They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear him them and he said no father Abraham, but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent and think about is logic as is burning in hell. He's like what I will point the point is this if someone goes back from the dead. I know they will listen. But Abraham said to him, if they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rise from the dead's amazing your actions not only determine your destiny but they also set in stone. The destiny of those around you, your children, your family, your loved ones, and even if someone were to come back from the dead and say hey listen, don't live for self. Don't be greedy. Don't be lovers of money left for others goes serve God do things, God will bless you hundredfold well you not see that you got a good point. But you know I'm reading this good book on money management and and how to to build a business in the new economy.

I'm kind of working on that. The listen don't get on two different planes. Jesus made a statement in Matthew that are close with Matthew 16 he said to his disciples of anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever desires to loses his life for my sake will find it for what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul.

What man what will a man give in exchange for his soul. When I was in college.

There was a chapel on campus and I was always just blown away by one thing that the pastor would say is only two things will last forever word of God and people, and then he had those words painted on the wall directly behind this was at college chapel so I like a church so he had those words actually painted on the wall only two things that will last forever word of God and people are powerful reminder when I'm working when I'm gaining money or whatever will come acquiring my investing in people because that's the last forever live for sale on building on the wrong foundation.

I'm not laying hold of eternal life. This morning you see yourself how you see yourself in the parable are you that rich man living for sale result, what is millionaires and billionaires. No, no, you don't have to be millionaires and billionaires in America.

I believe every person sitting here is rich issue question is are you living for others. Thank you so much for joining us for this message. How you live in this life as consequences will determine how you live in the life to come. When you see yourself in this parable like Lazarus maybe suffered in this life will be rewarded in the next are you more like the rich man who lives lavishly in this life, but suffers in the life to come to heaven is not based on your bank balance whether or not you received Christ. For more information visit us online@clearviewpc.org for the sermon's notes to Pastor Shah's blog and I would not shock.com