Luke 16:19-31

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Rich Man and Lazarus

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Hell is a place of surprising reversal.

  2. Hell is a place of painful retribution.

  3. Hell is a place of conscious remembrance.

  4. Hell is a place of no return.

  5. Hell is a place of awful realization.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Don’t wish that you could do miracles!

QUESTIONS

  1. What is the context of Luke 16?

  2. Who does the rich man represent in this account?

  3. What is “Hades” (verse 23)?

  4. In what way do unbelievers “choose” salvation?

  5. How is the “great gulf fixed” between Hades and Heaven a comfort to believers?

ANSWERS

  1. The Lord’s teaching about money

  2. The self-righteous Pharisees

  3. Hades is the realm of unbelievers who have died and are consciously awaiting their final consignment to Hell, which will take place at the Great White Throne judgment in the future (Revelation 20).

  4. By refusing to believe the truth

  5. Just as Hell is a permanent situation, so is Heaven. This is yet another confirmation of the believer’s eternal security.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Have you ever heard people joke about going to Hell and how much “fun” it will be there with their friends? Review some of the points from this Talk that would strongly refute that misconception.

  2. It is common to think, “If we could just show people miracles, like in Jesus’ day, then they would believe.” But discuss what our Lord said about this in verse 31. The Bible is sufficient evidence to anyone who is open to the truth. You can read more on this subject in the Devotion for Growing Christians entitled “Lost Forever".

CHALLENGE

  1. Did you know our Lord spoke more about Hell than about Heaven? One reason can be found in 2 Peter 3:9, our God does not want anyone to be lost forever in Hell.

KEY VERSES

  • “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.” Luke 16:25

  • “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.” Luke 16:31



Luke, Talks, New TestamentDeb HarmsLuke 16:19-31