Archives for

Sermon Audio

The Parables #123

The rich man and Lazarus, # 8. 

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31.

Stream or download The Parables #123


We come to the final section of the parable, verses 27-31.

We sang a lovely hymn this morning.

There’s a peace in my heart that the world never gave,

A peace it cannot take away;

Tho’ the trials of life may surround like a cloud,

I’ve a peace that has come there to stay!

Constantly abiding, Jesus is mine; 

Constantly abiding, rapture divine; 

He never leaves me lonely, whispers, O so kind: 

“I will never leave thee,” Jesus is mine.

I did not choose the hymn but it fits what I have to say very well. The peace spoken of in the hymn, those sinners in hell can never know!

“Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.”

We have been thinking of the knowledge the rich man in hell possessed. He believed a lot of things now that he had rejected while alive. However, there has not been that ‘renewing of his mind’ that conversion brings. As Paul said: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God,” Romans 12:2. That being so, this poor damned sinner cannot grasp the gospel! The soul that is born again by the power and grace of the HolyGhost is renewed and can understand!

Notice that this man argues with Abraham. He contradicts Abraham! “Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent,” verse 30. He has still that natural, fallen, rebellious mind that took him to hell in the first place! He knew better than such an one as Abraham! Hell is a place of arguments still!

Now I said on Tuesday past, that his thinking is the same as many, many people today.

They would readily tell you that if someone were to come back from the dead they would believe! No they wouldn’t. They did not believe when Christ raised the dead etc.

“Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter,” Acts 17:31-32. But Jesus did rise fo=rom the dead! Proof is found in Mark 15:43-45.

Men always believe that they can improve on God’s means of saving souls. Rich man had a better way than God’s way – he thought! “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God,” 1 Corinthians 1:18.

The parables #122

The rich man and Lazarus, Pt7. 

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31.

Stream or download The Parables #122


We come to the final section of the parable, verses 27-31.

“Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.”

We are permitted to see into the mind of a lost soul in hell.

The lost soul will see the value of avoiding hell. ‘That he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ He knew his brethren were just like he was before he died, unthinking about eternity. He wanted Lazarus to ‘earnest plead’ (this is what the word ‘testify’ means) with them about the need of their soul. It was too late for him but they could be warned.

Though he saw the danger his brethren were in, he remains in darkness about the truth of God.

What he asks for is quite contrary to the mind and will of God. The ONLY message that can save the soul is not the witness of one rising from the dead BUT ‘Moses and the prophets’, that is the Bible. There is the ONLY means of the soul being warned. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever,” 1 Peter 1:23.

The only WORD that has power to awaken sinners is God’s Word.

Truth for today, Pt21

 

Stream or download Truth for today, Pt21


III. A HUMBLE RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE BRINGS YET MORE GRACE

1. She thankfully prays that his favour might continue. She did not feel that she needed no more help from him, that she could now make it on her own. May God give us a desire that we may continue to enjoy the comforts and friendliness of God, verse 13.

2. Immediately she is further blessed. She is entertained amongst the workers of Boaz.

3. Boaz attends her himself. Verse 14. What a picture of the caring Saviour! She is given parched or roasted corn and vinegar of wine. Both speak to us of the cross and it is of such rich fare that Christ feeds our souls. Notice that Ruth was “sufficed.”

4. Unknown to her, the favour increases. Verse 15-16. Her path was strewn with favours. 2 Cor 8:9. All things work for God’s faithful people.