Sermon 126

📖 Sermon 126 – The Rich Man and Lazarus (Part 2)

Date: [no date given]
Text: Luke 16:24–31

Introduction

The scene now shifts from earthly contrast to eternal reality. The rich man, tormented in Hades, calls out for relief and for warning to his family. Abraham’s answers reveal solemn truths about judgment, mercy, and the sufficiency of God’s Word.

I. The Rich Man’s Cry

A. “Father Abraham, have mercy…”
He seeks comfort, not repentance. Suffering does not purify a hardened heart.

B. “Send Lazarus…”
He still views Lazarus as a servant. Suffering has not changed his pride.

C. He desires “one drop of water”
The smallest relief is denied. Judgment is irreversible.

II. Abraham’s First Answer

A. “Son, remember…”
Memory is part of eternal judgment.

B. “Thou in thy lifetime…”
He received earthly good but had no room for God.

C. Lazarus received evil
Now he is comforted. Grace reverses earthly conditions.

D. A great gulf fixed
No crossing from one state to the other. Eternal destiny is sealed at death.

III. The Rich Man’s Second Request

A. “Send him to my father’s house”
He remembers his brothers — yet still seeks to command Lazarus.

B. “Lest they also come into this place of torment”
He desires warning for them.

IV. Abraham’s Second Answer

A. “They have Moses and the prophets”
Scripture is sufficient to lead to repentance.

B. The rich man objects
He believes a miracle would persuade them.

C. Abraham replies
“If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

Unbelief is not caused by lack of evidence, but by hardness of heart.

Conclusion

The final portion of this account reveals the solemnity of eternal judgment, the sufficiency of Scripture, and the urgent need for repentance in this life. Let us heed the warnings of God’s Word and seek His grace while mercy is offered.