Rich Man & Lazarus

One of the temptations of our age has been to pick and choose the parts of the Bible we believe. We allow our experiences, perspectives and ideals to inform what the Word of God says and means to us, and how we live as a result. It’s the prevailing idea behind the “deconstruction” or the “unhitch from the Bible” movements, leading so many to abandon the truth, forgoing the teaching of the Scriptures that the Church has held to for thousands of years to selfishly believe what they want, and what fits into their categories.

At Harvest, we have a high view of the Scriptures as the inspired, inerrant, sufficient, authoritative Word of God. God speaks to us from his Word, and we respond by believing it in faith, and living it out, even when it’s hard. As our summer series, Simple Stories, continues this week, we come to another hard-hitting parable of Jesus, in which he unpacks some of the truths that this world loves to ignore. But for those of us who believe what he says, and are living in light of it, it’s truth that brings hope which transcends this life and brings the utmost comfort and peace in the midst of hardship. The message is clear and urgent. How we respond to the truths of God’s Word and the gospel of Jesus Christ that it proclaims will echo into eternity. How will you respond?

Series: Simple Stories: How the parables of Jesus change everything
Jordan Coros
Message 5 – Rich Man & Lazarus
Harvest Bible Chapel
Text: Luke 16:19-31
July 28, 2024

Do I believe that God’s Word is sufficient…

…to navigate what I can see… (v. 19-21)

1 Timothy 6:17

I don’t always feel His presence, but God’s promises do not depend on my feelings; they rest upon his integrity.
R.C. Sproul

…in light of what I cannot yet see? (v. 22-31)

Hebrews 9:27

This second plea may seem to reflect a concern on the part of the rich man for others, but his family was regarded as an extension of himself. In looking out for his brothers, the rich man is still looking out for his own interest.
David Garland

John 5:46

Luke 24:27

The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men.
Westminster Confession of Faith, 1646