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What Happens Five Minutes After You Die?
sermon guide
Gene told us about some unusual things that have been written on tombstones. What would you like your tombstone — or better yet, your obituary — to say about you?
Have someone read Luke 16:19-31.
In this parable, we are given the circumstances of the two men. Can you imagine the rich man and his household and guests and servants passing by Lazarus every time they entered or exited the rich man’s property? Beggars were a common sight in that time and culture, and still are in many parts of the world. The purpose of begging, obviously, is to ask for pity and aid. The reason beggars continue to beg is that it works: some people have pity on them and give them something to help.
Who took pity on Lazarus and gave him aid?
Have someone read Deuteronomy 15:7-11.
This section of scripture is a part of the Old Testament Law of Moses. The Jewish people who Jesus was telling this parable to would have been familiar with this. So what does this say about the rich man?
The New Living translation of verse 30 explains clearly the warning the rich man wanted to give to his brothers: “… But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.”
Gene said the rich man’s wealth wasn’t the issue; the problem was he never responded to the God who gave him life. Perhaps he was so comfortable enjoying the pleasures he could afford that he did not feel a need to pay attention to God and his ways. This man ignored and resisted the Creator of the universe his entire life. By this rejection, he missed out on the good things he could have done with his life, the spiritual opportunities he could have had that would have furthered God’s purposes and made his life better. And then it was too late.
Have someone read verses 27-28.
How would you describe the urgency of the rich man’s voice? What mattered most to him at that moment?
According to Abraham’s word to the rich man in hell, how can people learn instructions and warnings about life, repentance, and restoration?
What do you think prevents people from accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Application
Gene talks about three important things we can learn from this parable.
Both the rich man and Lazarus woke up on the other side IMMEDIATELY… there was no delay.
You will be wide awake.
You will be filled with tremendous gratitude or enormous regret.
You will reflect on your life with crystal clarity.
Have someone read Revelation 21:3-4.
Of the descriptive terms John used, share which one are you looking most forward to?
What keeps us from maintaining an eternal mindset about ourselves? About the people around us?
warm up and prayer
If someone is interested in being baptized, consider baptizing them. You can watch a video of how to safely do it at a home at eastside.com/baptism.
Have each person share their prayer requests. Ask someone to type them up and share with the group. This week spend time daily praying for your group.
Thank God for revealing himself to us and inviting us into an eternal relationship with him through his Son. Ask God to give us a passion for his glory, so we might find joy in serving the needy and sharing the gospel with the lost people around us.