The Eternal Destinies of Lazarus & Dives

Millersport Covenant Church Sermon Podcasts

In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus peels back the veil of what happens when people die. Some believe His story to merely be a parable; others do not. But Jesus told it and we needn't second guess its validity. God's Word supersedes all our cultural beliefs, superstitions, and sensational tales--both for this life as well as the life to come. Jesus' story is about a poor beggar named Lazarus, hungry and afflicted with sores. It also features a man of great means, which upon his front gate the destitute Lazarus is laid. Then both men die. Lazarus goes to Paradise while the rich man is sent across the chasm to Hades. The story juxtaposes eternal agony with eternal ecstasy. It's cryptic beyond the pale! The Great News is that Jesus has made THE WAY for us to be with Him forever in Paradise. He not only died for our sins that would've sent us to hell, but rose from the dead to affirm His atoning sacrifice. Quoting David in Psalm 32, Paul writes in Romans 4:7-8: "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” (NIV) Yes indeed, those in Christ have been BLESSED beyond measure and that means BLESSED forevermore!