The Rich Man and Lazarus “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.

The Rich Man and Lazarus And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house—for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’” (Luke 16:19-31 ESV)

Hebrews 4:12-13 “Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before Him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.” (NRSV)

Church of Christ at Medina August 5 th, 2012

Description of the Word of God 1.Living – Many today want to claim the Bible is a “dead book.” – This verse tells us that the Word of God is just as alive as the God who gave it! – 1 Peter 1:23-25

Description of the Word of God 2.Powerful – God’s word does have great power. Creative Power Hebrews 11:3 – “By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.” (NRSV)

Description of the Word of God 2.Powerful – God’s word does have great power. Convicting Power Jeremiah 23:29 – “Is not my word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” (NRSV) Acts 2:37 – “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’” (NRSV)

Description of the Word of God 2.Powerful – God’s word does have great power. Saving Power Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (NRSV) 1 Corinthians 1:21 – “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe.” (NRSV)

Description of the Word of God 2.Powerful – God’s word does have great power. Converting Power Psalm 19:7 – “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving (converting) the soul.” (NRSV) 1 Thessalonians 2:13 – “We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers.” (NRSV)

Description of the Word of God 2.Powerful – God’s word does have great power. Comforting Power Romans 15:4 – “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.” (NRSV) 1 Thessalonians 4:18 – “Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

Description of the Word of God 2.Powerful – God’s word does have great power. Sanctifying Power John 17:17 – “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (NRSV) John 15:3 - “You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you.” (NRSV) Ephesians 5:25-26 – “…just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, in order to make her holy by cleansing here with the washing of the water by the word…” (NRSV) 1 Peter 1:22 – “Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth…” (NRSV)

Description of the Word of God 2.Powerful – God’s word is also active and it will accomplish the work it was intended to perform. “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty,but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:6-11 ESV)

Description of the Word of God 3.Sharp – God’s word is compared to a two-edged sword. Ephesians 6:17 Revelation 1:16 – The sword can be used both for defense (Matt. 4:1-11) and offense (Rev. 2:12-17). – The sword pierces or makes a distinction.

Importance of the Word: An Example Learning from the Israelites – The Children of Israel were given the living oracles of God through Moses. Acts 7:38 Hebrews 1:1 – They were given a promise of peace. Hebrews 3:7-19 – However, the Israelites failed to enter because of unbelief. (Hebrews 3:18-4:2)

Importance of the Word: An Example Learning from the Israelites – We also are given the word of God, but through the Son. (Hebrews 1:1-3) – We also are given a promise of peace. (Hebrews 4:9-10) – We must be careful not to fall short due to unbelief as the Israelites did. (Hebrews 2:1-4, 4:11-13)

Resources 1.“The Word of God is Living and Powerful.”, Mike Grushon, Great Texts of the New Testament, 2008 Truth Magazine Lectureships 2.Multiple Commentaries on Hebrews