The Silence of Lazarus A Study of God’s Grace and its Absence

Context of the Parable 14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him. 15 And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God. Luke 16:14–15 (NASB95) Condemnation of Materialism Places mercy toward others above the accumulation of wealth (vs. 1-12) Condemns their “prosperity religion” Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus illustrates the disparity between two different concepts of justification Places mercy toward others above the accumulation of wealth (vs. 1-12) Condemns their “prosperity religion” Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus illustrates the disparity between two different concepts of justification

The Rich Man God’s Common Grace “rich” - “to having an abundance of earthly possessions that exceeds normal experience, rich, wealthy... a rich man (i.e. one who does not need to work for a living) (BDAG) 19 Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. 20 “And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, Luke 16:19–20 (NASB95)

The Rich Man God’s Common Grace “habitually dressed” The NASB translates the imperfect tense (ongoing action with no sense of completion) of the verb “to clothe” thus adding the word “habitually” 19 Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. 20 “And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, Luke 16:19–20 (NASB95)

The Rich Man God’s Common Grace “dressed in purple and fine linen” - purple dye imported at great expense and linen most likely made from Egyptian cotton 19 Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. 20 “And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, Luke 16:19–20 (NASB95)

The Rich Man God’s Common Grace “feasting lavishly everyday” (HCSB) “feasted sumptuously every day” (ESV) “fared sumptuously everyday” (KJV) 19 Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. 20 “And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, Luke 16:19–20 (NASB95)

The Rich Man God’s Common Grace splendor - “pertaining to living in ostentatious luxury” (Louw Nida) 19 Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. 20 “And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, Luke 16:19–20 (NASB95)

The Rich Man God’s Common Grace “gate” - the term for big gate often used to describe a palace gate (Strong’s) 19 Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. 20 “And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, Luke 16:19–20 (NASB95)

The Rich Man God’s Common Grace This wealth was only available to the Rich Man through the provisions of God available to all mankind Could he have enjoyed this wealth without the constancy of God’s physical laws? This wealth was only available to the Rich Man through the provisions of God available to all mankind Could he have enjoyed this wealth without the constancy of God’s physical laws? 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,Hebrews 1:3 (NASB95)

The Rich Man God’s Common Grace This wealth was only available to the Rich Man through the provisions of God available to all mankind Could he have enjoyed this wealth without the constancy of God’s physical laws? This wealth was only available to the Rich Man through the provisions of God available to all mankind Could he have enjoyed this wealth without the constancy of God’s physical laws? 10 “For every beast of the forest is Mine, The cattle on a thousand hills. 11 “I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine. Psalm 50:10–11 (NASB95)

The Rich Man God’s Common Grace This wealth was only available to the Rich Man through the provisions of God available to all mankind Could he have enjoyed this wealth without the constancy of God’s physical laws? Could he have accrued his wealth without the rule of law executed through the Divine institution of government? This wealth was only available to the Rich Man through the provisions of God available to all mankind Could he have enjoyed this wealth without the constancy of God’s physical laws? Could he have accrued his wealth without the rule of law executed through the Divine institution of government? 1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God... 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.Romans 13:1–4 (NASB95)

Failure of the Prosperity Gospel “Because God is good I have been blessed”Vs. “Because I am good God blessed me” 45 …for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45 (NASB95)

Failure of the Prosperity Gospel 22 Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried.Luke 16:22 (NASB95) The benefits of this common grace stopped at death Lazarus was lovingly “carried away by the angels” The rich man “died and was buried” The man who had “fared sumptuously every day” now “lifted up his eyes being in torment” The benefits of this common grace stopped at death Lazarus was lovingly “carried away by the angels” The rich man “died and was buried” The man who had “fared sumptuously every day” now “lifted up his eyes being in torment”

Hell - The Absence of God’s Grace 24 And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’Luke 16:24 (NASB95) Hell is often described as a place of flame and physical torment We must take care not to materialize hell Hell is not hell because of flames etc. but due to the absence of GRACE, LOVE, AND HOPE Hell is often described as a place of flame and physical torment We must take care not to materialize hell Hell is not hell because of flames etc. but due to the absence of GRACE, LOVE, AND HOPE An Existence Without God

Hell - The Absence of God’s Grace 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,2 Thessalonians 1:7–9 (NASB95) Hell is often described as a place of flame and physical torment We must take care not to materialize hell Hell is not hell because of flames etc. but due to the absence of GRACE, LOVE, AND HOPE Hell is often described as a place of flame and physical torment We must take care not to materialize hell Hell is not hell because of flames etc. but due to the absence of GRACE, LOVE, AND HOPE An Existence Without God

Hell - The Absence of God’s Grace 11 “I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; 12 but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”Matthew 8:11–12 (NASB95) Hell is often described as a place of flame and physical torment We must take care not to materialize hell Hell is not hell because of flames etc. but due to the absence of GRACE, LOVE, AND HOPE Hell is often described as a place of flame and physical torment We must take care not to materialize hell Hell is not hell because of flames etc. but due to the absence of GRACE, LOVE, AND HOPE An Existence Without God

The Silence of Lazarus 20 And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, 21 and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. Luke 16:20–21 (NASB95) Lazarus is the extreme opposite of the rich man He is seemingly untouched by “common” grace Paralyzed and starving he lay just outside the glow of the rich man’s splendor Lazarus is the extreme opposite of the rich man He is seemingly untouched by “common” grace Paralyzed and starving he lay just outside the glow of the rich man’s splendor Justifying Grace

The Silence of Lazarus 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.Revelation 22:14–15 (NASB95) Lazarus is the extreme opposite of the rich man He is seemingly untouched by “common” grace Paralyzed and starving he lay just outside the glow of the rich man’s splendor Lazarus is the extreme opposite of the rich man He is seemingly untouched by “common” grace Paralyzed and starving he lay just outside the glow of the rich man’s splendor Justifying Grace

The Silence of Lazarus 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.Luke 16:25 (NASB95) While bereft of common grace Lazarus fully participated in justifying grace Silent in his suffering he quietly enjoyed his reward Despite all his misery Lazarus had lived a life of hope and now received the prize he had sought While bereft of common grace Lazarus fully participated in justifying grace Silent in his suffering he quietly enjoyed his reward Despite all his misery Lazarus had lived a life of hope and now received the prize he had sought Justifying Grace