Introduction:
A. Read - Luke 16:19-31.

B. There are many things we can learn from this account.

  I. Rich or poor we are all going to die (19-22).
      A. These men's lives were very different.
          1. The rich man enjoyed...
              a. Fine clothing.
              b. Good food.
              c. Nice home..for Lazarus was laid at his gate.
          2. Lazarus....
              a. Was a beggar.
              b. Lame...for he had to laid at the rich man's gate.
              c. He had sores all over his body (full of sores).
              d. Was glad to eat the rich man's scraps.
              e. The dogs licked his sores (dogs were dispised in
                  these days, and were considered scavengers).
      B. But, they both died (22), just as we will.
          1. It does not matter if we are rich or poor, we will die.
              a. Hebrews 9:27.
              b. Romans 5:12b.
          2. We do not know when that day might be.
              a. It could be today, it could be years from now.
              b. Young people usually think that they have years,
                  and years before they even have to think about dying,
                  but that is not necessarily so.
          3. God says the days of our years are 3 score and 10 - Ps.90:10.
              a. 70 years.
              b. The average person today lives about 70 or 80 years.
              c. That is not really that long, and before we know it, each
                  and everyone of us will reach those years.

 II. Death is not the end (22-26).
      A. Death was not the end for either of these men.
          1. Both of them went to a place called Hades.
              a. Hades = the realm of the dead.
              b. Jesus went to Hades after He died - Acts 2:31.
              c. All men go to the realm of the dead after they die.
          2. But, there are 2 very different sides to this realm.
              a. Torments - where the rich man went.
              b. Comfort - where Lazarus went.
              c. And, there is a gulf between the 2 that cannot be crossed.
              d. All men who die, before the Lord returns, will go to one or
                  the other.
      B. When Jesus returns, however, that will all change.
           1. Hades will be emptied.
               a. John 5:28-29.
               b. Revelation 20:13.
           2. All men will stand before Jesus (Matthew 25).
               a. All men will be judged by what they have, and
                   have not done.
               b. Those who have done what the Lord has said
                   will hear "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the
                   kingdom prepard for you from the foundation of the
                   world" (34).
               c. Those who did not do what the Lord has said
                   will hear "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting
                   fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (41).
               d. In other words, they will receive their eternal reward
                   or punishment (46).

III. If we are going to avoid eternal punishment, we have to listen
      to the word of God (26-31).
      A. The rich man did not want his brothers to face the same fate
           that he was suffering.
           1. This rich man was suffering.
               a. He was being tormented in the flames of Hades (24).
               b. Here was a man that fared sumptuously everday, but
                   now even a drop of water would have been considered
                   a great blessing.
           2. He did not want his brothers to end up in the same place.
               a. He knew what kind of men they were, and he knew that
                   unless they changed they would join him in torments.
               b. He wanted Lazarus to go and warn them (27-28).
               c. But, that was not possible.
      B. If they were going to avoid eternal punishment they were going
          to have to....
          1. Listen to Moses and the prophets (29).
              a. Moses and the prophets = the word of God.
              b. God had told them, in His word, how to live that they 
                  might be right with Him.
              c. They needed to listen to, and obey the word of God to
                  avoid eternal punishment.
          2. God still expects us to believe, and obey His word.
              a. Matthew 7:21.
              b. John 12:48.
              c. II Peter 1:3.

Conclusion:
A. If the rich man could have done it all over again, he would have
     lived differently.
     1. He would have lived godly.
     2. He would have helped the poor (like Lazarus).
     3. He would have done what God's word said.
B. But, there are no second chances.
     1. God does not want us to have to suffer for all eternity.
         a. He sent His Son to die that our sins can be forgiven.
         b. He has given us His word so that we can know what to do.
     2. Since there are no second chances we need to do what God
         wants in this life.
         a. Have you obeyed the gospel?
         b. Are you living like He has commanded?