1. AS THE TABLE TURNS
Luke 16:19-31

2. Worship

3. Opening Prayer

4. Announcements

5. Worship

6. AS THE TABLE TURNS
Luke 16:19-31

7. Luke 16:19-31 (NLT)
Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man
who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine
linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his
gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was
covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there
longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the
dogs would come and lick his open sores.

8. Luke 16:19-31 (NLT)
22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried
by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man
also died and was buried, 23 and his soul went
to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he
saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at
his side.

9. Luke 16:19-31 (NLT)
24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham,
have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip
the tip of his finger in water and cool my
tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’

10. Luke 16:19-31 (NLT)
25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember
that during your lifetime you had everything
you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now
he is here being comforted, and you are in
anguish. 26 And besides, there is a great chasm
separating us. No one can cross over to you
from here, and no one can cross over to us from
there.’

11. Luke 16:19-31 (NLT)
27 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father
Abraham, at least send him to my father’s
home. 28 For I have five brothers, and I want
him to warn them so they don’t end up in this
place of torment.’
29 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the
prophets have warned them. Your brothers can
read what they wrote.’

12. Luke 16:19-31 (NLT)
30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father
Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from
the dead, then they will repent of their sins and
turn to God.’
31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to
Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even
if someone rises from the dead.’”

13.  Not so fast, friend…good health and a fat wallet
don’t mean that God is happy with you.
TAKE HOME
 God’s vision of wealth and well-being is 180
degrees from that of the World.
 Home many times do I need to hear it…what
matters is relationships and generous love.
 Jesus’ was a master of ‘turning the
tables’…where am I seated?

14. Jewish Presumptions in Jesus’ Day
1. Rich = Blessed (some televangelists teach this still)
2. Beggars = Unblessed, unclean (think: lepers)
3. Related to Father Abraham = Chosen/Saved
(Jesus: “Not all who say ‘Lord’ will enter in)
4. Only Jews went to Heaven
5. Charity was optional, not a way of life.
Jesus’ story is the total reverse of all this!
Note: Like the Rich Man, we too, may be surprised who is
in heaven and who isn’t!

15. What An Amazing Story! Jesus Plays
‘Upset The Fruit-Basket’ With Our Minds.
 Perhaps unconsciously, we may make a connection
between wealth and being deserving and good person.
 Like the people in another parable, we may ask: Who is
responsible for this man’s illness…himself or his
parents. Sick=Sin
 We pity the man whose sores are licked by dogs. But
who is truly the pitiful one?

16. Jesus Tips Everything On End!
 The rich guy goes unnamed.
But the ‘low rung’ fellow has a name…Lazarus.
 Lazarus ends up in Abraham’s bosom.
The fat cat is in hell.
 Mr. Rich can see the Lazarus next to Abraham.
Lazarus has a room with no view…of hell.
 All those sumptuous meals (or no meals) were
absolutely no index of their standing with God.
 Jesus so often turned the tables:
Woman at the well, ‘Good’ Samaritan, Others?

17. The ‘Hand Me Another Morsel, Servant’
Man Doesn’t Have A Prayer
 It is too late for ordering from God’s menu
…not even a drop of water, please?
 He didn’t have a crumb to give Lazarus
Now he’s begging for Lazarus for a crumb of water.
 Abraham: Sorry, but the barrier between you two is
now fixed…there is no crossing over.
 Do you hear any mercy or sympathy in Father
Abraham’s voice.

18. Please Send Lazarus On A Mission To My
Unbelieving Family!
 They have those to warn them…as you did.
 Do you really think they’d listen to a Dead Man
Walking?
 There is only One who has returned from the
dead. Do people listen to Him?

19. God Scrambles Our
Images, Charts, Formulas
And Score Cards
 Faith and works combine in the Good Life.
 A stuffed closet, slick car and three tasty
squares a day…absolutely not a worthy index
of how God sees us.

20. GOD’S P.O.V.
“Do not consider his appearance or his height,
for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look
at the things man looks at. Man looks at the
outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the
heart.”
--I Samuel 16:7

21. What Is Jesus Trying To Tell Us In This
‘Table-turning’ Story?
 Love each other --I Corinthians 13
 Love enemies --Matthew 5:43-48
 Serve those in need
--Matthew 25:31-46 (Take note of verse 45 and 46!)
 Put feet and hands on our words!

22. My Commitment
I'll say yes, Lord, yes
To your will and to your way
I'll say yes, Lord, yes
I will trust you and obey
When your Spirit speaks to me
With my whole heart I'll agree
And my answer will be yes, Lord, yes

23. Confession
I believe that Jesus is
the Christ, the Son of
the living God.
I trust him as my Lord
and Savior.

24. Offering

25.  Not so fast, friend…good health and a fat wallet
don’t mean that God is happy with you.
TAKE HOME
 God’s vision of wealth and well-being is 180
degrees from that of the World.
 Home many times do I need to hear it…what
matters is relationships and generous love.
 Jesus’ was a master of ‘turning the
tables’…where am I seated?

26. Prayer

27. Closing Chorus

28. Go In Jesus’ Name
Go To Love God,
Love Others