Tuesday 3-11-08 "Regret"

Greetings Internet Campus,

Luke 16:23-24; 26-28 (NLT2): “23and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. 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.’ … 26And 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.’ 27“Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. 28For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’”

Remember our study yesterday? Lazarus, the beggar, died and was carried to Heaven by angels...the rich man...not so fortunate. We said that the reason Lazarus went to Heaven was his faith in Christ. Today we're going to look at the rich man's experience...

After his death, the rich man went "to the place of the dead." We know it as hell. Notice the next little phrase in this passage..."There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance..." Hell is an unbelievably horrible place. Torture, fever, gnashing of teeth, and hopelessness are some of its qualities. Perhaps the most torturous feeling amongst those in hell is the overwhelming feeling of regret. Once you're in hell...there is no way to get to Heaven. You have to live with the regret of rejecting the claims of Christ...of never declaring Him Lord and Savior of your life.

Look at the passage, the rich man sees Lazarus and Abraham in Heaven and cries out that he wants some water...a drop...anything to relieve his agony. Abraham tells him that no one can cross over from hell to Heaven. No one. You are left to suffer both exhausting physical and mental brutality.

The focus this morning is the last phrase. The rich man begs Abraham to allow Lazarus to go to the rich man's home and tell his brothers about the torture of hell....so that they won't have to endure the same pain and suffering. How about you? Do you know somebody today that is headed for that same fate?

Maybe it's a family member...maybe a friend or co-worker.... you know who they are.... maybe it's even you (see yesterday's message). In any case, it is our responsibility to not only secure our eternity in Heaven but to bring others with us. To tell anyone who will listen what is at stake. I'm not saying to scare them into Heaven by telling them only about Hell....what I am saying is that there are people that you know that think when you die...that's it. You're dead. If you know otherwise...your knowledge makes it your (and my) responsibility to share the truth.

Write it down: In your journal today, make a list of three people that need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. Make it your goal in the next few days to seek an opportunity to share what you know about eternity with them.

See you tomorrow...
Pastor Brian