A Message From The Dead

      Have you ever read the story in Luke 16:19-31?  We often debate over whether or not this was a literal account.  When we focus on the matters of opinion we often miss the importance of a story.  Especially this story.  I heard a sermon from Steven Guy one time that addressed this question: “If the poor man Lazarus could have raised from the dead, what would he have preached?”  Ask yourself that question.  If you were Lazarus, what would you preach?  I think his sermon would be one of revival!  Here are some points that I believe he would make:

      God Is So Good = Paradise Is a Place of Comfort - We often forget to remember that our God is Good.  We need to recognize God’s desire for His children (Genesis 1-2), His dedication to His children (John 3:16-17), and His direction for His children (James 1:17).

      God Is So Just = Hades Is a Place of Torment - There are some great things we can learn about God’s nature in this story.  The most important characteristic displayed in this story is the justice of God.  We can learn a lot about God’s justice in the Scriptures.  His justice is sure (Hebrews 2:1-3), His justice is patient (II Peter 3:9), His justice is severe (Romans 11:22).  This may not seem comforting to you, but it should be.

      God Is So Wronged = The Rich Man - We often forget about how we have wronged God by our sin and willful rebellion.  God has to ask man, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3-4) because we have wandered far from Him.  God says, “They have rejected me” (I Samuel 8:7) and we wonder why we feel so abandoned.  God asks, “How often would I love and forgive?” (Hosea 1:11) but we think that God’s grace is not sufficient.  God asks, “Will a man rob God?” (Malachi 3:8) yet we think we can cheat God out of what is rightfully His. 

      God Is So Deserving = Lazarus - God is deserving of much more than we give Him.  He is deserving because of His care (Exodus 3:7, Psalm 8, I Peter 5:7), His charity (John 3:16, Romans 5:6-8), and His cause (Haggai 1:7, John 4:35, Ephesians 2:8-10).  We need to be less concerned about what God can do for us and more concerned about what we can do for God.  

      God Is So Clear = Us - God is clear about souls.  God had to prove this to Jonah in Jonah 4:6-11.  God is clear about talents.  He has tried to tell us in stories like the one in Matthew 25:24-30.  God is clear about restoration (Galatians 6:1-2, James 5:20, Revelation 2:4-5).  God is clear about salvation.  The chapter of Luke 15 could not show this any clearer.  It is echoed throughout the book of Revelation that salvation is from God (Revelation 7:10, 12:10, 19:11). He has even made the terms of salvation clear to man (Hear, Believe, Repent, Confess, Be Baptized, Be Faithful).

      What would you say if you were Lazarus?  Rejoice because God is so good.  Reconsider because God is so just.  Repent because God is so wronged.  Renew because God is so deserving.  Reap because God is so clear.  It is time for revival!!!

 * The preceding has been adapted from a sermon delivered by Dr. Steven K. Guy, adjunct professor of Homiletics from Heritage Christian University.  Bro. Guy is a gospel preacher and currently serves as the pulpit minister at the Woodson Chapel church of Christ in Nashville, TN.