The Churchtown Weekly Thursday, June 27, 2024
Learn-Grow-Become-GO!
Shout it in the assembly.
Shout it to the world. (Psalm 40)
Luke 16:19-31 (NLT)
Scripture teaches, and I speak often of, those who worship their idols here on earth and the fact that they should get as much enjoyment as possible now because that is, in fact, all the pleasure they will ever experience for all eternity. This is exactly what is being taught here in detail.
Let’s go through the parable together and learn how it directly relates to the other teachings about the Kingdom of God, and perhaps something new.
19Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.
Right here we see that, although the Kingdom of God is compared to earthly treasure in other parables, the frame is set in the opening to help us realize that actual treasure is life with God.
22“Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, 23and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.
Two different places. Many will say that scripture does not speak of Hell and/or references to Hell are actually references to places near Jerusalem where they burned trash or other such nonsense; but the fact remains that Jesus NEVER proclaims the Good News of salvation without also teaching that without salvation, you are damned. We often limit our reading, or purposely limit our understanding to the former and ignore the latter.
Abraham is used to represent those who remained faithful (Re: Romans 4:1-3), while the rich man went to the “place of the dead.” You can read this as, “the place of the spiritually dead” – for this rich man had faith only in himself, his riches, and all that brought him. Notice that he is lone in the place of the spiritually dead. Note that he is tormented – and that one of his torments is to see Lazarus resting with Abraham.
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.’
“Have some pity. I am in anguish” this only reinforces what I just wrote and sets the stage for a powerful lesson to come. I know a lot of really nice people whose first instinct would be to take pity and help. Yahweh, however, is using this opportunity to teach us something about Himself and our relationship with Him.
He does not pity us!
He grants us mercy!
There is a difference.
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. 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.’
And there it is. The difference in believing that God is everything and the world is nothing and that the world is everything and God is not to be feared.
The prophets speak of this. The Psalmists speak of this. Jesus speaks of this. The Apostles speak of this.
It is, next to the mercy God shows us by extending His grace, the most reinforced lesson in all of scripture. The lesson is so important because it is THE fundamental way that we as the bearers of God’s image get it wrong; and we know that it is lie straight from Satan’s mouth because we know that the exact opposite is true. It is, in fact, what this parable is all about.
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.’
REGRET
29“But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’
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.’
If they could only experience this for a second, they would repent of their sins! There is probably no truer statement, so why does God not use this type of experience to “persuade” His special creation to turn to Him? Well, it is exactly because it would be persuasion rather than free will.
Love cannot be coerced (1 Cor. 13) One person cannot force another to love them. If I promise all of the good things in life to a person and they cling to me so that they may receive them, is that love?
Conversely, if I threaten or abuse someone into professing feelings for me, is that love.
The answer, of course, is no.
31“But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Yet we have been given all of the information that we need to make our own decision without any “persuasion” one way or the other. In fact, we have the example of the power of God raising Jesus from the dead! Yet there are those who will never accept this as Truth, never repent, and never know the MERCY of God’s grace and the regeneration of their spirit.
This is what is pitiful.
We persist in our calling as children of God to proclaim the Good news that Christ lived, Christ died, Christ rose again, so that all the world may have all the information they need choose love. To choose God.
This parable should impact you if you are already a follower of Christ and my prayer is that this parable will impact you if you are not, for it teaches a Truth that not many want to hear, even though it is persistently and consistently taught throughout scripture.
We have the choice NOW to repent, believe, receive, and follow God’s call.
That choice is no longer when our heart beats for its last time.
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
You can now subscribe and listen to the
“Churchtown Podcast Network!”
Available on both Apple Podcasts and Spotify, just search “Turning on the Lights!” and “Churchtown Church of God Sermons” – subscribe and then leave a rating and a review! More folks will see it!
*Audio and video are always posted on our YouTube channel @churchtownchurch (there are 1,100 videos there)
Church Calendar
Randy Simpson in concert Sat. June 29
Friday, July 5 is the First Friday Movie, “Joseph, King of Dreams” at 7pm in the sanctuary.
Tuesday July 9 council prayer at 6:30
Saturday July 13 – Wednesday July 17 – Churchtown Riders RIDE!
Sunday July 14 – Barb preaching / Brass ensemble playing / Kids for Our King
Sunday July 21 the New Song Singers Lead the Service of the Ordinances
Wednesday July 24 is chamily prayer at 7pm
Saturday July 27 Randy Simpson outside at 5.
SERVICE OF THE ORDINANCE DATES:
July 21
October 13th
November 27th – Thanksgiving Eve.
Remember, the single biggest reason given for why someone attends church for the first time is that a friend asked them!
As always, we continue in prayer for Churchtown, for our community, for the church universal, and for the lost everywhere.
God is good. God provides. Keep your eyes up and on the cross people.
Be well and do good, my friends. And, as always, Keep Looking Up! The lord comes!
REMEMBER THAT!
Opportunities!
We are always seeking individuals to be trained in technology. We would like to develop TEAMS that could rotate weekends.
There is always the opportunity to provide music – join up with the New Song Singers and / or talk to me about a special prelude or piece.
Gather-Grow-Become-Go
Churchtown Church of God
Sunday, June 30, 2024
Welcome to Churchtown!
We are glad you are here for this fifth Sunday celebration!
The NSS will open with, “God Bless America”
Opening Word
Matthew 13:31-46 (NLT)
“Draw Me Close to You”
101, “His Name Is Wonderful”
“Mighty to Save”
Word
Mark 12:1-12 (NLT)
““Shine Jesus Shine!”
Word
Luke 16:19-31 (NLT)
“Fairest Lord Jesus” – NSS
Our Time of Testimony and Prayer
“The Lord’s Prayer”
“How Great Is Our God” (NLT)
As a “little” church, we are always asking the question, “What CAN we do?” Well, we can start by caring for the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of each other.We CAN serve the next person God places before us.
We CAN invite that person to church!
We CAN be intentional about going to church and strengthening ourselves and the body.
We CAN serve our community and show who Christ is to those who do not know Him.
We CAN PRAY, PRAY, PRAY – and we can REMAIN FATIHFUL!
I Love Being Your Pastor and Your Friend,
Brian
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