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Do you believe in God? Do you believe that there is a devil? Do you believe that there is a heaven and a hell?
According to a Gallup poll, Americans are more likely to believe in the existence of God than in the existence of the devil, and Americans are more likely to believe in the existence of heaven than in the existence of hell.
In this poll, 86 percent of Americans said they believe in the existence of God (a supreme being), whereas 70 percent believe in the existence of the devil.
There is a difference between believing in the existence of God and having saving faith in Christ. A person can believe in God as a supreme being but not have saving faith in Christ. The only true God is the Father who sent His Son, Jesus, to be our Savior from sin and death.
The rich man in our text believed in God. He also believed that he had come from Abraham's lineage. He called Abraham “father”. He also believed that the writings of Moses and the prophets existed.
But the rich man did not trust in God's grace and mercy. He did not have faith in the coming Messiah to save him from his sin. He did not have the same faith as Abraham. He did not believe that the words of Moses and the prophets were beneficial or important for him. He did not even believe that the words of Moses and the prophets had the power to convert his five brothers. The rich man loved his money more than God, and he failed to love his neighbor — namely the poor beggar who asked for help.
Dearly beloved, do not reject the Word of God, but listen to it and follow it. Do not make money or anyone or anything your idol god, but believe in the one true God — the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Do not think that repentance is unnecessary, but confess your sins and seek God's forgiveness in Christ. If your neighbor needs help, then help your neighbor even if it means sacrifice on your part.
Well, the rich man died and went to Hades. His riches could not save him.
In the same Gallup poll mentioned earlier, 81 percent of Americans believed in the existence of heaven, whereas only 69 percent believed in the existence of hell.
The rich man believed in the existence of hell. He was in it. He experienced it. It was real. He even wanted someone to warn his five brothers lest they come to the same place of torment.
The existence of hell is real. Scripture describes it as a place where God is not — a place of everlasting punishment prepared for the devil and his angels. Hell is a place of unquenchable fire where people weep and gnash their teeth. It is a place of outer darkness. It is like a lake that burns with fire and sulfur. No wonder the rich man wanted his tongue cooled.
John 3:36 says, “He who does not believe in the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” Jesus says, “He who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). He again says, “He who is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when he comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38).
Unbelief says, “No, thank you.” to Jesus. Unbelief hears the wonderful Gospel message, but rejects it. Christ earned the forgiveness of sins, but unbelief has no desire for this most precious gift.
God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather, he wants the wicked to turn from their way and live. God wants all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
The reality of hell is a warning for all of us lest we fall away from saving faith in Christ. For those who do not yet believe, it's a call for them to trust in Christ as their Savior. Invite your neighbor and your friend to the Divine Service where they will hear good news of God's love for them in Christ Jesus. The Word will create saving faith in Christ. Conversion does not take place because the poor man or anyone else will rise from the dead and warn us of hell. Rather, God's law calls us to repentance, and His saving Gospel preaches Jesus and the forgiveness of sins.
The poor beggar was sick, being full of sores. The dogs even came and licked them. Perhaps he was so crippled that he was unable to fend off the dogs. He probably didn't have much clothing. He didn't have much to eat, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table.
This poor beggar believed that God would provide for him, that God would give him his daily bread even if they were crumbs. The poor beggar suffered, but he never cursed God. He looked beyond his suffering to a time of glory in heaven.
Dearly beloved, we are all poor beggars. We have been stripped of our righteousness in the garden of Eden and left naked in sin and guilt. We have the sores and wounds of sin. We suffer from the result of a fallen world.
Our sinful flesh has made money its idol god. Our sinful flesh is selfish and self–centered. It doesn't want to help the poor and the needy or give to charity. Our sinful flesh doubts God's Word and His many promises. Our sins hurt us. They cripple us. They are like open wounds. Our sins burden our conscience. Our sins destroy relationships. We hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Do not be complacent like the rich man, but repent. Humble yourself before God, recognizing that all of us are poor beggars before God. Cry out on a daily basis, “Lord, have mercy.”
Well, the poor beggar died and the angels carried him to heaven. His faith in the promised Messiah saved him; the same faith that Abraham had. The poor beggar trusted in God's mercy proclaimed in the books of Moses and the Prophets.
Scripture describes heaven as a place of never–ending blessedness. It is a place where there is no sin, no death, and no evil.
Jesus says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life” (John 5:25). He also said, “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
The Father sent His only begotten Son Jesus to bring salvation to a fallen world. Jesus was the one whom Moses and the prophets foretold.
While on earth, Jesus was rich in righteousness, yet for our sakes, yet He became poor. He never had a place where He could call “home”. In the end, Jesus was full of sores, for his flesh was ripped open by the whips of the soldiers. He was laid at the gate of the rich religious authorities, and yet, they offered Jesus no mercy. They stripped Him of his clothing and nailed Him to a cross. They never even gave Him a crumb of bread or a sip of water, but they gave him soar vinegar. Psalm 22:16 says, “Dogs have surrounded Me. They pierced my hands and My feet.” The dogs who surrounded Jesus on the cross were the Gentile soldiers and the crowd of evildoers who mocked Him.
While on earth, Jesus was rich in righteousness, yet for our sakes He laid aside his Godly powers, humbled Himself, and became obedient to the point of death, even death upon a cross. He did this so that we might become rich through His poverty. No one here has suffered more than our Lord.
Three days later, Christ rose from the dead. You don't need visible signs to make you believe. Blessed are you who believe in the resurrection of our Lord even though you have not seen it.
Dearly beloved, in your baptism, Jesus clothed you with the righteousness He earned on the cross. Therefore, your nakedness of sin is covered. In Holy Absolution, God forgives sin and your burdened conscience is removed. Blessed are you who hear the Word of God preached from this pulpit. It's the hearing of God's Word that brings one to faith in Christ. If people do not hear God's Word, neither will they be persuaded though a human being may rise from the dead. God's Word is sufficient to bring you and others to repentance and faith.
Jesus once said, “My sheep hear My voice.” And He said, “Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it.” So, hold preaching and the Word of God sacred and gladly hear and learn it.
At this altar, Jesus satisfies your hunger and thirst for righteousness. Even though it's a crumb of bread and a sip of wine, His body and blood removes all your sin.
It's the Gospel and sacraments that nurture and sustain your faith in Christ. Some will say, “No, these are not sufficient. Let's liven things up and make things entertaining and emotional, like things of this world. Then, people will be converted.” Do not think such thoughts. Rather, trust in the robe of righteousness given to you in your baptism. Hear the law and Gospel preached which brings repentance and faith. Touch and taste the body and blood of our Lord for the forgiveness of all your sins. Through these simple means of Gospel, our Lord comes to you — a poor beggar — and gives you peace and comfort.
God has been merciful to you, therefore have mercy on others. When someone is in need, help them. God has loved you in Christ Jesus, therefore show love toward one another, especially your neighbor. God has blessed you with a good welfare and income, therefore give to the church and to charity. God has forgiven you in Christ, therefore forgive others even though they may be an enemy.
If you are ever in need, God will hear your prayer. Trust in Him and in His many promises. May God give you grace to accept your afflictions. May you persevere with God as your strength and refuge.
God loves you, and He deeply cares about you. You are blessed in both body and soul. You are especially blessed with faith in Christ and the gift of eternal life.
Do you believe in God? Yes, you believe in the one true God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Do you believe that there is a devil? Yes, you believe that he exists. He seeks to destroy God's kingdom and your faith in Christ. Do you believe that there is a heaven and hell? Yes, you believe that these two places exist. Christ has opened heaven for you. You are his dear lamb. Through saving faith in Christ, you will join Abraham, the poor beggar and all others in the glory and beauty of heaven. God grant this. Amen.
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