Firm Foundations

1
Firm Foundations

• Lesson 45
• The foolishness of trusting in riches
• Memory verse Matthew 1626

2
Introduction

• Do you have any problems?
• Would a million dollars take care of your
  problems?
• Money sometimes seems like the answer, but lets
  look at Gods perspective

3
Foolishness of living only for things of this life

• Luke 1215
• Many people want things
• Many are jealous of what others have
• Jesus told a parable about this
• Luke 1216-19
• Farmer thought he had all he needed
• Didnt consider that God gives/takes life

4
Foolishness of living only for things of this
life (cont.)

• Luke 1220
• Farmer didnt consider Gods plans for him
• When God decides its time for someone to die, he
  dies.
• Luke 1221
• Gods treasure is better than the worlds riches
• Warning use your time and energy for God, not
  riches

5
The rich man and Lazarus

• Luke 1619-21
• Who was better off? The rich man, or Lazarus?
• Luke 1622
• What was Abrahams bosom?
• Were the mans riches of any use to him after he
  died?
• When someone dies, they go to one of 2 places
• With God
• Fire and punishment for your sin

6
The rich mans cry for help

• Luke 1623
• Rich man was in hell!
• Even now, more than 2,000 years later, and for
  eternity!
• Luke 1624
• Great suffering in Hell
• God hates sin, it must be paid in full
• Thinks he can still treat Lazarus as a servant

7
Abrahams answer

• Luke 1625
• Lazarus must have trusted God rich man trusted
  riches
• Circumstances now reversed
• Luke 1626
• Once you die, there is no way of escape or change

8
The rich mans appeal on behalf of his brothers

• Luke 1627-28
• He still remembered this world, though in Hell!
• Wanted Lazarus to go back and warn his family
• Still wants to treat Lazarus as a servant

9
Abrahams answer

• Luke 1629
• Gods Word was enough to warn his family
• Its enough to warn everyone

10
The rich mans argument and Abrahams verdict

• Luke 1630
• Wanted a miracle to help convince them
• Luke 1631
• Miracles dont create faith in the faithless

11
Conclusion

• Time stretches endlessly in both directions
• Lazarus and rich man are still in the same places
  they were 2,000 years ago
• Lazarus peace with God
• Rich man suffering in Hell
• Their future decided while they still lived on
  earth
• Where are you on this time line?
• How long will your life be?
• The choices you make will affect your life for
  eternity