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The Rich and the Beggar Lazarus

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[ Luke 16:31]

"He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"

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This is the story Jesus told. There was a very rich man in a neighborhood. This man lived a luxurious life with very expensive clothes.

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At the rich man's house, a lavish feast was held, full of food. He had no interest in heaven and hell.

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At the gate of this rich man's house sat a man named Lazarus. Poor Lazarus was swelling all over. He was there to fill his stomach with the leftovers from the rich man's home.

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His appearance was even miserable. Because the dogs came and licked Lazarus's boil. Although Lazarus was poor and sick in the world, he had a hope for heaven.

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After a while, the rich man died and the beggar Lazarus died. The beggar Lazarus died and was led by angels to heaven. And he was in the arms of Abraham, the father of faith.

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But the rich fell into the pain of hell. Rich in hell's pain, the rich man lifted up his eyes to see heaven, and he saw far away from Abraham.

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He also quickly recognized that Lazarus in Abraham's bosom was at the door of his house. The rich man was surprised to see it.

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The rich man who went to hell shouted loudly.

“Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.”(Lk 16:24)

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Abraham, who heard the cry of the rich, said to him:

“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’” (Lk 16:25-26)

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The rich man told Abraham again. “Please, please. Please send Lazarus into my house. I have five brothers: go to Lazarus and tell them that there is a hell, and do not let them come here.”

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Abraham answered the rich man: “They have Moses and the prophets, and they must hear them.” This means that those who preach the gospel on earth already tell the truth, It means that your brother hear about hell.

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The rich man pleaded again to Abraham. "It's not like that. Father Abraham !! If someone dies and rises to them, they will repent.” The rich man thought that when the dead Lazarus was resurrected and preached, people would listen.

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Abraham answered:

“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”(Lk 16:31)

Abraham said that those who do not listen to those who preach the gospel on earth will not hear when a dead and resurrected person goes to them and preaches.

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Lazarus lived as a poor beggar in the world, but because he had the hope of heaven, he could live forever in heaven. But the rich man regarded money as his master. He lived in hell after he did not prepare for eternal life after death.

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Jesus told the end of people who do not believe in God but love only money. Relying on wealth, not God, they will be severely judged after hell. But if we believe in Jesus and become God's children, we will be able to go to eternal heaven like Lazarus when our lives are over.

I hope you will remember these facts and become friends who rejoice in their hopes no matter what happens.

(This is the sample conclusion provided by CTM. Please feel free to change the conclusion to best suit the listeners of your sermon.)