Today we are going to take a look at one of the most well known parables Jesus told. We all know the story of the prodigal son and how a very lost sinner was saved. It is a story of a very shameful son who was completely reconciled back to his father after his complete repentance.

However, as much as we have all heard this story there really are two other characters in this story who we read over and kind of just ignore since we focus so much on the prodigal son. Today instead of looking at the prodigal son I want to focus primarily on the Father in the story and in a few weeks we are going to focus on the second son. The son who stayed home with the father but was just as lost as the prodigal. People will think the second son represents Christians and is saved but he is lost. We have missed represented this parable by calling it the Prodigal Son and it should really be called the Story of the two sons and their gracious, loving and merciful Father. As we study this passage I hope the richness of what God has done for us as believers encourages your heart. I hope it gives a little glimpse into His love for us.
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Luke 16:19-31 The Rich Man and Lazarus

Today’s message is seriously one of the most important places of scripture that we can study. It is a place in scripture where we see what happens to people after they die. We have two different accounts but primarily we will be taking a hard look at a man who ended up in hell. This parable on the surface looks to be addressing money which it is, but really it is addressing how do I get to heaven or how do I end up in hell.

I believe we could spend weeks on this particular parable and barely scratch the surface of its depth. But I hope that God’s word speaks to your hearts today about His Truth. What we are going to look at today should make a serious impact on how we deal and look at scripture.

Please open your Bibles to Luke 16:19-31. We are going to be taking a look at the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. One interesting note on this parable is that it is the only parable Jesus uses a real persons name. I believe there is a reason God uses the name of Lazarus but we could speculate many things about that simple fact. But instead of exploring that particular question we are going to dig into what God is trying to tell us through this parable.
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I keep watching Todd Bentley and the question that continually comes to my mind is he possesed by a demon? Why would I even say such a thing? Because we have been studying through the book of Acts on Sunday’s and the account of the young girl who was demon possesed had the ability of divination (the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means).

She also was bringing a lot of money to her owners. Again, Todd Bentley is bringing “lots” of money too! Here is the account of the slave girl.

Acts 16:16-18
16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants [5] of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” 18 And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.
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Have you ever questioned your faith? Have you ever had doubts that the Bible is God’s Holy Word? Is God really there? Have you ever doubted your salvation?

Have you ever cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” as the father of a demon possessed boy did in Mark 9.

Doubt is one of those things that can cause us to abandon the faith or we can use our doubts to trust and grow in our relationship with Christ by digging deep into His word. I always like what Pastor Ken “Hutch” likes to say, “I should always doubt my own doubts and just trust the promises of God.” Read More...

Wow, I just got done reading this fairly short post by John Piper that really encouraged me about not giving up hope with our struggles against sin. Sometimes I just wonder how many times am I going to keep doing the same sins over and over again? Why am I like the dog who goes back to the same old vomit. Why do I lose patience with people, why do I get angry so easily, why do I like to horde my money, why do I like to argue, why why why? Should we just throw in the towel? NO! Read this and it will encourage you as it did me.

It's Never Too Late to Keep Asking - By John Piper - Original Article

One of the greatest hope-killers is that you have tried for so long to change and have not succeeded. Now you look back and think: What’s the use? Even if I could experience a breakthrough, there would be so little time left to live in my new way it wouldn’t make much difference compared to so many decades of failure.
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