The Right View of Life
A Sermon on Luke 16:19-31
Originally preached Sept. 23, 1962
Scripture
19¶ There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell …
Sermon Description
The only two eternal destinations for humankind are heaven and hell. In this sermon on Luke 16:19–31 titled “The Right View of Life,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows the two very different destinies presented in Scripture that correspond to two different ways of living. There is the carnal life of sin and pleasure that is only concerned with what is temporal and physical. This life leads to eternal destruction and is the destiny of all who die in sin. The other way of life is one that is concerned with God and what is true, good, and eternal. This life leads to eternal life and communion with God. These two lives are either of unbelief or belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ. One’s attitude toward life, death, and the soul reflects the heart and mind. The story of the rich man and Lazarus show these two principals at work in these two lives. Jesus shows the folly of living for this world with its fleeting passions and desires. But those who seek the kingdom of God are blessed and righteous even though they may suffer in this life. Those who believe do so only because of the work of God upon their hearts. Even if unbelievers were to see a man rise from the dead, they would not believe in Jesus and His gospel.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon begins by establishing that the passage being discussed, Luke 16:19-31, is a statement of fact by Jesus rather than a parable.
- Jesus's teaching has several characteristics:
- It is unique and surprising, cutting across human thinking.
- It calls us to think, reason, and gain wisdom, not just rely on emotion.
- It simplifies the problems of life, focusing on fundamentals rather than complications.
- It presents two ways, God's way or the way of "mammon" (the world). A choice must be made.
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It shows the tragic folly of making the wrong choice.
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The most important thing in life is one's outlook and attitude, specifically how one views death and eternity.
- One's view of life determines how one lives and dies. The rich man lived for pleasure and died alone, while Lazarus lived for God and was carried to heaven by angels.
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The mode of one's death and state after death are determined by one's view of life. The rich man went to hell, while Lazarus went to heaven. Their states are unchangeably fixed.
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The right view of life comes from believing "Moses and the prophets," the Scriptures. They show us our sin, need for salvation, and God's provision of salvation in Christ.
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We must repent, believe the gospel, and press into the kingdom of God to have the right view of life, die well, and enter heaven.
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We should pray to live and die well so we can enter heaven and hear "Well done." The wise believe the Scriptures and the gospel.
Sermon Q&A
What Does Lloyd-Jones Teach About Life and Death in Luke 16?
What is Dr. Lloyd-Jones' main argument about the rich man and Lazarus story?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, this passage in Luke 16:19-31 is not a parable but a true story told by Jesus. He emphasizes that it comes with the authority of Christ himself, not merely human opinion. Lloyd-Jones argues that this is perhaps "the most solemn statement that our Lord ever made" and was spoken to illustrate Jesus' teaching in the first part of Luke 16. The passage shows the stark contrast between two different approaches to life and their eternal consequences.
Why does Lloyd-Jones believe the story is not a parable?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes that "we are not told that this is a parable," which leads him to deduce "that it is a true story, a true statement." Unlike many of Jesus' other teachings where He explicitly identifies them as parables, this account is presented as factual. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes this point because it adds gravity to the eternal truths being communicated about life, death, and the afterlife.
What does Lloyd-Jones identify as the most important thing in life according to Jesus?
Lloyd-Jones identifies that according to Jesus, the most important thing in life is not circumstances, wealth, health, or physical comfort, but rather a person's outlook on life and attitude toward God. He states: "What is important? What is it that really matters in life? What is the most important thing of all? Our Lord answers the question. It is a man's outlook upon life. It is a man's attitude to life." This outlook determines how we live, how we die, and our eternal destiny.
How does Lloyd-Jones contrast what the world values versus what Jesus teaches?
Lloyd-Jones points out that the world values and prioritizes: - Wealth and material possessions - Fine clothing and appearance - Sumptuous food and comfort - Physical health and longevity - The cause of death
While Jesus teaches that these are relatively unimportant compared to: - A person's relationship with God - The state of one's soul - How one faces death - One's eternal destiny - Living with eternity in view
What does Lloyd-Jones say about the mode of death versus the cause of death?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones makes a clear distinction between the cause of death (which could be illness, accident, war, etc.) and the mode of death (how one faces death spiritually). He states: "Our Lord's not interested in that [the cause]. But he's very interested in the mode of death." The rich man "died and was buried," while Lazarus "was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom." Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that a Christian's death is described as "falling asleep" and being carried to God, while the unbeliever faces death alone and unprepared.
What does Lloyd-Jones say is the only way to get the right view of life?
Lloyd-Jones teaches that the only way to get the right view of life is to "hear and to pay heed unto and to listen and to follow the teaching of Moses and the prophets" - meaning the Scriptures. He rejects the idea that people need supernatural experiences, visible proofs, or someone coming back from the dead to convince them. As Abraham says in the story, "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead." Lloyd-Jones argues that God's Word is sufficient to show us our sin, our need for salvation, and the way to be saved through Christ.
How does Lloyd-Jones describe the judgment of God?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that God judges not merely outward actions but the heart. He states: "That's how God is going to judge us. Not by the outward shell, not by your morality, which is so much better than that of some sinner in a gutter. God seeth the heart." He warns that many who justify themselves before men and receive worldly praise will be condemned by God who sees their true inner state. Lloyd-Jones reminds listeners that "no man can stand before God" on his own merits.
What does Lloyd-Jones teach about the finality of death and eternity?
Lloyd-Jones stresses the finality and unchangeability of our eternal state after death. Quoting Abraham's words about the "great gulf fixed" between heaven and hell, he emphasizes that there is no second chance after death. He states: "It's the son of God who says it... He says that our state is eternally fixed. Everlastingly. Unchangeably." Lloyd-Jones argues that this makes our decisions in this life of supreme importance, as they determine our eternal destiny.
How does Lloyd-Jones connect the Old Testament to salvation?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that while the Law (Moses) condemns us by showing our sin and inability to justify ourselves, it also points forward to salvation. He states: "Moses and the prophets says, yes, you're lost. You're damned. You're helpless. You're hopeless. But there is a hope, and it's a hope that comes from God." He points to the sacrificial system, the promise of the seed of the woman, and prophetic passages like Isaiah 53 as all pointing to Christ who would come to bear our punishment and reconcile us to God.
What is Lloyd-Jones' final appeal to his listeners?
Lloyd-Jones concludes with an urgent appeal for people to "press into the kingdom of God" by repenting and believing in Christ. He asks: "Have you seen the folly of your view of life and your way of life? Have you realized you got to stand before God in judgment?" He urges listeners to turn from worldly living and give themselves "unreservedly and holy unto our blessed Lord and savior." He promises that those who do so will, when they die, be "carried by the angels on their blessed wings into the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ" rather than facing eternal separation from God.
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Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.