September 14, 2010
Habits
Luke 16:19-31
Ryan Martin
Central Truth
As followers of Christ, we want to be in the habit of getting in His Word, evaluating our habits, and make it a habit to pass on the good news of Christ.
Key Verse | Luke 16:19
"Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day." (Luke 16:19)
Luke 16:19-31
The Rich Man and Lazarus
19 There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. 1 16:22 Greek bosom; also verse 23 The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”
Dive Deeper | Luke 16:19-31
As I read this section of Scripture, I keep thinking about how the rich man in this parable of Christ "habitually" went about his day. We see, as the story unfolds, that he ends up on the wrong side of the great chasm fixed by God. He was blinded by what matters least in life and missed having a relationship with God.
As a follower of Christ, I know that I am on the right side of that chasm. God's Word reassures me that I am eternally fixed. However, I still struggle with hurts, habits, and hangups.
This is where I want to focus our attention today. Our current decisions affect our future destiny. In today's Scripture we see this for the saved and unsaved.
Habits are a funny thing. We reach for them mindlessly, setting our brains on auto-pilot and relaxing into the subconscious comfort of familiar routine. "Not choice, but habit rules the unreflecting herd," William Wordsworth said in the 19th century. I am no different. Good habits are hard to keep, and bad habits are hard to break. In this parable the rich man and his brothers who did not listen to Moses and the prophets represent the Pharisees. They were caught up in the things of this world, which led to their fall.
As fully devoted followers of Christ, we want to set up habits that fulfill our calling from God. The power of Scripture is one of the tools God uses to convict of spiritual need. Get in the Word! When we are in His Word, we can apply it to our lives and evaluate our habits. Then, we can go be prophets to the world.
If you are thinking about starting a relationship with God, take that step today. Acknowledge to God where you are and speak with someone to continue on this journey. If you are a follower of Christ, get in the Word, continually evaluate your habits, and be a prophet for the Lord to the world.
Discussion Questions
1. What hurts, habits, or hang-ups do I need to evaluate and redirect today?
2. What habits do I need to sit down and set forth so I can grow in my knowledge of the Scripture?
3. God has commissioned me to be a prophet and spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Where can I go and be heard today?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. In verse 25 what did Abraham say the Rich Man received during his time on earth? What does it appear the Rich Man ever did for Lazarus when they were both alive?
2. What is it called when you only think about yourself? Do you struggle with selfishness with your things?
3. This week: Use something you have been blessed with to help someone in need.