Lesson Outline for Jan 8, 2026
If you would like to receive ministry updates text ADVANCE to 888-495-0877
Website – https://advancefreedomministry.com
Goal – To take account on what we “clothe” ourselves in; what we’re focused on; deeply involved in
There is debate on whether Luke 16:19-31 is an actual account, or a parable. It differs from a parable in many ways. 1) Jesus uses actual names when telling this story with high specificity, specificity lacking from parables. 2) The story is not called or defined as a parable as other parables were. 3) It’s not aligned with the model of a parable using earthly illustration to present a spiritual truth. 4) This story pertains mostly to our life after earth.
- Do you know someone who believes there is a heaven, but not a hell?
- What is your day to day focus; what you focus on is what you’re clothed in
- Did you pick any similarities in this story, and our “American Condition” extreme luxury living?
Dictionary.com – parable
1) A short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson. 2) a statement or comment that conveys a meaning indirectly using comparison, analogy, or the like.
Hebrew and Greek Terms / Definitions
- Hades #G86 “Hades” – name of Hades or Pluto god of the lower region, Orcus, the nether world, the realm of the dead (Greek beliefs) and place for the wicked (Greek beliefs); place for departed souls; corresponds to Sheol in the OT
- Sheol #H7585 “Sheol” – underworld, grave, pit, place of no return, Sheol is often simply “the grave” and the understanding of the afterlife in the OT is much less clear than in the NT
- Clothe #G1737 “endidysko” to put on, clothe, to put on one’s self, be clothed in, to be habitually dressed; context –putting something on with deep involvement. Greek middle voice where the subject is deeply involved in the action
The green is the author’s notations in the verses below. Bold text added for emphasis
Jesus identified Lazarus by name
What do we clothe ourselves in?
Luke 16:19-21 ESV – “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 (who God helps), 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.”
- The priority of the “rich man” was to clothe himself in the things of this world – he was deeply involved in the things of this world
- Were material possessions the rich man’s problem?
- Rich man’s normal day was extravagant, luxurious, extremely costly, without restraint – no care for God or fellow man – what was the rich man’s priority?
- Jesus knew Lazarus’ name, and amplified / detailed his condition, but apparently did not desire to mention the rich man’s name
- Rich people during this time would use large hunks of bread to clean their hands, which was thrown to dogs and beggars – the two men were not that far apart in distance
So close, yet so far away
The irony of distance
Luke 16:22-24 ESV – “22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. 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.‘”
- Physical death is the “equalizer” no regard of “earthly status”; many try and ignore it – all are the same at the foot of the cross
- Lazarus not saved by his poverty; rather by his faith; appears he had a relationship with God
- Discuss – Hades and application before Jesus’ resurrection, post resurrection and ascension
- Rich man a descendent, but not a child of – “Father Abraham,” his heart condition revealed in v24 – in his anguish the rich man still could not stop putting himself over Lazarus – it was a heart condition
- All mankind are Father God’s children, but believers are heirs, “adopted into,” granted privileges and positions different than unbelievers
The Pharisee and rich man likeness
Self before others
Luke 16:25-29 ESV – “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.’”
- Close, but far away – just like on earth. The two were separated by a vast spiritual distance – Close the gap around you; look with the eyes of Christ, think with the mind of Christ, love like the Father
- Rich man finally thought of someone else; his time to impact his brothers’ decision had past
- The common denominator – both the rich man and the Pharisee didn’t care for the needy and despised the needy with neglect
The Pharisee and rich man likeness
Rich man finally thinks of someone else
Luke 16:30-31 ESV – “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.’“
- Moses attributed with authoring the Law; Genesis – Deuteronomy
- What more do we need to believe and act – don’t be deceived
- Jesus rose from the dead, and yet many don’t believe; and multitudes of Christians are CASUAL with God
- The rich man was casual with God; with the Law and the Prophets writing; God’s instruction
- With all the archeological evidence available today, all the evidence of Jesus Christ resurrection – there’s unbelief – Why???
- People don’t like hearing about the Law, sin, repentance and judgement
Something to consider
A renown scientist confirmation on God – https://tuckercarlson.com/tucker-show-james-tour
Last thoughts and considerations
- Is anything worth losing one’s soul for eternity?
- Clothe ourselves in the things of God, not this world
- After death, destiny / location is fixed. No reincarnation, no purgatory, no remedial cleansing
- Be an UNCOMMON DENOMINATOR – see people, and yourself as Jesus Christ sees you
- Repent of being “casual” with God
- Walk in God’s will for your life; His will brings the BEST for you; His will enables you to achieve your God given purposes
- Comfort makes us casualties; Don’t let our nation’s decadence, depravity, overabundance, hedonism and narrative pull you from TRUTH
- God will set a table before you in the presence of your enemy – trust Him
Additional verses for self-study
1 John 2:15 ESV – “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
Luke 12:34 ESV – “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Matt 16:26 ESV – “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”
Rev 20:11-15 ESV – “11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (white throne judgement for non-believers)
2 Cor 5:10 ESV – “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (believer’s judgement)
Rom 14:10 ESV – “Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;” (believer’s judgement)
Eph 4:8-10 ESV – “8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)”
Gal 3:27 ESV – “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
Matt 22:12 ESV – “And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless.” (changing our heart/mind is putting on a new garment)
Zech 3:4-6 ESV – “4 And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” 5 And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD was standing by. 6 And the angel of the LORD solemnly assured Joshua…,” (be confident, as a believer our Lord Jesus has given you a new garment)
Gen 35:1-2 ESV – “1 God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there. Make an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.” 2 So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you and purify yourselves and change your garments.”
Rom 13:14 ESV – “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
1 Cor 2:16 ESV – 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”
After Jesus Death
Luke 23:46 ESV – “46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.” (His Spirit went to the Father)
Acts 2:24-28 ESV – “24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’” (see comments in verse below)
1 Pet 3:18-20 ESV – “18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.” (The widely accepted theology regarding this verse and Acts 2:24-28 above is Jesus’ soul went to Sheol / Hades and brought those in Abraham’s Bosom to heaven, and proclaimed / testified of His resurrection to those in torment)
Jesus Christ’s body – The gospels all testify to Jesus Christ’s body being buried. At His resurrection, His body, soul and Spirit joined again. Praise God for the empty tomb!
