Scripture: Luke 16: 19-31
In this passage Jesus tells the story of Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man has no name — he belongs to his things and is not in relationship. Even after death he expects service from the poor man, Lazarus. But when “Father Abraham” explains that there is a deep chasm that the rich man cannot cross into paradise, he begs Lazarus to at least go and warn his brothers. But Father Abraham is unrelenting. If his brothers, also rich presumably, will not listen to the Bible and the prophets, they will not listen to even one who is raised from the dead. Pretty good foreshadowing, right? So the sermon today asks the question: who are we listening to? The world with it’s value on things, or Jesus and his emphasis on relationships?
