September 25th Virtual Worship
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Jenna Crafts
Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
The Cost of Greed
There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’
[Reading above - Luke 16:19-31]
Can the rich repent? This seems to be the question behind the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Some interpreters divide this parable into two parts: verses 19-26, which stress eschatological reversal and retribution, and verses 27-31, where the issue of repentance figures most prominently. The thematic unity that connects both parts is the warning to the rich about punishment to come if they ignore the needs of their poor neighbors today.
Questions for Reflection:
Read the following Old Testament or Hebrew Scripture texts: Exodus 23:11, Leviticus 19:9-10, Isaiah 58:7, and Proverbs 14:21,31. What is the theme of these commands?
The phrase “in Abraham’s bosom” refers to a position of reclining next to another at a banquet. Here the eschatological feast that God is expected to host for Israel seems already to have begun. What does Lazarus’ closeness to Abraham suggest about who is exalted when the kingdom of God comes in its fullness?
There is another Lazarus in John 11. Read that story and note how it fulfills Abraham’s words in Luke 16:31.
A Spiritual Practice to Try
Walk quietly and respectfully through a cemetery and pay attention to the gravestones. What might they have to teach you from the transition to the next life we call death? How might those lessons help you live more faithfully to the way of Jesus?
A Practice to Deepening Discipleship
Incorporate a faith journal in your spiritual practice. Use the journal as a way to:
jot down needs and blessings with words or drawings or pictures
respond to the questions for reflection in the sermon notes
make notes about the weekly scripture lessons and sermons
create a to-do list of discipleship actions
list questions you want to explore
write prayers, stories, poems, or letters
be creative!
If you need some guidance or support, you may reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com