Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, Oct. 15, 2000, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
THE FUNERAL OF THE RICH MAN
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Luke 16:19-31
Text: Luke 16:22
Luke 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Introduction: I want to focus on three words of our text today in relation to the rich man: “and was buried.”
I want you to think with me today on “The Funeral of the Rich Man.” I don’t know that I have ever heard a message on the subject. The Bible does not give us a lot of details about the man’s funeral. It just says he was buried. Knowing what we do from the Bible and from observing funerals, I believe that we can think about some things concerning his funeral that are very true, even though little is said specifically in this passage about his burial.
I am a very merry, joking person, but there will be little merriment and few jokes in this message. The funeral of a lost person is a sad event.
I. THINK OF THE COMMON EVENT OF THE RICH MAN’S FUNERAL
Numbers 16:29 If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me.
Notice above, THE COMMON DEATH.
Ecclesiastes 2:14 The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.
Notice above, ONE EVENT.
A. The committing of sin is common – Rom. 3:23
B. The consequences of sin are common – Rom. 6:23; 5:12
C. The call to the Maker is common – Heb. 9:27
II. THINK OF THE COFFIN AT THE RICH MAN’S FUNERAL
Genesis 50:26 So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.
A. It was probably the best
B. It was still a box
C. It was bitter
- It offered no hope.
- Every saved person’s body is planted in the ground in view of the glorious resurrection of the saints. It is a “hope chest.”
III. THINK OF THE CORPSE AT THE RICH MAN’S FUNERAL
Genesis 50:3 And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed: and the Egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten days.
A. It lay in luxury
B. It was lifeless
C. It was a lie
IV. THINK OF THE CASUALTY OF THE RICH MAN’S FUNERAL
1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
A. There was no hope for the rich man who died
B. There was no happiness for the family and loved ones
C. There was, perhaps, no help for the living who were at the funeral
- Based on the plea of the rich man in hell that is recorded in Luke 16:27-31, there is a good possibility that the minister who conducted the funeral did not warn anyone about hell. If he had a minister, a Rabbi, the teacher did not warn him about hell while he was alive. It was unlikely that he would warn the loved ones at the funeral.
- The rich man had five brothers, who, while he was burning in hell, were still LOST.
Oh, beloved, people are dying and going to hell! Rich and poor, their funerals are sad and gloomy, but the worst part is that they are suffering torment in the flames of hell! Let us warn lost people to flee from the wrath to come!