What Doest Thou Here Rich Man?

From The Desk Of Pastor Toby Powers
Truth Baptist Church
Bremen, GA

WHAT DOEST THOU HERE?
Sermon 6
Luke 16:19-31
Intro: I remember as a boy growing up just the sound of the preacher standing before the congregation and announcing his text from Luke 16 would bring a very different atmosphere to the congregation. It seemed that even before he read one verse people knew that there was something very serious and sobering about the sermon that they were about to hear. Today, we will look at this Rich Man in hell, and we will continue on this thought that we have been looking at for six weeks now, “What Does Thou Here?” We began with Elijah, and since have asked David, Paul, Solomon, and the Christian, “What Doest Thou Here?” Today, we will interview a man from hell, and ask him, “What Doest Thou Here?” What led the Rich Man to Hell?
I. I AM HERE BECAUSE I LOVED THE WORLD: v. 19, “faired sumptuously every day.” This means he delighted every day in pleasures. If he wanted something for himself, he got it. He withheld nothing from himself that his heart desired. He dwelt on the latest and the greatest the world had to offer. He took in travel, recreation, sport, and gaming. He was a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God. Hell is a place filled with people who loved the world and worldly pleasures. I John 2:15-16 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” Notice there are three things named that are in and of the world, that are worldly, and they effect you differently at different times of life:
A. The Lust Of The Flesh: effects most heavily young people.
B. The Lust Of The Eyes: Effects most heavily middle aged adults. This is the desire to have everything. The better house, car, job, vacation, or even spouse!
C. The Pride Of Life: effects most heavily those who are aging or even the senior citizens. They have a legacy or some accomplishments and have deepness of pride. This creeps into church. They have been saved a long time and seem to have lost hunger or zeal. The one who has been here the longest ought to be able to shout the loudest!

II. I AM HERE BECAUSE I LISTENED NOT TO THE WORD: I do not know who all witnessed to this man, but somebody did. He knew who Abraham was (v. 23). He knew his brothers would have to repent to stay out of hell (v. 30). I believe even in hell he:
A. Heard That Certain Preacher: For eternity the message of God’s man will ring in his ear, warning him to get right and avoid the place called Hell!
B. Saw That Certain Place: In hell you will remember the place where conviction fell on you, where you could have been saved! It might be here! Today! Don’t turn him away! Don’t gamble with conviction!
C. Remembered That Certain Parent: his brothers were lost, but he never expressed fear for his Father and Mother. Daddy may well have known God. Mama may have wept bitter tears over his soul! Still he shook his head and said, “NO!” And he went to Hell over his parents’ tears! It’s hard to go to Hell over a Mama’s tears! But some folks still do it. Most prodigals will come home, but the problem is that many will not live long enough! If you go to Hell over the prayers of your parents,