Open Your Eyes
Reading: Matthew 20:29-34
Text: Luke 16:19-31
Introduction
Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes! Quotation of Leonardo Da Vinci
When the Rich Man opened his eyes . . .
1. He saw more than torment.
2. He saw regrets, and lost opportunities
With eyes open, he saw:
1. He Saw The Truth Of Eternity
A. Life extends beyond physical death.
B. Earthly riches and luxuries are not eternal.
1. …the fine robes and fine linen; the banquets of fine foods.
2. 1 Timothy 6:7 (NASB) For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.
Luke 12:15 (NASB) Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
C. When his eyes opened he knew these words:
1. Matthew 16:26 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
With eyes open, he saw:
2. Justice And The Need For Mercy
A. He did not argue over any injustice at being in torment
1. He did not ask "Why am I here?"
2. 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9--(Paul speaking of the coming of Christ:) “…dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,”
2. He did not ask "Why is Lazarus there?"
Romans 14:12 (NASB) So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.
2 Corinthians 5:10 (NASB) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
B. With his eyes open he understood these words:
1. Matthew 18:23-35 – Mercy granted by the Master must be evident in the life of the servant.
"Have mercy on me. . . tip of finger . . . cool my tongue"
With eyes open, he saw:
3. The Value Of Obedience
A. Listening to the truth would have kept him from that place.
1. He could have listened, but he didn't.
Romans 2:5 - 8 (NASB) But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each person according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.
2. "He (and his brothers) could hear God through Moses and the prophets"
B. With his eyes open he understood these words:
With eyes open, he saw:
4. The Value Of Evangelism
A. Send Lazarus to My brothers!
1. I don't want them to come to this place.
2. "Misery does NOT love company."
B. When his eyes opened he understood these words:
1. Romans 10:14 - 15 (NASB) How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”
With eyes open, he saw:
5. It Was Too Late To Change…
1. But it is not too late for you.
2. Don't wait until it is.
Conclusion:
There will come a day when all eyes will be opened, when faith will become sight. On that day we will open our eyes and see all just as did the Rich Man. How we live until that day will determine on which side of the divide we will open our eyes.
The choice is ours to make.
Invitation
