What if everything the world calls “success” is actually the fast-track to eternal agony? In one of Jesus’ most haunting stories, a rich man in purple robes feasts daily while a beggar named Lazarus starves at his gate, covered in sores that dogs lick. Both die. The beggar is carried by angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man opens his eyes in torment, begging for a single drop of water. The shocking twist? Nothing suggests the rich man was unusually cruel—he simply lived for pleasure and ignored the need right in front of him.
Cole’s powerful message flips every earthly value on its head: death comes for billionaire and beggar alike, pleasure often ends in agony, riches are a spiritual liability, and the time to repent is NOW—because a great chasm is fixed, and no one crosses it later. If someone rose from the dead and people still won’t listen, the prophets, they won’t listen to anyone. Jesus did rise from the dead. The question is no longer “Is the evidence enough?” The question is, “Will you repent before the chasm is fixed?”
8 Key Talking Points
- Everyone Dies – No Exceptions. Rich or poor, famous or forgotten, death does not discriminate. We all end up in the grave and then before God’s judgment seat.
- Pleasure Can Lead to Agony A life of luxury and self-indulgence felt great every day—until it didn’t. One milkshake too many teaches the same lesson eternity confirms: short-term pleasure, long-term pain.
- Earthly Riches Are Usually Portrayed Negatively in Scripture Jesus said it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter heaven. The Bible repeatedly warns that wealth is spiritual dynamite.
- Not All Poor People Are Lazy or Sinful Lazarus was a beggar covered in sores—yet angels carried him to Abraham’s side. Poverty is not proof of God’s judgment; riches are not proof of God’s blessing.
- We Often See the Need but Refuse to Help The rich man knew Lazarus’ name, stepped over him daily, and did nothing. “I could help… but I don’t want to” is the honest version of most of our excuses.
- Some Still Treat Others as Servants Even in Hell Tormented and desperate, the rich man still orders Lazarus around like an errand boy. Hell didn’t humble him—he still saw himself as superior.
- This Life Is Your Only Chance to Repent Once the ride starts, you can’t get off. A great chasm is fixed. No second chances after death—Heb 9:27.
- Some Will Never Be Persuaded—No Matter What “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone rises from the dead.” Someone did rise from the dead. And many still make excuses.
This sermon is a spiritual gut-punch wrapped in grace—perfect for waking up comfortable Christians and shaking complacent hearts. Use it, share it, preach it again. The chasm is real, but so is the Savior who bridges it while we still have breath.