WHAT CHANGES THE LOST TO BELIEVERS?

Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.”
LUKE 16:29

Do you have concerns about others who do not believe in God, or Jesus?
What do you think it would take for them to become believers?
What if someone found relics from the days of the bible?
What if some of the cities could be found to confirm the scriptures?
What if someone could share a life changing story with them?
What if someone could rise from the dead and speak to them?

It is easy for us to think that indisputable evidence would make others believe.
God’s Word says that even if someone rose from the dead, they would not believe.
If a person will not listen to the Word of God,
nothing else will convince them to believe.
That’s what Jesus said in the story of Lazarus and the rich man.

The rich man was in agony in Hades and he begged for just a drop of water
to cool his tongue because of the torment he was having in the fire.
Abraham reminded him of how good he had it in his life before death
(implied is, since he did not believe, he was doomed to an eternity of agony).
The rich man then asked for someone to warn his brothers so they could avoid his fate.
Abraham told him that even if a dead person went to them they would not repent.
He said that they needed to listen to Moses and the Prophets (IE – God’s Word).
When the Word of God is rejected, nothing else is going to make a difference.

What unbelievers need is the Word of God.
That is what will change them, not discovered relics or cities, or our stories.
Praise the Lord for the pastors who have answered His call for sharing His Word!
Don’t ever get the idea that preachers are not tempted like everyone else.
Pray for them often so they can continue sharing God’s Word
without being burdened with guilt for giving in to temptations and sin.
If you want to know about a specific topic,
then pray for the Lord to guide them to cover it in a sermon.

Here is the entire story of the rich man and Lazarus
(read through it as a reminder of the importance of God’s Word for the lost).
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived
in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus,
covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table.
Even the dogs came and licked his sores. “The time came when the beggar died
and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.

In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away,
with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me
and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
because I am in agony in this fire.’

“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received
your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here
and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm
has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot,
nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family,
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not
also come to this place of torment.’

“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’

“‘No, father Abraham,’ he said,
‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets,
they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”