9th May 2026

9th May 2026


Pray (ACts) 


Read (Luke 16v19-31)


Message (Scott Woodburn) 


If you visit your local Christian bookshop you may very well come across a range of books which describe the experience of people who experienced Heaven or Hell and then came back. I don't buy those books because I don't believe a word that they say.


God's Word is all sufficient and it's testimony about the life to come is more than enough to inform, warn and prepare us for eternity. The rich man wasn't so sure. He asked Abraham to send Lazarus back from the dead in order to warn the rich man’s brothers about Hell (v28). Abraham instead reminded the rich man that the living had the testimony of Moses and the Prophets (v29) - they had God’s Word which is abundantly clear about life after death.


The rich man knew all about Moses and the Prophets but believed the testimony of a resurrected man would be far more persuasive and bring his brothers to repentance (v30). Nevertheless, Abraham would not change his mind saying “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” (v31). That’s amazing isn't it? People like signs and wonders and say that such things would convince them of truth. Abraham wasn’t sure and neither was Christ.


Jesus was approached by the Pharisees and Scribes who wanted to see a sign (Matthew 12v38). Jesus replied by calling them an evil and adulterous generation (Matthew 12v39) who would receive just one more sign - the sign of the prophet Jonah. What is the sign of Jonah? Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights before being spat out upon the earth. In the same way Jesus died and spent three days and nights in the tomb before standing again.


Christ Himself is the sign of Jonah. He died but rose again to life and all who believe in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. I did not witness the resurrection but I believe it to be true because the testimony of Scripture is sure. I cannot offer signs and wonders to convince you of the danger of Hell and the glory of Heaven - I am no Apostle. Yet I speak to you the testimony of the Word which says Hell is a place of torment and can be avoided by faith in Christ. May God’s Word ring, the Spirit move and many sinners flee from the wrath to come.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q63 Which is the fifth commandment? The fifth commandment is, Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.