If The DeadCould Speak

Bible condemns necromancy

Dt.18:11 Procedure: medium . . . ‘dead spirit’ Prohibition: do not seek revelation

apart from God Problem: Ec.9:5-6 Presumption: dead don’t know future

Isa.8:19-20

If this man could speak . . . Ac.2:…29 God does tell us what some dead say

I. Samuel, 1 Sm.28:3

Dead Samuel speaks…

15: coming back disturbs him 16: directs Saul to Lord, not man (dead) 16: God will not compromise His plan 17-18: sin brings consequences 19: alone [Gn.2:18]. 1 Sm.28:6, 15

Psalm 23 . . . Mt.9:36 (10:6)

I. Samuel, 1 Sm.28:3

II. Nebuchadnezzar, Is.14

Is.14:4, king of Babylon Dead, entering Sheol (9, 11) Residents address him, 10-11 Passage recalls former boasts, 12-14 Now silent before Almighty Judge

Is.14:4, king of Babylon warnsby silence and example

1. No matter what you have on earth, you will leave it behind

2. Death is the great leveler

3. God is in control, not you

I. Samuel, 1 Sm.28:3

III. Rich Man, Lk.16

II. Nebuchadnezzar, Is.14

“I wouldn’t treat a dog like that”

Mt.15:…27, Syro-Phoenician woman Dogs eat crumbs . . . (scraps) That fall from table

Lk.16:21, Lazarus Desired crumbs . . . (scraps) That fall from table

Rich man lived daily in‘ostentatious luxury’ – L-N.

1Party2Position

The rich man speaks

Verse 24 Begs mercy; for himself, not others Knows Lazarus Once had so much; now . . . Do anything to avoid this place; earthly

blessings cannot compensate

The rich man speaks

Verses 27-28 Blames God for his condition (neglect) Blames God for brothers’ danger Earthly blessings do not transfer Death seals our destiny; prepare now

Verse 30 Does not want loved ones to join him Thinks he knows more than God

The rich man speaks

Summary Would do anything to save brothers

If Word won’t change them, nothing will

Where was he when . . .?

Another Lazarus said nothing, Jn.11-12

I. Samuel, 1 Sm.28:3

IV. Abel, Hb.11:4

II. Nebuchadnezzar, Is.14

III. Rich Man, Lk.16

Abel says . . .

• Sin will be punished, Gn.4:10 Life, Gn.4:13 Legacy, Hb.11:4; Jd.11; 1 Jn.3:12

Abel says . . .

• Sin will be punished, Gn.4:10

• Need blood to be saved; Hb.9:22

• Faith does exactly what God says

• Obey God even if family opposes you

• There is something worse than death; there is something better than life