Luke — Chapter 16

Why was Jesus opposed to the Pharisees? In the gospels, no one is condemned more by the Lord Jesus than the religious leaders of the day, the Pharisees. Throughout the gospels, they oppose Jesus and seek to trap Him in His words. In this sermon on Luke 16:14–15 titled “The Pharisees,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that eventually the Pharisees—with the help of the Romans—crucify Him. Jesus condemned them because they claimed to follow the law of Moses and the prophets, yet they were religious hypocrites who loved public praise and recognition. Jesus condemned them because they claimed to be experts in the law and not only added their own traditions to the law of Moses, but they opposed Jesus, who is the fulfillment of the law. They pretended to be holy and righteous, yet they were dead on the inside. Dr. Lloyd-Jones proclaims that there are many today in the church just like the Pharisees. They are self-righteous hypocrites who love to be thought of as holy but do not believe in the gospel, and they trust in their own works for salvation. This false righteousness that is only concerned with looking good is condemned by Jesus because the true righteousness of the kingdom of God comes not by anything one does. It comes by Christ Jesus who is the righteousness for all who believe.

The only two eternal destinations for humankind are heaven and hell. In this sermon on Luke 16:19–31 titled “The Right View of Life,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows the two very different destinies presented in Scripture that correspond to two different ways of living. There is the carnal life of sin and pleasure that is only concerned with what is temporal and physical. This life leads to eternal destruction and is the destiny of all who die in sin. The other way of life is one that is concerned with God and what is true, good, and eternal. This life leads to eternal life and communion with God. These two lives are either of unbelief or belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ. One’s attitude toward life, death, and the soul reflects the heart and mind. The story of the rich man and Lazarus show these two principals at work in these two lives. Jesus shows the folly of living for this world with its fleeting passions and desires. But those who seek the kingdom of God are blessed and righteous even though they may suffer in this life. Those who believe do so only because of the work of God upon their hearts. Even if unbelievers were to see a man rise from the dead, they would not believe in Jesus and His gospel.