Heaven, Hell, & The Afterlife

Vox Church - Lead Pastor Justin Kendrick

Jesus often used parables—short stories with deeper spiritual meanings—to convey truths about the Kingdom of God. In the Parable of the Rich Man and the Beggar, Jesus shares a story about two men with different lives and what happens after they die. One is wealthy and lives luxuriously, while the other, named Lazarus, suffers daily. Surprisingly, after death, Lazarus goes to heaven, but the rich man goes to hell. This shocks people who thought wealth meant God's approval.
Jesus teaches that what comes after death isn't about being good or rich; it's about believing in Him. Heaven isn't earned by actions but received through trust in Jesus. The rich man's issue wasn't wealth but prioritizing it over God. Jesus warns against placing anything above God. The good news is Jesus offers hope to everyone. Trusting in him guarantees a place in heaven. Making Jesus the center of our lives is the wisest decision we can make.