We continue this week’s sermon series, The Gospel of Luke Part III: A journey Through Galilee, in Luke 13:22-35. In this passage, Jesus encounters a man who asks “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” Jesus does not directly answer the question, but instead, His response causes the one who questions to consider not just if “few will be saved”, but to consider “if you will be saved.” Jesus then gives us live application points to consider.

Tyler’s Main Ideas:

Strive to enter through the narrow door.

Psalm 118 gives us a greater understanding of the context of Jesus’ teaching.
– The narrow door/gate is referenced in Psalm 118:19-21
– It is a Messianic Psalm
– Being perfectly righteous, Jesus is the only one who could gift us a perfect righteousness and die for sin as our substitute.
– Jesus is the narrow door. He is the only means of salvation.

Strive to enter the kingdom of heaven through possession, profession, and perseverance of faith in Jesus Christ.

With confession, we must also have possession, meaning a saving faith based on a change of mind about sin and who Christ is – professing Him as savior and Lord. See Romans 10:9-10.

The evidence of possessing a genuine profession is perseverance. See Galatians 2:20. Jesus loves us enough to not only save us, but to empower us to walk in newness of life.

Five realities connected to all who will and who will not enter the Kingdom of God:

1) Many who think they are in the Kingdom of God will be surprised at being shut out.
– Most of the Jews at the time were relying on their adherence to the Law and their lineage to enter the Kingdom of God
– Psalm 118:22 – The stone which the builder rejected has become the chief cornerstone. (Jesus)
– We too are in danger of relying on our own good works and our Christian heritage to enter into the Kingdom of God. There is no way to enter into the Kingdom of God but through Christ, the Narrow Door.

2) In hell, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth by those who are shut out.
– There will be despair and suffering as those who did not profess Jesus in this life come to the realization that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It will be too late to make that decision, causing them agony and torment.

3) In heaven, there will be fullness of joy through fellowship with God and the saints of all time.
– There will be a joyful celebration when we see who has been included in God’s family – especially those we did not think would ever come to saving faith.
– There will be joyful fellowship with the saints of all time, including the Patriarchs, the disciples, and the writers of the Scriptures.
– We will experience the fullness of joy and harmony with God and with each other.

4) Jesus has compassion toward those who reject Him.
– Jesus expresses his heart for the Jewish people who are rejecting Him using the image of a hen gathering her brood under her wing. He longs to protect and provide for His people, but they will not have it.
– Jesus still has this heart of compassion toward those who are rejecting Him. He longs to gather them in to both protect and provide salvation. His heart is close to those who are praying for the prodigal.

5) Jesus was determined to perish on the cross so you could enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
– Herod was not in control and had no real power over Jesus.
– Jesus had a mission to accomplish and He would not be turned away from it. It would be accomplished on His own time table. His life would not be taken from Him, but He would lay it down on His own initiative.

Additional Scripture: Psalm 118: 19-26; Romans 10:9-10; Galatians 2:20; 1 John 2:1-5

Questions for Personal Reflection:

Take this opportunity to examine your own faith. What is it based upon? How is it exemplified in your life?

How have you possessed, professed, and persevered in your faith?

How does God’s compassion toward those who do not yet know Him encourage you?

Take a moment to pray for those in your life that have not yet come to know Jesus as Savior.

Questions for Community Groups:

How does the promise of heaven and our fellowship there will all the saints spur you on in sharing your story with others?

Share with one another how you have been persevering in your faith.

Where are you struggling? How can your community come alongside you to encourage you to persevere?

Take some time to pray for the prodigals among your families, friends, and coworkers. Be encouraged by the compassion and longing that Christ has to draw them to Himself – as Protector, Provider, and Savior.

Worship Set List:

The Passion; Psalm 150 (Praise the Lord); Christ Our Hope in Life and Death; Solid Rock; Living Hope