Sobering Words Luke 13:22 - 30
Posted by: pastorbob <pastorbob@...>
***BASED on a Sermon Seed by Pastor Jack Peters
SOBERING WORDS Luke 13:22 – 30
Every once in a while we hear sobering words, which make us think about the seriousness and/or severity of a situation. Here are some examples:
Ø "You're pregnant!"…."I'm Pregnant"
Ø "It's Cancer"
Ø "You mother only has a few days to live."
The Lord Jesus was certainly capable of delivering sobering words like the ones in our text.
Although these words applied to the Jews of His day, they can certainly apply to anyone who claims to have been familiar with Christ, but never born again.
The Question asked: "Lord, will those who are saved be few?"
This is one of many ways this question is still asked today:
Ø "Will everyone get into heaven"
Ø "I am a good person, surely that will get me into heaven! Won't it?"
Ø "My good outweighs my bad stuff so the balance tips to good and that is what God looks for, RIGHT?"
Ø "God loves us all and would never keep us out of heaven! Would He?"
Ø "Who will make the cut for eternal life?
Ø "If I work real hard will I get into heaven?"
Ø "If I give a whole bunch, will I get into heaven?"
Ø "Is there a way I can help myself get into heaven?" (words, money, heritage, etc…)
Ø 'How can I get into heaven?"
Unfortunately, many false teachers, prophets, preachers are out there telling people THE EASY WORDS THEY WANT TO HEAR!
THE WAY - Verse 24 - Jesus challenged his hearers to enter the straight gate of salvation.
Jesus tells them the TRUTH! No matter how tough it is to hear and understand! No matter how sobering they may be to us.
HIS WORDS ARE OUR WAKE UP CALL!
Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy* that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." ESV
John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. " ESV
The simple truth is that there is only ONE WAY into heaven and the eternal life God has prepared for you:
GRACE alone through FAITH alone in CHRIST alone!
Ephesians 2:8-10 "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." ESV
THE WARNING - Verses 25-27 - There will be a time when it will be too late to be saved.
Many will knock on the door of heaven wanting to get in, but will be turned away, because they had not trusted Christ.
Even though they will claim to have known Christ, he will reject them.
· The pain will be intense:
o Weeping and gnashing of teeth
o The knowledge of what you missed…AND WHY you missed out – The opportunities to receive that you rejected.
THE WON – Verses 28-30 - The true believers in Christ will enter into Heaven.
· Entering by the narrow gate.
o People from all areas and walks of life
o All Christians from all places
§ You may think they are the LAST ONES that would get into heaven
· It doesn't matter what you think
o What matters is their relationship with Jesus Christ
o Together
o "recline at the table of God"
§ What an honor
· The fakers/pretenders will be rejected.
o I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, you workers of evil"
§ I don't know you.
o Some you think should be the FIRST ones into heaven will not even make it through the gates
§ They may talk the talk
· They have not walked the walk
o I hope that IS NOT YOU!
§ Many will cry out to Him that day that they knew Him
· They may have known OF HIM
· But Jesus DOES NOT know them
o They may have eaten in His house
o They may have been frequent visitors
o They may have told others about Him
o They may have worked for Him
§ But they NEVER KNEW HIM
§ More importantly
· He NEVER KNEW THEM
Luke 13:22-30 "He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. And someone said to him, "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" And he said to them, "Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, open to us,' then he will answer you, 'I do not know where you come from.' Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.' But he will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!' In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last." ESV
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