The Skinny Door
Series: Seek & Save
August 04, 2019
Frank Foreman
We live in a culture that increasing strives to make life easier. So many conveniences are within arm's reach so we don't have to stretch ourselves much. Smart phones control our electronics, our security, our lights, etc. In many ways, the church has echoed this call for ease. We worry about making things too difficult for a person who wants to become involved, grow spiritual, or even be saved in the first place. But is that consistent with the Word of God? Is that what Jesus taught? Is real faith and genuine commitment supposed to be easy?
Episode Notes
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.”
BIG IDEA:
Many will be deceived into thinking they are saved when they are not…
We must frame the invitation to salvation as Jesus did.
Jesus clearly explains that there is a struggle involved.
Strive: agnizomai (agonize) to struggle; fight; contend with adversaries
1. Struggle to deny self.
Luke 9:23, And He said to all, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
2. Struggle to repent of sin.
Luke 3:4-6, As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
3. Struggle to protect unity.
Luke 11:23, Whoever is not with Me is against Me, and whoever does not gather with Me scatters.
NEXT STEP:
Stop being consumed about how many will be saved… Commit yourself to being one of them.
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