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Scripture Reading: Luke 13:22-27

A Few Things

 

Intro.

1.  God wants all men to be saved, 1 Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Pet. 3:9.
2.  Yet, most reject the Christ due to spiritual blindness,
Jno. 12:37-40.
3.  Where will you spend your eternity?


I.  JESUS SAID FEW ARE SAVE, Matt. 7:13-14.
  A.  It is False Security to Think Everybody Goes to Heaven,
Matt. 7:13-14.

    1.  How many are saved?
      a.  cf. Noah,
1 Pet. 3:20: 8 out of the whole world.
      b.  Only Joshua and Caleb entered Canaan out of 2-3 million.
    2.  Who goes to heaven?
Matt. 7:21-23, 24-27
      a.  Those who do the Father's will,
Matt. 7:21-23.
      b.  These are those who hear and obey Jesus,
Matt. 7:24-27; Heb. 5:9.
    3.  The “chosen” are saved,
Matt. 20:16; 22:14. Who are they?
  B.  Those Who Strive to Enter the Narrow Gate,
Lk. 13:23-24 (16:16).
    1.  Strive (AV, strive 3, fight 3, labour fervently 1; 7): “metaph. to contend, struggle, with difficulties and dangers...to endeavour with strenuous zeal, strive: to obtain something" (Thayer).
      a.  Against unbelief,
Acts 26:27-28 (Agrippa didn't strive to believe).
      b.  Against sin, cf.
Lk. 19:8-10 (Zacchaeus strove against sin).
    2.  Personal choices being made right now,
Josh. 24:15; 2 Cor. 6:2.

 

II.  JESUS SAID THERE ARE FEW LABORERS, Matt. 9:37.
  A.  Those Who Truly Care for the Spiritual Welfare of Others,
Phil. 2:19-22 (servant heart, Matt. 20:26-28). Godly motives at work.
    1.  Not complacent and lethargic, but zealous,
Rom. 12:11.
    2.  Stagnation kill kills congregations, cf.
Rev. 3:1.
  B.  Those Who Serve Instead of being Served,
3 Jno. 9-10.

    1.  “Rule or ruin” is the motto (real or implied) of too many.

    2.  Often subtle: Ruin reputations, confidence in others, effectiveness of one's influence and the gospel by slander, gossip and opposition to godly work, 3 Jno. 9-10 (prating: “to talk long and idly”; akin to Middle Low German pratten, to pout).
  C.  Those Who Preach the Whole Counsel of God,
Acts 20:26-28.
    1.  Preachers who preach it,
2 Tim. 4:2.
    2.  Elders who will feed the flock (not themselves),
Acts 20:28.
    3.  Saints who will follow godly leadership,
Heb. 13:17.

III. JESUS SAID TO BE FAITHFUL OVER A FEW THINGS, Matt. 25:21-23.
  A.  The Lord has Placed Something into Our Hands to be Used in His Service,
Matt. 25:14-19, 21, 23, 25-30; cf. Exo. 4:2.
    1.  Abilities, possessions, communication skills, labor skills, teaching skills, etc.
    2.  Use it to serve the Lord, cf.
Lk. 16:10.

Conclusion

1.  Does Jesus have a few things against us? Rev. 2:14, 20

2.  Or, are we among the few who have not defiled themselves? The Lord knows our names, Rev. 3:4.
3.  Strive to enter the narrow gate that leads to heaven. Obey Jesus now.

 

 

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: February 9, 2013