ARE YOU IN OR ARE YOU OUT?

September 1, 2016

ARE YOU IN OR ARE YOU OUT?

Luke 13:18–30

Carol Bate

Central Truth

By knowing Jesus, you can enter through the narrow door to the Kingdom of God.

"Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able." (Luke 13:24)

The Mustard Seed and the Leaven

18 He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”

20 And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.”

The Narrow Door

22 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 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.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ 28 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. 29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

I am so grateful to be part of such a big, loving family. Growing up, dinner-table time was often our time to debate a certain topic. Dad would bring something up, and the discussions would begin. We would pick a side, then try to convince the other family members that we were right. It was all fun and games until my brother’s future wife stepped in, and it was suddenly personal. We thought we were simply having fun in a debate. What she heard was an attack on something that really mattered to her. We had to learn to debate with a much more respectable tone.

It makes sense, then, that there are differing views within my family on whether there is just one way to heaven. And, if there is just one way, how can you be sure?

In this section of Scripture, it is very clear that it is not up for debate (just had a funny thought of me debating God . . .). There is just ONE door, and you have to go through it to get to the banquet. That might sound pretty narrow, but that is why Jesus referred to it as the “narrow door” in verse 24. It breaks my heart to read how people respond after the door is closed. They then decide that they want in, but the Master’s response is, "I do not know where you come from" (verse 25).

Just as God closed the door to the ark that Noah built, so will He close the door to His kingdom (see Genesis 7:16).

Don’t wait to respond to God’s prompting. The good news is that if you put your trust and faith in Jesus, you will be saved. See Romans 10:9: "[I]f you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

You are absolutely invited to the party. Come on IN.

1. Are there times when you think you might be left outside when the door closes?

2. What are some steps you can take this week to gain more knowledge of who God is and how much He loves you?

3. Who do you know that might end up outside? How can you compassionately introduce them to Jesus?