Introduction
Defining the kingdom as a mustard seed. Small in its beginning but massive at its end. Jesus continues onto Jerusalem. Through His death the kingdom will begin small and grow and grow.
V23 – are there few who are saved? Strive to enter through the narrow gate.. He answers this question indirectly telling the questioner to strive to get through the narrow gate.The door to salvation will not always be available. They will claim an intimate relationship but Christ denies a relationship with them.
The Great Need
V24 – Self examination of your own personal salvation. Jesus directly challenges you to examine yourselves. Many will seek to enter. Not everyone is saved, and not anyone seeks salvation will be saved. V25 – the door is closing.
Gods kingdom and Gods rule was prior to the fall. The kingdom always was and always is. The kingdom didn’t fall, we fell. The fall is rebellion from Gods rule. Salvation is restoration to that glad and willing submission to the rule of God. True submission and obedience can only come from a regenerate and converted heart. The genuineness of faith is repentance. Not superficial connections; but submitting to exactly what His Word says. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 – the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom
1 – Let go and let God. This is not entirely correct. Says strive.
2 – seeking salvation is not enough. Many will seek to enter.
3 – it’s never too late. There is a time when it will be too late.
Striving does not mean we save ourselves it tells us what our focus and priorities should be.
John 6:26 – work for the food the wells up to eternal. Phil 2:12 – work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Fight for heaven, run for heaven, give all your strength to this. By faith through grace, ask for His help. Strive in the spirit according to the Word of God.
Luke 13:18-30 (NKJV) 18 Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 “It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.” 20 And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21 “It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.” 22 And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 “When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are 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 you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ 28 “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, and yourselves thrust out. 29 “They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 “And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.”