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“ Summary, Part 4 (final) ” ABIDING MESSAGE [48:50]. 1. Speculative interest in theological questions saves none, but deceives many. The goal is all-important, not the search. 2. Salvation is not a casual matter, but demands earnest, continual effort. Divine grace powerfully works in those who are saved. There is no “let go and let God” in this text: it is a striving. As Peter warned in his first epistle, the devil fights against you. We don’t enter the narrow gate with our sins (cf. 1 Tim 6:12, Ph 2:12-13). 3. You must enter the door of salvation now, because soon it will be shut forever. Only a fool procrastinates about life and death (Heb 10:26-27, 31).
Ian Migala (5/23/2016)
from Minneapolis, Minnesota
“ Summary, Part 3 ” 2. BECAUSE MANY WRONGLY THINK THAT A CASUAL ACQUAINTANCE WITH JESUS IS SUFFICIENT FOR SALVATION (v. 26). Such are fans of Jesus, but not disciples. Familiarity with Christ is not salvation in Christ. Our brethren in persecuted countries do not have such a flippant relationship with Him. Beware, because many will be in this group. 3. BECAUSE ALL WHO REFUSE TO SEEK SALVATION NOW WILL NOT BE SAVED AT CHRIST’S RETURN (vv. 27-30). a. They will be exposed as self-deceived, evil hypocrites (v. 27). b. They will experience unspeakable torment as they realize their folly when they see others saved and themselves lost (vv. 28-29). Their agony is due to three things: they will see who they thought were their spiritual fathers at the banquet without them, they will see others there who they never believed were saved, and that they were thrown out. c. They will face the torment of eternal humiliation for refusing to be saved. The Gentiles will enter and many Jews will not. Whether Jew or Christian, those who are first in religious privileges are often last in reward.
Ian Migala (5/23/2016)
from Minneapolis, Minnesota
“ Summary, Part 2 ” B. IT IS SPIRITUALLY DIFFICULT (v. 24). 1. BECAUSE ENTERING BY THE NARROW DOOR INVOLVES EXERTION AND CONFLICT. The Greek word for ‘strive’ means to agonize, to exert with great effort (cf. 1 Cor 9:25). This striving also involves conflict. We love our sin, and so we don’t want to turn away from it. Our fear of man compels this conflict as well. And there is the opposition of the devil, who always tries to bar the door to salvation. But conflict is necessary because the door is narrow. We meet many trials along the way (cf. Acts 14:22). Lk 16:16 – the Christian spares no agony to get into heaven. 2. BECAUSE IT REQUIRES CONTINUAL EFFORT. It is an ongoing exertion (cf. 1 Tim 6:12, 2 Tim 4:7). 3. BECAUSE ENTERING BY THE NARROW DOOR DEMANDS IMMEDIATE COMPLIANCE. Now is the day of salvation. C. IT IS EMPHATICALLY IMPORTANT (vv. 24-30) [32:17]. It is important for three reasons: 1. BECAUSE MANY WILL NOT SEEK SALVATION UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE (vv. 24-25). Notice the few saved in the man’s question, and the many lost in Jesus’ answer.
Ian Migala (5/23/2016)
from Minneapolis, Minnesota
“ Summary, Part 1 ” Curiosity is a two-sided coin: it can lead to learning or to empty speculation. In Lk 13:17-30, a man asked Jesus about the number of people who would be saved. I. THE MAN’S CURIOUS QUESTION [starting at 4:55 of the audio]. A. THE OCCASION OF THE QUESTION. Though many heard Jesus’ message of salvation, few seemed to embrace it. B. THE REASON FOR THE QUESTION. It isn’t clear why he asked the question. It may have been prompted by the cost of discipleship, or by the mystery of the parables, or perhaps by theological curiosity. C. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE QUESTION. We don’t know what the man understood about salvation, but he did know that those who were saved followed Jesus Christ. APPLICATION: Heaven and hell hang in the balance with regard to salvation. Jesus did preach doctrine, but He came first to seek the lost. Salvation delivers us from at least four things: the damning penalty of our sins, from the reigning power of sin, from the pleasure of sin, and from the presence of sin. II. JESUS’ ARRESTING ANSWER (vv. 23b-30) [17:58]. A. IT IS UNIVERSALLY RELEVANT (v. 23b). It applies to everyone.
