Historical Posts
Few Versus Many – Luke 13:23-28
Text: Luke 13:23-28
In Luke 13:23, An individual asks Jesus if there are few who can be saved. The disciples asked a similar question in Matthew 19:25, wondering who could be saved. Here the question is ‘how many?,’ rather than ‘which ones?’
Many Will Attempt to Enter Heaven
Jesus says in Luke 13:24 that there are many who will attempt to enter, and cannot. We must not be with the many. Instead we must strive to go in the narrow gate.
A similar passage is Matthew 7:13-14, where Jesus compares the wide gate and broad way that leads to destruction wherein many enter, with the narrow gate and difficult way which few find. The wise man says “there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12).
But Are Not Known by Jesus
In Luke 13:25 Jesus says that some will be on the outside looking in, and will say “Lord, Lord, open for us.” Instead of being admitted, they will not be known.
Jesus rebuked those that said “Lord, Lord” but did not do what He said (Luke 6:46). Again in Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus says that not everyone that says “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but those that do His Father’s will.
We Must Truly Be His
People will claim to do things in the name of Christ in Luke 13:26, but have they? After all, Paul commands us to do all in His name (Colossians 3:17). He also warned Timothy and Titus to beware of false teachers, and that many would be led astray by them. John said not to believe every spirit, but to test each one to see if they are of God (1 John 4:1ff.).
The False Will Be Lost
Jesus confirms they are false in Luke 13:27, telling them to depart for He never knew them and they work iniquity (see Matthew 7:21-23 above, and Matthew 25:41-46).
In Luke 13:28, Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all prophets are in the kingdom of God, but some will be thrust out.
We don’t want to be on the outside looking in! On the outside there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth; rather, we should be on the inside. Remember, “many are called, but few will be chosen” (Matthew 20:16).
Content by Richard Dillon
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Luke 13:23-28 Lord, Are There Few That Be Saved? audio
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Reading: Matthew 7:13-14
Text: Luke 13:23-28
Introduction
- QUOTE: John 3:16-17
When you read the message of God, you should get excited, because God has made a way for all in the bondage of sin to be delivered out darkness into the Light by Jesus – Colossians 1:12-14
Therefore, salvation is being delivered from end result of sin (death).
- Almost Everyone Wants to Be Saved
Interestingly, when you converse with people about salvation, almost everybody wants to be saved or wants to go to heaven, but only a few are willing to strive to comply with God’s requirements to be saved – Luke 6:46; Matthew 15:8-9
Today, the sermon is titled LORD, ARE THERE FEW THAT BE SAVED? (Luke 13:23-28)
Jesus Says to Strive (Agonize) to Enter in at the Strait Gate
- Jesus admonishes striving to enter the strait gate – Luke 13:23
The word strait means to be constrained, restricted, or narrow.
Therefore, the strait gate will be difficult and not easy to pass through because it requires faithfulness (obedience) to God.
As a result, few will enter in – John 14:15
- Deception
It’s a deception of our adversary the devil (1 Peter 5:8), to believe entering into the kingdom of God (the strait gate) takes little forethought or effort – Luke 13:23
In Acts 14:22, we learn it will take continued faithfulness, and going through much tribulations to enter into the kingdom of God.
It’s not good enough just to get at good start.
We must continue to the end – John 8:31-32; Matthew 10:22
Entering the strait gate will require faithfulness until death – Revelation 2:10
- Two Ways
There are two ways you can follow, the narrow way (life) and the broad way (destruction) – Matthew 7:13-14
There will be many people whom will follow the broad way, and a few will be faithful to God and follow the narrow way that leads to eternal life.
Jesus, tells us to strive to enter the strait gate because many will seek to enter in and not be able – Luke 13:23
Jesus Says That Many Will Seek to Enter in and Not Be Able
- Many Will Seek
Many will seek to enter in and not be able because they have entered the wide gate of disobedience to God – Matthew 7:21-23
Multitudes in this group will take the path of least resistance, they will do things there way and not God’s way and will find themselves lost – Luke 13:25-29
- A High Price
The cost of becoming a Christian (or entering the strait gate) is too high a price for many people to pay for salvation – Mark 10:17-22; Matthew 16:24-26
For masses of people, obeying the gospel of Christ is not easy task for them. Why? Because it requires one to forsake all things and to love God more than man – Luke 14:26-33
- Biblical History
And finally can anyone ignore the Biblical history on the question Lord, are there few that be saved?
– In Genesis 6:5-8, God sees the wickedness of man but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
– In 1 Peter 3:20, we find a few souls were saved from the great flood.
– Shall we not also consider Israel whom God saved from Egyptian bondage but afterward destroyed them because of unbelief – Jude 5.
– Only two men entered Canaan land that left Egypt Joshua & Caleb – Numbers 26:63-65
Therefore, let us strive to enter in the strait gate, since few will be saved! When Jesus comes back again, do you want to be on the outside looking in? – Luke 13:28
HEAR BELIEVE REPENT CONFESS BAPTISM LIVE FAITHFULLY
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page