1stBBC
Are they few that are saved?
Luk 13:22-24 And he went on his way through cities and villages, teaching, and journeying on unto Jerusalem. And one said unto him, Lord, are they few that are saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Many shall seek but shall be unable too. Why?
1. because of the door
A door means a specific location to enter from and a specific assigned way.
A door to enter through means one way, one method.
Joh 10:7-9 Jesus therefore said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture.
Act 4:12 And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus
Are they few?
Should we choose a door we like or a door we feel comfortable about?
Pro 16:25 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.
What is very common about those ways or doors that people enjoy but leads to death.
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Are they few?
A door means that one day the entrance will be allowed no more. A door can and will be closed.
Luk 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open to us; and he shall answer and say to you, I know you not whence ye are;
Many shall seek like the ten virgins …
Mat 25:1-5 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:10 And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Many shall continue to seek even after the door is closed …..
Are they few?
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.
2. because of the narrow door
Mat 7:13-14 Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it.
The door is narrow, the door is restrictive. You can’t be overweight and enter.
In spiritual terms it means that there are restrictions and conditions.
What are these?
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God!
2Co 5:17 Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.
Eph 4:20-24 But ye did not so learn Christ; if so be that ye heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit; and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.
In simple terms, you can’t enter as an old man.
Are they few?
3. because entering requires striving
Striving means trying the best, putting all our power.
1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain. And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Striving against laziness, postponing, taking things lightly.
They seek but won’t strive, they find the door but won’t run, they get baptized but never join, they love but won’t stay, they hear but won’t obey, they cry but won’t forsake.
Are they few? Those who strive against the above.
Some ask only for earthly benefit.
John 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw signs, but because ye ate of the loaves, and were filled.
Concluding, Paul charged his son Timothy to strive for the faith.
1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith …
And in his last words to him before his departure he charged him too to continue to strive in order to fulfill.
2Ti 4:1-5 I charge thee in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables. But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill thy ministry.
Are they few?
Pastor Tony Skaff
2006
