Kingdom Entrance

Sermon 61 in Series

Luke 13:22-30

[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.”

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How does Jesus redirect the focus of the questioner? How does he turn the hypothetical into the personal?
2.  What does it mean that the door is “narrow”? How does the parallel in Matthew help us?
3.  What is Jesus referring to when he says that his hearers must “strive”? How does this idea also show up in the teaching of the Apostles?
4.  As we think about the relationship between grace and works or resting and striving or divine sovereignty and human responsibility, what are the two ditches to avoid? Which do you tend to fall into?
5.  What is Jesus saying about the spiritual condition of Israel in this passage? How do his comments anticipate the gospel going to the Gentiles in Acts?
6.  How does Jesus portray hell? By contrast, how does he describe the consummated kingdom?

References: Matthew 7:13-27 (corporate reading); Daniel 2:35; Revelation 7:9; Luke 9:51; John 14:6; Luke 8:15; 13:1-9; 1 Corinthians 9:25; Colossians 1:29; 1 Timothy 4:10; 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7; 2 Peter 1:5; Hebrews 4:11; Philippians 2:12-13; John 3:3; Romans 9:16; Luke 3:8; Matthew 8:11-12.