The Closed Door

                                            Parables,23 The Closed Door                                              Pg.1                                    
Scripture:   Luke 13:22-30 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 And some one said to him, "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" And he said to them, 24 "Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, `Lord, open to  us.' 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 iniquity!' 28 There you will weep and gnash your teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves thrust out. 29 And men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit 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.          Read Matthew 7:13-14

The thing that prompted Jesus teaching with this parable was a simple question. “Will those who are saved be few”? A curious question from an individual who wanted to know the parameters of God’s salvation. Then instead of a quantifying number, Jesus gives an answer that gives us pause. Eleven phrases and all of them related to the Judgment of God. God is a merciful God, and Jesus has a sincere love for everyone regardless of our calling, But there is a limit to God’s mercy, and one day the door will shut. This is not to say that as a friend Jesus will cease to help us, Jesus will come to our aid, but we must seek him, call out to him, strive to live Godly lives. Have a heart for Godly ways, thoughts and deeds…. But as Jesus here teaches, God’s mercy has a cutoff date.
                                                                                                                                           
24 Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
Q.1 From this parable it appears that getting into Heaven will be difficult, why is that so.?
Q.2 What in our recent studies best describes entering by the narrow door?
Q.3 What best describes one who will not be able to enter?

25 When once the householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, `Lord, open to  us.' He will answer you, `I do not know where you come from.'
Q.1 Who do you suppose Jesus meant as the householder?
Q.2 What is meant by the phrase “I do not know where you come from”?
Q.3 Read Luke 11:5-10*-
Q.4 What is different about this parable from the one in Luke 11:5-10?
Q.5 What is different about knowing who someone is, and actually knowing their heart?
 
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 iniquity!'
Q.1 Why will there be those who know who Jesus is yet will be turned away?
Q.2 What would you say properly describes a worker of iniquity”?
Q.3 Again Jesus repeats the phrase “I do not know where you come from” Why does he
       emphasize that point?



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28 There you will weep and gnash your teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves thrust out.
Q.1 Reminds us of the rich man and Lazarus, Who was Jesus speaking to at this time?
Q.2 We thought we had it made, why will there be weeping and gnashing of teeth?
Q.3 When Jesus returns do you suppose there will be those that call on him in this fashion?
Q.4 The possibility of an appeal might cross the minds of those who are shut out. What is the likelihood of an appeal?

29 And men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit 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.
Q.1 Do we have any idea what this verse means, What difference is first compared to last?
Q.2 Read first and last comment.
Q.3 What if anything is different about these comments than what you already knew?
Q.4 Read the conclusion.


Questions?
1.What is meant by” strive to enter by the narrow door? Is there another way? Do some believe there is another way?

2. Was this parable a surprise to the Jews? Why? Why did Jesus deliver this parable?

3. What did Jesus mean  “some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last?

4. Who are the workers of iniquity Jesus refers to?

5, Does being a church member entitle one to be invited into Gods Kingdom?

6. Does being a church member help us in this struggle? How?

Christianity is an exclusive religion. There is no salvation apart from Jesus. There is no forgiveness of sin apart from Jesus. There is no eternal life apart from Jesus. The path to salvation, the door of salvation, it is, in fact, narrow. In that regard, it is exclusive. There is no hope for sinners other than Jesus Christ. But Christianity is also the most inclusive. All are welcome to pass through the narrow door.
My exhortation, is this: Do not be too smart. Do not be too clever. Do not be too affluent. Do not be too busy. Do not be too critical. Do not be too moral. Do not be self-righteous and fail to recognize that you too are a sinner lacking in all things that Jesus brings to your aid. There is no peace for any who refuse Him, and no condemnation for any who take Him to heart and depend upon Him for eternity. We should make a desperate run for the strait way, and seek with all our heart the narrow door.



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Mattthew 7:13  "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Psalms 112: 6-10 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. 6  Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. 7  They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD. 8  Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. 9  They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor. 10  The wicked will see and be vexed, they will gnash their teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

Luke 11:5-10  Then Jesus said to them, "Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6  a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.' 7  And suppose the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' 8  I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. 9  "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

First and last comment:  Our Savior came to guide men's consciences, not to gratify their curiosity. Ask not, How many shall be saved? But, Shall I be one of them? What shall I do, and what will become of me? Strive to enter in at the strait gate. Those that would enter in, must strive to enter. By knowledge of the strait way, don’t depend on good fortune. Here are awakening considerations, to enforce this exhortation. Oh that we may be all awakened by them! They answer the question, Are there few that shall be saved? But let none despond either as to themselves or others, for there are last who shall be first, and first who shall be last. If we reach heaven, we shall meet many there whom we little thought to meet, and miss many whom we expected to find.
Conclusion: Genuine repentance and faith toward Christ is the only avenue of escape from perishing. Nothing can be expected concerning barren and hypocritical lives except that they should be cut down and cast away. Not all who say “Lord, Lord” will find entrance to His kingdom, and to be bidden by Him that day to “depart” means hell. Those who would be saved must enter in at the strait gate, having undergone a change of heart.

"Lord, help us to always trust in your saving grace, especially when tempted and put to the test.  Help us to be faithful to you and give us the courage and strength to resist all temptation, especially temptation to compromise or to be indifferent to your word." And Lord, manifest it in our hearts, the desire to go on the strait way that leads to the narrow door and strengthen our belief, lead us there and keep us mindful of our need for Jesus, so that we do not come to  a closed door to eternity. We pray now for those of our acquaintance who need your healing touch___________Please bring them confidence and strength to endure and bring mercy and healing to their lives, and ours as well. In Jesus name we pray AMEN."


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"Meditation: Jesus' story about the door being shut to those who come too late suggests they had offended their host and deserved to be excluded. It was customary for teachers in Jesus' time to close the door on tardy students and not allow them back for a whole week in order to teach them a lesson in discipline and faithfulness.  Jesus told this story in response to the question of who will make it to heaven.  Jesus doesn't directly answer the question, however; but his response is nonetheless unsettling on two counts.  First,  Jesus surprised his listeners by saying that one's membership as a covenanted people does not automatically mean entry into the kingdom of God. Second, Jesus asserts that many from the gentile nations would enter God's kingdom. God's invitation is open to Jew and Gentile alike.  But Jesus warns that we can be excluded if we do not strive to enter by the narrow door.  I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved (John 10:9).  Through the cross Jesus opens the way for us to enter into his kingdom.  But we must follow Jesus in the way of the cross.  The word strive can also be translated agony.  To enter the kingdom of God one must struggle against the forces of temptation and whatever would hinder us from doing the will of God (even apathy, indifference, and compromise).  The good news is that we do not struggle alone.  God is with us and his grace is sufficient!   As we strive side by side  for the faith of the gospel (Php 1:27  Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel…..Jesus assures us of complete victory!