The Narrow Door - The Crowds

City Church Tulsa

THE CROWDS The Narrow Door 3.3.24 Luke 13:22-30 22 Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 26 “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ 28 “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. 29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” Living the Giving Liturgy: • Guiding Questions… o Am I fully trusting God with my finances and everything I own? o Am I actively practicing generosity in my life, church, and relationships? o Am I being a wise steward of what God has entrusted to me? Question for the crowds: Will they stay with Jesus and become His disciples or will they turn away and desert Him?" Characteristics of the crowd in scripture: • The crowds are fickle and easily swayed by popular opinion • The crowds have a consumer mentality focused on personal gain • The crowds misunderstand the kingdom of God and seek power instead • The crowds reject suffering or the way of the cross for comfort and convenience Matthew 7:13-14 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. 1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1. You have a choice. 2. Your time to choose is limited. 3. Beware of familiarity. 4. Your life and choices have eternal implications. 5. The Kingdom of God inverts the kingdom of this world. Three Consistent Pictures of Hell: 1. Punishment 2. Destruction 3. Banishment “It is true that the cost of discipleship is steep, but it is also true that the cost of non-discipleship is even higher." – Dietrich Bonhoeffer “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” – Jim Eliot In what area of your life is the Spirit of God calling you through the narrow door?