The Narrow Door – Luke 13:22-30

Introduction

The brick wall was faded,

uneven, and weathered; the imposing wooden door was more than seven feet tall

but less than three feet wide, arched at its top and situated in a doorway that

was a few feet deep.

The visitor stood outside in the darkness, peering into the warm glow of the Baroque

interior-a cavernous room filled with tables overflowing with sumptuous food

and chalices of wine. The people inside were ready to enjoy their feast, but

they were all waiting as they looked to their left, as if anticipating someone

was going to speak before the meal.

Peering in, the visitor saw his friend David sitting at a table not far from

the doorway. Surprised, he called out to get David’s attention. “I thought we

were going to eat together” the visitor said.

David, his gaze never leaving the front of the room, was only able to reply,

“You never responded.”

As he described the scene to me, my friend Nabeel was staring off to the side,

his brow furrowed and his eyes narrowed as if he was reliving the experience.

He turned to face me. “That was the whole dream,” he said.

My living room was quiet, except for the gentle hum of the air conditioner

outside. “And this came after you had asked God for a clear vision?” I asked.

“That’s right,” he replied. “I called David the next day and asked him what he

thought of my dream.”

“David is your Christian friend?”

“My only Christian Friend. I was a devout Muslim; I didn’t like to sully myself

by associating with too many Christians.”

“And what did he tell you?”

“He said there was no need to interpret what I had experienced. All I need to

do was open the Bible to the thirteenth chapter of Luke”.

This account is from the book “A case for

Miracles” by Lee Strobel. Nabeel, the man who had this dream, was a devout

Muslim who had never read a single verse from the new testament. After asking

God for a sign, then having this dream, Nabeel gave his life fully to Christ

and was born again.It’s a true story, very similar to my own, and

it touched me enough that I had to share it this morning. Let’s turn our Bibles

to Luke chapter 13.

Luke

13:22-30 ESV 

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 c23ome

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.”

Show

Title Slide

The sermon that I am going to preach today is

heavy, but I urge everyone in this room to listen to every word… EVERYONE needs

this message. Me, my wife, the pastors of the church, the elders, the

Christians, the members of the church, visitors, and those who are not yet

Christians… all of you need this…

PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY

Point One – Few Will Enter the Gates of Heaven

Point one this morning “Few will enter the Gates

of Heaven”.Say the word few.FEWNot many, not tons, certainly not everyone… but

few!

Luke 13:23-24

ESV  And

someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to

them,  (24)  “Strive to enter through the narro