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Lord, Will Only a Few Be Saved?-Luke 13:22-30

By Charlie Vensel | June 12, 2008

I am here preaching over an interview weekend. I would think that such a situation should warrant a very safe message; I was hoping for something like John 3:16, for example. However, when I saw our readings for today, I thought, “Oh no! Isaiah is on a rampage (28:14-22) and Jesus is not mincing words either (Luke 13:22-30). There goes my opportunity to play it safe!” Yes, Psalm 42 is good, and Hebrews (12:18-29) is very beautiful; they will both preach and they are both tempting. However, if I selected one of those out the mix today, I would be breaking a promise I made to the Lord when I was called to ministry, “Never would I skip over the hard words of the Scriptures.” I have seen that done far too many times either by omission or by watering them down so much they lose their meaning entirely; the Church suffers for it. Therefore, for the sake of the Church and in keeping my promise to the Lord, I must preach on either Isaiah or Luke this morning; I have chosen Luke, and in my preparation, I have relied on the insights of Rev. Thomas Pinckney and Drs. William Hendriksen and Simon Kistemaker.

Please open your Bibles to Luke 13:22-30. Before we begin, let us pray [add spontaneous prayer]…

We live in a time that sociologists would call a “spiritual time”. We turn on Oprah Winfrey, and we hear about “living by the Secret;” a path of inner peace, and tapping the god-source within. Shirley MacLaine travels the country proclaiming that, “we are all gods.” Tom Cruise is promoting Scientology. Richard Gere is promoting Buddhism, Madonna is promoting Kabala, and Wicca is growing rapidly among women and young people.

It is a time in the West when people affirm that all religious paths lead to the same place. Socially, we are free, and even encouraged, to choose from a plethora of religious practices and beliefs. For example, I recently saw a car that had a Native American dream-catcher hanging from the mirror right next to a crucifix, while a “Namaste” bumper-sticker appeared on the rear window; “Namaste” is a word coming from Yoga masters in India meaning in effect to, “pay homage to the light in all living things.”

However, while practices and beliefs may vary as much as they could in such a spiritually diverse climate, there is a fundamental belief that unites most all of them; the way to salvation is broad and wide. It is the idea that one common factor among people, namely their humanity, gives them claim to the divine.

This fundamental belief, the wide and broad, can be found in many groups that call themselves Christian as well, where they claim that all people, or at least those who sincerely hold whatever beliefs they have, will be saved. It is a day when a well known evangelist says, “those who do not know the name of Jesus, but they know in their hearts that they need something they do not have, and they turn to the only light they have, . . . they are saved and they are going to be with us in heaven.” There are also other groups calling themselves Christian that narrowly believe that you must belong to their denomination, or have a certain type of salvation experience to be saved. We have both the extremes: the broad populous way and the narrow sparse way.

In Jesus’ day too, there were discussions among the rabbis as to how many people would be saved. It was generally agreed that all Israel, perhaps with the exception of a few horribly sinful people, would be saved. It was a wide door for a very narrow ethnic group. Most believed that being an ethnic Jew, or having Abraham as their biological ancestor (Luke 3:8), was enough for this salvation.

As we enter our text this morning, one of the Jews, perhaps even one that had heard Jesus preach on this before, is asking Jesus to weigh in on this question, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved” (Luke 13:22 NIV). Now, I do not think it is surprising this question is asked; wherever Jesus went, he proclaimed that only those whose hearts were comparable to good soil (Matt 13:23), only those who were willing to deny themselves (Luke 9:23), and only those who not only heard his teaching, but were also putting it into practice (Matt 28:20), would be saved. That left out a great many; it is a very valid question and worthy of an answer. Therefore, let us walk through our Gospel passage this morning and see if we can find an answer to that question and how it might help us as both individually and as a church.

Our challenge begins with Jesus. In his usual fashion, he is refusing to answer the question directly. He also refuses to answer only the examiner, but addresses the multitude, or “them,” suggesting this is a matter for the whole church; it is important to us today. We read in verse 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.” (Luke 13:24 NIV). While Jesus responds to a Jewish audience, it is important to note that he does not make any ethnic distinctions between the saved and the unsaved, but spiritual ones. He only references two types of people here: those who “make every effort to enter by the narrow door” or “strive to enter” as some translations offer, and those who will “try to” or “seek to enter [by some other means] and will not be able to.” We will take them in turn.

First, those who “strive to enter,” will enter. So, what does it mean to “strive to enter?” In the Greek, the verb for “strive” is “aÓgwni÷zomai”; we get our English word “agonize” from it. It means to fight in battle, to wrestle, or to struggle with tenacious perseverance. Our opponents are Satan, sin, and self. The struggle is fierce, they are worthy adversaries, and we are to fight with all our strength to battle against them. Those who strive in this way have understood what it means to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” (Matt 22:37 NIV). I should make a pastoral note here; the command of “strive to enter” does not imply that salvation is the result of human effort and not of God’s grace. It is all of God’s empowering grace. Let us remember Philippians 2:12-13 for the proper perspective on striving, “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12-13 NIV)

Practically, how are we to strive? I think Paul gives us the answer in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV) Paul, seeking the kingdom is to be our model; he works hard at self-control, he disciplines his mind and his body, and he works at obedience. I think Philippians 3:8 is relevant too, “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8 NIV) Therefore, true seeking is not simply a sincere desire to be spiritual. It is not just thinking Jesus is a great way among many ways. It is not a desire for health, wealth or prosperity that drives the true seeker. Rather, it is recognizing the Lordship of Jesus Christ and submitting to his rule in all areas of our life.

Second, what does it mean to “seek to enter?” There are certainly legitimate ways of seeking God. We are told in Luke 11:9, “…Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9 NIV) Or, in Luke 12:31, “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” (Luke 12:31 NIV) In these instances, this “seeking” could be equated to the “striving” Jesus is talking about. Indeed, we are to earnestly seek God and there are proper ways to do that.

However, the example we have here in our text this morning is an illegitimate way to seek God. Perhaps we would understand it a little better when we understand what seeking God is not. First, true seeking is not seeking what God can do for us. Many churches present a message like this, “Just try Jesus to see if he will work for you. We believe that if you do, you will find that all of your problems go away.” That false gospel allows its hearers to add Christianity to their list of ”self-help” & “good advice” resources. There is no talk of sin and repentance, no talk of grace, no talk of discipleship, but only misrepresented benefit. If the whole counsel of God is not proclaimed, the costs made known, the organization will produce very illegitimate seekers; the “Health, Wealth, & Prosperity Gospel” and the “seeker movement” are both famous for this.

Remember Jesus’ words in Luke 12:29, “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.’ (Luke 12:29 NKJV) A gospel that is focused on eliminating our earthly problems alone, will produce illegitimate seekers that are solely looking to Jesus to give them food, drink, and peace. In other words, they will be seeking shortcuts to abundant provision, material goods, health, relationships, and a good mood; they would have found Santa Clause or a genie. You want to know why so many mega-churches are mega-churches, listen to the messages coming out of some of them. It is quite possible that they have developed illegitimate seekers; halls filled with people who sing a new version of a contemporary song, “I’m going back to the heart of worship; It’s all about me, it’s all about me, Jesus.” Their faith is shallow and does not have the power to withstand adversity. When adversity comes, or the promises of success do not materialize, they either leave the Faith, or live in denial while trying to “work up” a better attitude.

My wife was doing her devotional the other night and asked me a question about the ten lepers whom Jesus heals in Luke 17:17; I think it is a great example. The lepers ask Jesus for mercy, and he tells them to go show themselves to the priests. Along the way, all of them are healed. Only one, the Samaritan, returns to thank Jesus and praise him as Lord. Jesus responds, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?’ And He said to him, ‘Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.’ (Luke 17:17-19 NKJV) The Samaritan received more than a physical healing, recognizing Jesus was Lord, he sought Jesus legitimately and he was saved. The other nine were only physically healed. Yes, they received a temporal blessing being near the Lord, but their illegitimacy will prevent them from entering the kingdom. In fact, this nearness to the Lord and their failure to respond appropriately will leave them with no excuse. Their selfishness will judge them on the last day. That is a harsh warning to those who might sit in church for reasons other than striving to enter the kingdom.

Consider also, John 6:26. The day before, Jesus fed the multitude with bread and the crowds want more bread today. Jesus responded, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.” (John 6:26 NKJV) They loved the bread, perhaps because it was tasty or perhaps because it was free, or perhaps because they did not have to prepare it. According to Jesus, they saw the signs from God, but rather than recognize that they pointed to Jesus, that man shall not live on bread alone, but on every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God, that Jesus is our provision, our sustenance, and our Way to eternal life, they were happy to have the physical bread alone. Jesus says something about that too in John 6:48-51, “I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6:48-51 NIV) The multitude here is comprised of illegitimate seekers, like the nine lepers, seeking only what Jesus can do for them in the physical. They are not seeking Jesus.

I have a dear friend who was at rock-bottom in his life in 1998. He suffered from depression, had numerous undiagnosed physical ailments, anxiety issues, and broken relationship concerns. He really felt awful. His physical and emotional pain led him to explore the claims of Christ. He wanted them to be true for him; “anything to stop the hurt,” he said.

We both went on the Alpha Course. I was converted and he was frustrated. My friend desperately wanted to feel whole again. It did not happen, and while some were having amazing testimonies about the work of God in their lives, nothing happened for him. Growing somewhat bitter, his quest quickly fizzled out. “I tried it and it did not work,” he said. For him, God was, and still is, a means to an end, namely, his healing. If we approach God for our personal satisfaction alone, we are likely to come up empty. We are to seek the giver, not the gift.

I think that all that I have said so far about illegitimate seeking has bearing on the Church at large, and as a growing church, ACTS more particularly. Many advisors would suggest that a church that wants to grow needs to determine what the people in the community believe they need. Then the church should strive to tell them that we could provide those needs. I think that is a legitimate strategy; we do have the answers to many of life’s issues, and felt-needs can be a door wide-open to bring new people into a church. However, if the church only communicates that it exists to give them what they perceive they need, I suspect it will only produce those seeking after physical things, rather than Christ.

I think, here, it is appropriate to say that our passage declares that people engaged in such illegitimate seeking will not be able to enter the kingdom of heaven. However, these words are not meant to threaten God’s children. They do not mean that only those without sin can enter. All of those who “struggle” in obedience to the command “Strive to enter,” will certainly enter. However, for those who are not yet his, it is a very stern warning to put away self-serving sin and lack of concern for the Lord and to come to the salvation the Lord offers before it is too late. Turn to verse 25. We read, “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.’” (Luke 13:25 NIV) There comes a time when the Lord will shut the door to salvation, either at physical death or at his return, whichever comes first. The illegitimate seeker will then call him Sir, but in vain.

The illegitimate seeker will protest too. After the shutting of the door, we read in verses 26-27, “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’” (Luke 13:26-27 NIV) Where were they when the door was still open? Spiritually, they were always elsewhere. That they ate and drank with him and heard his teaching suggests that they had contact with Jesus’ ministry. They expected to come in for their half-hearted devotion. Like the Jews relying on Father Abraham as their ticket, mere association with the Church never saved anyone. A radical transformation of the heart is needed.

There is another category of illegitimate seeker, “the deceived.” Churches are filled with people, who rely on their good works like clean moral living, church membership, regular fellowship, serving in different ministries (Matt 7:22), even successful ones. In response to the question, “How do you know you are going to heaven,” they rattle off a list of character traits and service activities. “I’m a good person,” or “I go to church every Sunday,” or “I sing in the choir,” or “I was raised in a Christian home,” they say. I have one friend who prides herself on not needing the Prayer Book in front of her to make it through the service; that is impressive! The deceived may even stay awake at night wondering if they have done enough to get in. However, their faith has been misplaced in their good works and moral fortitude, not in the risen Lord alone.

This is a good place to talk about what Jesus meant by the “narrow way.” The narrow door is not being on the church roles, or even attending regularly. It is not reading the Bible, having your quiet time, listening to Christian radio, or impressing others by your outward Christian appearance. This is clear by verse 26, as the evildoers were in the midst of the believers; they were church members who heard the Words of life, but did not internalize them. The narrow door is not about social status in this life either, as Jesus says in verse 30, that some that are first will be last. Social status does not guarantee entering through the narrow door. The narrow door is not being related to a clergyman, nor is it being related to someone with great faith. Remember Jesus is speaking to the children of the Fathers of the Faith; everyone must give their own account (Romans 14:12).

But, what does Jesus mean by the narrow door? In John 10:9, Jesus declares himself to be “the door,” “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9 NKJV) With regard to “narrow”, he means that in two ways. First, John 14:6 tells us, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6 NKJV) No religious activities, Christian or non-Christian, bring us into the kingdom. Our sincerest beliefs do not bring us in, our good works do not bring us in; neither do warm feelings about Christ bring us in. The world hates this message in what the sociologists would call a “spiritual time.” However, we must proclaim, and demonstrate by our fruit, that there is only one narrow door, Jesus.

Secondly, the door is narrow in that it is only open for a little while. There is a time when Christ eats and drinks with sinners (Matt 5:19). This is grace. Paul tell us in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NIV) Jesus says in Matthew 9:13, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:13 NIV) And Paul writes in Ephesians 2:3-5, “Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:3-5 NIV) We are in a time of mercy, but it will come to an end.

The image of the narrow door tells us not to presume our salvation because of our relatives, our religious participation, our good deeds or our moral fiber. Neither, must we presume that we will have another chance for salvation; now is the time.

So, we end where we started by asking, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” Jesus turned that question back on us as a mandate to examine ourselves, discipline ourselves, and seek him alone, before the door of the Ark closes.

But, will only a few be saved? No. I can see at least four reasons why such is not the case. First, right before Jesus tells us of the narrow door, he provides two mini-parables about the kingdom of God. In Luke 13:18-21, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a mustard seed and to leaven. Each of these images shows something that looks small, but grows to huge proportion. The kingdom starts small and expands just like the mustard seed and the leaven. Second, in verse 29, Jesus says, “People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. (Luke 13:29 NIV). Verse 30 gives us hope that there are more coming to salvation. Fourth, and drawing on Revelation 7:9-, “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10 NIV) Indeed, over time, many, many will be saved, in fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham of his spiritual descendants, “I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore.” (Genesis 22:17 NIV)

So, what can we learn from all of this as individuals and as a church? Individually, I think we have no choice but to examine ourselves. Let us make sure that our assurance is not based on our religious actives, our piety, our church membership, our sincerity, prosperity, or moral fiber. We must discipline ourselves to run the good race. And, if you do not know the Lord, the door is open now, but perhaps not tomorrow. Therefore, you have dire need to repent today and come into the family of God.

As a church, ACTS must be careful never to give false assurances of salvation. ACTS must stand firm, especially in the midst of growth campaigns, proclaiming loudly against and amidst all false gods, that Jesus is the only Way. ACTS, as a body, must seek Jesus with all its heart, mind, strength and soul. Lastly, ACTS must equip the believers to fight the good fight through faithful pulpit ministry, discipleship and accountability.

Individually, we should ask if we believe God’s kingdom is for those from all four corners of the world. Do you have a vision for the nations? Do you withdraw from those who are “last” at this time, or do you only focus on those like yourselves? Do you believe that the Lord can set the captives of false religions free? If you answered , “no,” are you praying that the Lord would grant you a desire for the nations?

As a church, is ACTS willing to work with all people groups and among all the nations God has brought to Littleton? What can you do to bring the love of Christ to the nations both locally and around the globe? What are your prayers in this regard?

Praise be to God, the Lord is saving not a few, but a multitude. The Gospel breaks down every cultural barrier and makes us all into one bride. And praise be to God, he will do that through the narrow door of Jesus. May we all, individually, and corporately, proclaim these truths and be used by him to accomplish his desires.

Topics: Luke |

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