The narrow door, is referred to by the Lord Jesus and Luke 13:23-24 (and in Matthew 7:13-14). Jesus compares the narrow gate to the “broad road” which leads to destruction (hell) and says that “many” will be on that road. By contrast, Jesus says that “small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” What exactly is meant by this?
First, we need to understand that Jesus is the Door through which all must enter eternal life. There is no other way because He alone is “the way, the truth and the life.”
Entering through the narrow gate is not easy. Jesus made this clear when He instructed His followers to “strive” to do so. But we must be clear here. No amount of effort saves us; salvation is by the grace of God through the gift of faith.
Many will seek to enter that narrow door, the door of salvation, but “will not be able.” They are unwilling to trust/rely on Jesus alone. They are unwilling to pay the price. It costs too much for them to give up the world. God’s gate is a gate through which one cannot carry the baggage of sin and self-will, nor can one carry the accoutrements of materialism. The way of Christ is the way of the cross, and the way of the cross is the way of self-denial.
The Narrow Door (9AM)
August 14, 2022 • Dennis Whitcher • Luke 13:22–35
The Invitation... In Three Parts (11AM)
September 11, 2022 • Curt McFarland, Alex Rule, Dennis Whitcher • Luke 14:7–24
Today is a day those of a certain age will not forget. We remember the tears, the lost lives, the shock. And we remember that buildings will fall, and life itself will end, but Jesus remains our only hope. Part I (14:7-11): In Jesus’ day, as today, there were “status symbols” that helped people enhance their high standing in society. If you were invited to the “right homes” and if you were seated in the “right places,” then people would know how important you were. The emphasis was on reputation, not character. And so, in the first parable, Jesus counsels us to take the lowest seat, to forget our public image, because the Kingdom of God is about finding our identity in the One who knows us best. Part II (14:12-15): When we are invited to a dinner or banquet, we enjoy time with family and friends. We want to return the favor. That's the way we often live, it’s our comfort zone. But Jesus teaches that we should invite those who are in need, and those who need Him. Jesus wants us to invite those who cannot repay us. We follow Christ when we do just that. Our reward, we are told, will come later. Part III (14:16-24): The third part of Jesus’ dining etiquette reveals the heart of the host, and the hearts of each invited guest. Each makes an excuse, and each excuse seems, at first hearing, reasonable. But they reject the generosity of the host, the door is shut, they are forever outside. Oh, may we stop with our excuses!
The Invitation... In Three Parts (9AM)
September 11, 2022 • Curt McFarland, Alex Rule, Dennis Whitcher • Luke 14:7–24
Today is a day those of a certain age will not forget. We remember the tears, the lost lives, the shock. And we remember that buildings will fall, and life itself will end, but Jesus remains our only hope. Part I (14:7-11): In Jesus’ day, as today, there were “status symbols” that helped people enhance their high standing in society. If you were invited to the “right homes” and if you were seated in the “right places,” then people would know how important you were. The emphasis was on reputation, not character. And so, in the first parable, Jesus counsels us to take the lowest seat, to forget our public image, because the Kingdom of God is about finding our identity in the One who knows us best. Part II (14:12-15): When we are invited to a dinner or banquet, we enjoy time with family and friends. We want to return the favor. That's the way we often live, it’s our comfort zone. But Jesus teaches that we should invite those who are in need, and those who need Him. Jesus wants us to invite those who cannot repay us. We follow Christ when we do just that. Our reward, we are told, will come later. Part III (14:16-24): The third part of Jesus’ dining etiquette reveals the heart of the host, and the hearts of each invited guest. Each makes an excuse, and each excuse seems, at first hearing, reasonable. But they reject the generosity of the host, the door is shut, they are forever outside. Oh, may we stop with our excuses!
When Our Rules Get in The Way of His Rules (11AM)
September 4, 2022 • Luke 14:1–6
Today, the world population is approximately 8 billion and growing. The needs for work, food, medicine, and hospitals, etc. are also increasing. People are moving at a very high speed in this fast-changing world. Today the number of sick people in the world is much higher than in Jesus’ time but this is not a reason for Him to stop hearing and answering our prayers. His power of healing is the same today as it was in the past and will be in the future. In these times of constant needs and desperation we should use our wisdom and be on our knees praying. We must always look for the One who can do everything and make the impossible possible, our Creator and Ruler of the universe, our Maker and Provider. In this passage a leader of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner on the Sabbath. The house was full of many people. The leader’s intention was evil - the idea was to catch Jesus breaking the rules and laws on the Sabbath. They were watching Jesus, waiting for an opportunity to get Him into trouble, but Jesus knew the leader’s intentions and malicious thoughts. Jesus took advantage of the moment to use His healing power to heal a man and teach the Pharisees a great lesson. Here our Lord Jesus healed the man with dropsy, and many witnessed the miracle of healing on the Sabbath day. Jesus asked them if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath, but they remained silent and surprised. This reminds us of what Jesus said in Mark 2:17 “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners.”