Luke 13:22-30
22 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 come 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.”
Main Idea
THE SALVATION CALL IS FOR ALL, BUT NOT ALL WILL BE SAVED.
Outline
THE REASON PEOPLE ARE NOT SAVED IS…
NOT BECAUSE HEAVEN LACKS CAPACITY, BUT BECAUSE WE LACK COMMITMENT (VV22–24)
THE REASON PEOPLE ARE NOT SAVED IS…
NOT FOR LACK OF KNOWING THE GOSPEL, BUT BECAUSE WE DON’T KNOW GOD (VV25–27)
THE REASON PEOPLE ARE NOT SAVED IS…
NOT BECAUSE WE ARE NOT LET INTO THE KINGDOM, BUT BECAUSE WE DON’T DESERVE IT (VV27–28)
THE REASON PEOPLE ARE SAVED IS…
GOD CALLS TO HIMSELF PEOPLE FROM ALL RACES AND PLACES (VV29–30)
Discussion Questions
THE REASON PEOPLE ARE NOT SAVED IS…
NOT BECAUSE HEAVEN LACKS CAPACITY, BUT BECAUSE WE LACK COMMITMENT (VV22–24)
Someone asks Jesus, “Will those who are saved be few?” Why do you think Jesus answers by telling people to “strive to enter through the narrow door” instead of giving a number?
What does it mean to strive to enter the narrow door?
How does Jesus shift the focus from curiosity about others to personal responsibility?
Why do people often prefer discussing salvation theoretically rather than examining their own relationship with God?
What are some things that compete for our commitment to Christ?
How does this passage challenge the idea that casually identifying as a Christian is enough?
What would wholehearted commitment to Jesus look like in your current season of life?
THE REASON PEOPLE ARE NOT SAVED IS…
NOT FOR LACK OF KNOWING THE GOSPEL, BUT BECAUSE WE DON’T KNOW GOD (VV25–27)
What is surprising about the people who say, “We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets”?
What are some ways a person can be familiar with Christianity without truly belonging to Christ?
Why is it possible to participate in religious activities while still being spiritually lost?
How does this passage challenge cultural Christianity?
How can we guard against confusing church attendance, knowledge, or ministry involvement with saving faith?
THE REASON PEOPLE ARE NOT SAVED IS…
NOT BECAUSE WE ARE NOT LET INTO THE KINGDOM, BUT BECAUSE WE DON’T DESERVE IT (VV27–28)
Why is it difficult for people to accept that no one deserves salvation?
How does this passage expose self-righteousness?
Why is understanding our sinfulness necessary for understanding God’s grace?
What happens when people view salvation as something they have earned rather than received?
How does the reality of judgment make the Gospel even more precious?
Why is humility such an important part of coming to Christ?
How does gratitude grow when we realize salvation is entirely by grace?
THE REASON PEOPLE ARE SAVED IS…
GOD CALLS TO HIMSELF PEOPLE FROM ALL RACES AND PLACES (VV29–30)
What does this passage teach us about the scope of God’s saving plan?
Why would this have been surprising to Jesus’ original audience?
How does this passage highlight both God’s grace and God’s sovereignty?
What encouragement do you find in knowing that people from every nation, background, and walk of life are invited into God’s Kingdom?
How should this shape the way we think about evangelism and missions?
How can we better reflect God’s desire to welcome people from every background into His family?
Looking Forward
Jesus moves the conversation from “How many will be saved?” to “Have you entered the narrow door?” What is one area of your life where you need to stop observing Christianity from a distance and more fully surrender yourself to Christ?
Prayer Focus
Pray for…
Hearts that are fully committed to following Jesus
A deeper understanding of the narrow door of salvation
Freedom from cultural or superficial Christianity
A genuine relationship with God, not merely knowledge about Him
Humility to recognize our need for God’s grace
Gratitude that salvation is a gift and not something we earn
Confidence in the power of the Gospel to save
A burden for those who do not yet know Christ
Faithfulness in sharing the Gospel with others
Joy in knowing that God is gathering people from every nation, tribe, and language into His Kingdom
Wisdom to examine our own hearts and assurance that comes from truly knowing Jesus