I was turned to Luke chapter 13, Luke chapter 13, that song they just sang I've listened to
coming up the road at least on Sunday morning, coming up 183 every Sunday morning probably
that I've been here because what I do with you on Sunday morning I hope will glorify God
because he's worthy of it all, most appropriate song and I thoroughly enjoy that and I say that
for a couple of reasons, one is Lord willing next Sunday I ain't coming up 183 to get to you
I'm coming about two blocks because I'm in debt again, we bought a house so and we are thankful
moving trucks coming Wednesday, you can get our sticks as my parents called it, they were in the
military for 20 years and getting settled so thankful to be a resident here now, thank God
some exciting things happening in our church and I'm excited about this day but also some
things that are coming up and in the coming days I'm going to invite our men to join me
on a weekday morning for some prayer and share time where we read a common book together
book that I like reading, chapter a week, that kind of thing and then talk about that book, talk a little bit about life and pray together and spend some time together
I try to do that, try to offer it for a couple of times, one early in the morning where those who are tied to schedule can make it to that
and then one later in the morning, those who are blessed to not be tied to schedule don't like getting up early no more
so, you know, anyway the details are coming to that but let me get here first and get settled
but possibly the first book that we read is a book by a man named, a pastor named Dean in Syria
the book is called The Unsaved Christian
and in that book, Dean speaks of people that think they're Christians
hang out sometimes with Christians
people who are culturally thought to be Christians
there's just one problem
they've never surrendered their lives
to the Lord
and as scripture would put it, they're lost
now don't misunderstand me
many times they fraternize with the church
they play the part
the reality is personally
they just don't know Jesus
and Jesus speaks of the same manner
in a parable that we look at today
he compares death
to a door
and I want you to hear what he says this morning
Luke chapter 13
verse 22
said he went on his way through towns and villages
teaching and journeying towards Jerusalem
and someone said to him
Lord
will those who are saved be few?
and he said to them
strive to enter through the narrow door
for many I tell you will seek to enter
and will not be able
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'll answer to you
I don't know where you come from
then you will begin to say
we ate and drank in your presence
and taught in our streets
but he will say
I tell you I do not know where you come from
depart from me
all you workers of evil
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
and people will come
from east and west
from north and south
and recline
at table
in the kingdom of God
and behold
some are last
who will be first
and some are first
who will be last
let's pray together
Lord Jesus
the
the definitive word
that I just read
is stark
it's difficult to talk about
and it's real
and as Jesus spoke it
with urgency
I know this morning
that I'll speak it
with urgency
God I pray
that your sweet spirit
will land it
in the hearts
and minds
that need to hear it
in the way
that they need to hear it
and help us all
be strengthened by it
in Jesus precious name
Amen
things are not
how you think
they are
those that seem
first for the Lord
may not always
be first for the Lord
they talk a good game
they may have even
convinced themselves
but only by ignoring
the clear direction
of scripture
it is my fear
but it's also my belief
belief that there may be
people right here
among us
even in this room
even watching online
that will not go to heaven
when they die
the door will be shut
and they will be left behind
people from all over the place
places that you don't expect
will come in
but the majority
of the world
that we live in
are lost
and will
and will spend
eternity
apart from God
and that does
not have to be
and so today
I want us to think
about our own situation
I want you to think
about your own heart
and your own life
and I want you to think
about your family
and I want you to think
about your neighbors
and I want you to think
about your world
and with that in mind
I want to give
three pieces of advice
this morning
the first one is this
go where few
fear to tread
because God's way
is seldom
the popular way
that is not new
in our culture
that has always been the case
it may feel new
it may be worse
than it used to be
but the reality is
it's always been
the narrow way
the less traveled way
it's not the popular way
it is unpopular today
to admit our own frailties
and sins
and that there are
responsibility
what's popular
is to blame somebody else
when in reality
we all have frailties
we all are sinners
and it's not popular
to ask an almighty God
to intervene
but the reality is
that's the only hope
that we have
is to do that
it's not popular
to live for the Lord
with great zeal
instead of being half-hearted
it's popular
to do a lot of other things
with a lot of zeal
a lot of you
are like me
you were cheering
on your football teams
yesterday
with zeal
you know
I'd like to meet
that ref
that called that targeting
on that Alabama quarterback
because I am sick
of Alabama
I hope I didn't
distance anybody
but anyway
if I did
so be it
but anyway
I responded
with great zeal
people fish
they got great zeal
about that
they're not going to let
anything come in the way
of that
people shop
and they got great zeal
about it
they're not going to let
anything come in the way
of that
you know
well we do a lot of things
with great zeal
but it is not popular
and those things are popular
but it's not popular
to live for the Lord
with great zeal
it's a whole lot easier
to be half-hearted
about this thing
you know
I mean preacher
I have blocked off
an hour or two
on Sunday
for the Lord
what else do I need to do
that's popular
what's unpopular
is to live for him daily
it's unpopular
to live in our world
and live a life of purity
instead of being seduced
by the world's influence
I want to be clear
this morning
and I ain't throwing stones
I'm just telling the truth
God still stands
for marital
monogamous
heterosexual purity
period
that has not changed
the society
in which we live
has shifted
and changed
and will continue to
and that may be popular
but the truth
of God's word
is still
just as true
as the day
it was penned
it is the timeless
truths of God's word
and I promise you
that when society
seems to be
so much different
than God's word
it was when it was penned
if you don't believe that
study the Roman Empire
study the atmosphere
in which
the Apostle Paul wrote
study the atmosphere
in which Jesus spoke
what he did
the reality is
the very things
that are popular today
were just as popular then
how they took something
that was sedacious
and sinful
and made it
as if it was elite
much like
we deal with
in our society today
it is unpopular
to say that
some will be angry
with me about that
because of decisions
their families made
because of ailments
that they've been through
but I'm going to tell you
something folks
whether we like it or not
whether we agree with it
or not
it's truth
and it's unpopular
to say that
it's unpopular
to try to influence
your world
with the gospel
instead of
silently putting along
not concerned about
the state of
the heart of others
but Jesus impels us
time and time again
to reach out
to speak to others
to make sure
that we live out
our faith
to be a fragrance
of the gospel
of Jesus Christ
all those things
are unpopular
but they are godly
and they are right
and they are blessed
and Jesus calls those
the narrow way
or the narrow gate
I want you to listen
to how he put it
in the greatest sermons
that's ever been preached
it's in Matthew 7
verse 13 to 14
and he said
enter by the narrow gate
for the gate is wide
and the way is easy
that leads to destruction
and those who enter it
are many
for the gate is narrow
and the way is hard
that leads to life
and those who find it
are few
we face a fork
in the road
of life
my friend
and we have to
do something
about that fork
that fork
Yogi Berra
put it this way
he said
when you come
to a fork in the road
take it
well it's not that easy
Yogi
because there's more
than one fork
in life's road
spiritually
there's a huge fork
what are you going
to do with Jesus
you have to do
something with it
and when you delay
your decision
to follow Christ
when you feel
the spirit of God
nagging at your heart
when you feel
conviction in your heart
and your need
to respond to Christ
and you refuse
to do that
because you don't
want to make
a decision like that
delaying such a decision
is making a decision
and that decision
is no
how many times
have you been
on a car lot
and said
just let me
ponder it
and then left
and never came back
I called a buddy
who sells cars
for a living
and I said
what's the percentage
because I
I went through
a sinful spell
in my life
of selling cars
and
I'm kidding
I was
transferring
from junior college
at Greenville Tech
to Gardner Webb
was going from
a quarter system
to a semester system
I had an extra long summer
and they were hiring
and so I
hey
$200 draw
in a car
living at home
man that's
that's money
I was rich
you know
anyway
I didn't last long
but I know
we study the strategies
of it
and so I asked him
I said
what's the chances
when somebody
walks off your lot
that they're going
to come back
he said
if they walk
off the lot
there's only
a 25% chance
that a customer
returning
that will return
if they walk
off the first time
only a 25% chance
they don't want
you to walk
off
but
how many times
have you said
let me ponder
on it
and took their
card
and never
bothered again
it is my burden
that week
after week
folks sit
in this place
or watch online
and they say
you know
that's something
to think about
I think I'm
going to ponder
on that
and then we
walk outside
and walk
through that
beautiful portico
and forget it
at the meal
and never
readdress it again
in our lives
never deal with it
and I want you
to know
that's not
putting off
a decision
you made a decision
and that decision
was
no
if you're
prompted
in your gut
to give your life
to Christ
do it
do not wait
because
you're at a fork
and you have
to make a decision
at that fork
what you're going
to do
you may not
realize
that you headed
the wrong way
I heard about
a guy who was
driving down the
interstate
and his cell phone
rang
and he answered
and his wife said
honey be careful
out there
I was watching
there's somebody
on the interstate
going the wrong way
he said oh baby
it's worse than that
they all going
the wrong way
look sometimes
people go the wrong
way and they don't
even realize
they're going
the wrong way
for the slow ones
he was the one
that was going
the wrong way
you live life
upside down
I heard it
described as a
funnel
that if you
live your life
with the wide
end of the funnel
up
and all
the stuff
in your life
you start
wide
and you try
to take
in all
the world
that all
that stuff
narrows down
into one
result
and that is
a life
of disaster
and a life
of difficulty
but if you
turn that funnel
upside down
and you
narrow it in
on Christ
and Christ
alone
you open
yourself up
to a life
of eternity
and of opportunity
and few
fear to do
it
so my first
piece of advice
is go where
few fear
to tread
the second
one is this
be quick
about it
be quick
about it
I don't want
you to read
me wrong
when Jesus
says many
will seek
to enter
and will
not be able
he's not
talking about
rejecting
those that
surrender
their life
to Christ
Christ
don't do
such as
that
he don't
reject
folks
that surrender
their life
to Christ
scripture
is clear
in Romans
10 13
for everyone
who calls
upon the name
of the Lord
will be
safe
you don't
have to
wonder
today
if God
will accept
you today
regardless
of the wrong
that you've
done
regardless
of who
may know
about it
or who
may not
know
about it
you don't
need to
clean up
your areas
of your life
to come
to Christ
matter of
fact
you can't
clean up
the areas
of your life
to come
to Christ
you need
to come
to Christ
the way
you are
you'll never
be successful
doing it
on your own
and when you
acknowledge
that you'll
never be
successful
in doing
it on your own
you surrender
your life
to follow
Christ
and come
as you
are
and thank
God
by the power
of the Holy
Spirit
he'll clean
you up
he'll give
you a Holy
Spirit
to empower
you
to rise
above your
habits
and vices
and he has
surrounded you
with a bunch
of other
sinners
who struggle
with the same
type sins
we're not
going to talk
about it
we're not
going to
advertise it
but the reality
is folks
there ain't
much difference
between any
of us
and God
has put us
together
to help
one another
along
to come
alongside
and encourage
one another
not look down
on other folks
because they got
caught and we
didn't
but instead
to encourage
and surround
them and love
them as they
grow in the
Lord
you'll never
be successful
on your own
and that's why
he gives you
the Holy Spirit
of God
to give you
the power
to do it
that's why
he gives you
the church
of Jesus
Christ
to stand
with you
to do it
that's the
promise of the
work of the
Spirit
and the
lives
of all
who call
upon the
name of
the Lord
and so I'm
telling you
do not
put it
off
and that's
what Jesus
is saying
here
that's not
just a preacher
ploy
that's what
Jesus is
saying here
Jesus said
once the
door of
opportunity
is shut
it's shut
that could
be in your
death
and you
can't predict
that
and if you
wait for
either one
be clear
it's too
late
it's too
late
Jesus
in case you
delineate the
difference between
the red words of
Jesus and the
other words of
scripture
I believe
they're all
inspired by the
Holy Spirit of
God and perfect
and without
failure
okay
so I want to be
clear about that
but I know some
people like to just
talk about what
Jesus said
so I'll tell you
what Jesus said
Jesus said
there's a lot of
regret in hell
that's what Jesus
said
but it is
forever
too late
forever
I want you to
listen to how
Jesus describes
it in Luke
chapter 16
just listen to me
we're not going to
read it this
morning
but he describes
a man that had
great riches that
did not see a need
for a personal
relationship with
Christ
and he is now
in agony
in hell
and he's speaking
of a spiritual
torment there
and he's speaking
of physical
torment there
and he makes
two requests
in the clearest
glimpse into hell
that Christ ever
gave us
the first request
he said
is
could someone
dip their
finger in water
and cool
my tongue
and number
two
can somebody
go warn
those who are
living
my brothers
can you tell
them
lest they also
come into this
place of torment
if those in hell
could talk
and scripture
says
if people
will not
listen to the
word of God
they will not
listen to the
tormented in
hell
that's what
Jesus said
so why
wait
because the
door of
opportunity is
closing
I'm not going to
close it
it's going to
close in one
of three ways
it's going to
close in your
death
it's going to
close in the
Lord's return
or it's going to
close in the
Lord's deadline
there's a door
Jesus speaks of it
that can be shut
spiritually
before one
dies
and the Bible
is clear that we
only come to God
because the spirit
draws us
it's not of our
own inclination
that you know
you need the
Lord
that's not
scripture is clear
that we are dead
in our
transgressions and
sins
we don't come up
with that on our
own
he initiates that
and there comes a
point and I don't
understand it but I'm
telling you scripture
teaches it there
comes a point when
that initiation is
no more that might
be at death that
might be at his
return it might be
before that I don't
understand that I
don't know that but
I'm telling you God
knocks and
we're to respond
Jesus said in John
6 verse 44
no one can come to
me unless the
father who sends
me draws him
but you don't have
to wonder
because I got news
for you today
that's why I'm
standing here
if you want to be
saved today you
can be
because God gave
you that idea
if you're considering
it God put it in
your heart and he
will save you today
God's got a
deadline and the
opportunity is open
to everyone at
least once but there
comes a time when the
spirit conviction does
not come hardness
comes in Proverbs
warns us in Proverbs
29 1 he said he who
is often rebuked and
hardens his neck will
suddenly be destroyed
and that without
remedy there comes a
time when the message
is not heard there
comes a time when the
knock does not come
and if God is speaking
to your heart respond
because the door may
never be opened again
I want to be clear
folks I'm not going to
shut it
but what happens
is somebody gets under
conviction
and they fail the need to
respond
but they're concerned
about the folks around
them
they're concerned
about what somebody's
going to say
they're concerned
about what somebody's
going to think
and they let the
moment pass
and they walk out
this building
and they never bother
with it again
if you don't know
Jesus
your spiritual house
is on fire
do not be
consumed
do not go to sleep
respond
and be quick about it
and the third thing
is this
be sure of it
you need to know
that you're saved
John wrote
more about the need
and the urgency
and the exclusivity
of salvation
through Christ
than anyone else
and I want you to
listen to the end
of the gospel
of John
he wrote
in John 20
verse 30
30 and 31
now Jesus
did many other signs
in the presence
of the disciples
which are not written
in this book
but these are written
so that you may believe
that Jesus is the Christ
the son of God
and that by believing
you may have life
in his name
at the end
of 1st John
because the same
John wrote
the big John
the gospel of John
and the three little
Johns
okay
and at the end
of 1st John
5 verse 13
it says
I write these things
to you who believe
in the name
of the son
that you may know
that you have
eternal life
he wrote it
that we would know
Jesus personally
and be assured
that we knew him
personally
so don't you dare
go through life
wondering if it's
real or not
there's no need
for that
people have doubts
it's common
to have doubts
what causes doubts
let me give you
three things
that cause doubts
and I'll close
one is a lack
of trust
sometimes we doubt
because we just
don't trust
we can't see
the God
we can't see
God move
as we want to
and that leads
us to doubt
and there's two
problems with that
one is we are
to live by faith
and not by sight
and I'm telling
you got those
curveballs
you're not always
going to see it
coming
you're not
and if you're
trying to figure
it out
and you're not
satisfied with
what you're seeing
I got news for you
you're not in charge
he is
and so we live
by faith
and we trust him
and if you live
by what you see
you're not living
by faith in the Lord
failing to live
by faith
will lead one
to doubt
all kinds of things
including one's
salvation
so don't come
to the end
of your dilemma
and wish you
had trusted God
put all your eggs
in one basket
it's safe here
put all your eggs
in one basket
and trust the Lord
because he will not
fail you
and he will bless you
because he blesses
such as that
we live by faith
and not sight
the other reason
that we have a lack
of lack of trust
is because your salvation
is not based upon you
it's based upon
the grace of God
so when you look
at your life
and think
how in the world
could I be saved
I'll tell you
how you could be saved
the same way
I got saved
by his grace
that's the only hope
we have
is by the grace
of God
it's unseen
but it is sure
doubt comes
from a lack
of trust
in God
I'll tell you
something else
that causes doubts
sin causes doubts
your sin
alienates you
from God
and it'll cause
you to feel
lost
and away
from God
and alone
I'll tell you
what that is
if you've ever
surrendered your life
to the Lord
Jesus Christ
a minute
with all your heart
giving him
your life
the conviction
of the Holy Spirit
of God
will help you
see your sin
and then the devil
will try to get in there
and twist it
and try to convince you
that you're lost
don't ever let sin
reign in your life
it causes all kinds
of misery
not only for you
but for those around you
don't ever let sin
reign in your life
because when you give
your heart and life
to God
your first step
of obedience
is baptism
and if you haven't
done that
or it's out of order
meaning you got baptized
and later you got saved
and have not been
baptized since
I'm just telling you
there's not a magic
potion around it
it's a point of obedience
is what it is
for some reason
Jesus got baptized
and he had never sinned
then he'd get saved
but he got baptized
and then his last words
to us
was going to all the world
and teach
and baptize
Baptists didn't put
the emphasis on it
Jesus put the emphasis
on it
and so
if you privately
give your heart and life
to the Lord Jesus Christ
but never publicly
acknowledge that
through the way
in which Christ
instructed us to
and also showed us
how to do it
then I promise you
that's going to be
a stumbling block
in your life
if you refuse to do that
it's going to be
a stumbling block
that causes you
to stumble
straight out of the gate
but it's not just that
there'll be doubt
coming in your life
for unconfessed sins
I mean
there's our favorite sins
that we harbor
and we hold on to
real tight
we don't want anybody
to know about them
we don't want anybody
messing with them
they're just our little sins
and they strain
sometimes they strain
a lot of times
they strain on relationships
with other people too
but they definitely strain
on your relationship
with God
it separates you
from God
it strains your relationship
with God
and so that kind of sin
hanging around
will mess you up
repent and doubt no more
confess and turn from your sin
but sin will cause you to doubt
the last thing that will cause you to doubt
I want you to hear me this morning
I'll tell you what will cause you to doubt
lostness
if you're lost
you'll doubt
and you should
not knowing the Lord
as your personal Lord and Savior
will make you feel like
you don't know the Lord
as your personal Lord and Savior
and you know what that is
that didn't come from you
that's the conviction
of the Holy Spirit of God
and the only way
to make that doubt
go away
is to give your heart and life
to the Lord Jesus Christ
to go where few
fear to tread
do it quickly
if I were you
I'd do it now
with every head bowed
and every eye closed
I want you to be clear
today
that I'm not a manipulator
I'm not trying to conjure you
into anything
and we're not going to lead you
without leading you
we'll be thorough with you
in the decision you make for Christ
but as Jesus
implored those with him
to be serious about this thing
and to make a decision about it
he tells me to do the same
if you're here this morning
and you don't know the Lord Jesus
as your personal Lord and Savior
the invitation's open
not only from us
but from him more importantly
he'll save you
we'll stand and sing
in just a moment
more important than singing
or standing
is for you to come
and say preacher
I need to give my heart and life
to the Lord Jesus Christ
I need to be changed by him
and I think today
that I can stand here
every day
and tell you
today's day of salvation
Jesus is the same yesterday
today and forever
he will save you today
if you'll come to him
maybe you're here
and you know you're a Christian
but you've never acknowledged
that publicly through baptism
that's never happened
maybe you're floating out there
you're not affiliated
with the church
you're not affiliated
with the body of believers
and you're struggling
and God's leading you
to be a part of this church
God's leading you
to publicly acknowledge
that through baptism
we're happy to guide you
in that process
maybe you're here
and you are a Christian
and you have done those things
but the reality is
as you hear this today
God's laid somebody
on your heart
he's laid somebody
that needs to know Jesus
upon your heart
and you're burdened
for that person
and you need to bring them
to this altar
you need to pray for them
you need to ask God
to open opportunities
for you to share with them
maybe there's stuff
that you're harboring
in your life
sin that you're harboring
in your life
it's causing doubt
it's causing difficulty
it's causing rough relationships
it's causing all kinds
of problems
and the reality is
you need a touch
you need to repent
you need to change
I have no idea
what God's told you
I just know
what he told me to do
and you'll never be satisfied
if you don't trust him
and follow his lead
as he leads you
and this is a golden opportunity
so you respond
as God leads you to
Lord Jesus
I love you
and I thank you
for your love for us
and I ask right now
dear God
that we will not do
less than you tell us to do
and we will not do more
than you tell us to do
but God will be obedient
and follow you
Lord if there's anyone here
who does not know you personally
as their Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ
I pray today will be
the day of salvation
right now
oh God I pray
in Jesus name
amen
stay