WEBVTT 00:00:00.440 --> 00:00:04.759 Well, as has been said already, my name is Alistair. It's great to see you here this morning. 00:00:05.480 --> 00:00:09.300 Now, as we were reading that passage, maybe you thought there was quite a bit of weird stuff in there. 00:00:09.500 --> 00:00:16.219 There's a bit about narrow door, a bit about city, striving. There's quite a lot of strange language. 00:00:16.379 --> 00:00:21.100 So before we look into this passage in detail, let's pray together for God's help. 00:00:24.140 --> 00:00:27.580 Heavenly Father, we thank you that you have given us your word. 00:00:27.579 --> 00:00:32.679 And Lord, we pray that you would help us now as we look at it, that we would be touched, 00:00:33.920 --> 00:00:38.859 and you would help us understand the difficulties of it. In Jesus' name we ask. Amen. 00:00:40.899 --> 00:00:46.299 Have you ever thought about the distinction between being a fan or a follower? 00:00:47.700 --> 00:00:52.539 So when I was growing up, you can say, well, think about me for example. 00:00:52.619 --> 00:00:55.280 You can say that I'm a fan of football, but I'm not a follower. 00:00:55.280 --> 00:01:02.140 So growing up, my grandpa and my uncle were huge football supporters of the team Glasgow Rangers. 00:01:02.500 --> 00:01:03.560 Maybe you've heard of them. 00:01:04.540 --> 00:01:06.740 Now, as a child, that really rubbed off on me. 00:01:06.820 --> 00:01:10.180 So if you come to me even today after the service, you say, which football team do you support? 00:01:10.240 --> 00:01:12.140 I will proudly say Glasgow Rangers. 00:01:13.020 --> 00:01:17.579 But if you dig around a little bit, you'll realize that I know absolutely nothing about the team. 00:01:18.099 --> 00:01:21.000 Never been to a live game. Don't even watch them on TV. 00:01:21.299 --> 00:01:23.400 Don't know anything about the players. Don't know the manager. 00:01:23.400 --> 00:01:27.719 I know absolutely nothing about the team. So I'm a fan, but I'm not a follower. 00:01:28.700 --> 00:01:32.719 Now, a follower of Glasgow Rangers would be someone who goes to the live games, 00:01:32.900 --> 00:01:36.040 who watches them on TV, who knows about the players, knows the manager, 00:01:36.120 --> 00:01:39.260 could tell you about the fixtures that are coming in the next season. 00:01:40.020 --> 00:01:42.240 They could talk to you for hours on end about their team. 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:45.439 But that's not me. That is a follower, not a fan. 00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:51.819 Or when you think about social media, how many of you have liked or followed famous people? 00:01:52.560 --> 00:01:57.259 Movies, TV shows, singers, the list goes on and on of people that we like. 00:01:57.959 --> 00:02:00.579 But are you a fan or are you a follower? 00:02:01.859 --> 00:02:04.359 Now, I'm a follower of a few good guys on social media. 00:02:04.459 --> 00:02:06.620 If you're taking notes, these are guys to keep your eyes on. 00:02:06.620 --> 00:02:13.219 So Tim Keller, John Piper, Don Carson, Matt Chandler, Kevin DeYoung, all really good guys. 00:02:13.980 --> 00:02:15.240 But do I really know them? 00:02:16.140 --> 00:02:17.360 Sadly, no, I don't. 00:02:18.680 --> 00:02:21.539 I read their blogs. I read their books. 00:02:21.640 --> 00:02:27.060 Yes, I listen to their sermons and I like to get involved with the stuff they put out there, 00:02:27.140 --> 00:02:28.500 but I don't know them personally. 00:02:29.480 --> 00:02:31.800 I'm not on a first name basis with them. 00:02:31.800 --> 00:02:35.080 Yes, I'm definitely a fan, but I'm not a follower. 00:02:35.080 --> 00:02:39.440 And the question that this passage is asking you this morning is, 00:02:39.620 --> 00:02:43.100 are you a fan or are you a follower of Jesus? 00:02:44.160 --> 00:02:46.600 Now, there is a distinction there and we'll see that this morning, 00:02:46.700 --> 00:02:51.080 but I want you to have that question in the back of your mind as we look at Luke chapter 13. 00:02:51.580 --> 00:02:52.960 Are you a fan of Jesus? 00:02:54.080 --> 00:02:57.160 Are you someone who sits and listens to the things of God? 00:02:57.820 --> 00:02:59.600 You hear the stories about Jesus. 00:03:00.260 --> 00:03:03.320 You might even shake the preacher's hand at the door and say, good job. 00:03:03.319 --> 00:03:07.159 But the minute you walk through that door, it has no bearing on your life. 00:03:07.979 --> 00:03:09.900 Are you a fan of Jesus? 00:03:10.819 --> 00:03:12.280 Or are you a follower of Jesus? 00:03:12.879 --> 00:03:14.500 Are you someone who goes to church? 00:03:14.639 --> 00:03:16.180 You hear the things of God. 00:03:16.239 --> 00:03:18.219 You hear the stories about Jesus and you believe them. 00:03:19.419 --> 00:03:21.759 Are you worshipping God with everything you are? 00:03:22.099 --> 00:03:23.799 With your heart, your soul, your mind? 00:03:24.419 --> 00:03:27.379 Are you striving to live a life of obedience? 00:03:27.379 --> 00:03:31.479 Are you a follower of Jesus? 00:03:32.240 --> 00:03:33.939 So keep that question in the back of your minds. 00:03:34.000 --> 00:03:35.579 Are you a fan or a follower? 00:03:35.840 --> 00:03:38.620 And open your Bibles and let's look at Luke 13. 00:03:39.299 --> 00:03:42.879 But before we dive into that passage, I want to put it in some context. 00:03:43.939 --> 00:03:47.960 So the Gospel of Luke, surprisingly, was written by a man called Luke. 00:03:47.960 --> 00:03:52.820 Luke, and he was a doctor, and he wrote this book with a specific purpose in mind. 00:03:53.540 --> 00:03:57.400 And that was that Theophilus, the person who commissioned him to write his Gospel, 00:03:58.120 --> 00:04:01.879 would have certainty concerning the things that he had been taught. 00:04:02.020 --> 00:04:04.240 And we see that in Luke chapter 1, verse 4. 00:04:05.740 --> 00:04:09.200 Luke has written his Gospel so that people can have certainty about Jesus, 00:04:09.800 --> 00:04:13.659 about his birth, his life, his death, and his resurrection. 00:04:13.659 --> 00:04:19.560 And as it says on the tin, the Gospel of Luke is an orderly account. 00:04:20.219 --> 00:04:21.680 It's got quite a clear structure. 00:04:21.800 --> 00:04:25.500 So in the first nine chapters, we're introduced to the person of Jesus. 00:04:26.360 --> 00:04:30.800 And Luke tells us that Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. 00:04:32.680 --> 00:04:36.819 And then from Luke chapter 9, verse 51, the book kind of changes. 00:04:37.740 --> 00:04:41.360 And we see Jesus traveling towards Jerusalem. 00:04:41.360 --> 00:04:44.259 Jesus sets his face towards Jerusalem. 00:04:45.060 --> 00:04:50.780 And from this moment on, in Luke's Gospel, the focus is that Jesus is journeying towards Jerusalem. 00:04:50.900 --> 00:04:52.560 He is journeying towards the cross. 00:04:53.740 --> 00:04:57.580 The place where he will pay for the sins and wrongdoings of mankind. 00:04:59.819 --> 00:05:06.680 Luke chapter 9, verse 51, right through to 13, verse 21, is one section of Luke's orderly account. 00:05:06.680 --> 00:05:11.180 And we see that because it's bookended with the phrase that Jesus was, 00:05:11.300 --> 00:05:14.280 or something along the lines of that Jesus was going to Jerusalem. 00:05:16.019 --> 00:05:19.220 And in this section, which Graham concluded for us two weeks ago, 00:05:19.420 --> 00:05:23.780 there has been one big teaching point, one big takeaway thing, 00:05:23.899 --> 00:05:25.920 one big question that Luke has been asking. 00:05:26.040 --> 00:05:29.180 And that is, what does it mean to follow this king? 00:05:29.180 --> 00:05:35.920 If Jesus is the king of God's kingdom, if Jesus is the king of heaven, which Luke says he is, 00:05:36.139 --> 00:05:38.459 then what would it look like for us to follow him today? 00:05:39.660 --> 00:05:42.120 And that is what Luke has taught us in the previous section. 00:05:44.019 --> 00:05:48.740 But then Luke chapter 13, verse 22, marks the beginning of a new section 00:05:48.740 --> 00:05:51.600 that runs through to 1710. 00:05:51.699 --> 00:05:55.139 And the big teaching point, the big question that Luke wants us to wrestle with 00:05:55.139 --> 00:05:57.300 is who will be in this kingdom? 00:05:58.219 --> 00:06:02.519 If Jesus is the king of God's kingdom, then who will be in his kingdom? 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:05.639 The kingdom of God refers to what we call heaven. 00:06:06.180 --> 00:06:09.399 And the question is, who are these kingdom citizens? 00:06:11.139 --> 00:06:14.000 Who are the people that can call the kingdom of God home? 00:06:15.079 --> 00:06:20.180 And we see that right in the passage which Joanna helpfully read to us in verse 23, 00:06:20.180 --> 00:06:24.439 where it says, someone asked him, that's someone asked Jesus, 00:06:24.740 --> 00:06:27.480 Lord, are only a few people going to be saved? 00:06:28.959 --> 00:06:31.680 So in our passage this morning, Jesus asked that question. 00:06:31.939 --> 00:06:37.620 And Luke, in his orderly account, shows us two things in what Jesus says. 00:06:38.960 --> 00:06:42.060 First of all, Luke tells us about the kingdom people. 00:06:43.620 --> 00:06:46.540 He tells us this in verses 22 to 30. 00:06:46.540 --> 00:06:51.280 He tells us that these people are distinct and that these people are diverse. 00:06:52.160 --> 00:06:58.180 And then secondly, Luke tells us in verses 31 to 35, he tells us about the king. 00:06:58.520 --> 00:07:02.120 The king who is both tough and tender. 00:07:04.540 --> 00:07:07.259 So we're going to look at Luke chapter 13. 00:07:07.360 --> 00:07:09.780 But as we do, remember, keep that question in the back of your mind. 00:07:09.840 --> 00:07:13.040 Are you a fan or are you a follower of Jesus? 00:07:13.040 --> 00:07:19.100 So let's look first of all at the kingdom people in verses 22 to 30. 00:07:19.800 --> 00:07:22.040 Now Jesus has been traveling around Galilee. 00:07:22.200 --> 00:07:23.939 It's a place in Israel. 00:07:24.760 --> 00:07:27.060 And he's been making his way towards Jerusalem. 00:07:27.060 --> 00:07:29.560 And as he goes, he has been teaching the crowds. 00:07:31.080 --> 00:07:34.200 And now remember, all the time as Jesus is traveling towards Jerusalem, 00:07:34.420 --> 00:07:35.920 you see the cross on the horizon. 00:07:37.160 --> 00:07:40.640 And as Jesus sees the cross, there's no excitement. 00:07:40.639 --> 00:07:46.219 Now when we go on holiday, for example, you're in the plane and you're sitting there, 00:07:46.259 --> 00:07:49.199 you look out the window and you see Spain or you see Australia, 00:07:49.319 --> 00:07:52.139 you see whatever your holiday destination is on the horizon, you get excited. 00:07:52.639 --> 00:07:55.199 You're thinking, yes, that's where I'm going to be for a week or two. 00:07:55.279 --> 00:07:57.039 That's where I'm going to be sitting in the sun, relaxing. 00:07:57.680 --> 00:08:00.219 You get excited at the prospect of where you're going. 00:08:01.219 --> 00:08:02.439 There is no excitement here. 00:08:02.439 --> 00:08:09.860 Jesus is not excited as he travels towards Jerusalem because he knows that that's where the cross is. 00:08:10.399 --> 00:08:13.459 He knows what needs to happen and where he must go and what he must do. 00:08:15.259 --> 00:08:17.060 So Jesus is traveling around. 00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:17.680 He is teaching. 00:08:17.860 --> 00:08:20.459 And it would appear that out of the blue, this man asks a question. 00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:23.339 Lord, are only a few people going to be saved? 00:08:24.159 --> 00:08:26.040 But this question isn't out of the blue. 00:08:26.040 --> 00:08:32.700 Up until now, Jesus has been teaching the crowds and he's mentioned judgment, division. 00:08:33.500 --> 00:08:37.740 He's mentioned the dangers of living a religious life without having a devotion to God. 00:08:39.240 --> 00:08:42.300 And all of these comments seem to have struck a nerve with someone in the crowds. 00:08:43.019 --> 00:08:44.700 And so this man asks his question. 00:08:45.820 --> 00:08:48.639 Now Jesus, being the amazing storyteller that he is, 00:08:48.720 --> 00:08:51.700 if you ever wanted someone to tell goodnight stories to your children, 00:08:51.800 --> 00:08:54.340 someone who could come up with a story on the spot, it was Jesus. 00:08:54.340 --> 00:09:00.340 And he uses this as an opportunity to teach the whole crowd about the kingdom people. 00:09:02.019 --> 00:09:07.600 And he uses objects that are around people or that people would have known to get his point across. 00:09:08.620 --> 00:09:12.120 And so instead of answering this question directly, Jesus uses an illustration. 00:09:12.960 --> 00:09:15.519 The illustration of a narrow door. 00:09:16.899 --> 00:09:23.740 So Jesus says to the crowd that are around him that everyone should strive to enter through this narrow door. 00:09:24.340 --> 00:09:27.300 So this is not just a door that you can walk across accidentally. 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:31.139 It's not a door that you can stumble across and walk through. 00:09:31.940 --> 00:09:34.980 But the kingdom people are distinct. 00:09:36.500 --> 00:09:38.519 Because they've walked through this narrow door. 00:09:39.680 --> 00:09:42.780 The word that Jesus uses there, your Bibles will say, 00:09:43.160 --> 00:09:46.160 make every effort, or as other translations put it, strive. 00:09:46.159 --> 00:09:48.919 The idea is that it is a struggle. 00:09:49.779 --> 00:09:52.719 It is an ongoing fight to enter through this door. 00:09:53.740 --> 00:09:56.219 The word is usually used in terms of athletes. 00:09:57.159 --> 00:10:02.860 And people who are in sports who struggle and contend to win the race. 00:10:02.860 --> 00:10:07.919 It's the dedication that a person requires to win the Olympic gold medal. 00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:14.680 It's the dedication and passion that a person requires to finish the marathon, 00:10:14.960 --> 00:10:17.379 even though there are physical walls and mental walls. 00:10:17.919 --> 00:10:18.659 So I've been told. 00:10:20.100 --> 00:10:24.899 I mean, doesn't it make sense that Jesus says that many will try to enter through this door 00:10:24.899 --> 00:10:26.659 but will not be able to if it's a struggle? 00:10:26.659 --> 00:10:31.100 Just because I can struggle my way through a 5K, barely, 00:10:31.339 --> 00:10:32.959 doesn't mean that I can run a marathon 00:10:32.959 --> 00:10:36.279 or that I can rock up to the Olympics and win a gold medal 00:10:36.279 --> 00:10:38.339 just by trying my best. 00:10:39.240 --> 00:10:42.659 The idea is a constant struggle, 00:10:42.899 --> 00:10:45.779 constantly making an effort to get through this narrow door. 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:48.579 But there's two questions that this raises. 00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:50.799 First of all, what is this narrow door? 00:10:51.720 --> 00:10:54.100 And second of all, what does it mean to be saved? 00:10:54.100 --> 00:10:58.320 So when thought in light of the question asked, 00:10:58.379 --> 00:11:01.680 it's quite clear that this narrow door that Jesus is talking about 00:11:01.680 --> 00:11:04.480 is referring to entrance into the kingdom of God, 00:11:05.100 --> 00:11:06.040 entrance into heaven. 00:11:06.940 --> 00:11:10.800 And the only way into this kingdom is through this narrow door. 00:11:12.220 --> 00:11:13.460 What about being saved? 00:11:13.519 --> 00:11:15.180 What does it mean for someone to be saved? 00:11:16.620 --> 00:11:19.420 Well, every Jew, and Jesus is speaking to Jews here, 00:11:20.200 --> 00:11:22.800 every Jew would have understood that people are eternal, 00:11:22.799 --> 00:11:25.500 that there is a life after death, 00:11:26.179 --> 00:11:29.919 and that there are only two options to spend an eternity, 00:11:30.339 --> 00:11:32.679 and that is the option to spend eternity with God 00:11:32.679 --> 00:11:35.479 or an option to spend eternity without God. 00:11:36.539 --> 00:11:37.779 So there are two places. 00:11:37.879 --> 00:11:40.799 We often refer to them today as heaven or as hell. 00:11:41.719 --> 00:11:43.059 Heaven is the kingdom of God. 00:11:43.159 --> 00:11:44.339 That is where God is. 00:11:44.519 --> 00:11:45.919 It is an eternity with God. 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:48.379 And then hell is the place without God, 00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:50.199 an eternity without God. 00:11:50.200 --> 00:11:53.300 Now hell is a difficult reality. 00:11:54.500 --> 00:11:55.480 It really is. 00:11:56.020 --> 00:11:57.900 But it is something that the Bible teaches. 00:11:58.960 --> 00:12:02.100 And we can't fully understand God and his world 00:12:02.100 --> 00:12:04.680 unless we grapple with the topic of hell. 00:12:06.360 --> 00:12:09.780 And the man asking the question knows that an eternity without God 00:12:09.780 --> 00:12:12.040 is not an eternity that he wants. 00:12:12.039 --> 00:12:16.659 And he knows it is an eternity that no one should desire, 00:12:16.919 --> 00:12:18.099 an eternity without God. 00:12:19.059 --> 00:12:20.759 So that's what it means to be saved, 00:12:20.819 --> 00:12:22.719 to be in a right relationship with God, 00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:25.819 to be forgiven of our sins, of our rebellion, 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:29.279 and to look forward to spending an eternity with God, 00:12:29.339 --> 00:12:30.379 in the kingdom of God. 00:12:30.379 --> 00:12:34.299 But a person cannot, 00:12:34.679 --> 00:12:38.779 a person cannot work their way into the kingdom. 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:42.259 A person cannot do enough good works 00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:44.179 which would get them into the kingdom of God. 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:46.360 The idea of striving 00:12:46.360 --> 00:12:49.320 is not so that you can earn your salvation, 00:12:49.480 --> 00:12:52.220 but it is a striving to live a life of obedience to God 00:12:52.220 --> 00:12:53.820 out of a thankful heart 00:12:53.820 --> 00:12:56.980 for the salvation that Jesus has made possible. 00:12:56.980 --> 00:13:01.620 So you cannot work to get into the kingdom of God. 00:13:02.340 --> 00:13:03.960 And the idea is that many will try 00:13:03.960 --> 00:13:07.460 to get into the kingdom of God through other ways, 00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:08.460 through other doors, 00:13:09.039 --> 00:13:10.060 but they will not be able. 00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:13.279 Isn't this counter-cultural? 00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:18.300 Doesn't this go against everything our culture and our world believes? 00:13:20.580 --> 00:13:22.180 You might have heard the saying before 00:13:22.180 --> 00:13:23.840 that all religions lead to God. 00:13:24.680 --> 00:13:25.920 There are multiple ways, 00:13:25.919 --> 00:13:27.620 multiple doors to God, 00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:29.019 into the kingdom of God. 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:31.899 If we were to go out into Edinburgh this morning 00:13:31.899 --> 00:13:34.579 and ask people who believe in a life after death 00:13:34.579 --> 00:13:36.240 how it is you get there, 00:13:36.319 --> 00:13:38.599 I'm sure we would hear countless times 00:13:38.599 --> 00:13:40.779 that, oh, but no, there are many ways to God. 00:13:41.039 --> 00:13:41.579 There's not just one, 00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:42.699 there are many ways to God. 00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:46.419 But Jesus is teaching us this morning 00:13:46.419 --> 00:13:49.259 that there is only one way into salvation. 00:13:50.179 --> 00:13:52.519 The only way into the kingdom of God 00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:53.620 is through this narrow door, 00:13:53.620 --> 00:13:56.919 is through a proper response to him and his teaching. 00:13:58.720 --> 00:14:03.620 It is a narrow door which requires a distinct response to Jesus. 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:07.539 But not only is this door narrow, 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:11.539 in verse 25 we have a sobering truth, 00:14:11.539 --> 00:14:15.199 and that is that one day this door will be closed. 00:14:19.079 --> 00:14:20.639 Jesus is warning people 00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:22.579 because one day this door will be closed 00:14:22.579 --> 00:14:24.459 and when it is closed it will not be reopened. 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:27.599 Jesus is speaking with urgency 00:14:27.599 --> 00:14:31.819 because he doesn't want people to reject his salvation. 00:14:31.820 --> 00:14:36.140 But instead he wants people to repent, 00:14:36.420 --> 00:14:38.320 to be made right with God. 00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:43.260 And Jesus says that once that way of salvation is closed, 00:14:44.140 --> 00:14:45.640 it will not be reopened. 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:48.420 Some will stand at the door and they will knock, 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:50.280 but they will not be allowed in. 00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:53.839 People will say, 00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:56.539 but Jesus you have to let us into your kingdom. 00:14:57.579 --> 00:14:59.240 We were there with you. 00:14:59.459 --> 00:15:00.839 We listened to your teaching. 00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:01.659 We saw you. 00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:02.759 We saw all you did. 00:15:03.159 --> 00:15:04.100 We heard you. 00:15:06.199 --> 00:15:07.860 But they will not be allowed into the kingdom. 00:15:08.679 --> 00:15:10.100 And the point that Jesus is making 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:14.059 is that unless they responded to his message of repentance, 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:15.939 they would not be allowed into the kingdom of God. 00:15:15.940 --> 00:15:20.340 And the striking thing is that this goes for the people 00:15:20.340 --> 00:15:21.560 who walked around with Jesus, 00:15:22.180 --> 00:15:23.820 who followed him at a distance. 00:15:25.180 --> 00:15:27.100 They would have heard Jesus speaking 00:15:27.100 --> 00:15:27.580 and they would say, 00:15:27.680 --> 00:15:30.500 Jesus we were your fans for a long time. 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:32.160 But he will say, 00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:33.760 be gone from me because you are not my followers. 00:15:35.820 --> 00:15:37.920 They didn't respond in their own hearts. 00:15:38.880 --> 00:15:40.680 And notice the passive language 00:15:40.680 --> 00:15:42.340 that Luke is using in verse 25. 00:15:42.640 --> 00:15:45.320 They sat, they listened, they saw. 00:15:45.320 --> 00:15:46.500 It washed over them. 00:15:47.400 --> 00:15:48.420 But it didn't affect them. 00:15:49.780 --> 00:15:50.879 They didn't respond. 00:15:51.560 --> 00:15:52.840 And Jesus is warning them, 00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:54.520 saying that they should respond. 00:15:55.060 --> 00:15:58.100 They should respond now because time is short. 00:15:59.560 --> 00:16:01.640 You see, the thing about the kingdom of God, 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:03.560 or heaven as we call it, 00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:06.040 the thing about it that is so great 00:16:06.040 --> 00:16:07.020 is that God is there. 00:16:08.460 --> 00:16:10.320 That is what makes heaven amazing. 00:16:11.140 --> 00:16:13.040 And the desire of kingdom people 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:15.759 is to spend an eternity with God. 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:19.679 But for those who have not made every effort 00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:21.860 to enter through this narrow door, 00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:25.500 they will be cast out 00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:27.000 and they will be in a different place, 00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:29.719 which is described in verse 28. 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:34.139 A place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. 00:16:35.099 --> 00:16:37.279 Jesus is describing the place that we call hell. 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:41.620 Now as I was preparing this message this morning, 00:16:42.539 --> 00:16:43.100 this week, 00:16:43.199 --> 00:16:44.539 I was reading a book. 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:45.899 This little book here, 00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:47.120 it's called Is Hell For Real? 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:48.720 It's by Eric Raymond. 00:16:48.899 --> 00:16:49.919 And he said something in it 00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:51.539 that really resonated with me. 00:16:52.039 --> 00:16:53.459 And it really got me thinking 00:16:53.459 --> 00:16:56.179 about how I speak about hell with people. 00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:58.139 This is what he says. 00:16:58.139 --> 00:17:10.680 Let me just read that again. 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:13.500 If we approach this subject of hell 00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:16.359 with seriousness and tears in our eyes, 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:20.000 then we are following the example of our Lord. 00:17:21.720 --> 00:17:23.819 The point he's making is that 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:25.759 Jesus wasn't using hell 00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:28.000 to scare people to believe in him. 00:17:28.140 --> 00:17:31.060 But he was being honest. 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:32.840 And he was telling the crowd 00:17:32.840 --> 00:17:35.240 the result of rejecting him. 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:37.759 And as you read this passage, 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:39.540 you can maybe kind of see 00:17:39.540 --> 00:17:41.440 that there are tears in Jesus' eyes. 00:17:43.320 --> 00:17:44.600 He's begging the people. 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:45.440 He's urging them. 00:17:45.500 --> 00:17:47.180 He wants them to repent. 00:17:47.360 --> 00:17:48.540 He wants to save people. 00:17:48.640 --> 00:17:50.660 He does not want to see anybody knocking 00:17:50.660 --> 00:17:52.300 when the door is closed. 00:17:54.320 --> 00:17:56.220 And Jesus is speaking to Jews, 00:17:56.300 --> 00:17:56.880 as I mentioned. 00:17:56.880 --> 00:18:00.040 That's why Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, 00:18:00.120 --> 00:18:01.440 and all the prophets were mentioned. 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:04.480 See, many of the Jews based their confidence 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:05.640 that they would be saved, 00:18:06.040 --> 00:18:07.360 their confidence that they would be 00:18:07.360 --> 00:18:08.440 in the kingdom of God, 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:11.580 was based on the Old Testament patriarchs, 00:18:12.520 --> 00:18:15.080 the Old Testament forefathers of Judaism, 00:18:15.300 --> 00:18:17.180 Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 00:18:18.340 --> 00:18:19.020 They said, 00:18:19.160 --> 00:18:20.520 they surely will be in the kingdom of God. 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:22.340 He's my great, great, great, great, great, 00:18:22.340 --> 00:18:23.140 great, great grandfather. 00:18:23.140 --> 00:18:26.980 But Jesus says that they will be in heaven 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:28.620 and those who have not responded 00:18:28.620 --> 00:18:30.460 to Jesus' message will be cast out. 00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:34.700 Jesus is making the point that ancestry, 00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:36.680 who you're related to, 00:18:36.820 --> 00:18:37.700 doesn't matter. 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:42.080 Who you know will not get you 00:18:42.080 --> 00:18:43.600 into the kingdom of God. 00:18:43.920 --> 00:18:45.640 Knowing somebody will not make you 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:46.920 a kingdom person. 00:18:46.920 --> 00:18:50.860 That can only be made possible 00:18:50.860 --> 00:18:52.940 through entering through this narrow door. 00:18:53.640 --> 00:18:56.160 Through responding to Jesus Christ, 00:18:56.360 --> 00:18:58.460 the only way to God. 00:19:00.560 --> 00:19:02.220 So even though these people were there, 00:19:02.300 --> 00:19:03.360 even though they were listening 00:19:03.360 --> 00:19:04.680 and seeing everything he did, 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:05.360 they were fans, 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:06.400 they were not followers. 00:19:06.400 --> 00:19:09.960 Now some of you might be thinking 00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:12.120 that it's cruel that hell even exists. 00:19:14.100 --> 00:19:15.680 Or cruel that God will one day 00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:16.800 close this narrow door, 00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:18.840 that the window for people to be saved 00:19:18.840 --> 00:19:19.660 will be shut. 00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:22.580 But I would like to say this morning 00:19:22.580 --> 00:19:24.380 that it is an amazing truth 00:19:24.380 --> 00:19:26.280 that a door even exists. 00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:31.440 See, God doesn't need to save people. 00:19:32.140 --> 00:19:34.400 Jesus didn't need to go to the cross. 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:37.340 God's wrath is just, 00:19:37.519 --> 00:19:38.519 but in his love, 00:19:39.320 --> 00:19:41.380 he sent Jesus Christ, 00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:41.980 his son, 00:19:42.100 --> 00:19:43.140 to pay for our sins 00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:46.860 so that we can be made right with him again. 00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:50.160 So I think it is an amazing truth 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:51.100 that a door even exists 00:19:51.100 --> 00:19:51.940 in the first place, 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:52.320 don't you? 00:19:55.320 --> 00:19:56.700 The second thing to notice 00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:57.519 about these people 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:59.120 is that they are diverse. 00:20:00.320 --> 00:20:02.180 They will come from all over the world. 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.740 You see that in verse 29 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:04.400 where it says, 00:20:04.660 --> 00:20:05.380 people will come from 00:20:05.380 --> 00:20:06.579 east and west, 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:07.519 north and south, 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:08.839 and will take their places 00:20:08.839 --> 00:20:11.039 at the feast in the kingdom of God. 00:20:12.839 --> 00:20:14.440 Jesus isn't concerned, 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:16.559 isn't only concerned, 00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:19.039 about a small group of people 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:21.079 in Israel in the first century. 00:20:22.160 --> 00:20:24.019 Jesus isn't only concerned 00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:25.880 about people from one country, 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:27.160 but the kingdom people 00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:28.380 will come from all over. 00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:30.780 They will come from north, 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:31.100 east, 00:20:31.320 --> 00:20:31.600 south, 00:20:31.700 --> 00:20:31.860 west. 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:32.280 So yes, 00:20:32.340 --> 00:20:33.760 the kingdom people are distinct 00:20:33.760 --> 00:20:35.240 in that they have responded 00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:36.880 and walked through this narrow door, 00:20:37.100 --> 00:20:38.000 but they are diverse 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:38.820 because God's love 00:20:38.820 --> 00:20:40.360 is not bound to one people group. 00:20:44.080 --> 00:20:44.980 And these people 00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:45.840 will gather together 00:20:45.840 --> 00:20:46.940 and they will celebrate 00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:49.300 the kingdom of God. 00:20:49.400 --> 00:20:50.260 There will be a feast, 00:20:50.380 --> 00:20:50.920 a banquet, 00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:53.080 a banquet of delight 00:20:53.080 --> 00:20:53.900 as people gather 00:20:53.900 --> 00:20:55.300 to celebrate God's goodness. 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:57.480 These will be the people 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.539 who've made every effort 00:20:58.539 --> 00:21:00.039 to enter through the narrow door. 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:02.099 These are the people 00:21:02.099 --> 00:21:03.720 who've lived a life of humility, 00:21:04.299 --> 00:21:05.819 as verse 30 suggests. 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:08.440 This is an upside-down kingdom. 00:21:09.839 --> 00:21:11.460 Those who elevate themselves 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:12.419 will be brought low, 00:21:13.619 --> 00:21:14.940 but those who humble themselves 00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:15.899 will be elevated. 00:21:17.619 --> 00:21:19.339 These are the followers of Jesus. 00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:23.200 Now Jesus is speaking to the crowd 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:24.680 and he's speaking with urgency. 00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:26.700 He's saying time is short. 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:29.480 Strive to enter through the narrow door 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.900 whilst it is still open. 00:21:32.720 --> 00:21:33.600 So are you a fan 00:21:33.600 --> 00:21:35.519 or a follower of Jesus? 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:39.180 If you're Christians here this morning, 00:21:39.360 --> 00:21:41.660 Jesus is encouraging you to strive. 00:21:43.320 --> 00:21:45.100 Continue to make every effort 00:21:45.100 --> 00:21:46.580 to live a life of obedience. 00:21:46.840 --> 00:21:48.779 Continue to make every effort 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:50.120 to be found in Jesus. 00:21:50.320 --> 00:21:51.980 Not because that will save you. 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.960 Not because your works will save you, 00:21:53.960 --> 00:21:55.559 but because you have a desire 00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:57.779 to live a life that is pleasing to him. 00:21:58.779 --> 00:22:00.140 A life of thankfulness 00:22:00.140 --> 00:22:02.059 for what he has done for you in Jesus. 00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:05.579 So the question this morning is, 00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:06.460 are you striving? 00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:09.340 And Jesus is encouraging you, 00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:10.600 keep striving. 00:22:10.599 --> 00:22:14.579 Maybe you're here this morning 00:22:14.579 --> 00:22:16.879 and you've been putting Jesus off. 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:19.359 Maybe you've said, 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:19.679 well, 00:22:20.459 --> 00:22:20.839 yeah, 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:21.419 church, 00:22:21.719 --> 00:22:21.959 Jesus, 00:22:22.139 --> 00:22:23.199 that was my parents' deal. 00:22:23.459 --> 00:22:24.199 Now that I'm at uni, 00:22:24.339 --> 00:22:26.179 I'm going to relax on that a little bit. 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:28.279 It's not really my thing. 00:22:29.939 --> 00:22:30.679 Or maybe you've said, 00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:31.459 I'm just too busy 00:22:31.459 --> 00:22:32.539 right now. 00:22:32.819 --> 00:22:34.279 I've got a lot going on in my life. 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:34.740 Yeah, 00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:35.519 I'll think about Jesus, 00:22:35.699 --> 00:22:36.980 but maybe when I'm retired. 00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:38.319 Maybe in the future 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:40.140 when there's more time on my hands. 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:43.980 Maybe you've been sitting on the fence, 00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:46.860 thinking that somebody else's faith, 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:48.960 someone else's response to Jesus 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:50.839 will get you into the kingdom of heaven. 00:22:52.220 --> 00:22:53.680 Maybe you haven't heard this before, 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:55.120 or maybe you just think it's irrelevant. 00:22:57.099 --> 00:22:57.240 Well, 00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:58.059 let me urge you, 00:22:58.160 --> 00:23:01.019 just as Jesus is urging people 00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:03.519 to consider his message of salvation, 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:06.559 there is no other way 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.900 into the kingdom of God. 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:09.639 You cannot get in by good works. 00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:11.200 You cannot get in by being 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:12.819 the son or daughter of a Christian. 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.720 I beg you, 00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:16.660 please do not 00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:18.660 leave this morning thinking 00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:20.740 that this has no bearing on your life. 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:24.420 Do not wait. 00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:25.619 Don't put it off 00:23:25.619 --> 00:23:26.700 because the kingdom of God, 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:28.460 the door into the kingdom of God 00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:29.460 will one day be closed. 00:23:30.319 --> 00:23:30.720 Please, 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:32.940 do not be left knocking. 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:38.039 As Charles Spurgeon once said, 00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:39.019 if sinners be damned, 00:23:39.139 --> 00:23:40.119 at least let them leap 00:23:40.119 --> 00:23:42.059 to hell over our dead bodies. 00:23:42.639 --> 00:23:43.619 If they perish, 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:44.440 let them perish 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:46.359 with our arms wrapped around their knees, 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:48.400 imploring them to stay. 00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:50.819 If hell must be filled, 00:23:50.920 --> 00:23:51.579 let it be filled 00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:53.579 in the teeth of our exertion. 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:55.980 Let no one go unwarned 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:58.099 and let no one go unprayed for. 00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:00.839 Time is short. 00:24:01.859 --> 00:24:02.900 Are you a fan? 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.920 Or are you a follower of Jesus? 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:07.440 There is no middle ground. 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.700 It is black or white. 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:09.539 Are you a fan? 00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:11.420 Or are you a follower of Jesus? 00:24:11.420 --> 00:24:11.620 Jesus? 00:24:17.620 --> 00:24:20.279 The next portion of our passage this morning 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.860 tells us two amazing 00:24:21.860 --> 00:24:23.640 and two essential truths 00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:25.180 about the king 00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:27.720 in verses 31 to 35. 00:24:29.120 --> 00:24:30.140 The king Jesus. 00:24:31.120 --> 00:24:32.440 Now what do you think 00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:33.560 people usually think of 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:34.680 when they hear the name Jesus? 00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:37.920 Now I've heard friends of mine 00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:38.779 over the years say that, 00:24:38.840 --> 00:24:38.940 yeah, 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:40.059 Jesus was a good guy, 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.720 did a lot of good stuff, 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.680 he was a good communicator, 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:44.779 a good moral teacher. 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:46.940 When you go to museums 00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:48.200 or you see art 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.500 depicting the person of Jesus, 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:50.440 you usually see 00:24:50.440 --> 00:24:52.400 someone who's quite calm, 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:53.940 quite sweet, 00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:55.340 would never really hurt a fly. 00:24:55.820 --> 00:24:57.160 Now whilst all of that is true, 00:24:57.820 --> 00:24:58.900 to some extent, 00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:00.940 the king that we meet 00:25:00.940 --> 00:25:03.200 in verses 31 to 35 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:04.700 is tough 00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:06.180 and he is tender. 00:25:07.580 --> 00:25:08.640 Now he is tough. 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:10.120 We wouldn't usually think of Jesus 00:25:10.120 --> 00:25:11.059 as being tough 00:25:11.059 --> 00:25:12.039 or strong 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:14.799 but as Jesus was traveling 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:15.559 around Galilee 00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:17.240 making his way towards Jerusalem, 00:25:17.380 --> 00:25:18.120 some Pharisees 00:25:18.120 --> 00:25:19.039 came to him, 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:20.600 Pharisees were the religious leaders 00:25:20.600 --> 00:25:21.100 of the day 00:25:21.100 --> 00:25:22.480 and they said, 00:25:22.559 --> 00:25:22.740 quick, 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:23.660 you've got to get out of here. 00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:25.200 Herod wants to come 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:25.759 and kill you. 00:25:27.059 --> 00:25:28.319 We've met Herod before 00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:29.180 in the Gospel of Luke, 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:29.640 haven't we? 00:25:30.300 --> 00:25:31.820 In chapter 3, 00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:33.680 Herod arrests John the Baptist 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:34.840 who he would later kill. 00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:38.080 In Luke chapter 9, 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:39.320 it states that Herod 00:25:39.320 --> 00:25:40.300 was perplexed 00:25:40.300 --> 00:25:40.920 by what he heard 00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:42.020 Jesus was teaching 00:25:42.020 --> 00:25:42.940 and what he was doing. 00:25:44.140 --> 00:25:45.140 But now Herod 00:25:45.140 --> 00:25:46.380 has one thing on his mind 00:25:46.380 --> 00:25:48.220 and that is that 00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:49.240 he wants Jesus dead. 00:25:49.340 --> 00:25:50.300 He wants Jesus gone. 00:25:52.280 --> 00:25:53.800 But Jesus does not cower 00:25:53.800 --> 00:25:55.259 in the face of death. 00:25:55.380 --> 00:25:56.340 Jesus is tough. 00:25:56.339 --> 00:26:00.619 Jesus is determined 00:26:00.619 --> 00:26:01.899 to finish the task 00:26:01.899 --> 00:26:03.339 that he has been given. 00:26:03.459 --> 00:26:04.759 He is determined 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:06.519 to continue his journey 00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:07.199 to Jerusalem. 00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:09.740 As Jesus has been 00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:10.480 continuing 00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:11.619 and going to Jerusalem, 00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:13.019 he's been casting out demons, 00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:13.899 healing the sick, 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.939 he's been teaching 00:26:14.939 --> 00:26:16.339 his disciples and crowds 00:26:16.339 --> 00:26:18.339 and Jesus is saying 00:26:18.339 --> 00:26:19.159 that none of that 00:26:19.159 --> 00:26:19.859 is going to change 00:26:19.859 --> 00:26:20.819 just because one man 00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:21.500 wants him dead. 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:23.599 In fact, 00:26:23.679 --> 00:26:24.299 Jesus knows 00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:25.199 that the very path 00:26:25.199 --> 00:26:26.199 that he is walking on 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:27.539 is leading to the cross. 00:26:27.880 --> 00:26:28.940 It's leading to the place 00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:29.620 where he would give up 00:26:29.620 --> 00:26:31.240 his life for the people 00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:31.960 of this world 00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:33.940 so that they can be saved 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:35.100 and be in the kingdom of God. 00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:37.100 So we see that Jesus 00:26:37.100 --> 00:26:37.920 is tough 00:26:37.920 --> 00:26:39.640 as he sets his face 00:26:39.640 --> 00:26:40.360 to Jerusalem 00:26:40.360 --> 00:26:42.400 and to the cross. 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:43.240 He's determined 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:44.120 to get there. 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:46.120 But then we also see 00:26:46.120 --> 00:26:47.180 the tenderness 00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:48.080 of Jesus 00:26:48.080 --> 00:26:49.480 and specifically 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:50.620 the tenderness of Jesus 00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:51.319 towards those 00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:52.620 who have rejected him. 00:26:54.140 --> 00:26:55.519 Look at verse 34 00:26:55.519 --> 00:26:56.119 with me. 00:26:57.259 --> 00:26:57.779 Jerusalem, 00:26:58.359 --> 00:26:59.079 Jerusalem, 00:26:59.339 --> 00:27:01.319 you who kill the prophets 00:27:01.319 --> 00:27:02.759 and stone those sent to you, 00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:04.559 how often have I longed 00:27:04.559 --> 00:27:06.000 to gather your children together 00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:06.720 as a hen 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:08.059 gathers her chicks 00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:09.059 under her wings 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:10.480 and you were not willing. 00:27:12.359 --> 00:27:13.200 Can you hear 00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:13.940 the tenderness 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:14.579 of Jesus? 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:15.339 Can you sense 00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:16.379 the deep love 00:27:16.379 --> 00:27:17.259 and compassion 00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:18.359 that he has 00:27:18.359 --> 00:27:18.960 for the people 00:27:18.960 --> 00:27:19.599 of Israel? 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.960 And this is amazing 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:22.839 because in the not 00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:23.740 so distant future, 00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:24.380 these are the people 00:27:24.380 --> 00:27:25.480 who nail him to the cross 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:26.779 and he knew that 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:29.200 yet he showed love. 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:33.440 Jesus is lamenting 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:34.359 over Jerusalem 00:27:34.359 --> 00:27:35.500 which is used 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:36.059 to represent 00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:36.839 the whole nation 00:27:36.839 --> 00:27:37.599 of Israel 00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:38.680 and Jesus laments 00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:40.440 over Israel's track record 00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:41.420 of killing the prophets. 00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:43.099 The Old Testament 00:27:43.099 --> 00:27:44.579 is full of stories 00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:46.180 of people 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:47.460 who were sent 00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:47.859 by God 00:27:47.859 --> 00:27:48.480 to Jerusalem, 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:49.480 to Israel, 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.980 to warn them 00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:51.559 of judgment, 00:27:52.519 --> 00:27:53.259 to warn them 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:54.319 of their wandering 00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:54.880 from God, 00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:55.519 their rejection 00:27:55.519 --> 00:27:56.400 of God's law. 00:27:58.299 --> 00:27:59.360 But they killed them. 00:28:00.059 --> 00:28:00.920 They didn't listen 00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:01.299 to them. 00:28:01.360 --> 00:28:02.099 They didn't repent. 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:04.279 They killed them. 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:05.839 And even now 00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:06.759 as Jesus stands there 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.900 and speaks to Jerusalem 00:28:07.900 --> 00:28:10.720 in a not so short while 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:11.380 he will be nailed 00:28:11.380 --> 00:28:11.880 to a cross 00:28:11.880 --> 00:28:12.299 and killed 00:28:12.299 --> 00:28:12.740 though innocent. 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:15.819 And so Jesus says 00:28:15.819 --> 00:28:16.420 that their house 00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:17.160 is forsaken. 00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:20.120 The very nation 00:28:20.120 --> 00:28:21.279 where God 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:22.380 was meant to dwell, 00:28:23.120 --> 00:28:24.099 the very nation 00:28:24.099 --> 00:28:25.019 to whom God said 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:26.120 I will be your God 00:28:26.120 --> 00:28:27.400 and you will be my people, 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:28.740 they have rejected him 00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:30.059 and therefore 00:28:30.059 --> 00:28:31.740 they have been rejected. 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:33.740 They have been left empty. 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:36.240 Now this is devastating news. 00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:39.480 Because of their rejection 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:40.059 of God, 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:41.140 because of their rejection 00:28:41.140 --> 00:28:41.720 of Jesus, 00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:44.039 they too will be rejected. 00:28:45.559 --> 00:28:46.500 And the content 00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:47.900 and timing 00:28:47.900 --> 00:28:49.099 of Jesus' message 00:28:49.099 --> 00:28:50.339 calls for a response. 00:28:51.140 --> 00:28:51.579 Jerusalem. 00:28:52.759 --> 00:28:54.160 Will you listen 00:28:54.160 --> 00:28:55.440 to God once more? 00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:56.900 Will you let me 00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:57.519 gather you 00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:58.980 as a hen does its chicks? 00:29:01.160 --> 00:29:02.220 Will you listen 00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:02.799 and repent 00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:03.480 because the kingdom 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:04.599 of God is at hand? 00:29:05.160 --> 00:29:06.380 Or will you reject 00:29:06.380 --> 00:29:06.900 God again? 00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:10.200 If you reject God, 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:10.839 Jesus says 00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:11.640 you are forsaken. 00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:14.339 And you will not 00:29:14.339 --> 00:29:14.980 see him again 00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:15.539 until the day 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:16.359 where he comes back 00:29:16.359 --> 00:29:17.059 into the city 00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:18.359 on the back 00:29:18.359 --> 00:29:18.880 of a donkey. 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:21.220 But Jesus 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:22.140 is not screaming 00:29:22.140 --> 00:29:22.779 this message 00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:23.279 at the people 00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:23.720 in anger. 00:29:24.339 --> 00:29:25.059 That's what I want us 00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:25.660 to notice. 00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:27.200 But Jesus 00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:28.000 is hurt. 00:29:28.680 --> 00:29:29.620 He is pleading 00:29:29.620 --> 00:29:30.599 with them. 00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:32.579 These are the people 00:29:32.579 --> 00:29:32.980 who should have 00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:34.559 been awaiting 00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:35.640 Jesus' arrival. 00:29:36.400 --> 00:29:37.079 These are the people 00:29:37.079 --> 00:29:37.519 who should have 00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:38.180 welcomed him 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:39.200 with open arms. 00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.480 But instead 00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:42.120 they will meet him 00:29:42.120 --> 00:29:42.640 with a cross. 00:29:42.740 --> 00:29:43.680 And Jesus is warning 00:29:43.680 --> 00:29:44.539 them that they are 00:29:44.539 --> 00:29:45.019 in danger. 00:29:46.180 --> 00:29:47.120 He is warning them 00:29:47.120 --> 00:29:47.720 that they need to 00:29:47.720 --> 00:29:48.640 turn from their ways 00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:49.180 and repent. 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:49.980 They need to 00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:51.140 return to God. 00:29:51.220 --> 00:29:51.920 They need to repent 00:29:51.920 --> 00:29:52.799 and enter through 00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:54.299 this narrow door. 00:29:56.380 --> 00:29:57.240 So do you see 00:29:57.240 --> 00:29:58.440 why it is amazing news 00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:59.380 that Jesus is both 00:29:59.380 --> 00:30:00.299 tough and tender? 00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:03.160 Without the toughness 00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:03.720 of Jesus, 00:30:03.860 --> 00:30:04.299 the penalty 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:05.720 for our wrongdoings 00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:07.019 wouldn't have been 00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:07.500 paid for. 00:30:08.660 --> 00:30:09.500 And we would have 00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:10.460 to pay for the 00:30:10.460 --> 00:30:11.559 punishment of our 00:30:11.559 --> 00:30:12.360 sins by ourselves. 00:30:12.940 --> 00:30:13.620 So we need the 00:30:13.620 --> 00:30:14.480 toughness of Jesus. 00:30:15.400 --> 00:30:16.319 But in his amazing 00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:17.120 grace and his 00:30:17.120 --> 00:30:17.980 amazing love, 00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:19.200 he became nothing 00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:19.960 for you and me 00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:21.579 so that we can be 00:30:21.579 --> 00:30:22.779 saved and be 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:23.819 reconciled to God. 00:30:25.140 --> 00:30:26.039 And without the 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:26.980 tenderness of Jesus, 00:30:27.100 --> 00:30:27.759 we wouldn't fully 00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:29.200 understand the love 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:30.120 and compassion that 00:30:30.120 --> 00:30:30.759 God has for his 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:31.039 people. 00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:35.240 And this is directed 00:30:35.240 --> 00:30:36.980 at a nation who 00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:37.880 were the chosen 00:30:37.880 --> 00:30:38.700 people of God. 00:30:39.079 --> 00:30:39.819 And it's directed 00:30:39.819 --> 00:30:41.079 specifically at people 00:30:41.079 --> 00:30:42.519 within that nation who 00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:43.259 thought that they 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:45.900 would be saved if they 00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:46.740 obeyed the laws, 00:30:47.160 --> 00:30:49.620 if they obeyed rules. 00:30:51.019 --> 00:30:51.779 They thought if they 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.500 did that, then they 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.279 would surely be in the 00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:53.940 kingdom of God. 00:30:54.799 --> 00:30:55.680 Isn't this a trap that 00:30:55.680 --> 00:30:56.599 we fall into today? 00:30:57.160 --> 00:30:58.140 That our world falls 00:30:58.140 --> 00:30:59.299 into so many times? 00:31:00.259 --> 00:31:01.440 Okay, yeah, if I go to 00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:02.720 church, if I live a good 00:31:02.720 --> 00:31:05.100 life, if I don't kill 00:31:05.100 --> 00:31:05.860 anyone, if I don't 00:31:05.860 --> 00:31:07.019 cheat, if I don't steal, 00:31:07.120 --> 00:31:09.460 if I don't lie, yeah, 00:31:09.559 --> 00:31:10.400 God will let me in, I'm 00:31:10.400 --> 00:31:10.900 a good guy. 00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:14.640 The idea that we can 00:31:14.640 --> 00:31:16.140 earn our own salvation, 00:31:16.579 --> 00:31:17.519 that we can earn our way 00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:18.759 into heaven is completely 00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:19.160 wrong. 00:31:19.839 --> 00:31:20.579 And that is what Jesus 00:31:20.579 --> 00:31:21.279 is saying. 00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:23.680 Don't be deceived. 00:31:25.559 --> 00:31:26.720 The only way into 00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:28.500 heaven, the only way to 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:29.480 be saved is through 00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:30.660 entrance through this 00:31:30.660 --> 00:31:31.340 narrow door. 00:31:33.380 --> 00:31:34.600 The only way into 00:31:34.600 --> 00:31:35.540 God's kingdom is to 00:31:35.540 --> 00:31:37.360 respond to his message 00:31:37.360 --> 00:31:38.000 of repentance. 00:31:38.440 --> 00:31:40.040 So the question that 00:31:40.040 --> 00:31:41.180 Jesus is asking and the 00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:41.960 question that he is 00:31:41.960 --> 00:31:43.220 asking you this morning 00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:44.720 is, are you willing? 00:31:47.040 --> 00:31:48.500 Are you willing for God 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.680 to gather you to himself, 00:31:49.779 --> 00:31:51.060 to nurture you, to care 00:31:51.060 --> 00:31:52.380 for you, to protect you? 00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:54.360 Are you willing to 00:31:54.360 --> 00:31:55.360 accept this king? 00:31:57.300 --> 00:31:59.100 Are you willing to be a 00:31:59.099 --> 00:32:01.259 follower and not just a 00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:01.919 fan of Jesus? 00:32:04.679 --> 00:32:05.839 And so in answering the 00:32:05.839 --> 00:32:06.919 question, will only a few 00:32:06.919 --> 00:32:08.099 be saved, Jesus explains 00:32:08.099 --> 00:32:09.000 who the kingdom people 00:32:09.000 --> 00:32:09.379 are. 00:32:10.799 --> 00:32:12.480 Jesus explains that they 00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:13.619 are the ones who strive, 00:32:13.719 --> 00:32:15.699 who go all out to get 00:32:15.699 --> 00:32:17.319 into the kingdom, to go 00:32:17.319 --> 00:32:18.299 through this narrow door. 00:32:18.379 --> 00:32:19.359 They are distinct because 00:32:19.359 --> 00:32:20.159 they live a life of 00:32:20.159 --> 00:32:21.919 obedience, but they are 00:32:21.919 --> 00:32:23.599 diverse because they are 00:32:23.599 --> 00:32:24.839 from north, east, south, 00:32:24.839 --> 00:32:25.500 and west. 00:32:25.679 --> 00:32:26.599 They are from everywhere. 00:32:28.619 --> 00:32:29.859 And God will gather them 00:32:29.859 --> 00:32:30.799 to himself and they will 00:32:30.799 --> 00:32:32.220 celebrate in an eternity 00:32:32.220 --> 00:32:33.659 the goodness and 00:32:33.659 --> 00:32:34.759 greatness of our God. 00:32:36.639 --> 00:32:37.699 And so the question is 00:32:37.699 --> 00:32:38.959 this morning, are you 00:32:38.959 --> 00:32:40.599 striving to enter through 00:32:40.599 --> 00:32:41.439 this narrow door? 00:32:42.659 --> 00:32:43.679 Are you striving? 00:32:47.419 --> 00:32:48.459 And Luke gives us an 00:32:48.459 --> 00:32:49.819 insight into the king of 00:32:49.819 --> 00:32:50.359 this kingdom. 00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:52.679 Jesus, the one who is 00:32:52.680 --> 00:32:54.600 both tough and tender. 00:32:55.500 --> 00:32:57.180 The one who resolutely 00:32:57.180 --> 00:32:58.519 went to the cross, denying 00:32:58.519 --> 00:32:59.759 himself absolutely 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:01.200 everything so that we can 00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:02.039 gain the thing of utmost 00:33:02.039 --> 00:33:04.080 importance, forgiveness 00:33:04.080 --> 00:33:06.539 and reconciliation with God. 00:33:08.420 --> 00:33:09.840 And the question to ask 00:33:09.840 --> 00:33:10.820 yourself this morning is, 00:33:10.920 --> 00:33:12.200 are you willing to accept 00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:12.740 this king? 00:33:13.900 --> 00:33:14.860 Are you willing? 00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:19.360 This passage has a great 00:33:19.360 --> 00:33:20.860 truth of God's kingdom, 00:33:20.859 --> 00:33:23.039 but it also has a sobering 00:33:23.039 --> 00:33:24.859 truth of life without God. 00:33:25.719 --> 00:33:27.439 And it is not something 00:33:27.439 --> 00:33:28.299 that should be skipped over 00:33:28.299 --> 00:33:28.639 lightly. 00:33:30.319 --> 00:33:32.039 And so again, I want to ask 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:33.279 you this question just as we 00:33:33.279 --> 00:33:33.719 close. 00:33:35.000 --> 00:33:35.819 Are you a fan? 00:33:36.819 --> 00:33:37.979 Or are you a follower of 00:33:37.979 --> 00:33:38.219 Jesus? 00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:41.159 Let's pray together. 00:33:41.160 --> 00:34:05.519 Lord, we ask that this would be 00:34:05.519 --> 00:34:06.540 our cry this morning. 00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:09.320 Let us be your followers, 00:34:09.759 --> 00:34:11.360 not just your fans. 00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:14.500 Let us be able to sing with 00:34:14.500 --> 00:34:16.739 confidence that it is well with 00:34:16.739 --> 00:34:20.000 our souls, not by any doing of 00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:22.119 our own, but because you have 00:34:22.119 --> 00:34:23.000 given us salvation. 00:34:24.659 --> 00:34:26.599 Lord, give us the strength to 00:34:26.599 --> 00:34:27.179 strive. 00:34:28.579 --> 00:34:31.199 Give us the willingness to call you 00:34:31.199 --> 00:34:31.539 king. 00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:35.800 We ask this in the strong and 00:34:35.800 --> 00:34:37.500 loving name of your son, 00:34:37.599 --> 00:34:38.360 Jesus Christ. 00:34:39.199 --> 00:34:39.699 Amen.