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INTRO
Jesus continues to teach on the Kingdom of God
Jesus’ emphasis is on the HOW TO not the HOW MANY
Enter through Repentance and Faith
Do not delay
What is the narrow door?
The Gospel. The good news of Jesus Christ
The narrowness of the Gospel
We are sinners
Scripture Alone, Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Christ Alone, God’s Glory Alone
Many will seek (at the end…judgment)
Broad gate. Many. Wide and easy
Relativism – there is no absolute truth (whatever I think)
Pluralism – Everything is true (You do you)
How does one enter?
Strive – v. 24 – agonize
Seeking, Struggling
NOT WORKS, but the quickening of the Holy Spirit and coming to Christ.
Colossians 4:12 – Used in reference to prayer
Deny yourself, and take up his cross daily and follow me…whoever wished to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. Luke 9:23-24
It costs us everything of the old life (But once we see Christ for who He is… we do not care)
Why not everyone?
Lack of urgency
There is time. Life is good. No big deal
Pride and self sufficiency
I am fine.
Why the ultimate rejection?
God does not know them – vv. 25 & 27
I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!
Matthew 7:21-23 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Weeping and gnashing of teeth…but your yourself cast out – v. 28
2 Thessalonians 1:7a-11 when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels [8] in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. [9] They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
2 Thessalonians 2:9–12 – [9] The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, [10] and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. [11] Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, [12] in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Who can come?
People will come – v. 29
Those invited
Those who have responded
There is NO REASON to try and reconcile God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility… THEY ARE NOT ENEMIES THEY ARE FRIENDS therefore, they do not need to be reconciled.
Remember, the emphasis is not the HOW MANY, but the HOW TO
Here’s what I know:
God must open the heart and mind
People must repent and believe
I must share the Gospel
From my perspective… what I can control… THE GOSPEL IS THE KEY COMPONENT!!!!!!!
East, West, North, South – v. 29
To totality of the recipients
Beyond the chosen nation of Israel (Gentiles)
Who can come… whoever hears and comes (invitation to come)
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 – [13] But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. [14] To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV)
Last/First – v. 30
Gentiles and Jews (Jews thought they were the ONLY ONES)
Believers today who are content, not growing (Last… getting in, but barely)
Those that have dedicated their life to Christ. Him before self!
The What Now
We must make sure our life is right… have we come to Christ? Have we entered through the narrow door? Repentance and Belief
We must make sure we get evangelism right (How we share the Gospel).
This is the difference between a real faith and a false faith
Evangelism not about doing everything we can to get a person to make a decision for Christ. Evangelism is sharing the Good news of the Gospel. It is being faithful to God by presenting the good news; that Christ, by His death, and resurrection, has secured a way for a holy God and a sinful people to be reconciled.The decision is costly. Luke 9:62The decision is urgent, so make it soon. Luke 12:20The decision is worth it, so you want to make it. John 10:10MARK DEVER, 9MARKS HTTPS://WWW.9MARKS.ORG/ARTICLE/A-BIBLICAL-UNDERSTANDING-OF-EVANGELISM/