Jesus said, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able” (Luke 13:24). In last week’s sermon we made it halfway through this verse. Notice the two halves. The first half is about people striving to enter through the narrow door now while they can. The second half is about people seeking to enter later when it’s too late. So Jesus spoke of the narrow door that’s open now and the closed door people encounter later. Not only is the door narrow and difficult to enter, it also won’t remain open forever. Learn why some will seek to enter but be unable.

Table of contentsFamily Worship Guide for Why We Must Strive to Enter through the Narrow DoorSermon Notes for Why We Must Strive to Enter through the Narrow Door Lesson 1: The question is, “Does the Lord know you?”Lesson 2: The Lord doesn’t know people who haven’t repented.Lesson 3: There will be surprises in the kingdom of God.

https://youtu.be/VJ6vNVMs3yQJesus said, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. Many will seek to enter and will not be able” (Luke 13:24). Learn why some are unable.

Family Worship Guide for Why We Must Strive to Enter through the Narrow Door

Directions: Read the verses and then answer the questions:

Day 1: Luke 13:25-27, Matthew 7:21-23, Galatians 4:9—Can you think of any other examples in Scripture of people being shut out? Why did these people seem to think they should be allowed in? What similarities do you see between this passage and Matthew 7:21-23? What does it mean for the Lord to know us?

Day 2: Luke 13:27-28, Romans 7:18-19, 2 Timothy 2:19—Why wouldn’t Jesus open the door to them? In other words, why did he tell them to depart? Describe the balance between repenting but continuing to struggle with sin. What is easy believism? Why is easy believism dangerous?

Day 3: Romans 3:1-2, 9:4-5, John 8:33, 39, Matthew 3:8-9, Luke 13:29-30—What are some of the privileges the Jews had? Why did the Jews think they would go to heaven? Who did the Jews think would not go to heaven? What do you think will surprise us about heaven?

Sermon Notes for Why We Must Strive to Enter through the Narrow Door

The title of this morning’s sermon is, “Why Many Will Seek to Enter but not Be Able.”

On Sunday mornings we’re working our way through Luke’s gospel verse by verse and we find ourselves at chapter 13, verses 25-30.

Please stand with me for the reading of God’s Word. We will start at verse 22 for context…

Luke 13:22 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.”

Let’s pray.

There are some things in life that you can be late for while other things can be very problematic if you’re late.

For example, you can be late to a movie or a sporting event, but if you’re late for the bus or a flight, you’re in trouble.

When I was in ROTC in college the commander of the program was Colonel Brewer. He told all of us…

“My class starts on time,