Striving for Salvation: The Narrow Door Challenge

Devotional

Day 1: Active Faith in Pursuit of God's Kingdom

Striving to enter through the narrow door is a call to an active faith that is alive and persevering. This striving is not about earning salvation but about living a faith that actively seeks to align with God's will and pursue His kingdom daily. It challenges believers to move beyond complacency and engage in a faith that is dynamic and transformative. Jesus' words in Luke 13 remind us that salvation is by grace through faith, yet it requires a faith that is not passive but one that is committed to the journey of following Christ. This active pursuit is a daily commitment to live out the teachings of Jesus and to seek His kingdom above all else. [18:19]

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love." (2 Peter 1:5-7, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to actively pursue God's kingdom in your daily life?

Day 2: Personal Responsibility in Salvation

The question of whether few will be saved is less important than the question of whether you will be saved. Jesus' response in Luke 13 is a call to personal responsibility and action. It is a reminder that salvation is not automatic but requires a personal commitment to follow Christ. This call to action emphasizes the importance of examining one's own faith journey and ensuring that it aligns with the teachings of Jesus. It challenges believers to take ownership of their spiritual lives and to actively engage in the process of salvation, recognizing that it is a personal journey that requires intentionality and dedication. [21:30]

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:12-13, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you take personal responsibility for your spiritual growth and ensure that your faith is active and alive?

Day 3: The Urgency of Salvation

The urgency of Jesus' message is clear: the door will not remain open forever. There will come a time when it is too late to enter, and many will find themselves on the outside, desperate to get in. This is a sobering reminder that the time to act is now. The call to strive is a call to recognize the urgency of the moment and to respond with a sense of immediacy. It challenges believers to not delay in their pursuit of God's kingdom and to recognize that the opportunity for salvation is not indefinite. This urgency calls for a proactive approach to faith, one that does not take the gift of salvation for granted but actively seeks to enter through the narrow door while it is still open. [53:06]

"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been delaying your response to God's call? How can you act on it today?

Day 4: Striving and Believing as Two Sides of the Same Coin

Striving and believing are not contradictory; they are two sides of the same coin. True faith is a striving faith, one that is diligent and active. It is a faith that takes God at His word and acts upon it. This understanding of faith challenges believers to see striving not as a burden but as an integral part of a living faith. It emphasizes that true belief is demonstrated through action and that faith without works is dead. This perspective encourages believers to engage in a faith that is both contemplative and active, recognizing that belief and action are intertwined in the journey of following Christ. [30:33]

"So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." (James 2:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: How can you demonstrate your faith through actions today, ensuring that your belief is reflected in your daily life?

Day 5: The Daily Commitment to Strive

Today is the day to strive, to fight the good fight of faith, and to ensure that we are on the right side of the door when it closes. The Christian life is a daily commitment to live by faith, to hold on to our original confidence, and to strive to enter God's rest. This daily commitment requires perseverance and dedication, recognizing that the journey of faith is ongoing and requires continual effort. It challenges believers to remain steadfast in their pursuit of God's kingdom and to not grow weary in doing good. This commitment is a call to live each day with intentionality and purpose, striving to align with God's will and to enter His eternal rest. [36:06]

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:23-25, ESV)

Reflection: What daily habits can you establish to ensure that you are actively striving in your faith journey and not growing complacent?

Sermon Summary

In Luke 13, Jesus commands us to "strive to enter through the narrow door," a call that challenges our understanding of salvation. This message is a reminder that while salvation is by grace through faith, it requires an active, striving faith. Many people, especially within reformed circles, may focus heavily on Pauline doctrines, sometimes neglecting the direct teachings of Jesus. This can lead to a misunderstanding of what it means to truly follow Christ. Jesus' words are not just comforting; they are also challenging, calling us to a life of active pursuit of His kingdom.

The question posed in Luke 13:23, "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" is one that resonates with many. Jesus' response is not a direct answer but a call to action: strive to enter. This striving is not about earning salvation but about living a faith that is active and alive. It is about a faith that perseveres, that fights against complacency, and that seeks to align with God's will daily. The striving Jesus speaks of is a striving of faith, a faith that is not passive but one that actively seeks to enter God's rest.

The urgency of Jesus' message is clear: the door will not remain open forever. There will come a time when it is too late to enter, and many will find themselves on the outside, desperate to get in. This is a sobering reminder that the time to act is now. Today is the day to strive, to fight the good fight of faith, and to ensure that we are on the right side of the door when it closes.

In Hebrews 3 and 4, we are reminded that striving and believing are not contradictory. They are two sides of the same coin. True faith is a striving faith, one that is diligent and active. It is a faith that takes God at His word and acts upon it. This is the kind of faith that will see us through to the end, that will enable us to enter God's eternal rest.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus' call to "strive to enter through the narrow door" is a call to active faith. It is not about earning salvation but about living a faith that is alive and persevering. This striving is a daily commitment to align with God's will and to actively pursue His kingdom. [18:19]
2. The question of whether few will be saved is less important than the question of whether you will be saved. Jesus' response is a call to personal responsibility and action. It is a reminder that salvation is not automatic but requires a personal commitment to follow Christ. [21:30]
3. The urgency of Jesus' message is clear: the door will not remain open forever. There will come a time when it is too late to enter, and many will find themselves on the outside, desperate to get in. This is a sobering reminder that the time to act is now. [53:06]
4. Striving and believing are not contradictory; they are two sides of the same coin. True faith is a striving faith, one that is diligent and active. It is a faith that takes God at His word and acts upon it. [30:33]
5. Today is the day to strive, to fight the good fight of faith, and to ensure that we are on the right side of the door when it closes. The Christian life is a daily commitment to live by faith, to hold on to our original confidence, and to strive to enter God's rest. [36:06]
** [36:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to Striving
[01:12] - Hearing Jesus' Words
[03:18] - The Importance of the Red Letters
[05:00] - The Narrow Door
[07:05] - The Question of Salvation
[09:05] - Shaking Presuppositions
[13:04] - The Urgency of Salvation
[16:17] - The Invitation and Excuses
[18:19] - Striving to Enter
[21:30] - The Reality of the Narrow Door
[25:01] - The Importance of Striving
[30:33] - Striving and Believing
[36:06] - The Daily Striving
[53:06] - The Closing Door
[56:36] - Final Exhortation to Strive

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 13:22-30 - Jesus' teaching on striving to enter through the narrow door.
Hebrews 4:11 - The call to strive to enter God's rest.
Hebrews 3:7-15 - The urgency of responding to God's voice today.

Observation Questions

What does Jesus mean when He says to "strive to enter through the narrow door" in Luke 13:24? How does this relate to the concept of salvation by grace through faith? [05:21]
In the sermon, what examples are given of people who might find themselves on the outside of the door? [06:13]
How does the sermon describe the urgency of Jesus' message about the door not remaining open forever? [53:06]
What is the relationship between striving and believing as discussed in Hebrews 4:11 and the sermon? [30:33]

Interpretation Questions

How does the sermon interpret the question, "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" and what is the significance of Jesus' response? [07:39]
What does the sermon suggest about the common misconceptions people have about salvation and how Jesus' teachings challenge those views? [09:05]
How does the sermon explain the concept of striving in the context of faith and salvation? What does it mean to have a "striving faith"? [31:54]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the urgency of Jesus' message should impact a believer's daily life? [36:06]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be complacent in your faith? How can you actively strive to align with God's will daily? [18:19]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility in salvation. What steps can you take to ensure you are actively pursuing a relationship with Christ? [21:30]
Considering the urgency of Jesus' message, what changes can you make today to ensure you are on the right side of the door when it closes? [53:06]
How can you balance the concept of striving with the understanding that salvation is by grace through faith? What does this look like in practical terms in your life? [30:33]
Identify one area in your life where you need to "fight the good fight of faith." What specific actions can you take this week to engage in this spiritual battle? [48:15]
The sermon discusses the importance of responding to God's voice today. What is one way you can be more attentive to God's leading in your daily routine? [36:06]
Reflect on the idea of striving to enter God's rest. How can you incorporate this striving into your spiritual practices, such as prayer, Bible study, or community involvement? [29:37]

Sermon Clips

"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 you I do not know where you come from." [00:05:32]

"Jesus says strive to enter and he says you betters you in this portion of scripture we're going to look at the number of times he says you now let's look at it 13:22 Luke 13 22 and I'm going to read down through the end of that in verse to verse 30 Jesus went on his way through towns and Villages teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem." [00:04:44]

"Brethren the truth is the truth is Dreadful and you and I feel it and you and I don't like it we don't like what the truth is here that out of the vast majority of the 8 billion people alive on this Earth Lord are there few we know he gives the answer in Matthew chapter 7 here he gives the answer a little less directly but he gives it nevertheless few." [00:15:23]

"Jesus knows this and in the face of this reality he says this Luke 13:24 strive to enter through the narrow door for many I tell you will seek to enter and will not be able now they're seeking to enter but it's too late no more ex they're not playing the excuse game anymore now they're desperate." [00:18:19]

"Striving and believing are not set at odds here notice this look at verse 4 or chapter 4 verse three down 11 let us therefore strive to enter that rest which can be translated fight 43 we who have what believed enter that rest make EV you know what that teaches us making every effort to get through that door and believing to get through that door are not at odds with each other." [00:30:33]

"Today if you hear his voice do not Harden your hearts as in the Rebellion on the day of testing in the wilderness where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for 40 years therefore I was provoked with that generation said they always go astray in their heart they have not known my ways and I swore in my wrath they shall not enter my rest." [00:33:02]

"Today is the day to strive, to fight the good fight of faith, and to ensure that we are on the right side of the door when it closes. The Christian life is a daily commitment to live by faith, to hold on to our original confidence, and to strive to enter God's rest." [00:36:06]

"Brethren the basic strategy for striving to enter God's rest is to live the Christian in life today you cannot get away from that real look at look at Hebrews 3:13 exort one another every day as long as it's called today that's what I'm doing to you right now I am exhorting you it is today that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." [00:36:06]

"Brethren this is no small matter you cannot live the Christian Life tomorrow the Christianity of the Bible is the today kind of Christianity Faith strives today today is the day we fight to not fall into the same kind of Disobedience that the Hebrews in the wilderness." [00:37:40]

"Brethren do you realize today there are today that you live the Christian Life or there are today you begin to drift away they were drifting today is when decisions are made to slow down a little more rest and relaxation or to press ahead there are today that our faith says with Jonathan God can do this by many or by few." [00:38:59]

"Brethren those who will have Heaven you got to run for it run man I so often come back to that picture man at a desk next here comes a man he says put my name down and he took up that sword and he went out on that field and there were those that were resisting him there was a whole group of of them they were out there with swords." [00:41:51]

"Brethren only those who strive are going to enter this is striving faith fight the good fight of Faith agonize the good fight of Faith fight to believe fight to keep trusting him fight to see how big a God we have fight for it Brethren fight fight to stay awake fight to keep running fight fight fight to keep your nose in your Bible." [00:56:36]

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Striving for Salvation: The Narrow Door Challenge

Devotional

Day 1: Active Faith in Pursuit of God's Kingdom

Day 2: Personal Responsibility in Salvation

Day 3: The Urgency of Salvation

Day 4: Striving and Believing as Two Sides of the Same Coin

Day 5: The Daily Commitment to Strive

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Striving for Salvation: The Narrow Door Challenge

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