29 March, 2024

Lesson for July 22, 2018: Entering God’s Kingdom (Luke 13:22-30)

by | 16 July, 2018 | 0 comments

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 7 (weeks 25–28; July 22—August 12, 2018) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com.

______

By Mark Scott 

God is sovereign over his kingdom. He decides who gets in and who is put out. Still he invites, entices, and pleads with people to accept the invitation into his kingdom. It is his good pleasure to give his people the kingdom (Luke 12:32). But those who are invited must respond.

Our text comes once again from the travel narrative of Luke’s Gospel (9:51–19:28). In fact, the first verse of our text is one of the key texts as Jesus makes his way up to Jerusalem (9:51; 13:22; 17:11; 19:11, 28, 41). In this section of Scripture there are many parables and many teachings on discipleship.

 

Enter with Effort Luke 13:22-24

As Jesus journeyed southward and upward he was teaching in the towns and villages. On the way someone asked Jesus if only a few people would be saved. One would think that Jesus would respond with either yes or no. Yes, large groups will be saved (Matthew 8:5-12; Revelation 7:9). Or, no, only a few will be saved (Matthew 7:13, 14). Jesus didn’t specifically answer the question. It wasn’t uncommon for Jesus to clarify the direction of a question, or to ask another question so as to lead the conversation in another direction, or to extend the conversation to a greater spiritual reality. The last option seems to be what Jesus did here.

The answer seems to be, “Whether few or many are saved does not matter right now. What matters is doing whatever is necessary to enter God’s kingdom.” Jesus taught about entering God’s kingdom using the metaphor of a door. This door is narrow (Matthew 7:13,14) and will therefore require some effort to get through. Some will try, but they might not try hard enough. Make every effort translates one Greek word, which is where we get our English word “agonize.” When people asked what they had to do to be saved or receive eternal life, they were not told, “Nothing” (Matthew 19:17; Acts 2:38; 16:31). Effort shows faith.

 

Enter While You Can |Luke 13:25-27

Next Jesus pictured an imaginary conversation taking place behind closed doors. He continued to speak metaphorically, suggesting that there is an owner of the house where this narrow door is located. We could assume that the owner is God. Once again we see the sovereignty of God over the house (think kingdom). There comes a point when the narrow door is shut. Anyone can enter through the narrow door, but that person should not let any grass grow in getting through that door.

The imaginary conversation continued between the owner of the house and the person on the other side of the door. One can imagine this conversation taking place with loud voices. The man said, “Sir (Lord), open the door for us.” The owner stated that he did not know who the man was or from where he came. This might mean, “I do not recognize you as mine.” The man outside appealed again, suggesting that the owner and he were good friends—eating together and receiving the owner’s teaching. The owner replied with the same words and then said, “Away from me, all you evildoers!” What made this man so evil? Simply put, he did not enter the narrow door in the time that was provided him. There came a time when the door was shut (see Genesis 7:16). Any appeal after that was too late. Tom Ewald (Lincoln Christian University) once said, “Hell is truth known too late.”

 

Enter and Be Surprised Luke 13:28-30

If verses 25-27 show who is on the outside of the door, then verses 28-30 show us who is on the inside of the door. And some of the people on the inside of the door are quite surprising. The insiders consist of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), the prophets (these could actually be Old Testament and New Testament prophets), and people from various geographies and ethnicities from the four corners of the earth. The outsiders are not identified per se, but from the following context (vv. 31-35) they might consist of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. The supposed insiders will be thrown out, and there will be weeping and gnashing teeth (images related to the agonies of judgment).

Entering God’s kingdom is not automatic. Insiders are out and outsiders are in. In Jesus’ kingdom, things are not always as they seem. The last people one would expect to be in God’s kingdom will be in, and the first people one would expect to be in are actually out. This is the upside-down kingdom of God (see Matthew 19:30; 20:16). Will only a few people be saved? Yes and no!

________

Lesson study ©2018, Christian Standard Media. Print and digital subscribers are permitted to make one print copy per week of lesson material for personal use. Lesson based on International Sunday School Lesson, ©2013, by the Lesson Committee.Scripture quotations are from the New International Version, ©2011, unless otherwise indicated.

HOME DAILY BIBLE READINGS
July 16: Matthew 7:13, 14
July 17: John 10:1-10
July 18: John 15:1-11
July 19: Matthew 7:15-23
July 20: Matthew 7:24-29
July 21: Mark 10:28-31
July 22: Luke 13:22-30

 

<a href="https://christianstandard.com/author/markscott/" target="_self">Mark Scott</a>

Mark Scott

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. He also serves as minister with Park Plaza Christian Church in Joplin.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: Impact Christian Church (Moon Township, Pa.) is seeking an executive pastor. The Christian Campus Foundation (CCF) at the University of Illinois is seeking a full-time director of campus ministry. New Brighton (Minn.) Christian Church needs a new senior minister. Summit Christian College (Gering, Neb.) is accepting applications for the position of academic dean. And more . . .

Stories

By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .

Documentary Highlights Christian Response to Pandemics

Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.

Used of God

I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.

Sam E. Stone: ‘He Tried to Speak the Truth in Love’

In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.

Elliott Library ‘Cornerstone’ Laid

Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.

The Death of Evil

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.

Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact

Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.

‘Have We Plans for 1921?’

“All the Standard asks is the opportunity to serve, and it yearns to render in 1921 the greatest, finest, and best service of its history. . . .”

News Briefs for Dec. 9

Items from Timber Lake Christian Church (Moberly, Mo.), Choateville Christian Church (Frankfort, Ky.), Johnson University, and more.

My Counsel for Young Preachers

If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.

My Memories of Marshall Leggett

By Ben Merold
As I think about Marshall Leggett, who passed away on March 2 at age 90, two personal experiences keep coming to my mind . . .

Powell Quintuplets Graduating from High School

When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.

Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think

When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Easter Church Attendance’ (1949)

“This Lord’s Day will find nearly all the churches having the largest crowds of the year,” editor Burris Butler wrote in 1949. “It has become almost proverbial that many people attend church on Easter Sunday who never come at any other time” . . .

News Briefs for March 27

Ozark Christian College has updated their logo. Also, briefs from Harlan (Ky.) Christian Church, Summit Christian College, and the Common Grounds Unity Podcast.

The Best Sermon I Never Heard

“Can I tell you about the best sermon I never heard?” Matt Proctor asked the crowd at ICOM last November. “If I could time travel just once . . . I would go back to Luke 24. On that very first Easter Sunday . . . the resurrected Jesus is walking on the road to Emmaus, talking with two travelers. . . .”

KCU Announces Agreements with LBC, NEOBC

Kentucky Christian University has announced separate agreements to enable those who have earned a bachelor’s degree from Louisville Bible College or Northeast Ohio Bible College to seamlessly transition into the graduate programs offered by KCU’s Keeran School of Bible and Ministry. . . .

Follow Us