The Biblical Gospel
The Parables of Jesus
The Parables of Jesus #08: an exposition of Luke 13:22-30. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, May 31, 2015.
Intro:
Choices, have you ever seen so many choices? In everything. Some of you remember if you wanted a car – you had a choice of color. You could have a black one or if you prefer – you could get a one that was black. Ice cream? Did you want vanilla or chocolate? Now? You name it – including onion flavored, which goes great with a slice of cheeseburger pie. Television – we now have the expanded basic which means we have 50 channels with nothing on. It seemed a lot simpler when we lived in Masham. If we wanted to go out to eat we just had to decide if we were going to Click’s Steakhouse or the Sonic. Now, by the time we decide where we are going to eat – they’re closed! Ours is a consumer-oriented age. An age in which the customer is always right. Our motto is, “give’m what they want.” Unfortunately that mentality has found its way into the church. Where we are compelled to cater to the kinds of folks we desire to reach. Have you watch religious programming lately? You will see everything from “high church” to “low church” to “no church.” Everything from robes and pipe organs to rock bands and blue jeans. To be honest with you – I’m not worried about the style of dress. I’m not all that concern with the style of worship or the type of music. I am very concerned about the attitude and the message! I am concerned about an attitude in worship that sets man and his wants above God and His glory. I am concerned about an attitude that says, “God this had better be good – I’ve given up my morning to be here.” I am concerned about a message that has strayed from the core issues of the Gospel.
Now, I’m all for seeking to meet people where they are. I’m all for becoming all things to all men so that by all means we may save some. I understand that. I agree with that. What I’m concerned about is that in the mad dash to compete with the world around us, we become so focused on “felt needs” we forget about “genuine needs.” Do you remember the crippled man who was brought to Jesus in Capernaum? His friends lowered him from the ceiling until he rested at the feet of Jesus. That man and the whole crowd knew his need – he needed to be healed. Jesus spoke to his genuine need, “my son, your sins are forgiven.” Meeting felt needs is fine. Binding up the broken is essential to the work God has given us. But what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and yet loose his own soul? The primary call of the church is to preach the Gospel. Not just any Gospel but the biblical Gospel. That is at the heart of our text this morning found in the 13th chapter of Luke’s Gospel.
Text for “The Biblical Gospel”: Luke 13:22-30
The opening verse of our text takes us back to Luke 9 Luke 13:51.
Our Lord is determined to go to Jerusalem.
Why? The time has come. The time sovereignly determined by the Father.
The work of redemption is about to take place.
It is in that context that these words are spoken.
With these words we are reminded that:
Thesis for “The Biblical Gospel”: We, in keeping with the ministry of the Lord Jesus, are called to faithfully, uncompromisingly preach the biblical doctrine of salvation.
Our Lord is on His way to Jerusalem. Along the way He is preaching and teaching in the towns and villages. Someone from the crowd approaches Him and asks a question. It is a good, honest and certainly an understandable question. In responding to the question our Lord turned to the crowd – reflected in the plural “you” – and rather than answer a speculative question dealt with the nature of salvation itself. In His response we find three profound truths related to the heart and soul of biblical salvation. What is biblical salvation about? What is the nature of this salvation? Who will be saved? These are the issues dealt with in our Lord’s response.
3 things I want us to note.
- First of all, note salvation’s intensely personal nature. (13:22-24)
- Second, note salvation’s sobering realities. (13:25-28)
- Note salvation’s universal flavor. (13:29-30)
Conclusion for “The Biblical Gospel”:
The message of Jesus is that salvation is the narrow way. But the good news is that the narrow way is wide open!
“Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”