September 2, 2010
Denied the clubhouse
Luke 13:18-30
Mike Hardage
Central Truth
We should live our lives with a sense of "urgency" to live for and tell others about salvation through Jesus Christ. The day is coming when it will be too late. That is a terrifying thought.
Key Verse | Luke 13:25
"Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, 'Lord, open up to us!' then He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know where you are from.'" (Luke 13:25)
Luke 13:18-30
The Mustard Seed and the Leaven
18 He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”
20 And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.”
The Narrow Door
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.”
Dive Deeper | Luke 13:18-30
God welcomes anyone into His Kingdom who confesses with his mouth and believes in his heart that Jesus Christ is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9). But one day, the Scriptures tell us, the door to His Kingdom will close.
Sometime ago, I attended a prestigious golf tournament held at an exclusive, private country club. I had come because a close friend was playing in the tournament. The course was open to the public, but the clubhouse was strictly "off limits" to the masses. Only members or those with a special pass were permitted inside. At the end of the day, I decided to go into the clubhouse to see my friends, even though I knew I didn't have a pass. I was dressed in my finest golf attire, I knew one of the top players and his family personally, and I knew members of the club. Admittance would not be a problem.
I opened the heavy oak door and strode into the beautiful clubhouse, packed with people. I could see my friends laughing and having a great time. I had gone only three feet when I walked into a clubhouse guard and a member whom I'd met. The member acted as if he'd never seen me before and frankly didn't care to. Their icy stares said, "Who do you think you are? You are not invited." It was very clear . . . . I had no pass and wasn't welcome in that clubhouse. I looked the part, acted the part, and knew some important people in the game, but I was not a member and had no pass. Access denied.
Heaven is God's clubhouse. But, unlike an earthly clubhouse, God doesn't want anyone left out. He sent His only Son to die on a cross so that anyone who trusts in and believes in Him will have a pass to eternity and His paradise. If we know someone who acts the part and looks the part but doesn't have a pass into God's clubhouse, we should act urgently to help them get one.
Discussion Questions
1. Have you memorized the five easy verses of The Romans Road so that sharing the message of salvation will never again be a struggle for you (Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:13, and 8:1)?
2. Be honest with yourself: Do you confidently and gladly share the good news about Jesus Christ with others, or are you slightly afraid or embarrassed to bring it up?
3. Luke 13:25 says the head of the house will shut the door. When might this occur, and what does this mean to you, your friends, and your loved ones?
4. How will this devotional and these verses change what you do today?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What did the master of the house say to the people who were on the outside of the house (verse 25)?
2. If he did not know the people who were on the outside of the house, what does that mean about the people who were inside the house?
3. What can you do to make sure you are not on the outside knocking (verses 24-25)? (Read John 14:6, John 3:16, and Romans 10:9-10.)