Lk13:22-30 To Know and Be Known

# To Know and Be Known
## Luke 13:22-30
[Daniel von Appen](https://unsplash.com/photos/NVnU0WIhC28 "caption")

>>>
+ Is it possible to be fully **convinced** you're a Chr
  + to **listen** to the Word of God daily
  + even **teach** it to others
+ in the end, **reach** the gates of heaven, 
  + and find them **locked** to you?

---

# How do I **know** I am saved?

>>>
+ it's one thing to **know** who God is
  + it's another to be **known** by the King of kings
+ today's passage: Luke 13
  + draw **near** to behold the Lamb

______

+ Reveal **Your** heart of mercy to us
+ Reveal **our** own hearts, to examine **accurately**

---

## To Know and Be Known [(Lk13)](# "ref")
1. **Seeking** to Enter [(v22-24)](# "ref")
1. **Known** by the Master [(v25-27)](# "ref")
1. Looking In from the **Outside** [(v28-30)](# "ref")

>>>
+ This part of Luke not **chronological**
  + organised by **theme**
+ Who will be **saved**?
  + What is **kingdom** of God like?
+ 1. **Who** is Jesus addressing?
+ 2. Call/response: master's **test**
+ 3. **Warning** about future: 
  + kindness + **severity** of God

---

He went on his way through towns and villages, 
teaching and journeying toward **Jerusalem**.

And someone said to him, 
“Lord, will those who are **saved** be **few**?”

[Luke 13:22-23 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ ministry mostly in **Galilee**:
  + so trips to Jeru are **signif.**
+ fiercest opposition in **Jeru**:
  + v31 **Herod** seeks to kill
+ **temple**: preserve **worship** of God
  + despite **conq** by Greeks, Romans
+ In society incr. **pagan**, hostile to God
  + Jeru stood for **trad** values
+ "We are the **faithful few**":
  + **chosen** elite, right?
+ Christ's **reply**: yes, only a **few**,
  + but **not** how you think!

---

And he said to them, 
“Strive to enter through the narrow door.

For many, I tell you, will **seek** to enter 
and will not be **able**.

[Luke 13:24 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ seek (zeal): **desire**, consumed by
+ not those who **don't care** about God, 
  + but those who **believe** are saved 
  + but **aren't**
+ able (**strong**): unable to overcome
+ take for **granted** being saved
  + assume salvation **automatic**
  + inherited, **born** into it:
  + "**always** been a Chr"
+ **surprised** when denied entry
+ God instructed **Jeremiah** 
  + to stand in the temple **gates**
  + and say to all who **entered**:

---

Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: 
**Amend** your ways and your deeds, 
and I will let you **dwell** in this place.

Do not trust in these **deceptive** words: 
‘This is the **temple** of the Lord, 
the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.’

[Jeremiah 7:3-4 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Old City of Jerusalem, Damascus Gate. Leila Maziz. © UNESCO, CC-BY-SA 3.0 IGO](http://whc.unesco.org/en/documents/108391 "caption")

>>>
+ To us who attend **church**,
  + feel **secure** that we're good Chr:
+ "But I go to **church**! (3x)" baptised!
+ Accustomed to **trappings** of Chr life
  + take for **granted** that we're saved
+ put our **trust** in the **symbols** + liturgy
  + rather than in the **person** of Christ
+ **Mt7**: parallel to today's passage
  + **contrasts** 2 gates, 2 roads:

---

Enter by the **narrow gate**.

For the gate is **wide** and the way is **easy** 
that leads to **destruction**, 
and those who enter by it are **many**.

For the gate is **narrow** and the way is **hard** 
that leads to **life**, and those who find it are **few**.

[Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Jens Lelie](https://unsplash.com/photos/u0vgcIOQG08 "caption")

>>>
+ Yes, returning to our **Shepherd** 
  + is coming **home**,
+ But doesn't mean it's **default** path:
  + what comes **naturally** to us is **sin**!
+ So Jesus commands in v24 to **strive**:

---

And he said to them, 
“**Strive** to enter through the **narrow door**.

For many, I tell you, will seek to enter 
and will not be able.

[Luke 13:24 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Braden Collum](https://unsplash.com/photos/ttbCwN_mWic "caption")

>>>
+ strive (**agony**): conflict, struggle
  + as in **battle** or in **competition**
  + focus: not **pain**, but **exertion**
  + e.g., 1Co9:25 **athlete** control self
+ Not vs **others** who might enter
  + nor trying to **be better** / holier
+ But against own natural **inclinations**:
  + **Lazy**: rely on religious symbols + acts
+ **Pride**: believe **entitled** to salvation
  + bc of how I've **served** God
  + or **suffered** from others

---

# Do I **agonise** over my salvation, or take it for **granted**?

>>>
+ Not just **trying** harder
  + "What more do you **expect** of me, God?"
+ But seeking to know what God **wants**
  + w/attitude of **obedience** + humility

---

## To Know and Be Known [(Lk13)](# "ref")
1. Seeking to Enter [(v22-24)](# "ref")
1. **Known by the Master** [(v25-27)](# "ref")
1. Looking In from the Outside [(v28-30)](# "ref")

>>>
+ So if not all who **seek** to enter **can**,
+ Then what is the **test**?
+ who are the ones who can **enter**?

---

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.’

[Luke 13:25 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Chefchaouen, Mexico. Randy Tarampi](https://unsplash.com/photos/Y05TMi8ZFHA "caption")

>>>
+ Host of lavish **banquet**
+ When festivities **begin**, door is **shut**
  + Who is on the **guest** list?
+ Master is **known** to seekers, but
  + seekers **not** known by master
+ what was the **nature** of the relationship?

---

Then you will begin to say, 
‘We **ate and drank** in your presence, 
and you **taught** in our streets.’

[Luke 13:26 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Aaron Burden](https://unsplash.com/photos/c333d6YEhi0 "caption")

>>>
+ **Enjoyed** blessings from God
  + **provides** abundantly for needs
+ || **read** Bible, listen to sermons
  + **passive**, received from God
+ God **blesses** us, so 
  + He must be **pleased** with us?
+ Parallel in Mt goes even **further**:

---

On that day many will say to me, 
‘Lord, Lord, did we not **prophesy** in your name, 
and **cast out demons** in your name, 
and do many **mighty works** in your name?’

[Matthew 7:22 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Los Angeles. Edwin Andrade](https://unsplash.com/photos/6liebVeAfrY "caption")

>>>
+ (1) prophesy: **preaching**, teach others
+ (2) demons: acts of **healing**, counsel
  + **service**, volunteering
+ (3) perform **miracles** in Jesus' name
  + not just from **own** strength:
+ God **answered** our prayers, so
  + must be **pleased** with us, right?

---

[25](# "ref")
Then he will answer you, 
‘I do not **know** where you come from.’

______

[27](# "ref")
But he will say, 
‘I tell you, I do not **know** where you come from.

[Luke 13:25,27 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Ukraine. Paul Itkin](https://unsplash.com/photos/xCdFXXoZkJc "caption")

>>>
+ "know **you**, where you **come** from": 
  + You're a **stranger**
+ Forgotten Jesus is a **person**:
  + not **vending machine** of blessing
  + not **cosmic power** I can wield
+ Discipleship means **following** Christ
  + 12 discip **lived** w/, learned from 
+ Orient whole **life** around **rl*
  + Not weekly **dose** added to reg life

---

Depart from me, all you **workers of evil**!

[Luke 13:27 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ without that, all my acts of **service**
  + become acts of **evil**
+ parallel passage in **Mt7**:

---

Not everyone who says to me, **‘Lord, Lord,’** 
will enter the kingdom of heaven,

but the one who **does the will** 
of my **Father** who is in heaven.

[Matthew 7:21 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Montreal, CA. Marc-Olivier Jodoin](https://unsplash.com/photos/TStNU7H4UEE "caption")

>>>
+ but what is God's **will**?
  + I **pray**, ask A vs B
  + God doesn't **answer** me
+ what **work** does God want me to do?

---

Do not **work** for the food that perishes,

but for the food that endures to **eternal life**, 
which the **Son of Man** will give to you.

For on him God the Father has set his **seal**.”

[John 6:27-29 (ESV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")
[Geran de Klerk, Gävle, Sweden](https://unsplash.com/photos/WJkc3xZjSXw "caption")

---

Then they said to him, 
“What must we **do**, 
to be doing the **works of God**?”

Jesus answered them, 
“This is the **work** of God, 
that you **believe** in him whom he has **sent**.”

[John 6:27-29 (ESV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ So just **believe** in Jesus?
  + I **do** already!
+ **Faith** in action: show **mercy**:
  + 13:10-17 daughter of Abraham
  + 14:1-6 rescue cow on Sabbath
+ **Obedience**, full **submission** to Christ

---

If anyone wishes to **come after** Me, 
he must **deny** himself, 
and take up his **cross** daily and **follow** Me.

For whoever wishes to **save** his life will **lose** it, 
but whoever **loses** his life for **My sake**, 
he is the one who will **save** it.

[Luke 9:23-24 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Lac d'Anterne, France.  Hugues de Buyer-Mimeure](https://unsplash.com/photos/-wT0iS-TSZM "caption")

>>>
+ Jesus' **call** to disciples:
  + **Follow** Me
+ **Deny** self: 
  + not be **boss** of own life
+ Take up **cross**: put to **death**
  + what remains of **sinful** nature
+ Emulate the **heart** of Christ: His **love**
  + until our love is **perfected**
+ when we see Him **face** to face:

---

For now we see in a mirror **dimly**, 
but then **face to face**.

Now I know in **part**; then I shall know **fully**, 
even as I have been **fully known**.

[1 Corinthians 13:12 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ All the **symbolism** + liturgy of religion
  + doesn't fully **show** us who God is
  + only a **part**
+ To **follow** after Christ means
  + a **relationship** with Him
  + learning His **heart**
+ Not only to **know** of Him
  + but to be **fully known** by Him

---

# Do I seek Christ's **blessings** or **power**, but not His **heart**?

>>>
+ I've **eaten** + drunk in His presence
  + **heard** His Word/teaching
+ prayed and He's **answered**
  + performed **mighty** deeds
+ But do I have a **rl** w/Jesus?
  + **Believe** in Him, faith in **action**
+ **Boss** over every aspect of life
  + **Strive** to emulate His heart

---

## To Know and Be Known [(Lk13)](# "ref")
1. Seeking to Enter [(v22-24)](# "ref")
1. Known by the Master [(v25-27)](# "ref")
1. **Looking In from the Outside** [(v28-30)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **severity** of the consequences

---

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**.

[Luke 13:28 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Silverthorne, CO. Nathan Anderson](https://unsplash.com/photos/mKA3VavSuaI "caption")

>>>
+ gnashing (grinding): **despair**
  + from **finality** of judgment
  + and **regret** over lost opportunity
+ **2nd pl**: not them, but **you**
+ Not those who **reject** Christ and
  + get exactly what they **asked** for
+ But we who **seek** to enter kingdom
  + but never sought to be 
  + **known** by the Master

---

And people will come from **east and west**, 
and from north and south, 
and recline at **table** in the kingdom of God.

And behold, some are **last** who will be **first**, 
and some are **first** who will be **last**.”

[Luke 13:29-30 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Iceland. Davide Cantelli](https://unsplash.com/photos/H3giJcTw__w "caption")

>>>
+ Is **gospel** good news or bad news?
  + Depends on **position** before God
+ **Humble** ourselves before God,
  + and He will **exalt** us
+ To those who **don't** really want 
  + to be part of God's kingdom now:
+ Whether **angry** at God, or 
  + just don't feel we **need** Him
+ **Defiance** in eyes, **flush** of heat
+ Still poss to **yield** to Him as King?
+ **Indignance**: I've yielded on so many other things
  + I just **can't** yield to God now
  + would be **humiliating**, losing **face**
+ JJ: **5min** to calm down, or 5sec
  + then on own admits he was **wrong**
+ We **adults** often need **5mo** or years!

---

He himself **bore our sins** in his body on the tree, 
that we might **die to sin** 
and live to **righteousness**. 
By his wounds you have been healed.

For you were **straying** like sheep, 
but have now **returned** to 
the **Shepherd** and **Overseer** of your souls.

[1 Peter 2:24-25 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Claudio Testa](https://unsplash.com/photos/FrlCwXwbwkk "caption")

>>>
+ If you haven't been **seeking** 
  + to find kingdom of God
+ **Encourage** you, it's not too late for you
+ "It is **finished**": work which **saves** us
  + give us **live** new lives in Him
+ Time to **return**: Shepherd + Overseer
+ **Examine** my heart, lest I

---

# Will I end up on the **outside** of the **banquet** in God's kingdom?

>>>
+ **Many** well-intentioned, pious people
  + richly **blessed** by God
  + **listened** to His World daily
  + even **taught** others about Him
+ Will be caught on the **outside**
  + so this is **important**!

---

**Strive** to enter through the **narrow** door.

For many, I tell you, will **seek** to enter 
and will not be **able**.

[Luke 13:24 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ We've **assumed** will enter Your kingdom
  + going to **church** is good enough
  + **trying** our best to be holy
  + **hearing** Your Word
+ We've **replaced** You with **trappings**
  + of mainstream Chr **culture**
+ Bring our **hearts** back to You: 
  + Father, Teacher, Master
+ Both to **know** You,
  + and be **known** by You

---