Christ’s Love, Our Calling Love Speaks
7 Week Emphasis Sermon 1 of 7
Date to be preached: August 25, 2013 (Pentecost 14C)
Text: Luke 13:22-30
Theme of Week: Love Speaks Precisely
Sermon Option 1 for Introducing the Series
Love Speaks Precisely: Enter through the Narrow Door
I. For the confusion is great
II. For the gate is narrow
Grace, mercy, and peace are yours, from God our Father through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Ponder that for a moment. Grace, mercy, and peace are yours. Why? Because Jesus loves you. And that
changes your life. That gives you purpose, a calling.
Today, we start a series of worship services and Bible studies under year four of our synod’s “Christ’s
Love, Our Calling” stewardship program. And the series this year reminds us that when we ponder
Christ’s love and our calling, it’s a natural thing for love to speak. For seven weeks, we’ll be learning
from God’s Word just how love speaks. Today, let’s take Jesus’ words to heart that love speaks precisely
about what it is all about.
You see, on this amazing day when we will hear the promises of eight new members joining our
congregation, as exciting as that is, Jesus shows us that our relationship with God is not just about some
external connection to a church or an organization, even though that’s a great thing. What really
matters is the heart relying on the only Way—the gate, the door, our Savior. It all depends on which door
we’re trying to get through. You saw that in the text, didn’t you? Jesus talks about the narrow door,
about the door we’ll want to be entering before it’s too late. It’s all about the right door. You know, one
of our new members today likes to tell the story about how last year at the Fuzz Run we had the
conversation about how pretty this building is and how she really liked those doors out there. And I told
her that the doors worked—they opened up. So the next day, she was at church here for the first time.
She came through those doors because of how pretty they were and how many times we’d invited her—
but then she came back. And this time not because of those big mahogany doors out there, but because
when she got in she was shown the Door, the Gate, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. She was shown
Jesus.
[Generic alternate: You see, as a church body and as a church, as we undertake a series about love
speaking, it might be easy to get caught up talking about getting people through these doors, growing
our congregations in numbers, more people in the pews. But that isn’t at all what Jesus is talking about,
is it? Jesus talks about getting through a door that really matters, a door he describes as narrow, a door
he makes clear we will definitely want to enter before it is too late. It is all about the door that is Jesus.
So . . . ]
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith
we also believe and therefore speak. (2 Corinthians 4:13)
Christ’s Love, Our Calling Love Speaks
7 Week Emphasis Sermon 1 of 7
Throughout this series, as we consider the reasons for and ways in which love speaks, remember what it
is we are speaking. We are speaking precisely to point all to the narrow door, the one door to eternal
life.
Look at verse 24. Jesus says, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door.”
Love Speaks Precisely. As the text was read, did you notice how careful Jesus was in making sure that
everyone understands exactly what he is talking about? He loved them enough to reach out to them
with his time and work, so he wants to make sure that they get what he is saying—that no one misses
the point. Love speaks precisely, because as our text makes clear, the Confusion is Great.
It comes up in every single series of our Bible information class—that question-based, in-depth study of
12 key teachings of Scripture for new members. And it’s a great question. It’s a question that shows
love and concern and a wrestling with the truths of Scripture. “What about those other people—those
people on the other side of the world that haven’t ever really studied the Bible, or even heard of it?”
You’ll have to come to Bible information class to hear the scriptural answer to that one, but look at what
Jesus does with a similar question in our text. He says, “Don’t worry about them for a minute. What
about you? Are you getting it? Are you finding the True Door?” Jesus makes the issue so personal. “You,
you, the one asking the question about all the others, you . . . make every effort to enter through the
narrow door . . . because there are plenty of people who think they are in but will find themselves
outside.”
Now that’s a scary thought, isn’t it? You see, the people of Jesus’ day did not get it. In the section before
our text in Luke 13, Jesus had been turning their worlds upside down. He told them that the crippled
woman they figured must have been a worthless sinner was actually a child of Abraham. And then he
showed that the synagogue ruler they thought had it all together didn’t at all get what religion was all
about! What?! Their minds were spinning, so as they’re trying to get it, the man asked his question.
Verse 23: “Are only a few going to be saved?”
Looking at Jesus’ reaction, the key word in this man’s question was not what the asker saw as the key to
his question. It’s the word “saved.” Looking at how Jesus answers, they must not have understood what
that word means. Sadly, all too many today don’t get it either, which is why we need to speak precisely.
Look at Christ’s answer. Jesus says there will be those in the judgment saying, “We’re saved, Jesus.
We’ve always been yours. We talked about you. We hung out with you. Your teaching was right there.”
And Jesus twice has to tell them, “I never knew you.” He calls what they had been doing “evil,” saying
they never had a relationship with him.
In Jesus’ day, it was the Pharisees and the ones like them who did all the religious activity without trust,
without realizing what that word “saved” meant. In our day, we clearly see both extremes, with the
disciples of Oprah on one side, who are “spiritual but not religious” saying that they have inner
spirituality and don’t need to really spend time in God’s Word or worship because it’s all about a feeling
they have. And sure, it sounds good to be spiritual, and it’s easy to get caught up agreeing instead of
calling them on their lie because there is that shred of truth, that it’s not about the formalities of church
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith
we also believe and therefore speak. (2 Corinthians 4:13)
Christ’s Love, Our Calling Love Speaks
7 Week Emphasis Sermon 1 of 7
but about the relationship with God. The problem is just calling yourself spiritual doesn’t really mean
anything without the Word.
And then there are those that are “religious but not spiritual,” the ones going through the motions,
doing what appears to be good, and following all the rules—even sometimes making up some more—
but they don’t get that word “saved” either, because neither group really sees their need for it. It’s hard
to speak precisely to them too, because what they are doing looks pretty good. But love speaks
precisely. Of course, no one said orthodoxy (speaking the truth) would be easy. But Jesus says it’s vital.
Think about it. For both groups, it’s as if they are thinking that they are enjoying life lying on the beach,
not realizing that it is quicksand swallowing them. They tell themselves that they are out for a calm
swim, not realizing that they are three feet under water and their lungs are beginning to fill. It’s like
those life rings that you see on the wall at the hotel pool or on the deck of a ship. You think nothing of
them until you are the one gasping for air, realizing that you are about to die, drowning in the water, as
your arms are flailing and you can’t do anything to keep the sea from filling your lungs and taking your
life. Then, all of a sudden, you would rather have that life ring and someone pulling you up by it than all
the money or popularity or religiosity in the world. That’s when you clearly understand that word
“saved.” Your salvation is not about a decision you made on a certain day when you “got saved.” It’s
simply the total reliance on that life ring, on your Savior, Jesus, who died on that cross to rescue you
from hell and rose to give you heaven.
Thank God that Jesus slaps us in the face today and speaks precisely about that—“you enter through the
narrow door”—because that same Pharisaical problem can overtake us as our religion gets caught up in
building projects, bylaws, and budgets instead of the narrow door efforts. And so easily that life ring of
Christ simply becomes decoration by the side of the pool, or a piece of jewelry around our neck or art on
our wall, even when we so desperately need him for a relationship with God.
That’s what Jesus says. The way to heaven is narrow. It is only through the One who called himself the
“Gate.” So see that narrow door, and speak that narrow door. Orthodoxy is vital . . . not easy.
In Israel, in that little town of Bethlehem, there stands a massive church, the Church of the Nativity. And
on its exterior you can see the arch from a grand entrance that once welcomed hundreds of worshippers
through it. Then, somewhere during the Ottoman period, the wide arch entrance to the church was
filled in with stone and now in its place stands what is known as “The Door of Humility,” a door so short
and narrow that you have to enter one at a time and every adult coming to worship there must bow
before the thought of what is said to have taken place on that site. God became man. The life ring was
thrown into the water of this earth. How great is our God!
That’s why we sing, “In Christ alone my hope is found . . . In Christ alone—who took on flesh, fullness of
God in helpless babe. This gift of love and righteousness, scorned by the ones he came to save. Till on
that cross, as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied” (CWS 752). That thought makes our hearts bow
in thanks to our God that he has pointed us to this narrow gate, the only Way and Truth and Life (John
14:6) . . . only Christ.
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith
we also believe and therefore speak. (2 Corinthians 4:13)
Christ’s Love, Our Calling Love Speaks
7 Week Emphasis Sermon 1 of 7
And he still today shows us the way. He invites us through the narrow door standing open in the Means
of Grace, through the waters of baptism and this precious book, through the bread and wine. He has us
look and see Christ, our Savior. He has saved us.
Now that we get that word, back to the question. Verse 23: “Are only a few going to be saved, Lord?”
Still Jesus somewhat avoids the question of number. Look at verse 29. Jesus says, “People will come
from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of
God.” Regardless of number, they will come from all over—from every background and every nation—
so there is not a one to which you cannot show this narrow door.
In fact, Jesus goes on and shows that we dare not try to judge by appearances to whom we speak
precisely. Verse 30: “Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”
Some of those that appear to have it all together like that synagogue ruler, who seem like they’d be first
in, may just be found outside. But some of those that we’d expect to not have a chance like that crippled
woman, by the miracle of God’s grace, will be first, because it is not about what we do or who we are,
but about what our God has done for us.
The stakes are high. The road is wide open for confusion about what church is all about or
misunderstanding of what God expects. But there is the narrow door. Today, see that the narrow door is
open, and every time you enter through those big mahogany doors back there, this is the door to which
you’re pointed [point to cross]—to this door [point to font], that puts God’s name on you and points you
to the Narrow Door, through this door [point to Bible] that shows you the One who used the wood of
the cross to make your door to heaven, and here [point to the altar], where with bread and wine, body
and blood, you are refocused on the one and only way, the narrow door.
May God bless you as you fight all the distractions and enter through him. And then, when you go out
from these doors today, let your love speak precisely of the Way and the Truth and the Life. And come
back next week as we see our love speak confidently because Christ’s love is our calling.
In Christ, your Savior. Amen.
Sermon Option 2: Stand-Alone Sermon
Love Speaks Precisely: Enter through the Narrow Door
I. For the confusion is great
II. For the gate is narrow
They said it was time to hit the road, so she went outside, picked up a stick and starting “hitting the
road.” The lady she was working for told her to make some chocolate chip cookies, so she got the
chocolate bar and potato chips and went to work on “chocolate, chip cookies.” She needed some help
“pitching the tent” because it was too heavy for her to lift and throw all by herself. And she didn’t get
very far “rowing the boat” because it was so hard for her to drag them on shore to make a straight
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith
we also believe and therefore speak. (2 Corinthians 4:13)
Christ’s Love, Our Calling Love Speaks
7 Week Emphasis Sermon 1 of 7
“row.” Do you know who I’m talking about? At one time in your life or another, I’m guessing you’ve
heard one of those stories about Amelia Bedelia, that lovable children’s book character who wanted to
do what she was told—she wanted to do what was right and she was always sure that she had—but in
reality, she just didn’t get it.
And for a children’s book character, that’s okay. It’s funny. But when it happens in real life, it is no
laughing matter. Has it ever happened where you thought you were doing what you were told, but in
the end it wasn’t at all what it was supposed to be? You just didn’t get it. Our gospel lesson today drove
home the scary seriousness of that situation. We read from Luke 13, as Jesus was on his way toward
Jerusalem for his death, taking the time and the love to reach out to all those in the towns on the way
and teaching them. Let’s look at his message. I’ll read verse 24 again: “He said to them, ‘Make every
effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able
to.’”
Love Speaks Precisely. In that whole text, did you notice how careful Jesus is in making sure that
everyone understands exactly what he is talking about? He loved them enough to reach out to them
with his time and work, so he wants to make sure that they get what he is saying—that no one misses
the point—because, as our text makes clear, the Confusion is Great.
It comes up in every single series of our Bible information class—that question-based, in-depth study of
12 key teachings of Scripture for new members. And it’s a great question. It’s a question that shows
love and concern and a wrestling with the truths of Scripture. “What about those other people—those
people on the other side of the world that haven’t ever really studied the Bible, or even heard of it?”
You’ll have to come to Bible information class to hear the scriptural answer to that one, but look at what
Jesus does with a similar question in our text. He says, “Don’t worry about them for a minute. What
about you? Are you getting it? Are you finding the True Door? Or are you Amelia Bedelia-ing your way
through a religious life?” Jesus makes the issue so personal. “You, you, the one asking the question
about all the others, you . . . make every effort to enter through the narrow door . . . because there are
plenty of people who think they are in but will find themselves outside.”
Now that’s a scary thought, isn’t it? You see, the people of Jesus’ day did not get it. In the section before
our text in Luke 13, Jesus had been turning their worlds upside down. He told them that the crippled
woman they figured must have been a worthless sinner was actually a child of Abraham. And then he
showed that the synagogue ruler they thought had it all together didn’t at all get what religion was all
about! What?! Their minds were spinning, so as they’re trying to get it, the man asked his question.
Verse 23: “Are only a few going to be saved?”
Looking at Jesus’ reaction, the key word in this man’s question was not what the asker saw as the key to
his question. It’s the word “saved.” Looking at how Jesus answers, they must not have understood what
that word means. Sadly, all too many today don’t get it either, which is why we need to speak precisely.
Look at Christ’s answer. Jesus says there will be those in the judgment saying, “We’re saved, Jesus.
We’ve always been yours. We talked about you. We hung out with you. Your teaching was right there.”
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith
we also believe and therefore speak. (2 Corinthians 4:13)
Christ’s Love, Our Calling Love Speaks
7 Week Emphasis Sermon 1 of 7
And Jesus twice has to tell them, “I never knew you.” He calls what they had been doing “evil,” saying
they never had a relationship with him.
In Jesus’ day, it was the Pharisees and the ones like them who did all the religious activity without trust,
without realizing what that word “saved” meant. In our day, we clearly see both extremes, with the
disciples of Oprah on one side, who are “spiritual but not religious” saying that they have inner
spirituality and don’t need to really spend time in God’s Word or worship because it’s all about a feeling
they have. And sure, it sounds good to be spiritual, and it’s easy to get caught up agreeing instead of
calling them on their lie because there is that shred of truth, that it’s not about the formalities of church
but about the relationship with God. The problem is just calling yourself spiritual doesn’t really mean
anything without the Word.
And then there are those that are “religious but not spiritual,” the ones going through the motions,
doing what appears to be good, and following all the rules—even sometimes making up some more—
but they don’t get that word “saved” either, because neither group really sees their need for it. It’s hard
to speak precisely to them too, because what they are doing looks pretty good. But love speaks
precisely. Of course, no one said orthodoxy (speaking the truth) would be easy. But Jesus says it’s vital.
Think about it. For both groups, it’s as if they are thinking that they are enjoying life lying on the beach,
not realizing that it is quicksand swallowing them. They tell themselves that they are out for a calm
swim, not realizing that they are three feet under water and their lungs are beginning to fill. It’s like
those life rings that you see on the wall at the hotel pool or on the deck of a ship. You think nothing of
them until you are the one gasping for air, realizing that you are about to die, drowning in the water, as
your arms are flailing and you can’t do anything to keep the sea from filling your lungs and taking your
life. Then, all of a sudden, you would rather have that life ring and someone pulling you up by it than all
the money or popularity or religiosity in the world. That’s when you clearly understand that word
“saved.” Your salvation is not about a decision you made on a certain day when you “got saved.” It’s
simply the total reliance on that life ring, on your Savior, Jesus, who died on that cross to rescue you
from hell and rose to give you heaven.
Thank God that Jesus slaps us in the face today and speaks precisely about that—“you enter through the
narrow door”—because that same Pharisaical problem can overtake us as our religion gets caught up in
building projects, bylaws, and budgets instead of the narrow door efforts. And so easily that life ring of
Christ simply becomes decoration by the side of the pool, or a piece of jewelry around our neck or art on
our wall, even when we so desperately need him for a relationship with God.
That’s what Jesus says. The way to heaven is narrow. It is only through the One who called himself the
“Gate.” So see that narrow door, and speak that narrow door. Orthodoxy is vital . . . not easy.
In Israel, in that little town of Bethlehem, there stands a massive church, the Church of the Nativity. And
on its exterior you can see the arch from a grand entrance that once welcomed hundreds of worshippers
through it. Then, somewhere during the Ottoman period, the wide arch entrance to the church was
filled in with stone and now in its place stands what is known as “The Door of Humility,” a door so short
and narrow that you have to enter one at a time and every adult coming to worship there must bow
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith
we also believe and therefore speak. (2 Corinthians 4:13)
Christ’s Love, Our Calling Love Speaks
7 Week Emphasis Sermon 1 of 7
before the thought of what is said to have taken place on that site. God became man. The life ring was
thrown into the water of this earth. How great is our God!
That’s why we sing, “In Christ alone my hope is found . . . In Christ alone—who took on flesh, fullness of
God in helpless babe. This gift of love and righteousness, scorned by the ones he came to save. Till on
that cross, as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied” (CWS 752). That thought makes our hearts bow
in thanks to our God that he has pointed us to this narrow gate, the only Way and Truth and Life (John
14:6) . . . only Christ.
And he still today shows us the way. He invites us through the narrow door standing open in the Means
of Grace, through the waters of baptism and this precious book, through the bread and wine. He has us
look and see Christ, our Savior. He has saved us.
Now that we get that word, back to the question. Verse 23: “Are only a few going to be saved, Lord?”
Still Jesus somewhat avoids the question of number. Look at verse 29. Jesus says, “People will come
from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of
God.” Regardless of number, they will come from all over—from every background and every nation—
so there is not a one to which you cannot show this narrow door.
In fact, Jesus goes on and shows that we dare not try to judge by appearances to whom we speak
precisely. Verse 30: “Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”
Some of those that appear to have it all together like that synagogue ruler, who seem like they’d be first
in, may just be found outside. But some of those that we’d expect to not have a chance like that crippled
woman, by the miracle of God’s grace, will be first, because it is not about what we do or who we are,
but about what our God has done for us.
The stakes are high. The road is wide open for confusion about what church is all about or
misunderstanding of what God expects. But there is the narrow door. Today, see that the narrow door is
open, and every time you enter through those big mahogany doors back there, this is the door to which
you’re pointed [point to cross]—to this door [point to font], that puts God’s name on you and points you
to the Narrow Door, through this door [point to Bible] that shows you the One who used the wood of
the cross to make your door to heaven, and here [point to the altar], where with bread and wine, body
and blood, you are refocused on the one and only way, the narrow door.
May God bless you as you fight all the distractions and enter through him. And then, when you go out
from these doors today, let your love speak precisely of the Way and the Truth and the Life. And come
back next week as we see our love speak confidently because Christ’s love is our calling.
In Christ, your Savior. Amen.
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith
we also believe and therefore speak. (2 Corinthians 4:13)