Are There Few that Be Saved?
A Sermon on Luke 13:23-28
Originally preached March 27, 1960
Scripture
23Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24¶ Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25When once the master of …
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Luke 13:23–28 titled “Are There Few That Be Saved?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on Christ answering a man’s question: “how many will be saved?” Instances like these, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, allow the believer to see how Jesus walked and talked on Earth. These conversations are important because understanding how Christ acted clues Christians into how He has always been, since the beginning, and for eternity. Jesus answers, “Strive to enter through the narrow door.” Dr. Lloyd-Jones, however, wants to know why Christ answered so strangely. He didn’t quote a number or provide a list of names. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says Jesus didn’t answer because the question wasn’t important. It doesn’t matter how many people will be saved, but rather if the one asking will be saved. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that these types of questions reveal a person’s heart. The man asking Jesus wasn’t interested salvation. He wanted to approach Christ as an equal, to discuss matters of philosophy or theology. He concludes by saying that Jesus isn’t interested in discussion. His opinion is the only opinion that matters, and when it comes to salvation, Christ wants to see to a person’s soul, to show him or her His redemptive love.
Sermon Breakdown
- The devil is subtle and seeks to prevent people from believing in Jesus.
- The devil encourages interest in Christianity along the wrong lines to prevent salvation.
- A wrong interest in salvation is as hopeless as no interest at all.
- Salvation must be approached in a personal manner, not theoretically.
- Salvation is about one's relationship with Jesus, not just interest in Christian principles.
- One must know Jesus as Savior, by seeing one's need for Him and one's sin.
- One must also know Jesus as Lord, by following Him and obeying Him.
- A true interest in salvation has an urgent, pressing quality.
- The gate of salvation is open now but will one day be shut; there is no second chance.
- Many will be left outside, weeping and gnashing their teeth in hell.
- One must strive and agonize to enter the narrow gate of salvation.
- Have you been convicted of your sin? Troubled about your soul?
- Have you confessed your sin to God and received His free offer of salvation?
- Are you willing to follow Christ no matter the cost?
Other Sermons
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.