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A FEW THINGS

Intro.
1. God wants all men to be saved - 1 Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Pet. 3:9.
2. Yet, most reject the Christ due to spiritual blindness - Jno. 12:37-40.
3. Where will you spend your eternity?

I. JESUS SAID FEW ARE SAVED - Matt. 7:13-14.
  A. It Is A False Security To Think That Everybody Goes To Heaven - Matt. 7:13-14.
  1. How many are saved?
  a. cf. Noah, 1 Pet. 3:20 - 8 out of all the world.
  b. Only Joshua & Caleb entered Canaan out of 2-3 million!
  2. Who goes to heaven? - 7:21-23, 24-27.
  a. 7:21-23 - Those who do the Father's will.
  b. 7:24-27 - These are those who hear & obey Jesus - Heb. 5:9.
  3. The "chosen" are saved - Matt. 20:16; 22:14. Who are they?

  B. Those Who Strive To Enter The Narrow Gate - Lk. 13:23-24 (16:16).
  1. Strive (AV, strive 3, fight 3, labour fervently 1; 7) - "metaph. to contend, struggle, with difficulties and dangers...to endeavour with strenuous zeal, strive: to obtain something" (Thayer).
  a. Against unbelief - Acts 26:27-28 (Agrippa didn't strive to believe).
  b. Against self - Acts 26:9 (Saul strove w/ himself - admitted wrong).
  c. Against sin - cf. Lk. 19:8-10 (Zacchaeus strove against sin!).
  2. Personal choice is being made right now! - Josh. 24:15; 2 Cor. 6:2

II. JESUS SAID THERE ARE FEW LABORERS - Matt. 9:37.
  A. Who Will Truly Care For The Spiritual Welfare Of Others - Phil. 2:19-22 (cf. servant heart - Matt. 20:26-28). Godly motives at work.
  1. Not complacent & lethargic - Zealous - Rom. 12:11.
  2. Stagnation kills a congregation! Will not be saved! - Rev. 3:1

  B. Who Will Serve Instead Of Being Served - 3 Jno. 9-10.
  1. "Rule or ruin" is the motto (real or implied) of too many.
  2. Subtle at times: Ruin reputations, confidence in others, effectiveness of one's influence & the gospel by slander, gossip, opposition to godly work - 3 Jno. 9-10 (prating - "to talk long and idly" (akin to Middle Low German pratten to pout).

  C. Who Will Preach The Whole Counsel Of God - Acts 20:26-28.
  1. Preachers who will preach - 2 Tim. 4:2.
  2. Elders who will feed the flock (not themselves) - Acts 20:28.
  3. Saints who will follow their leadership - Heb. 13:17.

III. JESUS SAID TO BE FAITHFUL OVER A FEW THINGS - Matt. 25:21-23.
  A. The Lord Has Placed Something Into Our Hands To Use In His Service - Matt. 25:14-19, 21, 23, 25-30; cf. Exo. 4:2.
  1. Abilities, possessions, communication skills, labor skills, teaching skills, etc.
  2. Use it to serve the Lord! - cf. Lk. 16:10

Conclusion
1. Rev. 2:14, 20 - Does Jesus have a few things against us?
2. Rev. 3:4 - Or are we among the few who have not defiled themselves? The Lord knows our names!
3. Strive to enter the narrow gate that leads to heaven!! Obey Jesus now!