Luke 13
Main Theme
The Kingdom is coming.
Outline
- Repent or Perish (1-9)
- Key Verse - No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will likewise perish. (v. 3)
- Some thought people who faced trials and suffering were worse sinners and were being punished for their sins. Jesus explains that all are sinners. In light of his coming, all must repent of their sin and place their faith in him. Otherwise, they, too, will perish as they suffer God’s just punishment for their sin.
- The Future of the Kingdom (10-21)
- Key Verses - He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 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.…It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.” (vv. 18-19 & 21)
- The Kingdom of God was inaugurated at Jesus’s birth and will be consummated at his return. As the gospel goes forth, God will continue to grow His kingdom. Though it started small with little influence on the world, it has and will continue to grow in size, influence, and blessing as God saves people by His grace through faith in Jesus.
- Entering the Kingdom (22-35)
- Key Verse - Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. (v. 24)
- Many people want to be a part of God’s kingdom, but few are willing to endure the cost. Salvation and the promise of eternity in God’s kingdom are by grace alone and through faith in Jesus alone. It is a free gift that costs you your life. You cannot earn your way into heaven, but following Jesus faithfully does take hard work. Following Jesus means you continually make war against your sin, labor in loving others and putting them first, and strive to proclaim and live out the gospel.
Gospel Connection
At his first coming, Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom of God. This kingdom is not a kingdom of land. It is the reign of God in the hearts of those He saves by His grace through faith in Jesus. Colossians 1:13-14 says He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. There are only two kingdoms in the world: God’s and Satan’s. Because we are born with a sinful nature, we are all born into Satan’s kingdom, but by His grace through faith in Jesus, God saves us from our sin, redeems us, rescues us from Satan’s kingdom, and places us into His kingdom for eternity.
Whole Bible Connection
A thread that runs throughout the Bible is that God is building a people who will love and glorify Him. We see this through Israel in the Old Testament, but throughout the Old Testament, there are glimpses pointing to God adding people from other nations to be a part of His people. In Malachi 3:16-18 God’s Word says, Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. God’s people are those who fear Him, place their faith in Jesus, and pursue righteousness. For them, God will spare them and make them His treasured possession for all eternity.
Key Takeaways
Repent and put your faith in Jesus. Jesus states that anyone who does not repent of their sin and put their faith in him will perish. All of us have sinned, but forgiveness is found in Jesus.
Be a kingdom builder. God will continue building His kingdom. Our responsibility is to submit ourselves to Him and focus on building His kingdom instead of our own individual castles.
Work hard for God's glory. Salvation is a gracious gift from God. Therefore, if we have received such a great gift, we should delight in striving to glorify God in all areas of life.