Does God want us to be afraid? It depends. Some might want to say, “absolutely not, never!” After all, 1st John 4:18 teaches us that God’s perfect love casts out fear! But then comes our Gospel for tomorrow morning. It is one of those Scriptures that doesn’t get a lot of popular press! “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” (Luke 13:24) Wow! Talk about an intimidating Scripture! Jesus came for all, but He teaches as clear as day that not all will enter into salvation. This is not — at first glance — comforting, but scary!

Tomorrow morning, we will sort this out in the sermon and lead you not to less assurance, but to greater assurance of your forgiveness, life, and salvation. At the same time, you’ll be better equipped in knowing the Word of Truth.

Also, come to receive that which assures you that you will indeed enter through the narrow door, as the DOOR Himself will be opened to you and given to you in His very body and very blood for the forgiveness of sins.

Hope to see you all in God’s house tomorrow morning.

Here is an excerpt from tomorrow’s sermon:

“Struggle To Enter Through The Narrow Door”

(Luke 13:22-30)

Pastor Alfonso O. Espinosa

            Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Luke 13:24: “[Jesus said] Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” And from Luke 13:30: “And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” In speaking of these words from Luke 13, Luther remarked: “It is to frighten the greatest saints (Buls, Exegetical Notes, Series C Luke-John, 46).” Evidently, God clearly intends to frighten! Now this seems counter-intuitive to the Gospel and frankly contradictory to other parts of Scripture. For example in 1^st John 4:18: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” Who could blame you if you’re now just a little confused? Here’s the summary so far:

 

1. Jesus taught that many people will not be able to enter through the narrow door for salvation. That’s scary!
2. Jesus also taught that those who are “first” – people who should be in the perfect position to have eternal life and salvation – will not be saved and will be treated as “last.” Again, scary!
3. Luther says that these Scriptures are designed “to frighten the greatest saints.”
4. However, 1^st John 4:18 speaks of God casting out fear. Consider also such passages as Romans 8:1 teaching that there is now no condemnation for you who are in Christ Jesus! Furthermore, Jesus tenderly and compassionately calls you to Himself: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).” How can it be said that Jesus wants you to be afraid?!
5. But these two biblical ideas remain and both are true:
   1. God wants you to be afraid AND
   2. God does not want you to be afraid.

 

Not only does this seem to contradict basic logic, but it doesn’t settle well in our souls.

 

             My daddy was so loving that I knew I always had access to him. And as a little boy I was bold to climb on him when he sprawled out on the living room floor; or hold onto his arm hanging over the sofa; or playing “barber shop” with his hair when he came home from work (he seemed to enjoy my spraying a little water into his hair as I combed it back…I think he found it relaxing). In all of these scenarios, I simply never feared my daddy. Love had cast out all fear.

 

           But there were entirely different instances when I did what I should not have done. One time, he disciplined me after I tried to put back into place that which I had no permission to use. He saw the evidence and called me to come outside. I’ll never forget, I came out a little nervous thinking, “How could he possibly know what I did?!” But this was my dad; he had his way. Traci has told our kids that she has eyes at the back of her head…and sometimes I think it is true! God definitely helps parents be parents!

 

           Well, my dad called me out and said, “So, do you want to tell me about your little escapade?” And I said – in all truth and sincerity – “what’s an escapade?” My ex-Marine dad half-grinned (sort of) while making it clear that he was not pleased – even as I knew I was busted – and told me to go back inside, get a dictionary, look up “escapade,” and then come back out. It was an ingenious move, because it prolonged my trepidation. I was having one of those experiences I never wanted to have again. And I look back and I realize that in that instance I was afraid.

 

In that particular instance, under those unique circumstances, I think he wanted me to be afraid.

 

            So, my dad did not want me to be afraid and he did want me to be afraid. It all depended on the circumstances in my relationship with him, and he was an awesome dad!

        Similarly, we need to understand the circumstances of Luke 13. Jesus was – so to speak – addressing a very dangerous spiritual escapade that sinners play around with.

In Your Service and To Christ’s Glory,

Pastor Espinosa