Lord, Are They Few That Be Saved?” communion msg.

In this part of the sermon: The first perspective of Christ's answer is the universal scope of the kingdom, pictured as a great homecoming feast where people come from all points of the compass, a multitude…

The kingdom of God is likened to a great homecoming feast in the South, where relatives gather from all directions to eat and fellowship, illustrating the universal scope and joyful gathering of the saved.

Our Lord does so with respect to three fundamental perspectives with regard to the kingdom of God. And the first one is this, the universal scope of the kingdom of God. Our Lord here asserts that there will be a gathering together in the final manifestation of the kingdom that will be like a great homecoming feast. Now some of you poor Yankees don't know.

8:35 - 9:05 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The third perspective is the underlying principle by which the kingdom is constituted: 'There are last who shall be first, and there are first who shall be last.' This highlights…

Jesus' words about many widows in Israel being bypassed for a Gentile widow of Zarephath illustrate the principle of 'last who shall be first' in God's conferral of grace.

who shall be last, that is, who will be utterly bypassed in terms of the conferral of grace. Now this has been true all the way through both Testaments. Were there not, Jesus says, many widows in the days of the prophet? But unto none of them was God sent.

26:49 - 27:11 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The principle by which God extends His kingdom is one which is calculated to underscore both His grace and His sovereignty. And to magnify, we may say, the sovereignty of His grace and the graciousness of His sovereignty…

The example of many lepers in Israel being bypassed for Naaman the Syrian further illustrates God's sovereign choice to bless those 'last in privilege'.

Were there not many lepers in the days of Naaman the Syrian?

27:27 - 27:30 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The principle by which God extends His kingdom is one which is calculated to underscore both His grace and His sovereignty. And to magnify, we may say, the sovereignty of His grace and the graciousness of His sovereignty…

The pagan sailors on Jonah's ship, who responded to God's power with minimal truth, are presented as an example of those 'last in privilege, first in grace'.

I'm talking about the fact that with a very minimal measure of truth, as in the case of Naaman, as in the case of others recorded in the Old Testament. You look at those sailors on that ship with Jonah. When they see the mighty power of God and even have a testimony of a backslidden prophet, they throw their gobs overboard and they sacrifice unto Jehovah and they make vows. There was a handful, a shipload of pagan sailors last in privilege, first in grace.

30:29 - 31:06 Read in full sermon

The point: As we come to the Lord's table, remember such a Savior who had us upon His heart.

Many in the congregation, raised in 'American paganism' with no Christian background, are presented as living monuments of being 'last in privilege' but 'first in grace'.

Many of us, we were last in privilege as we have sat as elders and heard the testimony of some of you from totally pagan backgrounds. The name of Christ was nothing but a foul curse word. You never had a Bible verse taught to you. You never memorized one as a child.

38:47 - 39:07 Read in full sermon

The point: If you are not saved, strive to enter the narrow door, counting no cost too great.

A story of a missionary friend praying with tears for young people, acknowledging God's election but still desiring all to come, illustrates the balance between sovereign grace and human compassion.

And we share with Him in the fellowship of His sufferings the pain of wanting to bring all while only some come. I'll never forget kneeling in prayer with a dear friend of mine who has served God in another country for years and we met at a conference and he was pleading with God for a number of young people. It was in a young people's conference where we were gathered. We were gathered together and with tears I remember him pleading Oh God, Oh God I know that from eternity you've set your love upon a people and that your Son died for them and that you will infallibly draw them but Lord I can'...

43:22 - 44:05 Read in full sermon