The Italian Memorandum

“And someone said to him, Lord will those who are saved be few?
And he said to them, Strive to enter through the narrow door”

(Luke 13:23,24)

Introduction: Although Luke 13:22 is not specific, research suggests that Jesus is now mostly in Perea (the Trans-Jordanian regions). He never loses sight of Luke 9:51.

The Question (13:22,23)

A. About _______________

B. And ________________

Jesus’ Response – 4 Points (13:24-30)

1. “the ___________________ door” (13:24)

2. The door is time __________________ (13:25)

3. The door is about more than _________________
(13:25b-26)

4. The door is ______________________ (13:28-30)

a. of the kingdom of God
b. of universal relevance
c. of ironic implications

Conclusion: Remember—shocked at the gate…knocked too late. And the door was made of wood. Have you been to that door? Have you entered through it (John 10:9)?

“You will be enriched in every way…”

(2 Corinthians 9:11)

Someone has said, If your joy is waning, you’re not sharing your faith. In Philemon 6, Paul urges Philemon to live what he believes—“…and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective…” If Paul, the prisoner of the State, because of Christ, could speak of joy and rejoicing from a first-century prison cell, how is it that we, who are free and materially blessed, have trouble locating joy?

Three biblical directives to enrich your life:

1. Enrichment comes by being invested in other people’s lives (2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Philemon 6,7)

2. Enrichment comes to those who can see beyond themselves and live in grace (2 Corinthians 9:8,14).

3. Enrichment comes through the gift of God, through Christ, and your confessional living of this gospel of Christ (2 Corinthians 9:13-15).

Isn’t it time for you to experience the joy of Christ? “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).

– Robert M. Housby

“What is the kingdom of God like?”

(Luke 13:18)

Introduction: Relating faith to life is the main problem (agree?) Luke 13:18-21 is about two very important parables for learning redemptive living.

I. Parables prompt us to ask—What’s going on here?
[Allowing us to ask the same of our own _________.]

II. Luke 13:18-19— Is it worth it?
[The question seems to hinge upon ___.]

III. Luke 13:20-21— Does it matter?
[Will it ____________ anything?]

Conclusion: Is it worth it? and, Does it matter? are valid questions. But, they are ultimately selfish questions. The kingdom of God is about His will (see Matthew 6:10). The kingdom always matters!

“The Deliverer will come from [to] Zion”

(Romans 11:26/Isaiah 59:20)

Introduction: A careful reading of Luke 13:10-17 points out the various reactions which people had toward Jesus as the promised Messiah/Redeemer.

I. Redemption review –

A. Only Luke’s Gospel emphasizes ______________
(1:68; 24:21).

B. Redemption involves:

1:71, 73 ______________________________
1:77 ______________________________
2:28 ______________________________
21:28 ______________________________
24:21 ______________________________

II. Reactions toward Jesus in Luke 13:10-17 -

13:13 “… and she ___________ God”

13:14 “…but the ruler of the synagogue, __________”

13:17 “…his adversaries were put to _____________”

13:17b “…all the people ____________”

Conclusions: Some are cured; some are angered; some are shamed; and some rejoiced. What would your reaction have been towards Jesus as Messiah/Redeemer?

(Figs – Fiscus carica L.; Hebrew – te’enah, to spread out)

“Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.”

(Luke 13:9)

Introduction: What could a fig tree possibly have to do with living redemptive lives? Try to remember the first time you read of figs in the Bible. Luke 13:6-9 carries extreme theological implications.

1. 13:6 This parable teaches that God has __________.

2. 13:7 That God is a ________________________.

3. 13:8 That God is, also, an ___________________.

4. 13:9 That God will make a __________________.

Conclusion: Be sure to note that within this parable everything is based upon a word of ultimate significance. That one word is karpos, translated “fruit.” Fruit has always been a deciding factor (Genesis 3:1-7).

“Make a joyful noise to the LORD”

(Psalm 100:1; compare Psalm 150)

“…but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart…”

(Ephesians 5:18-19)

The Old Testament placed emphasis on instrumental music in certain instances. The classic example of this is 1 Samuel 16:14-23, where King Saul would call for David’s lyre to soothe him from a recurrent evil spirit (depression?). The nature of the Old Testament, itself, was but a shadow of the better covenant to come under Christ (as predicted by Jeremiah, 31:31-34; Hebrews 9:1; 10:1; especially see 9:11).

But, New Testament worship would be different, as prophesied, and as implemented, under the doctrine of the apostles (Acts 2:42). In this regard, we may see a shift away from mere carnal sacrifices and offering to more spiritually based worship. For example, instead of incense—prayers; instead of animals—Jesus; instead of mechanical instruments—the heart (see Ephesians 5:19).

The kind of music that God desires today, that is, what he has ordered for church worship, is specified by Paul—“I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also” (1 Cor. 12:15).

– Robert M. Housby