Sermon for Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Aug. 25, 2013
Proper 16, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wallis, Texas
Sermon Text: Luke 13:22-30
Sermon Theme: “Enter Through the Narrow Door!”
(Sources: Brokhof, Series C, Workbook; Emphasis Online Illustrations; original ideas)
Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Several years ago, people in a town along the Texas Gulf Coast were warned of an approaching hurricane and told to leave their homes and the locality. Most people believed the weather bureau, and, on their advice, left the area. Others, however, refused to heed the warnings and decided to remain. Among those who refused to leave were two groups of people.
One group simply made light of the warnings and prepared a big party with eating, drinking, and entertainment, pretending like nothing was happening. The other group recognized the danger but felt God would protect them if they prayed, so they gathered in their local church to demonstrate their faith in the power of prayer. The hurricane hit the town with a tremendous force and both groups perished!
In our sermon text for today, Jesus exhorts us to have the narrow-door type of faith; otherwise, He doesn’t know where we are coming from. Sometimes our views on faith are distorted. We must realize that our faith can be strengthened by the knowledge and intelligence of others. Yes, the knowledge and intelligence of others.