“Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:” Luke 13:23-25

In my last article I discussed our Lord’s answer to the question, “Lord, are there few that be saved?” His reply was “Strive to enter in at the strait gate”.

Asahel Nettleton {1783-1844} has some interesting comments from his sermon on this text entitled, The Certain Ruin of All Who Do Not Seek Salvation Aright.

Nettleton gives six reasons in outline form in which sinners may, and do seek, and yet fail of salvation.

1. They do not seek salvation as a thing of the first importance.

2. Some seek to enter heaven by attempting to establish a righteousness of their own.

3. Some deny the necessity of regeneration. They intend to maintain, what is called a good moral life, but they do not believe in the necessity of a change of heart.

4. Many will not be able to enter heaven, because they do not seek in season. They may make great exertions, but they are too late.

5. Many who seek to enter heaven will not be able, because they are not willing to part with all for Christ.

6. Some seek for a time, and then drop the subject.

Then he makes this startling statement; “No preacher ever made the way to heaven more difficult than the Son of God. Who was it that said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven? Who was it that said, “Wide is the gate, and broad is the way which leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat? And who uttered the words of the text? {Luke 13:23-25} If any preacher attempts to show an easier way to heaven than by the strait gate of regeneration, and the narrow way of self denial, you may know that he does not preach the gospel.”

Just how many preachers are truly preaching the gospel today according to Asahel Nettleton?

And how many people will seek to enter in, and shall not be able?

Brother Shawn

You can listen to a reading of this sermon on Sermonaudio

The Certain Ruin of All Who Do Not Seek Salvation Aright.