ARE ONLY A FEW PEOPLE GOING TO BE SAVED?
Luke 13:23

  I.  Background

     A.  A recent poll said that 50% of all people think that they will go
to heaven.

     B.  Not everyone who thinks he will enter the kingdom of heaven will do
so; only those who do God's will.  Matthew 7:2

     C.  Many will try to enter the straight gate; only a few will enter. 
Luke 13:24

  II. Principles of Salvation

     A.  All people "can" be saved.

          1.  Whosoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 
Romans 10:13

          2.  God is not willing that any should perish.  1 Peter 3:3

          3.  God would have all men saved and come to a knowledge of
the truth.  2 Timothy 2:4

    B.  All people "will not" be saved.

         1.  Many  will try to enter in and will be unable to go in.  verse 24

         2.  Cornelius was a God fearing man but he was not saved until he
was baptized into the Lord. Acts 9:6, 10-48

         3.  It is clear that all CAN be saved but all WILL NOT be saved.

    C.  Some people that we do not expect will be saved.

         1.  The woman at the well John 8

         2.  The thief on the cross Luke 23:43

         3.  Zaccheus, the tax collector Luke 19

         4.  The beggar, Lazarus Luke 16:16

    D.  Some people that we expect will not be saved.

         1.  The rich young ruler Matthew 19  

         2.  The elder brother Luke 16

    E.  Not everyone who thinks he is going to heaven will get there.

         1.  Do I search the scriptures daily?  Acts 17:1

         2.  Let him that thinks he stand take heed lest he fall.  1
Corinthians 10:12

         3.  We understand God's grace better when we understand His wrath.

III. Summary

     A.  Jesus is the only way.  John 14:6

     B.  Jesus requires obedience not just mental acceptance.  Matthew 7:2

     C.  We must choose to live our way or to submit to God's way.

     D.  We can't give up on anybody because all CAN be saved.

     E.  The real question is not how many w ill be saved but will you be saved?