0253. STRIVE.

STRIVE.

Luk_13:24

Introduction. The first time He spoke of the Strait Gate was in the Sermon on the Mount. Three years afterwards, when many had forsaken Him and few were pressing forward to the Kingdom, He again spake of the Strait Gate (Mat_7:13), but added one little word, "Strive." No stronger word is to be found in Bible; it could be better understood by the word "agonise." Strive, agonise, exert every power of body and soul; strain every nerve; let the salvation of your soul for the time being, be the chief business of your life. And we can say, if sinners saw themselves as God sees they would really realise their need, and would strive.

I. Yours Would be the Violence of the Hungry.

1. It’s holiday time, children have gone to the Park, they have forgotten all about the time, and do not arrive for dinner until the middle of afternoon.

2. Ravenously hungry-cannot wait-lay hand on crusts and scraps of food.

3. Hunger of soul leads to violence-to intent earnestness.

II. Yours will be the Violence of the Thirsty.

1. Mungo Park, the one who discovered the Niger, was almost dying of thirst. Rain fell for an hour, and he succeeded in quenching his thirst by soaking his clothes and sucking them dry. He heard a loud croaking of frogs. "A heavenly sound," said he, and he discovered a shallow muddy pool.

2. Soul-thirst will lead you to do desperate things.

3. "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness."

III. You would Know Something of the Violence of the Drowning.

1. Frank Bullen tells of one who fell overboard, who gripped the rope thrown to him so tightly that it was imbedded in the flesh.

2. Are you sinking in the waters of conviction? If so, you will require no exhortation to earnestness.

Autor: James Smith