September 25, 2022
Sermon Series: Believers Are To Sow The Gospel Seed
Sermon # 8
JESUS, THE ONLY WAY TO GOD
John 14:6
There is a classic story of a pastor giving a message during children’s church. He started by saying, “I’m going to describe something, and I want you to raise your hand when you know what it is.” The children nodded eagerly.
“This thing lives in trees and eats nuts (pause)…” No hands went up. “And it is gray and has a long bushy tail (pause)…” The children looked at each other. Finally, one little boy raised his hand. “Well,” said the boy, “I *know* the answer must be Jesus … but its sure sounds like a squirrel to me!”
In the church we are expected to answer “Jesus” for many spiritual questions, but do we really know why? Is Jesus really the only way to God? What about other religions? Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism. Are other religions wrong?
What about those who say all religions have basically the same idea but with different names. Or, those who say that all religions lead to the same God. How would you respond?
There is a story of a Christian woman who had romantic feelings for a Muslim man. She wanted to know if the Christian God and the Muslim God were the same God. Because emotions were involved, the pastor gently suggested she ask the Muslim man whether his God came in the form of a man to die on the cross to restore us to Himself.
If all religions lead to the same God, why would the same God have different requirements in order to com to Him? In a way there are only two kinds of requirements. First, is that of the Christian God who requires us to trust in His effort through Jesus’ death on the cross. Second, is that of all other religions’ gods who require us to make our own efforts to have a right relationship with the gods.
Christianity says the way to God relies on what God has done on the cross. All other religions say the way to God relies on what we must do in this life.
Jesus is the only way to God!
Let’s look at three questions that Jesus answers.
I. How Can I Be Saved? (“I am the way”) v. 6
This statement makes it clear not all religions lead to God; only one does. Jesus is not a way; He is the way---the only way to God.
There is the difference between pointing the way to a particular place and taking someone by the hand and leading him there. The person who guides a person to their destination literally becomes the way himself. Jesus Christ not only points out and tells a person how-to walk-through life, and how to reach God, he personally shows the person the way. Therefore, He Himself is the Way. Note the repetition of the word “way” (v. 4, 5, 6).
Without Christ we are under the power of the Devil, the father of lies. But God made a way for us, Jesus. He said "I am the way." Aren't you glad that He is the way? Christ is the only way to God.
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest [God’s presence] by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh” (Heb. 10:19-20).
II. How Can I Be Sure? (I am…. the truth) v. 6
There is a difference between telling someone about the truth before them. The one who lives the truth literally becomes the truth.
A. Jesus Christ is the Embodiment of truth (14:6). He is the picture of truth. God not only talks to man about Himself, God shows man what He is like in the person of Jesus Christ. We can look at Jesus and see a perfect picture of the truth of God
“I and my Father are one” (John 10:30).
B. Jesus Christ is the Communicator of truth. He shows man the right way to the truth, and enables man to choose the right way to the truth.
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, we speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness” (John 3:11).
C. Jesus Christ is the Liberator of truth (John 8:32; 15:3). He sets people free from the great gulf which exists between man and God, between man and his world, and between man and man.
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:32).
“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you” (Jn. 15:3).
III. How Can I Be Satisfied? (I am…the life) v. 6
There is a difference between telling someone about life and actually living life. The one who lives is the one who possesses life, and the more you live like Christ, the more your life He possesses. Jesus Christ lived perfectly; therefore, He possesses life perfectly. He is the Life: the very embodiment, energy, force, and source of life itself.
“In him was life; and the life was the light of men” (Jn. 1:4).
“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you” (Jn. 15:3).
Christ is the Emancipator from death, the natural man is spiritually lifeless. The person who is out of Christ exists, but he has no spiritual life.
When the prodigal son returned from a far country the father said, "This, my son, was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found (Luke 15:24). Satisfaction comes through the life of Jesus.
Jesus is the Way to heaven
He is the only Way
He is the Way that joins two worlds
He is the way of access to the father (Do you know Him)
Jesus is the truth
He is the Teacher of Truth
He is Revelation of God to the world
He is the Eternal Truth (Do you know Him)
Jesus is the Life
He is the Giver of Life
He is the Eternal Life
He is the Giver of Life
He is the Living Way (Do you know Him)
Responsive Reading: John 14:1-7
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