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We know the Way PDF Print E-mail
Written by David Charlton   

Scripture

John 14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.”

Summary and Purpose

Summary: There are many ways to be lost. You can be lost geographically, spiritually and morally. Many are lost spiritually and morally. They are searching for the truth, with a capital ‘T’. They’re exploring the various philosophies and religions that are out there. Sadly, after experimenting with various philosophies and religions, some people conclude that truth is whatever you want it to be. This, of course, leads to moral decay.

We, as Christians, however, know the Truth to be Jesus Christ. He is ‘The Way’. Remember, Jesus is God in the flesh. To know Jesus is to know God. This means that God is a good and loving God and Jesus is the way to having a relationship with this good and loving God. We need to tell people about ‘The Way’. There’s no need for anyone to be lost.

Purpose: Let’s take a moment to contemplate what it means for Jesus to be ‘The Way’. How will this revelation impact our lives? How should we respond to the truth that Jesus is ‘The Way’?

The Sermon

I. Introduction:  The intense fear that comes with being lost

1. You’re on a dark country road with no street lights, no map and you make a wrong
turn.
2. In U.S. Army Ranger School I remember wondering all night long because we
would get lost in the pitch black mountains.
3. Now days, we have GPS Garmins and Blackberrys that can keep us from being
lost. There are, however, worst, more scarier, ways to be lost.
  • Spiritually lost
  • Morally lost

II. People who are spiritually and morally lost

1. They are searching for ‘the Truth’
2. They know there is something ‘out there’ that is beyond them selves and they
want to find it.
3. According to a USA Today Gallup Poll taken in January 2002, 33% of Americans
claim to be ‘spiritual but not religious’ (SBNR) (This was found on
  • These people are experimenting with the plethora of philosophies and religions, such as Scientology, New age, Christian Science, Islam, Buhdism and Wicca.
  • For example: People claiming to practice Wicca jumped from 8,000 in 1990 to 342,000 in 2008 (This was found on www.religioustolerance/chr_prac2.htm)
  • Sadly, after experimenting with various religions and philosophies many people conclude that truth is whatever you want it to be.
4. Being spiritually lost leads to moral decay. If you have no firm belief system, you
can decide for yourself what is right and wrong.
5. As Christians, however, we know there is ‘The Truth’ and he’s name is Jesus
Christ.

III. Jesus is ‘the Way, the Truth and the Life’

1. God loves every one of us and doesn’t want to see people continue to be lost.
2. So, God came down to earth in the form of Jesus Christ to be the Way, Truth and
Life for us.
3. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father,
but by me.” (John 14:6)
4. Jesus stated that He is the Way to having a love relationship with God. Through
faith (trust) in him we can come to know God in an intimate way. Here’s how it
works:
  • Jesus, who is God in the flesh, paid the penalty for our sins.
  • We can now receive God’s forgiveness. This restores our relationship with God.
  • When Jesus rose from the dead, He proved that He is God in the flesh and capable of paying for our sins.
  • As people with a restored relationship with God, we receive the Holy Spirit.
5. So, what was Jesus claiming when he said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the
life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.”
IV. The significance of Jesus claiming, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one
comes to the Father, but by me.”
1. This is a claim of divinity.
2. Jesus did not say, “I will show you the way, the truth and the life” He said, “I am
the way, the truth and the life”
  • Old Testament prophets, New Testament evangelist and modern day preachers all state that they can show the way to God. No one, except Jesus, however, claimed to be ‘The Way’.
  • Jesus claimed to be ‘The Way’ and ‘Only Way’.
3. By stating that He is ‘The Way, The Truth and The Life’ Jesus was making a claim
that only God could legitimately make.
  • As creator, God is ‘The Way’ we ought to live. God is the one we should seek.
  • Also as Creator, God embodies truth. God determines what truth is. God is truth.
  • Again, as creator God is the source and sustainer of life. God is life.

4. So, Jesus is ‘The Way’ because He’s God in the flesh.

  • If you know Jesus you know God. Jesus reveals God’s character – “If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth you know him and have seen him." 8 Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied." 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, `Show us the Father'?” (John 14:7-9)
  • This is why we know that God is a good and loving God. We simply look at Jesus’ life.
  • To develop a relationship with Jesus is to develop a relationship with God.
5. Since Jesus is ‘The Way’ we should strive to be like Jesus. He’s ‘The Way’ things
ought to be.

V. Conclusion: Let’s take a moment to contemplate what it means for Jesus to be ‘The Way’.

1. How should this revelation impact our lives?
2. How should we respond to the truth that Jesus is ‘The Way’?
 
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