Jesus - The Way, the Truth and the Life

Sunday Message Outline
for March 18, 2007

John 14.1-14

Focus Verse: John 14.6
"I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Is Jesus the only way to God?
... Controversial teaching here
... Is this exclusive - unfair?
... What about people who have never heard?
... What about good people who simply have different beliefs?

Do all religions lead to the same God?
... Each are distinctive and exclusive
... Each have lofty ideals and they often show Christians up!
... Some commonality in ethics, but differ in what they actually believe.
... Differ greatly about God / gods / worship / works / afterlife ... etc.
... Christians are to respect people - connect - lead them to Christ.

A Closer Look at the One who said this - Jesus
... The "I AM" sayings of Christ - God speaking!
... I am the Bread of Life ...
... I am the Light of the World ...
... I am the Door ...
... I am the Resurrection and the Life ...
... Every human soul linked to Christ w/o exception

Way? Truth? Life?
... Consider the context of this teaching - the night of His betrayal!
... The Way would soon be stopped by crucifixion
... The Truth would be swallowed up by the lies of His enemies
... The Life would soon be laid cold and dead in a tomb

The Way - Connection Between Two Points
... The Stone rolled away ... the Way is now open!
... Mt 11.27 - No one knows the Father but the Son and the Son but the Father and those whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.
... Mt 28.18 - All power in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.
... Jn 1.18 - No one has seen God. The only Son has made Him known.
... Col 1.15-16 - He is the image of the invisible God. All things created for Him and through Him.
... Col 1.19 - All the fullness of God was pleased to dwell in Christ.
... Col 2.9 - The fulness of deity dwells bodily in Jesus.
... 1 Tim 2.5 - One God and one mediator between God and man - Jesus
... Acts 4.12 - There is no other name given to humanity by which we must be saved.
... Jn 14.9 - Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.

The World Needs to Know
... What about those who have not heard? see Ro 2.12-16
... What about those who have not heard? see Mt 28.18-20 - He sends us to those who have not heard!

They need to know ...
... That ancestors do not need to be appeased or else a curse will follow
... That the many gods have no power
... That it is not a matter of uncertain works
... That real sins can be forgiven and forsaken
... That spiritual oppression does not need to be one's life
... That real relationship and fellowship with God is possible
... Jesus: "Tell them that I love them ... and I came to let them know."