“Isn’t It Arrogant to Claim that
Jesus is the Only Way?”
The Case for Faith Series
John 14:1-11 (quotes taken from the NKJV unless noted)
Wakelee Church ~ February 27, 2005
Theme: It’s not arrogance, but love for God and humanity, that drives us to claim Christ as our way, our truth, and our life.
Introduction – Living in the Culture of Relativism
No one way – no real truth – life based on situational ethics.
Political correctness, religious pluralism, and tolerance are the gods now worshipped…universal belief becomes mandated.
It has become a sin to call something sinful.
I – The issue of exclusivity – is it truly a Christian only claim?
Christianity is not the only religious that claims exclusivity…
For the Muslim, one must believe in the Koran and know its Arabic language.
For the Buddhist, you must reject Hindu scriptures and the caste system.
For the Hindu, you must believe in karma (every cause has an effect), the authority of their scriptures (Vedas), and reincarnation.
For the Sikhist, you must reject both Hindu and Buddhist thought.
For the Baha’ist, which claims to embrace all religions, they exclude those who don’t agree.
For the Jew, you reject Jesus Christ.
Truth is in the eye of the person claiming the truth…
“If truth does not exclude, then no assertion of a truth claim is being made; it is just an opinion that is being stated…”
Jesus made many claims about truth…many of them recorded by John.
John 8:31-32 says “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”
John 3:21 - “But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly what he has done through God.”
John 15:26 - “When the Counselor (HS) comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.”
John 16:13 - “But when he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.
“The clear implications of Jesus saying he’s the way, the truth, and the life are that, first, truth is absolute, and second, truth is knowable.”*
CHRISTIANITY CANNOT BE FAULTED FOR BEING THE ONLY RELIGION THAT HOLDS TO ITS TRUTH…BUT WE CAN BE FAULTED FOR CLAIMING TO KNOW THE TRUTH.
BECAUSE THE TRUTH IS ABSOLUTE AND KNOWABLE THROUGH CHRIST…NO ONE OTHER RELIGION CAN MAKE THE CLAIM THAT THEY KNOW ABSOULTE TRUTH AND THAT TRUTH IS EASILY KNOWABLE.
II. But how do we know that their truth isn’t right and ours wrong?
Christianity is the only religion that answers the four fundamental questions of humanity in some cohesive clarity…
ORIGIN - Where did humanity come from?
We are created by God, in the image of God, to live out God’s will.
MEANING - What is meaning of our existence?
We exist, not for ourselves, but to love God through the act of worship and to love others in humanity because we have been loved and we want to share that love with others.
MORALITY/ETHICS - How is morality defined?
Morality is the very character of God. It is not culturally or human based, but rests solely in
the intellectual, moral, omnipotent, infinite God of creation.
DESTINY - What is our final destiny?
Our destiny rests in our acceptance of the God’s grace-filled gift of forgiveness and continued Spiritual leadership. The Resurrection of Christ opened that door to eternal life for everyone who will follow him.
EVERY OTHER WORLD RELIGION GETS HUNG UP ON ONE OR MORE OF THESE QUESTIONS! FOR THE CHRISTIAN, THE BIBLE GIVES US THE ANSWERS WE NEED FOR SALVATION AND FOR LIVING OUT OF OUR SALVATION.
WE KNOW OUR TRUTH IS RIGHT BECAUSE IT MAKES SENSE…ITS COHESIVE…IT HAS EVIDENCE…THAT NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DISPROVE.
III. What about those who live good lives but never accept Christ?
“No human being consigns anybody to heaven or hell. In fact, God himself doesn’t send anybody to heaven or hell; the person chooses to respond or reject the grace of God, although even that decision is enabled by his grace…”*
The worst thing is to say to God that you don’t need him.
God calls us to die to self! It’s not about us, it’s about God.
IF WE TURN OUR BACKS TO THE GOSPEL MESSAGE, IT WILL NOT MATTER HOW GOOD WE ARE, HOW GOOD WE’VE BEEN…IF WE TELL GOD HE’S NOT NEEDED…HE IS A GENTLEMEN AND WILL LEAVE.
ANYTIME WE PUT OURSELVES…OUR KNOWLEDGE, OUR GOOD WORKS, OUR OPINIONS, OUR IDEAS…AHEAD OF THE GOSPEL MESSAGE, THEN WE ARE SAYING WE DON’T NEED GOD…DON’T NEED THE GRACE AND MERCY FOUND IN HIS SON JESUS CHRIST. IT BECOMES ALL ABOUT US AND NOT ABOUT HIM.
Conclusion – How do we share our faith without looking arrogant?
We share the truth in love just as Jesus did! – “Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in Me.”– John 14:1 - That’s what Jesus started this conversation with!
In the midst of noise and clamor, there is a place where concerns may be left behind. This quiet place is nearer than the air we breathe, because it is found deep down within us.
It is a spot that the Creator created just for himself. His presence goes there. And when we turn within we can feel the peace of God surround us in a warm embrace.
During the difficult times, we can hear the words of Christ saying, lean on me. I am the way, the truth and the life…I’ll be your eyes when you feel you have to turn away. I’ll be your ears when you can’t bear to hear what is being said. I’ll be your heart, always filled with courage and hope.
The best thing that we can share about our faith is not an arrogant mantra, but a story of love…of peace…of trust.
God didn’t come into this world to condemn it, neither should we.
God sent his son to save the world, so let not our hearts be troubled…let them not be afraid…for Christ is the way, the truth, and the life…our job is to share that message with all the love we can muster, because we know that everyone needs to fill that spot that only Christ can fill.
It’s not arrogance…it’s love.
Closing Prayer
Lord, teach us your way. Help us to walk in your truth. Let your truth be our guide and your
example our direction. Lord, you’ve told us that you are near to those who call on you in truth. You’ve told us that we are to stand firm, with the belt of truth buckled around our waist…
You’ve told us that we are to love not with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. You have told us that you want all humanity to be saved and to come to the knowledge of your truth.
Forgive us Lord, when we miss your truth completely.
Forgive us when our words show arrogance instead of love.
Forgive us when instead of gently instructing…
we fail to show your truth because of our defensiveness and shyness.
Help us now, to accept the forgiveness that you alone offer. Help us to share with the whole around us that you indeed are the way, the truth and the life with all the love you have shown to us.
Help us now to celebrate that we have found our victory in you. Amen.
Closing Song - #370 – Victory in Jesus
Benediction
As we leave this place, may we be looking for opportunities to share the gift that has been shared
to us through our Savior Jesus Christ.
And until we meet again, may God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, hold you in
the palm of his hand. Amen.
For further evidence:
Ravi Zacharias. "Jesus Among Other Gods." Word, 2000.
Paul Copan. "True for You, But Not for Me." Bethany House, 1998.
Frank Beckwith and Gergory Kohl. "Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air." Baker, 1998.
Millard J. Erickson. "How Shall They Be Saved?" Baker, 1996.
*Lee Strobel. "The Case for Faith." Zondervan, 2000. (quoting Ravi Zacharias)
