JESUS SAID….
John 14:6
INTRODUCTION:
A. A small group of disciples had gathered with Jesus to eat the Passover meal together.
1. He had told them of a traitor in their midst, His coming death, the desertion of the disciples and the denial of Peter.
2. Things were looking pretty grim and, no doubt, Jesus saw the fear and dismay on their faces so He goes on to bring them hope.
3. It is at this point we find those wonderful words, John 14:1-4 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. [2] In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. [4] And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
B. For some, however, this just brought up other questions
1. It was Thomas, the doubting one (like so many of us), that asked Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? John 14:5
2. To which Jesus spoke the words from which our message is brought today: John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
C. Folks, there is no way to come to God but through Jesus Christ.
1. In context Jesus was speaking about getting to heaven – the place of God’s abode
2. These words applied in this manner are a wonderful promise and gives great assurance of our future home in heaven
3. But I believe we can find a much greater application for our lives in this present time.
D. There is much in our world today that can bring the same sort of grim outlook and doubt into the life of people.
1. But let me assure you we can find confidence and assurance in God through Jesus TODAY!
2. He is indeed the way to heaven, but much more: He is the way, the truth, and the life in many other areas; three of which I want to look at this morning:
a. In our Personal Life
b. In our Family Life
c. And in our Church Life
3. This morning we need to come to God through Christ in every aspect of our lives – He is the only Way; He is the only Truth; He is the only Life that can bring hope and security for the present and eternity!
4. So lets ask God to do a great work in our personal life, family life and church life & to Him be the glory both now and forever. AMEN!
PRAY
Jesus is indeed the way, the truth, and the life and it begins with
I. OUR PERSONAL LIFE,
A. First in Salvation, Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
1. Salvation is a personal thing – by that I mean no one can do it for some one else – it is a transaction between God and the individual.
2. In order to be save we must acknowledge God’s truth on the matter
a. First we are all sinners, Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
1) And because we are sinners we are separated from God, for the wages of sin is death.
2) We are dead spiritually because of Adam’s sin in the garden
- Thus the apostle Paul wrote, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 5:12
b. Secondly we must understand that we cannot save our selves
1) God’s truth states in Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
2) We cannot be good enough or do enough good things to warrant salvation - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph 2:8-9
c. Thridly we must know and believe that it is through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection that eternal life, that is salvation is possible.
1) Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
2) This comes as a result of conviction of sin and repentance
d. This is God’s way, God’s Truth, and Brings God’s Life!
B. And in a manner of speaking Jesus is the way, the truth and the life in Sanctification – this is the maturing process for Christians
1. It begins with a changed life in Christ, 2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2. We then begin to see change in our lives, 1 Peter 2:1-2 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, [2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3. And this is all a continuation of God’s work in us through His revealed truth – the Bible
4. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 states, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
5. That is to say, as we read God’s truth, accept God’s way and live God’s life we come closer to Him, hence the words found just a few verses down in our text, John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
C. All of this is founded in Christ, thus Jesus can say, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
Now we move from our personal life into
II. OUR FAMILY LIFE, Once again it is Jesus who says, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man (or family) cometh to the Father but by me.
A. Today the family is taking hits from all sides; it is taking on water fast, and is sinking into a pit of muck and mire because it has been loosed from its mooring.
1. The way of the family is in God’s word and has a design that is of God not man.
2. Society is trying to take the place of God by redefining “family”
3. So let’s set the record straight – give a God given and blessed definition of the family.
a. It begins with a man and a women brought together by God and sealed in a life long relationship.
1) Genesis 2:22-24 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. [23] And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. [24] Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
2) Matthew 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
b. To this union there are to be added children: Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, …
- Psalm 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
c. Divorce was never in God’s plan for man nor is there such a thing as a godly home or family where there is a homosexual relationship involved.
d. God ideal for the family is a husband and wife with children – this is God’s way and it is only through Jesus that we will see it stand.
B. God also gave us some living truth concerning the family through the Word.
1. There is an order to the home
a. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church, Eph 5:25
b. Wives are to submit to their husbands, as unto Christ, Eph 5:22
- This ultimately speaks of the husband being the head of the home.
c. Children are to obey their parents, Eph 6:1
d. It is within these parameters that life in the home can be great.
2. But there is another truth that should be noted first, 2 Cor. 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
a. If the individual partners which make up the marriage are not saved, as outlined in point one, it is impossible to have a marriage that will be in line with God’s word.
b. When children come into the picture the parents (both of them) are to raise the child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, something that is not possible if both are not believers (Eph 6:4)
3. These are essential truths concerning the family.
C. The life God has for those who will follow His truth concerning the family is a wonderful one
1. It is a family that can truly come before God as a sweet smelling savor – one that honors Him in their manner and action.
2. Not only that but it can be a peaceful, safe and loving place for all involved.
3. You notice I said “can”
a. There is much more that God has said concerning the family that has direct input into its condition and atmosphere – we will be looking at that from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day.
b. Again the words of John 14:21 come into play: He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life for the individual life, the family life and for
III. OUR CHURCH LIFE, Once again it is Jesus who says, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man (or church) cometh to the Father but by me.
A. The church as spoken of in Col 1:24, was born by a direct act of God
1. Ephes. 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
- Here we should note that Christ died for the church – the church is important
- Not the building but the group of people who make it up and meet together.
2. Christ is the head of the church, not pastor, deacon, or Sunday school teachers
- Ephes. 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
3. The church is a body: one for all and all for one
- Romans 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
4. These are some of the truths concerning the church
B. Note that God has ordained the church to do the work of His kingdom – this is the Way
1. Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
2. Romans 12:6-8, 11 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; [7] Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; [8] Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness….Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
3. These two passages let us know that we are to be about the business of the Father as the church – every one that is a part of this body ought to be involved in the work or this body.
- We are in need of two preschool teachers and an Adult I – college and career teacher.
- We will also need some more AWANA helpers next year.
- Could you serve here?
C. Finally it must be said that the Life in the body is because Jesus is alive and we are in Him!
1. In fact listen to the apostle in Ephes. 3:21 Unto him (God) be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
2. We are to glorify Christ – that is real life folks, and it is found only in Him!
CONCLUSION: In closing
A. Know this Jesus is the Word
1. He has given us the word – the Bible you hold in our lap is the word of God
2. It speaks of the truth, the way and the life without which no man can come to the Father.
a. Whether it be in our personal salvation
b. Our family unity
c. Or our church community
3. The important thing to all this is that Jesus said……!
B. Are we listening?
