This sermon emphasizes knowing Jesus as our guide to the Father, embodying the way, truth, and life, and experiencing God beyond mere knowledge about Him.
Greetings, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It is indeed a privilege to stand before you today, under the banner of our Lord's grace and love. As we gather in this sacred space, let us pause and reflect on the profound mystery and magnificence of our faith. Our faith, dear friends, is not one that is confined to the corners of a Sunday morning. No, it is a vibrant, living testament of the God who loves us and the Savior who guides us.
We are here to contemplate on a profound passage from the Gospel according to John. John, the beloved disciple, the one who leaned on Jesus at the Last Supper, gives us a glimpse into the heart of our Savior. Through his words, we are invited to see Jesus as our Guide, our Torchbearer, and our Luminary.
John 14:6 reads, "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
This is a profound declaration, a divine proclamation that resonates with the depth of our souls. It is Jesus, with His arms wide open, inviting us to see Him as the way, the truth, and the life. It is Jesus, assuring us that through Him, and only through Him, can we find our way to the Father.
In this context, let us recall the words of the venerable J.I. Packer, who once said, "There's a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. When you truly know God, you have energy to serve Him, boldness to share Him, and contentment in Him."
Today, we are not here to know about God. We are here to know God, to experience Him, to feel His divine presence in our lives. We are here to serve Him with energy, share Him with boldness, and find contentment in Him.
Let us pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day, for Your love that never fails and Your grace that is new every morning. As we gather here today, we pray for Your guidance and wisdom. Open our hearts to Your word, open our minds to Your truth, and open our lives to Your presence. Help us to see Jesus as our Guide, our Torchbearer, and our Luminary. And in seeing Him, may we find our way to You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Transition. So let us look to Jesus, dear friends. Let us look to Him as our Guide, our Torchbearer, and our Luminary. Let us see Him as the way, the truth, and the life. And in seeing Him, may we find our way to the Father.
When we think about Jesus as our guide, we're considering the role He plays in leading us through the complexities and challenges of life. He's not just a distant figure we admire or a historical character we read about. He is an active, present force, directing our steps, shaping our decisions, and influencing our actions.
Consider the image of Jesus as a shepherd, a common metaphor used in the Bible. A shepherd guides his flock, leading them to green pastures, steering them away from danger, and keeping them together. He doesn't drive the sheep from behind, but leads from the front, setting the pace and direction. This is the kind of guidance Jesus offers us. He doesn't push us from behind, but leads us from the front, showing us the way to go.
Another aspect of Jesus as our guide is His role as a teacher. In the gospels, Jesus is often referred to as 'Rabbi' or 'Teacher.' He taught His disciples about the kingdom of God, about love, forgiveness, and faith. He used parables, stories, and direct teachings to guide His followers to a deeper understanding of God and His ways. Today, He continues to teach us through His word, the Bible, and through the Holy Spirit. He guides us into all truth, helping us to understand and apply His teachings to our lives.
Jesus also guides us by His example. He lived a life of perfect obedience to God, showing us what it looks like to live in accordance with God's will. He demonstrated humility, love, compassion, forgiveness, and sacrifice. He showed us how to pray, how to serve, and how to love. His life serves as a model for us to follow, guiding us in how we should live.
Finally, Jesus guides us through His Spirit. Before He ascended to heaven, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to guide His followers into all truth. The Holy Spirit, as our helper and counselor, guides us in our understanding of God's word, convicts us of sin, and leads us in the way we should go. He gives us wisdom and understanding, helps us to discern God's will, and empowers us to live in obedience to God.
In all these ways, Jesus serves as our guide. He leads us, teaches us, models for us, and empowers us. He guides us in our journey of faith, leading us closer to God and helping us to live in a way that honors Him.
In His role as the way, Jesus guides us to God. He shows us the path to a relationship with the Father, a path marked by faith, repentance, and obedience. He leads us away from sin and towards righteousness, away from our own ways and towards God's ways.
As the truth, Jesus guides us in our understanding of God. He reveals who God is - His character, His love, His grace, His justice. He teaches us about God's kingdom, His will, and His purposes. He helps us to see the world through God's perspective, guiding us in our thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes.
As the life, Jesus guides us in how we should live. He shows us what it means to live a life that is pleasing to God, a life marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He empowers us to live this life through His Spirit, giving us the strength, courage, and wisdom we need.
Transition. In each of these roles, Jesus serves as our guide. He leads us to God, teaches us about God, and shows us how to live for God. He is our guide in the journey of faith, leading us closer to the Father, deeper in our understanding of His truth, and fuller in our experience of His life.
In the first instance, we are reminded of the words of Jesus in John 8:12 ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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