"JESUS, THE WAY"- Feb. 4, 2007

         Introducing Jesus As The Way

 INTRODUCTION

 1. As we begin this series of studies, ask yourself these questions...

   a. Do you have problems?

   b. Are you confused in things pertaining to life itself?

   c. Do you feel lost, with a sense of despair?

2. If you do, don't feel like you are alone...

   a. About the time of Abraham, a person who was experiencing a great

      deal of suffering said: 

      "Man who is born of woman is of few days

      and full of trouble. He comes forth like a flower and fades away;

      He flees like a shadow and does not continue." - Job 14:1-2

   b. Job's words, spoken nearly four thousands years ago, express the

      sentiments of millions today

3. Now, however, there is a way out:  Jesus Christ...!

   a. As He Himself said:  "I am the way, the truth, and the life..."

      - Jn 14:6

   b. Yes, to everything that truly good, both in this life and the one

      to come, Jesus Christ is the way!

For example, Jesus is...]

 I. THE WAY TO A BETTER LIFE

    A. JESUS OFFERS AN ABUNDANT LIFE...

      1. On one occasion, Jesus stated His purpose in coming to this

         earth - "...I have come that they may have life, and that they

         may have it more abundantly." - Jn 10:10

      2. This "abundant life" Jesus offers is more than simply life in

         the "hereafter"

      3. Though He does not promise wealth or luxury, He does assure us

         of...

        a. A loving Father in Heaven, Who cares for His children – 

Matthew 6:31-33 (KJV) 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

         b. More than sufficient provision for those who are willing to

            follow Him - 

Mark 10:29 (KJV) And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,

    B. THOSE WHO RECEIVE THIS LIFE ARE BLESSED...

      1. The happiest people in the world are those who truly commit

         themselves to following Jesus as "The Way"

      2. Even though living in the most adverse circumstances, such as:

         a. Paul, while living under house arrest - Ph 4:11-13

         b. Christians being persecuted in Asia Minor (Turkey) - 1 Pe 1:

            6-8

[Jesus is also...]

II. THE WAY TO FORGIVENESS OF SINS

   A. JESUS IS THE SOLUTION TO A SERIOUS PROBLEM...

      1. He is the only solution to a very serious problem

         a. The most serious threat to our well-being that we face:

            Sin!

         b. This is because everyone of us is guilty of sin - Ro 3:23

      2. Sin is not without its consequences

         a. Often physical, but always spiritual! - Ro 6:23

         b. Unless the problem of sin is resolved, the ultimate

            consequence is eternity in hell!

   B. THROUGH JESUS, GOD PROVIDES FORGIVENESS...

      1. Out of love, God offered Jesus as the propitiation for our sins

         - 1 John 4:9-10 (KJV) 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

      2. Through His blood shed on the cross, Jesus provides forgiveness for our sins – 

Ephesians 1:8 (KJV) Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

[But to be truly happy, we need more than just the forgiveness of sins;

we need to be restored to the close union with God which we lost by our

sins.  In this also, Jesus is our answer, for He is...]

III. THE WAY TO GOD

   A. JESUS CAME TO RECONCILE US TO THE FATHER...

      1. Many religions, claiming to be Christian, are almost totally

         silent about the new relationship Jesus provides with God, the

         Father

         a. About all they seem to talk about is the BIRTH and Not the LIFE in Jesus" 

         b. Could this indicate a lack of real understanding of Jesus'

            purpose?

      2. Jesus came to this world to reconcile man back to God the

         Father

         a. God sent Him for that purpose - cf. 

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (KJV) 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

         b. This is what Jesus claimed to be –

 John 14:6 (KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

   B. A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS IMPORTANT...

      1. One does not truly experience what it means to have "eternal

         life" without having an intimate relationship with the Father,

         as well as with the Son

      2. Which is exactly what Jesus has to offer us! - cf. 

John 17:2-3 (KJV) 2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.       

3. Yes, that eternal life Jesus offers to us includes "knowing"

         the Father as well as the Son!

[The way to a better life, the way to forgiveness of sins, the way to

God...what wonderful blessings! But there is more. Jesus is also...]

IV. THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE

   A. DEATH IS INEVITABLE...

      1. It is appointed for men to die once - He 9:27a

      2. After death, then comes the judgment - He 9:27b

      3. Death becomes the door, either to eternal life or to eternal

         condemnation - cf.

Matthew 25:46 (KJV) And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

   B. JESUS OFFERS ETERNAL LIFE...

      1. To die in Jesus is to die in the way to life eternal! - 

John 11:25 (KJV) Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

        2. As the apostle John wrote in the book of Revelation – 

Revelation 14:13 (KJV) And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

CONCLUSION

1. I hope that I have sparked your interest in wanting to learn more

   about Jesus as "The Way"

2. My purpose in this message is twofold...

   a. For those who are Christians

      1) To increase their appreciation of Jesus as their Lord and

         Savior

      2) So they will want to serve Him with greater zeal

   b. For those who are not Christians

      1) To encourage them to let Jesus be their way to everything that

         is truly good

      2) Both in this life and in the life to come!