This is the Way

My Way

Proverbs 14:12 NKJV

12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Did you ever travel down a road, thinking it was the right one, only to find out that you had been wrong for miles?

STORY: That happened to us! We lived in North Dakota years ago, and Adriana’s brother came up for a visit.

We decided to go up into Canada. We had a great time. On the way home, we got to talking and did not realize that we missed a turn.

The next thing we know, we see “Welcome to the United States”, but it did not look like the one we passed on the way into Canada.

Instead of heading back down into North Dakota, we ended up in Montana!

We thought we were on the right path, going the right way, but we did not know that we were wrong.

Saul, in the New Testament, thought he was doing the right thing. Trouble makers had risen from within the Jews claiming the Messiah had come. Saul was a religious leader who had studied for more than 40 years and was the ideal Pharisee. He had all the right stuff and his love for God was without question.

Saul took it upon himself to go after these people as he believed they were pulling people away from the truth of scriptures. He listened to the lies told by their media-equivalent, and oversaw the stoning of Stephen.

Acts 9:1–9 NKJV

1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Saul was on the right road going the wrong way.

He thought he was honoring God but he was only fighting against the way God had designed through Jesus.

How do you know the wrong way?

It does not point toward Jesus, rather it points away or to yourself

It is devoid of peace and His presence

It is surrounded and endorsed by those who do not value the things of God

Thomas asked Jesus the question that many are too afraid to ask

Jesus’ Way

John 14:5–6 NKJV

5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

The way has a name, JESUS

As a Christian, we are called to follow HIS way.

This is so difficult to do when everything around us points us to our own comforts and direction.

Psalm 139:3 NKJV

3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways.

God is familiar, or acquainted with all your ways. He knows your heart and your desires. He sees how you would run your life and how you would ruin it.

Psalm 86:11 NKJV

11 Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.

Psalm 25:4 NKJV

4 Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths.

Our desires must be like David’s

We need to learn Jesus’ ways and follow them.

How can we know Jesus’ ways?

It is in line with the Bible

It is confirmed in Godly counsel

It is for your good and glorifies God

It is confirmed through prayer

Application

Is there an area in your life you are not aligned with the things of God?

If so, surrender it to Him right now as we pray.

Is there something God is calling you to do?

If so, surrender to His way right now as we pray.

Is there something you don’t want to let go of that is keeping you from following Jesus’ way?

If so, surrender it to the Lord and ask Him for His help to let it go.