In His Name #5

In His Name - the way

Jesus is The Way

Intro

In a culture of drive-through choose the content you want on YouTube, Smart TVs, Spotify, podcast versus old TV radio where you didn’t have much of a choice of the content you wanted to see.

Are used to record on a tape the music played on the radio. My mother-in-law used to record on a cassette her soap opera Novela.

Choose what you want?, when you want.?, how you want?, where you want it? we deliver!

In a culture that cringes from absolutes, many people today want to believe that Jesus is just one of many different ways to get to heaven. People want to be free to “choose their own path” and know it will lead them to God—whether that is through Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, or any number of other philosophies.

However, it is important to realize that each religion out there has its own perspective of what it takes to reach God.

Hinduism, for instance, does not necessarily promise a heaven with God, but just a life on the other side that is hopefully better than this one.

Buddhism stresses a state of enlightenment—but not an eternal life with God.

Islam does say there is a heaven, but it is based on adhering to a strict set of laws.

For a rational person, the idea of “many ways” to God quickly breaks down when you try to reconcile these different viewpoints. They are all dissimilar—and generally mutually exclusive—which means they can’t all be true!

Jesus would say “follow me”

​Matthew 4:19 NIV 19“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

​Matthew 8:22 NIV 22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

​Matthew 9:9 NIV 9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

Jesus knew that people were confused about how to reach God. He knew of the longing in each of our hearts to know what is on the “other side.” So, in an effort to be helpful, he explained it to us: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”

​John 14:6 NIV 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

NIV). At first glance, this seems overly exclusive.

Jesus is the only way

But on further inspection, we find that Jesus’ offer is quite unique from other religions and, in fact, incredibly inclusive. As the apostle Paul states, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Rich, poor, old, young—all races, social classes, and walks of life are welcome into the eternal life that Jesus offers. So, while the way to God may seem like a “narrow gate”

​Matthew 7:13 NIV 13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

No other religion or philosophy offers intimacy by grace with the author of the universe. Only in Christianity do you hear about God making a final payment to cancel the debt of sin and offer forgiveness to everyone who receives it. Jesus offers a personal relationship with God through his resurrection, the Holy Spirit to live in you and lead you, and a future that is secure in the hands of God forever. That offer is on the table for everyone today!

Respond

How have you responded to Jesus’ exclusive offer of forgiveness and a secure future?

If you have not accepted Jesus’ gift, what questions do you still need to resolve about him?

Challenge:

Call one of the people you are praying for salvation and share a testimony of what Jesus has done in your life, talk about Jesus' love and invite the person to come to a service and join your love group.