Is Jesus The Only Way To God? Series

INTRODUCTION

• SLIDE #1

• Last week I started us out on the first of a four-part series on Jesus. Last week we looked at whether or not Jesus is the Son of God. The answer to that is a resounding YES.

• It is one thing to admit that Jesus is indeed the Son of God, but since that is true, what are some of the implications of that? We are going to spend some time today looking at one of the implications of Jesus being God.

• Jesus taught many things that go against the flow of society. Things like turning the other cheek, treating your enemies in a good way, putting others first.

• In our society one of the most controversial statements Jesus made is found in the passage we are going to look at today.

• SLIDE #2

• John 14:6(ESV) 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

• This seems at first glance as a rather harmless statement.

• However, once you sit back and let it soak in for a bit, this is quite a controversial statement.

• The controversy from this statement stems from the fact that Jesus is making an ABSOLUTE statement; He is stating an ABSOLUTE truth.

• Is Jesus the only way or path to God? Is He the only truth? Is He the only way to eternal life?

• The answer to the question, “Is Jesus the only way to God”, will more difficult for people to swallow than acknowledging the fact that Jesus is God.

• In our society we do not like to be told there are absolute truths. We are accustomed to saying that what is true for you is not necessarily true for me.

• We do not like someone confronting us with truth because we like to try to believe our own. We like to think we can all blaze our own path to heaven that we can make up the rules as we go!

• As author Lee Strobel states concerning Jesus’ claim in John 14:6, “So why is this statement so controversial? One Reason is that it strikes at the core of three great myths about religion.” (Passion Sermon, Jesus is the Son of God. True or False?)

• Today we are going to a bit of a myth busting tour.

• We are going to examine three great myths about religion that Jesus statement contradicts. As we see the contradictions, it will become evident that Jesus is the only way to God!

• Look at this verse on the screen once more before we continue.

• John 14:6(ESV) 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

• Let us examine our first myth to bust.

• SLIDE #3

SERMON

I. ALL RELIGIONS ARE THE SAME- I AM THE WAY

• Have you ever heard people say that all religions are the same? Have you heard people say that ultimately all religions lead to the same place?

• This sounds very nice and inclusive doesn’t it. I mean who wants to tell their friendly Mormon, Buddhist, or Muslim that their religion will profit them nothing? Don’t all religions teach more or less the same thing?

• It is true there are some similarities in morality that are taught. When you see those nice young men on bikes peddling to your home, are they not on equal standing with God as those “Christians”?

• If all the spiritual paths lead to the same end, what does it matter which one you follow? I had a friend of mine whose son left his Christian faith to marry a Jewish girl. Aren’t Judaism and Christianity the same?

• When Jesus says, “HE” is the way; He must mean something else that does not exclude those who take a different path. A loving God would not exclude people would He?

• All religions are not the same. The difference is in the person of Jesus. When you look at other religions, they will claim to lead you to truth. Jesus says I am the truth. Some claim to be a door to heaven. Jesus says, “I am the door.” (John 10:9).

• Buddhism will lead you to enlightenment, Jesus says, “I am the light.” (John 9:5)

• Many religions are all about you doing something to earn something from God. Even Judaism has become about following rules. IF you do the right things, you will be accepted by God. In the faith I was raised in, to be forgiven, I had to repeat statements that bought God’s forgiveness.

• For the Muslim if he follows the five pillars of Islam he MIGHT be accepted by his God. The Hindu has to keep reliving life until he gets it right.