Living In The Kingdom Part 7 Series

Living In The Kingdom 7

Scripture: John 3:13; 14:6; First Peter 2:4; Hebrews 4:15

Last week I shared with you what Jesus said about Himself fulfilling the Law and the Prophets. I told you in that message that this morning I would explain to you why Jesus was able to make the statements that He made in His sermon on the mount. He was able to make those statements about what our attitudes should be as His members of His kingdom; how we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world; and that He fulfilled the Law and the Prophets because He was the Son of God. This morning we are going to look at what the Word says about Jesus being the Son of God and the only way into heaven.

I shared with you a few weeks ago that there was a recent survey conducted that included some Christians. In the survey, the question was asked if the participants believed that Jesus was the only way to God and into heaven. Of those who proclaimed to be Christians; who believed in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior; who believed in His virgin birth; who believed that He died on a cross for their sins; and who believed that He rose again on the third day to reign forever at the right hand of God; of these professed Christians, seventy percent professed to believed that Jesus was not the only way into heaven. Seventy percent who believed He was the Son of God did not believe that He was the only way into heaven. I personally do not understand how you can accept Christ as your personal Savior Who died for your sins but not the sins of everyone else who believed something different. Either Christ, and only Christ, died for the sins of the world and was resurrected on the third day or He didn’t. There are many religions in the world that teach “resurrection” in some form or another, but what I want to focus on this morning is what Christians believe and why. I am not trying to convert someone from another religion to Christianity in this message. However, I am trying to make sure that if you profess to be a Christian that you understand fully what you should be believing as it relates to Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior. These beliefs are truly non-negotiable. I want to start with what Jesus said about Himself.

Jesus said, “…..I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by Me.” (John 14:6) Jesus said “I am the way.” Jesus said “I am the truth.” Jesus said “I am the life.” New Light, these are definitive statements. These statements, and believing them, are non-negotiable for a Christian! Why do I say they are non-negotiables? Wee, without Jesus, there is no way to the Father. Without Jesus, truth does not exist. And, without Jesus, there is no eternal life. Either of these three statements alone would be enough to cause the religious mind of some to tilt with unbelief – like it does today, but that shouldn’t be for a Christian who believes that Jesus is truly the one and only Son of God! The word “no” in this verse removes all doubt that this is exactly what Jesus meant. It’s the Greek word “ou” and it means “absolutely not.” So, here Jesus is saying “That because I am the only way, because I am the only truth and because I am eternal life, no one, nobody, not one single person will ever spend eternity with My Father without accepting Me as their Lord and Savior first. No exceptions!”

This morning I want to focus your attention on Jesus saying that He is the only way to heaven. For some people this exclusive statement may confuse, surprise, or even offend them, but it is true nonetheless. If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He said He is the only way, why would you think that He is not? Jesus told His disciples that He fulfilled the Law and what He said was true – because that is who Jesus is. He was the only one who could do it. The whole Law pointed to Him. The Bible teaches that there is no other way to salvation than through Jesus Christ. He is not a way, as in one of many ways; He is the only way. No one, regardless of reputation, achievement, special knowledge, or personal holiness, can come to God the Father except through Jesus. Jesus is the only way to heaven for several reasons.

1. First and foremost it’s because He is truly the Son of God! You have heard what Jesus said about Himself, but I want to read a confession from an unlikely source who stated that Jesus was the true Son of God. Remember, when Satan tempted Him he kept saying “If you are the Son of God…” so as to sow or cast doubt about this deity. However, when Jesus came upon two men who were demon-possessed, they made a different statement. Matthew 8:28-29 records the following interaction between Jesus and the men. “When He came to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon-possessed met Him as they were coming out of the tombs. They were so extremely violent that no one could pass by that way. 29And they cried out, saying, ‘What business do we have with each other, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?’” These demons knew that Jesus was the Son of God and was concerned that He had come early to torment them. Just so you don’t miss this, the demons knew Who Jesus was; they knew that one day they would be tormented for their rebellion against God; and if you read the rest of the story, they knew they had to obey Him!!! Jesus’ command outweighed the devil’s command even with those who were the devil’s servants. Regardless of what the devil had given them as an assignment, when Jesus spoke they had to obey! Christians do not understand that they too, in Jesus’ name, can cast our demons. There is no other Name in which a demonic spirit will obey! And don’t forget John 3:16 which says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” This verse does not say there is another way to eternal life does it? Let’s move on.