How Many Roads Can A Man Walk Up?

. I rarely go off our lessons and get distracted by Current Events when it comes to my preaching. However, something happened this week which I thought really gives us the opportunity to discuss something very basic but essential about our Christian faith. And let me say, I welcome your discussion on this topic, your questions, your phone calls (Crossing guard/cashier) if you have feedback or confusion on the topic, or want to tell me how to say it nicer.

This week, a leading Christian figure (Jorge) was addressing a group of people from many religions, and he said in summary: My God is not better than your God, There is only one God, and each of us has a language to reach God. Some are Sikh, some Muslim, Hindu, Christian. And they are all paths to God.

That sounds nice. It feels accepting, loving, and most of all very tolerant! All week long, I have had texts and phone calls, and watched lots of discussion online between people about what Jorge really meant. Because, as we talked about on Wednesday Night, at our Bible Study which we held at the church (Hint, Hint), a lot depends on how we define our terms.

Some said he was wrong, and leading people to Hell. Some said he was right. Others said he was right, but then twisted what he said to mean the opposite of what the clear meaning of what he said meant. This morning, I want to look at what the Bible, especially our lessons, have to say about how to find a path to God, and hopefully it will be interesting, as it is the foundation of our faith.

So, let’s begin with this idea, as I defend him for a second which may surprise you. We, as Christians hate to feel like we are acting superior.

Or at least we should hate it, because we should always realize that we are saved by grace. It’s not us, our smarts, our hard work and effort that brings us salvation. It is a gift of God. So we can be overly modest when we talk.

The first quote from our lessons I want to examine is from Jeremiah, 6:14, where God addresses some people with the same problem:

They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.

This is God speaking a harsh condemnation. And who is God condemning? ME! Preachers that is! The prophets and priests who were supposed to be teaching the people the things of God. And instead of correcting the people, they tell them “relax, Peace, everything is ok” even though the people of Jerusalem are in a spiritual war against God. But I get it. Everyone wants to be liked.

I want to be liked. It breaks my heart when I say something that offends people and they walk out of the church service. It’s happened, and I wonder how I could have said it in a nicer way, even when I know I should say it.

The people of Jerusalem felt it was ok to worship Yahweh, and to worship Asherah and Baal, all at the same time, it’s all “spirituality.” The preachers didn’t want to be hated, so they participated too. They were basically saying, well, just make sure you are fitting the Lord in there, and I guess it’s ok. But it wasn’t OK.

I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not worship Graven images. Not OK.

God hates idolatry, and tells His preachers to tell His people there is no peace between God and Baal. And when it comes to His plan of salvation, I am required to tell people what He says, not what I want to say or they want to hear.

So, what are his words that I have to tell the people? Our Gospel lesson from John 14 is between the Last Supper and the crucifixion. Jesus is trying to bring them comfort in the face of his leaving, though they don’t understand.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

So from this, we see that, Jesus wants to bring them comfort, but that comfort has to be grounded in truth. He begins by telling them to believe in Him. To believe he is going to Heaven, and by the cross, Jesus is making a way so we can be with the Father.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.