THE ONLY WAY OF SALVATION:
You know friends, if we wanted to go to cal; there would be many ways we could go to arrive at our destination there in cal.
We could go there and stop over at any place along the way, we could even fly to Hawaii first off on our way to cal; and then fly back to any place in the u.s.a. that we wanted to.
And then catch a bus to Dallas and then a train to Atlanta on our way to ca., and then we could even hitch hike back to s. c. as we’re on or way to cal, and then drive on to cal.
I’ve said all that to say this, there are any number of routes and ways to get around here on earth and we‘d still get to our destination, but if you want to go to heaven there only One Way there.
I invited a man to go to church with me one time, he was working in a fast food place where they made sub sandwiches, he told me that he didn’t go to church that he went to Mosca, then he added, but we worship the same God.
At 1st it surprised me because I didn’t realize at that time that he was from that part of the world.
Well, needless to say we didn’t agree at all on that statement.
Eph 4: 4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6One God and Father of all, who is above all,
Jesus is the One and only way to heaven:
Our text says;
JOHN 14:
1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 6: 4And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Why follow Jesus and not any other religion or way?”
It’s a question the Bible tells us to be prepared to answer at any time; for as
I Peter 3:15 says 15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear
1.We Follow Jesus because He is the only way to the Father.
In spite of the many voices that would say that there are many ways to God, the fact remains as it tells us in
acts 4:12 12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
As Jesus himself said in John 14:6“I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me
Well sents there is only one way to the Farther, lets take a closer look at Jesus’ statement “I am the truth”, noting that truth is concrete and unchanging.
The multiple and contradictory “ways to God” that are proclaimed by many people fail the truth test. The nature of truth, and logic itself, dictates that there can only be one way to God.
2.We Follow Jesus because His sinless and perfect life qualifies him to declare the way to the Father.
Talking to the Pharisees Jesus said in John 8:45-46 45And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46Which of you convinceth me of sin?
Unlike the founders and gods of other religions, Jesus suffers from no moral credibility or sin issues.
Jesus is the only person who has ever been sinless.
Since his character, purity, morality, and credibility are beyond reproach, we can be confident in the way of salvation that he teaches.
~~ Here are 3 reasons for why the way of salvation that Jesus declared is better than all others.~~
1. The way of salvation that Jesus offers, provides the remedy for man’s true problem: and that is mans sinfulness
Our basic problem as human beings is sin. It’s the core problem— Sin separates people from God. It’s because of sin that all suffering abounds in our world.
Because of sin, people are under the judgment of God and on their way to Hell.
The reason Jesus came was that we might be reconciled back to God and that our sin could be done away with.
Jesus’ sinless ness qualified Him to be our Savior and to be the once for all Sacrifice for sins upon the cross.
Heb. 9:24-27 says
24For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
25Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
26For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world*hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many;** and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
The way of salvation that only Jesus offers takes care of and provides the remedy for our sinfulness.
People who belong to other religions have no assurance that they will ever get to the stated goals of their religions. They have no true confidence, and according to the teachings of their religions, no basis for confidence either.
When a person comes to Jesus as the only Savior and Lord, the Bible speaks load and plain communicating to them that their sins have been totally forgiven and that eternal life is truly theirs.
John says in Ist John 5:13 13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
3. The salvation and forgiveness of sins that Jesus offers is not conditioned upon efforts and work.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
The requirements that other religions make weigh people down and trap them in their sins.
In the time of Jesus, the Pharisees had loaded people down with all sorts of extra laws regarding how to follow God.
When it comes to other religions there are all sorts of burdensome requirements that are put onto the shoulders of their people.
Jesus offers rest and release. Jesus offers a better way, and not just a better way: the only way.
Jesus offers rest and release from trying to make for our own salvation.
The Christian religion is not based on DO, rather is based on the concept of DONE—
Jesus being the one who has done everything to secure our salvation—all that is needed is a turning in faith, & repentance, and commitment to him alone.
The very 1st words of Jesus that is recorded in the gospel of*** Luke is:
49And he said unto them, how is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
And the very last thing that is recorded of Him saying in the gospel of John is:
John 19:30When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Jesus finished what the Father send Him to do, and that was to die in lost man kinds stead, He was the LAMB OF GOD that took away the damming sin.
The salvation that Jesus offers is not based upon works but upon grace.
Because of a person’s sinfulness, all of their self-efforts, righteousness, and works, are never considered good enough by God to merit his favor.
In and of our own strength, our sinfulness stains and spoils our every act. (all our righteousnessess is as filthy rags).
Isaiah 64:6But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
A person can never get to God by his or her own effort and strength. Salvation rests upon the grace of God—unmerited, a freely given gift from God.
Ephesians 2:8-9 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast
Now if we have to do anything to receive this gift, then it is not a gift, to receive a gift at Christmas time all we must do is simply receive it.
So why should a person follow Jesus? Because He is the only way of salvation.
2. All who come in faith, repentance, and commitment to Jesus Christ are to have complete assurance of their salvation and they’re on their way to Heaven.
3. The salvation that is of Jesus is not based upon works, but upon grace. Salvation cannot be had by self-effort. It’s a gift. Jesus offers rest and release from trying to make for your own salvation.
If works could save a person, how would he or she know when they had done enough?
Dear listener, the fact of the matter is, John 3:7 says Ye must be born again
If you have never been rebirthed into the body of Christ your not saved.
1st pet. 1: 3-5 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1st pet.1:18Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
Jesus will save all who will call upon Him .88
