TEXT: John 14:6-8
TITLE: “Give them something they can’t get anywhere else!”
SERIES: The Growing Church Part 2
TOPIC: Evangelism
OCCASION: Burnside Christian Church
PROP.: Jesus makes some exclusive claims…but He has the right to do so because He offers what NO ONE else can! In our efforts to reach the lost, let’s make sure we give them what they can’t get anywhere else…let’s give them Jesus!
INTRODUCTION: Good morning!
ILLUSTRATION: Growing up, one of my favorite sodas was Vernors! It is a ginger ale that was unique to Michigan.
Here’s the history of Vernors:
In 1862, James Vernor was called off to the American Civil War. According to legend, he left a mixture of ginger, vanilla and spices sitting in an oak cask in a pharmacy he had been working in. After returning from battle four years later, he opened the keg and found the drink inside had been changed by the aging process in the wood. It was like nothing else he had ever tasted, and he purportedly declared it "Deliciously different," which remains the drink’s motto to this day. Its current slogan is "Barrel Aged, Bold Taste!". The apostrophe in the name "Vernor’s" was dropped in the late 1950s.[1]
Vernors is a golden ginger ale with a pungent flavor, more like a ginger beer. This style was common before Prohibition when the less flavorful pale ginger ale became popular as an alcoholic mixer. While Michiganders who grew up with it tend to like it, many other Americans are suspicious of it, as it doesn’t taste like a "typical" ginger ale.
Vernors has a reputation of being highly carbonated and drinking Vernors from a glass can sometimes make one sneeze or cough from the bubbles it gives off. Some people consume Vernors hot as a remedy for stomachache, with ginger being the active ingredient.
Although both Hires Root Beer and Vernors claim the title of first American soft drink, some argue that while Hires Root Beer was just another root beer, Vernors was not just another ginger ale, due to its unique aging process and unusual sweetener. For many, Vernor’s Ginger Ale is, in fact, the first true American-born soft drink
Vernors was not mass distributed nationally until the late 1980s. Previously the drink was primarily distributed only within a few hundred miles of Detroit, with particular popularity in Michigan, Western New York, Ohio, Chicago, and Southern Ontario, It is also popular in Florida, which has large numbers of retired Metro Detroiters[citation needed], and was even sporadically seen for sale there in the early 1960s — again, due to the presence of northerners migrating to the state after the Second World War.
How many of you have ever heard of Vernors? Oh how I miss Vernors! I would love it if it would be available in county market at Carthage!!
This morning, I want to encourage you in regards to evangelism. And I want to encourage you to give the un-saved person you are praying for something that they can’t get anywhere else!
GIVE THEM JESUS!
Our main text is John 14:6. In this very familiar verse, Jesus makes some BOLD claims! But He can make those claims because Jesus and Jesus alone offers three things to us that we can get NO WHERE ELSE! This is what makes Jesus so precious and valuable!
Let’s read our scripture:
John 14:6
6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
T.S.: Let’s look at what only JESUS can offer our lost friends, family and neighbors.
First, Jesus alone is the way!
1. I am the WAY (BLIND-man) (Mark 8:22 - 25)
Who needs to know the way??? Those who are lost! Blinded by their own sin!
Mark 8:22-25
22They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.
A. The world is blind and BEGGING for Jesus‘ touch! (vs. 22)
Did you catch verse 22? The blind man was begging for Jesus to touch him!
--Here are a list of Friday’s headlines from CNN’s website:
Woman indicted in myspace suicide case
Ellen Degeneres and girlfriend plan to marry
Bus driver beating caught on tape
Shania Twain & Husband splitting up
Do you think the world is blind? Do you think the world is living life the way they want to live it? This world is sick, perverted and unhealthy!
--What does the world need? IT NEEDS DESPERATELY JESUS!
The touch of Jesus heals! It fixes problems. Right and wrong are clearly defined. The way to live life is pointed out!
You don’t have to read the national headlines to see that the world is blind. We live next to people who are oblivious to God; His will and his blessings!
So now that we know that the world is blind…Notice in verse 23
23He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.
B. The blind need a guide! (vs. 23)
--To avoid obstacles
--To know where to go!
This was Thomas’ problem! His Lord was leaving and he wanted to go with Him! He was afraid he would be left alone! Jesus says, I am the WAY!
--The world needs to know where they are going!
Unfortunately, the world is listening to the world!
The world is saying it doesn’t matter how you live your life…as long as you’re happy
The world is saying that Christianity is dull & boring and no fun
Matthew 15:14
“If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."
ILLUSTRATION: A man was flying from Seattle to San Francisco. Unexpectedly, the plane was diverted to Sacramento along the way. The flight attendant explained that there would be a delay, and if the passengers wanted to get off the aircraft the plane would re-board in 50 minutes. Everybody got off the plane except one lady who was blind. The man had noticed her as he walked by and could tell the lady was blind because her Seeing Eye dog lay quietly underneath the seats in front of her throughout the entire flight. He could also tell she had flown this very flight before because the pilot approached her, and calling her by name, said, "Kathy, we are in Sacramento for almost an hour. Would you like to get off and stretch your legs?" The blind lady replied, "No thanks, but maybe my Ruff would like to stretch his legs. Picture this: All the people in the gate area came to a complete standstill when they looked up and saw the pilot walk off the plane with a Seeing Eye dog! The pilot was even wearing sunglasses. People scattered. They not only tried to change planes, but they were trying to change airlines!
People want a guide they can trust!!!!!
For “BROAD is the path that leads to destruction…NARROW is the path that leads to life…” And Jesus is the WAY to life!
Let’s continue reading…
When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?"
Mark 8:24,25
24He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around."
25Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.
C. Jesus is the guide! (vs. 25)
When Jesus gets involved, eyes will be open, actions will be changed, life will be restored! Jesus is the guide! Jesus, and Jesus alone is the WAY! Jesus offers something that the world can’t get anywhere else! Jesus is the way!
Second, Jesus ALONE is the truth!
2. I AM THE TRUTH (John 18:37, 38)
Turn to John 18:37,38
This is Jesus before Pilate before he is to be crucified.
John 18:37,38
37"You are a king, then!" said Pilate.
Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
38"What is truth?" Pilate asked.
Pilate asks a very serious question. What is truth?
A. The world is asking the same question: What is truth?
What do we know about truth?
--The truth will set you free! (John 8:32)
Free from bondage of sin…free from ignorance…free from guilt and shame!
--Truth is different from feelings or opinions!
Your feelings and opinions change!!!
--Truth is different than law! Laws change! Truth does not!
Illustration: It used to be that the speed limit in Missouri highways was 65...now the limit is 70. It used to be abortion was illegal…now it is legal. You can not base truth on what the law says!
You can not base truth on Feelings, opinions, or government laws. This is why your lost friends and family have a difficult time believing in the Bible! They see it as something that is old. And so it can’t be practical or useful for today! But here’s the difference!
JESUS DOESN’T CHANGE!
B. Jesus tells the truth
I want to share with you five words found 78 times in scripture that bring me comfort and I you to know that it brings comfort!
78 times in scripture Jesus is recorded as saying: “I tell you the truth!”
Jesus never lies. Never stretches the truth. Never omits important details! Jesus doesn’t sugar coat it. Or twist the truth to be easy on the ears! 100% of the time, he always tells the truth!
How refreshing! What a breath of fresh air!
Especially in our culture where truth is viewed as relative.
Let me ask you if you have ever heard this:
“who am I to press my personal convictions upon others?” That is everywhere in our culture! “Who am I to tell you what is right or wrong?” Let me tell you something, Jesus is the authority to say what is true and what is not!
C. Jesus IS the truth!
I have said this before, but I want to say it again. My confidence in proclaiming to you the messages I bring each week is not arrogance (God help me!). It’s not prideful, self-confidence. My confidence is in the word of God! That’s why I constantly refer you moment by moment to scripture. And I understand the culture we live in.
The culture we live in perceives the confident, assertion of absolute truth as arrogance in a pluralistic culture that doesn‘t even recognize the existence of absolute truth!
Won’t you give your un-saved friends, family, neighbors, something they desperately need? Something they can only find in Jesus! Give them THE TRUTH!
ILLUSTRATION: Jesus has said: ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will NEVER pass away!” Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33
Lastly, Jesus says:
3. I AM THE LIFE! (John 11)
Jesus alone offers life!
Fact #1:
A. All men die!
The story of Lazarus is an unusual story! It’s found in John 11.
--in the story of Lazarus, it is not unusual that we find Lazarus in the tomb.
ILLUSTRATION: It’s been said: You can be sure of two things: death and taxes! And sometimes I believe that death would be less painful!
One day, you will come to the end of your life. That is inevitable! You may be 40, 80 or a 100...but the end result is the same: death! A stopped heart. Stilled blood. Decaying flesh. Not a pleasant thought is it? Sad? Frightening? Maybe. But here is
Fact #2:
B. Jesus is the Difference!
So Jesus shows up and this is how He is greeted.
John 11:21,22
21"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."
Listen to Jesus’ response!
25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
Jesus is the life!
43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
Here’s what you need to know about Jesus being life: Jesus frees people from death!
CONCLUSION: ILLUSTRATION: VERNORS. Today I want to give you something that you can get no where else! And I want you to give it someone else! Use this as an opportunity to talk about spiritual things!
How will this work?
You will take two cans off of the table in the foyer. One for you. One for the person who’s name you wrote down in last week’s bulletin. The person who you know is LOST. Who is blind! Who is unsaved! Who because they are without Christ, will go to hell.
What you are going to do is take your can and their can and give it to them. Say something like: hey! You’ve got to try this! Give them the history of Vernors. Open your cans…talk drink it. Talk about it. Talk about how it is different! Why it’s different.
Then remember John 14:6! Jesus offers things that are different too! If they ask you where you got the pop: Tell them your preacher gave it to them! Why did he give it to you? To help share Jesus! Share Jesus? Yeah! Because like this soda, Jesus is unique and offers something that you can’t get anywhere else! THE WAY…THE TRUTH…THE LIFE!
GIVE THEM SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN’T GET ANYWHERE ELSE! GIVE THEM JESUS!!!!!!!
