On June 14th 1969, Frank Sinatra released the single “My Way” written by Paul Anka. Perhaps it was in response to the old saying, “it’s my way or the highway. “ It became a huge hit and would be the second most covered song in history. The lyrics were
“And now the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend I'll say it clear
I'll state my case of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way.”
It tells the story of a man who, having grown old reflects on his life as death approaches. He is comfortable with his mortality and takes responsibility for how he dealt with all the challenges of life while maintaining a respectable degree of integrity.
It was popular because of it’s in your face attitude.
“Yes there were times I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out, I faced it all
And I stood tall and did it my way.”
It was popular because of its pride-filled attitude.
“For what is a man what has he got
If not himself then he has not
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way.”
In the early seventies, a new idea emerged when a popular restaurant declared, “have it your way.” Now I had the right to no longer conform but rather to expect everything to be, as I desired.
Now we live in an age where you have the right to your way and I have the right to my way. Your way is no better than my way.
However, this theology stands in stark contrast to the truth. As we will learn today, we do not get to do it our way.
So far, Jesus has made five statements clarifying himself to be equal with God. He has said, “I AM the bread of life. I AM the light of the world. I AM the gate. I AM the good shepherd. I AM the resurrection and the life.” This last claim coming before raising Lazarus from the tomb.
Jesus departed from this area and went to Ephraim, a town near the wilderness. He stayed there until six days before the Passover Feast. He returned to the home of Lazarus for one final meal with his friends and then began his final trip into Jerusalem.
Jesus went about Jerusalem teaching those who were listening about his upcoming death. Jesus then has his final supper with his twelve disciples. He washes their feet to teach them about servitude. He informs Peter of his upcoming denial. He instructs them concerning his departure but promises to return for them. This leads to an interesting conversation between Thomas and Jesus.
John 14:4-6 “And you know the way to where I am going.”
“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
Another bold statement. “My very existence gives me the authority to claim that I AM the only way to heaven. My very existence gives me the authority to claim that I AM the absolute truth. My very existence gives me the authority to claim that I AM the only sustainer of life. My very existence gives me the authority to be the conduit between God and man.”
Jesus tells Thomas, “I Am the road, the path, the thoroughfare to get from this place to the place I am going. I AM the reality in comparison to what this world offers. I AM the sustainer of physical life and the giver of spiritual life.” Jesus is making it very clear that He and He alone is the way to heaven.
God’s word agrees with that assessment. “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11) “For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
This statement of Jesus being the only way created a lot of anger and resentment among the Jews. This anger and resentment continues today.
We live in a nation that has 313 religions and denominations. There is a huge white dome of a mosque in the midst of a cornfield in Toledo, Ohio. There is a great Hindu temple on a hillside in Nashville. A Cambodian Buddhist temple and monastery is set in the farmlands of Minneapolis.
There are more Muslim Americans than Episcopalians or the Presbyterian Church. There are as many Muslims as there are Jews.
Loa Angeles has become the most complex Buddhist city in the world.
One of the more popular bump stickers spell out the word “COEXIST” using symbols from different religions and movements. You have the Islamic crescent moon, the peace sign of Pacifism, the E for equality for homosexuals, the Star of David representing Judaism, the I for Paganism topped with the satanic pentagram, the S for Taoism (dou-iz-um) that teaches the equal balance of good and evil, and the Christian cross. It is meant to represent a nation where we all tolerate and coexist with each other. It attempts to lessen the claim of Jesus when He stated, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
To some extent the message of tolerance has worked. In a survey of 1000 Christians, 52% believed that Jesus is not the only way to heaven. 57% believed that many religions lead to eternal life. 12% of pastors agree with these Christians.
Jesus said, “I AM the truth. I am the reality of this world. All others are false gods and teachers. Since I am the truth then I AM the way. Reality is no one comes to God unless it is through me. Remember I AM the gate. Since I AM the way then I hold the power to give eternal life.”
Christianity is considered intolerant, more so than any other religion and it is. We believe that only through accepting Jesus as our Savior and surrendering our life to him will we be saved from the wrath of God. The problem is not our belief but how we communicate our belief to those who do not agree with us. The style of street evangelism that consists of screaming damnation to people is no longer effective. So how do we communicate the truth of Jesus to today’s society?
1) Learn to listen
James 1:19 “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”
It is a fact that others are interested in your beliefs. What does not interest them are you trying to force your beliefs on them. You must learn to listen to others viewpoints on their beliefs. There is nothing wrong with listening to others explain how they view the world. It is not wrong to listen to someone share his or her own religious practices. Build a relationship with those who not share your Christian beliefs.
Ask questions. Seek understanding. Find common ground. For example, 90% of all religions believe in some form of heaven, paradise, or oneness with God. Be kind. We are not guilty of compromising our beliefs by being kind to those who disagree with us. It is okay to be their friend.
But also look for open doors. You stand a better chance of sharing the gospel when you have listened to others. Most people who have shared their beliefs without hearing a judgmental statement or seeing a nodding head in disagreement will be interested in your viewpoints.
2) Do not react in anger.
2 Timothy 2:24-25 “A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.”
You cannot argue a person into the Kingdom of God. Insulting them will not lead them into believing. Screaming at the lost will not make them desire to run to the cross.
Do not argue about your beliefs, rather simply state them. If your beliefs are met with unkindness, you must be kind. If difficult people are trying to push your buttons, you must not react. We are told to instruct others with the truth, as we know it. In doing so, we are to pray that God would change their hearts. Remember it is the job of the Holy Spirit, and not yours, to convict people of their sins.
Would you get angry with a blind man for not being able to see? Paul reminds us “satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)
When dealing with others realize that the father of lies has blinded them to the truth. Just as a blind man cannot see light, they cannot see the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Just as a blind man cannot understand the beauty that surrounds them, they cannot understand the message of Jesus. Jesus is the healer, not us. We are an instrument to the healing but only He can heal spiritual blindness. We are to lead them there and not chase them away.
3) Be prepared
2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.”
Often we do not get to decide the opportunity to share our beliefs. In fact, usually the other person presents that opportunity. We are to be prepared. That means we need to be grounded in the word of God. We can only share the truth that we know. That is why it is important for us to read the word. That is why it is important for you to give God your attention on Sunday mornings.
“----don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (Matthew 10:19-20)
We have the assurance of the Holy Spirit speaking through us. However, you can only recall that which you have learned.
4) Be bold
Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.”
Do not sugarcoat the truth about the Gospel. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” He is the only way. We must proclaim it. If people get angry, let it be because of the Good News about Jesus and not because of our angry words. If they reject you, let it be because of the Good News about Jesus and not because you spoke rudely. If they reject the Good News about Jesus, let it be because of the Good News about Jesus and not because you lost your temper.
The Bible says, “Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.” (Ephesians 4:15) We must share the gospel with a smile on our face and love in our heart.
4) Fill the vacuum Acts 17:27-28 “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’”
The generations that are becoming the leaders of our nation are referred to as Millennials ages 18 through 26. Often they are like the blind with arms outstretched, seeking a God they do not know.
Here are some key findings from a recent survey.
The primary long-term goal of Millennials, as compared to previous generations, is to be spiritual or closer to God.
Millennials believe the country is headed in the wrong direction and that the nation comes up short in its commitment to social values.
Millennials believe in God and volunteer their time to church or community
Additionally, six out of ten Millennials believe abortion and marital infidelity are wrong. Unfortunately, the majority also believes its okay to practice more than one faith, and that morality is relative.
Also noteworthy is the fact that the majority of Millennials say they would like to learn more about their own religious faith.
This generation desires to be closer to God. Often it is a God they do not understand or know. We have the opportunity to introduce them to the One who is “The Way, the Truth, and the Life.
This generation is looking for a purpose, a cause for which they can stand. They want to serve their communities and be involved in the needs of others. They want to know what we stand for and not what we stand against.
They agree that abortion and adultery is wrong but are tolerant with others religions and moral practices. However, they have a hunger to learn about their religious faith. They have a vacuum and they recognize it.
We cannot convert them by threat, force, or intimidation. Can we neither stand by nor refuse to speak up for what we believe. If Jesus is truly the only way, the unkindest thing we could do is to keep it secret and the most loving we can do is share with others. We must share the Good News with patience, kindness, and love. We must not react in anger when challenged about our beliefs but rather be prepared to share the Good News. We must not be judgmental but rather tolerant, recognizing the spiritual blindness and having compassion.
When Jesus said, “I Am the way, the truth, and the life” it was an invitation to enter into God’s presence and not a prideful boast. We also should not boast but rather invite. In doing so we will be more like Jesus.
Frank Sinatra boasted in his song “My Way.” He boasted that he faced it all and stood tall. He boasted that he said the things he truly feels and not the words of one he knells. He boasted that he did life his way. Sinatra’s last words were “I’m losing.” There is only one way and that is Jesus.
