Which Way

WHICH WAY

Scripture: John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man

cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

I. LOOK TO EXPERIENCE

A. The way is known by the more experienced.

The experienced have learned from others and by information obtained by books ( Ps 40:7 & Heb 10:7->Lo, I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do they will O God.), maps, etc.

B. Christ has gone before us --> His answer, "be of good cheer, I have overcome"

Use an experience of your own to fill this point.

C. Covington Courthouse experience --> Bro James Cox, Jr. showed me the courthouse when

out traveling around. Later, he gave me directions when I needed to go myself. He told me to take the 5th street exit from I-75. Pat and I came ourselves gripped with fear, panic, and inexperience. I took the 12th street exit which was one exit too soon. I decided to come back up to the freeway and then take the 5th street exit. As I re-entered the freeway, I came back under the 5th street exit and now I was Ohio bound across the bridge. I came back across another bridge. I was successful after three misses. Each time I had to cross the bridge to Ohio.

Lessons Learned:

1. Be careful if you choose to follow the inexperienced (or don't).

2. Wrong turns will cost you time, effort, embarrassment.

3. Confidence in yourself can lead to confusion

Proverbs 3:7 “Be not wise in thine own eyes:”

II. LEARN FOR YOURSELF

Pat and I learned to travel the area by experience, asking others, and maps.

A. Yellow Pages Maps --> Let your fingers do the walking. We take it with us.

B. Bible --> I'm Using My Bible For A Road Map

III. LEARN

A. The Way --> Those who walk in God's ways will be kept by God's power. HOP

1. Define Way (Hodos) --> way, path. A way, a road in which one travels. The way

of the Lord or of God, sometimes denoting the revealed will of God as being shown by God and leading to Him. John 14:6 Christ calls Himself "The Way" because no one comes to the Father or can approach the diving essence in a future state of blessedness but through Him. Deriv.:methodeia (3180) from methodos, method, the following or pursuing of orderly and technical procedures in the handling of a subject. Spiros Zodihiates

2. Christ is the Way --> Read pg 207 Thomas a' Kempis --> I am the Way John 14:6

"Of The Imitation of Christ"

My son, the more you can go out of yourself, the more will you be able to enter into

Me. Even to desire nothing that is without produces inward peace, so the forsaking of yourself inwardly joins you to God. I wish you to learn perfect renunciation of yourself in My will, without contradiction or complaint. Follow thou Me: "I am the way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6). Without the Way, there is no going; without the Truth, there is no knowing; with the Life, there is no living. I am the Way, which you ought to follow; the Truth, which you ought to believe; the Life, which you ought to hope for. I am the Way inviolable [not to be violated; that ought not to be injured or treated irreverently; no susceptible or hurt], the Truth infallible, the Life unending. I am the Way that is straightest, the Truth that is highest, the Life that is truest, the Life blessed, the Life uncreated. If you remain in My way: "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32), and you shall lay hold on eternal life.

"If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matt. 19:17). If you will know the truth, believe Me. "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast" (John 19:21). If you will be My disciple, deny yourself utterly (Luke 9:23). If you will possess a blessed life, despise this present life. If you will be exalted in Heaven, humble yourself in this world (John 12:25). If you will reign with Me, bear the cross with Me (Luke 14:27). For only the servants of the cross find the way of blessedness and of true light.

O Lord Jesus, forasmuch as Thy way was narrow and despised by the world, grant me

grace to imitate Thee, though with the world's contempt. "The disciple is not above his

Master, nor the servant above his lord" ( Matt. 10:24). Let Thy servant be exercised in

Thy life, for therein is my salvation and true holiness. Whatever I read or hear besides it