JESUS IS THE WAY (21 OF 32)
Scripture: John 13:31, John 14:11
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Jesus is the Way (21 of 32)
Series: John
Patrick Edwards
John 13:31-14:11
Introduction
I'm always a little amused when I hear a non-Christian describe Jesus as a good man whose general teachings are useful to follow. I'm amused because when I hear that my first thought is always, 'I don't think you've ever actually looked at his teaching.' Very little of what Jesus taught and said is easy for us to accept; it's even harder to follow.
Consider this, Jesus said that we are to deny ourselves and follow Him (Luke 9:23). I mean that just flies in the face of the take care of yourself and make yourself happy mantra of today's western culture. Jesus also said do not resist the one who is evil but turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39). Now that just seems idiotic, right? Having grown up in the South I'm not sure there's anything more offensive to our American sensibilities than that! Or how about all the Beatitudes? Blessed are the poor, those who mourn in spirit, the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted. No one in their right mind aspires to be these kinds of people and yet these are the ones that Jesus says are most blessed. My point is that much of what Jesus said was tough, both to understand but even more so to actually follow.
And yet we come this morning to perhaps the most radical and challenging thing Jesus ever said, ''I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,'' (John 14:6). How arrogant and intolerant is that, right? I mean how could anyone claim there is only one way? How could anyone know for sure there is only one way? But friends, that's why John 14:6 is so important. It's because this verse shows that it's not you and me who are making this claim. It's not Christianity that claims to be true, but something higher than any person or earthly institution does so.
Jesus, the Word become flesh, the eternal God who has become incarnate, is that one who speaks this ...
Series: John
Patrick Edwards
John 13:31-14:11
Introduction
I'm always a little amused when I hear a non-Christian describe Jesus as a good man whose general teachings are useful to follow. I'm amused because when I hear that my first thought is always, 'I don't think you've ever actually looked at his teaching.' Very little of what Jesus taught and said is easy for us to accept; it's even harder to follow.
Consider this, Jesus said that we are to deny ourselves and follow Him (Luke 9:23). I mean that just flies in the face of the take care of yourself and make yourself happy mantra of today's western culture. Jesus also said do not resist the one who is evil but turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39). Now that just seems idiotic, right? Having grown up in the South I'm not sure there's anything more offensive to our American sensibilities than that! Or how about all the Beatitudes? Blessed are the poor, those who mourn in spirit, the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted. No one in their right mind aspires to be these kinds of people and yet these are the ones that Jesus says are most blessed. My point is that much of what Jesus said was tough, both to understand but even more so to actually follow.
And yet we come this morning to perhaps the most radical and challenging thing Jesus ever said, ''I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,'' (John 14:6). How arrogant and intolerant is that, right? I mean how could anyone claim there is only one way? How could anyone know for sure there is only one way? But friends, that's why John 14:6 is so important. It's because this verse shows that it's not you and me who are making this claim. It's not Christianity that claims to be true, but something higher than any person or earthly institution does so.
Jesus, the Word become flesh, the eternal God who has become incarnate, is that one who speaks this ...
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