"JESUS, THE WAY"
Introducing Jesus As The Way
INTRODUCTION
1. As we begin this series of studies, ask yourself these questions...
a. Do you have problems?
b. Are you confused in things pertaining to life itself?
c. Do you feel lost, with a sense of despair?
2. If you do, don't feel like you are alone...
a. About the time of Abraham, a person who was experiencing a great
deal of suffering said: "Man who is born of woman is of few days
and full of trouble. He comes forth like a flower and fades away;
He flees like a shadow and does not continue." - Job 14:1-2
b. Job's words, spoken nearly four thousands years ago, express the
sentiments of millions today
3. Now, however, there is a way out: Jesus Christ...!
a. As He Himself said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life..."
- Jn 14:6
b. Yes, to everything that truly good, both in this life and the one
to come, Jesus Christ is the way!
[In this study, I want to introduce several areas in which Jesus is
truly "The Way". Succeeding lessons will expand on these themes, but
for now I simply wish to whet your appetite. For example, Jesus is...]
I. THE WAY TO A BETTER LIFE
A. JESUS OFFERS AN ABUNDANT LIFE...
1. On one occasion, Jesus stated His purpose in coming to this
earth - "...I have come that they may have life, and that they
may have it more abundantly." - Jn 10:10
2. This "abundant life" Jesus offers is more than simply life in
the "hereafter"
3. Though He does not promise wealth or luxury, He does assure us
of...
a. A loving Father in Heaven, Who cares for His children - Mt
6:31-33
b. More than sufficient provision for those who are willing to
follow Him - Mk 10:29-30
B. THOSE WHO RECEIVE THIS LIFE ARE BLESSED...
1. The happiest people in the world are those who truly commit
themselves to following Jesus as "The Way"
2. Even though living in the most adverse circumstances, such as:
a. Paul, while living under house arrest - Php 4:11-13
b. Christians being persecuted in Asia Minor (Turkey) - 1Pe 1:
6-8
[Jesus is also...]
II. THE WAY TO FORGIVENESS OF SINS
A. JESUS IS THE SOLUTION TO A SERIOUS PROBLEM...
1. He is the only solution to a very serious problem
a. The most serious threat to our well-being that we face:
Sin!
b. This is because everyone of us is guilty of sin - Ro 3:23
2. Sin is not without its consequences
a. Often physical, but always spiritual! - Ro 6:23
b. Unless the problem of sin is resolved, the ultimate
consequence is eternity in hell!
B. THROUGH JESUS, GOD PROVIDES FORGIVENESS...
1. Out of love, God offered Jesus as the propitiation for our sins
- 1Jn 4:9-10
2. Through His blood shed on the cross, Jesus provides forgiveness
for our sins - Ep 1:7
3. After His sacrificial death for us, Jesus explained how those
lost in sin could be saved
a. It involves repentance - Lk 24:46-47
b. It also involves faith and baptism - Mk 16:16
[But to be truly happy, we need more than just the forgiveness of sins;
we need to be restored to the close union with God which we lost by our
sins. In this also, Jesus is our answer, for He is...]
III. THE WAY TO GOD
A. JESUS CAME TO RECONCILE US TO THE FATHER...
1. Many religions, claiming to be Christian, are almost totally
silent about the new relationship Jesus provides with God, the
Father
a. About all they seem to talk about is "Jesus" or "Holy
Spirit"
b. Could this indicate a lack of real understanding of Jesus'
purpose?
2. Jesus came to this world to reconcile man back to God the
Father
a. God sent Him for that purpose - cf. 2Co 5:17-20
b. This is what Jesus claimed to be - Jn 14:6
B. A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS IMPORTANT...
1. One does not truly experience what it means to have "eternal
life" without having an intimate relationship with the Father,
as well as with the Son
2. Which is exactly what Jesus has to offer us! - cf. Jn 17:2-3
3. Yes, that eternal life Jesus offers to us includes "knowing"
the Father as well as the Son!
[The way to a better life, the way to forgiveness of sins, the way to
God...what wonderful blessings! But there is more. Jesus is also...]
IV. THE WAY OUT OF RELIGIOUS CONFUSION
A. THE DILEMMA MANY FACE TODAY...
1. Consider the plight of many who wish to follow Jesus
2. They are confused and even repelled by the multitude of
different churches and conflicting doctrines being offered by
those who profess to be His church.
B. ONE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A PART OF THIS CONFUSION...
1. Jesus certainly does not approve it
a. He taught the harm of division - Mt 12:25
b. He prayed for His followers to be united - Jn 17:20-21
2. Jesus promised to build His church - Mt 16:18
a. Despite the efforts of man and Satan to destroy it, or
otherwise change it, they shall not prevail!
b. Even today, when someone obeys the words of Jesus Christ,
they are added by the Lord Himself to His church - Ac 2:47
c. In His church, we can enjoy the unity of which Paul wrote
- Ep 4:4-6
[But finding His church and enjoying this unity is experienced only as
we follow Jesus as the way out of religious confusion. Finally, let me
point out that Jesus is...]
V. THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE
A. DEATH IS INEVITABLE...
1. It is appointed for men to die once - He 9:27a
2. After death, then comes the judgment - He 9:27b
3. Death becomes the door, either to eternal life or to eternal
condemnation - cf. Mt 25:46
B. JESUS OFFERS ETERNAL LIFE...
1. To die in Jesus is to die in the way to life eternal! - Jn 6:
27; 11:25
2. As the apostle John wrote in the book of Revelation - Re 14:13
CONCLUSION
1. I hope that I have sparked your interest in wanting to learn more
about Jesus as "The Way"
2. As mentioned at the outset of this study, the remaining lessons will
elaborate upon these great blessings provided only through Jesus
3. My purpose in this series is twofold...
a. For those who are Christians
1) To increase their appreciation of Jesus as their Lord and
Savior
2) So they will want to serve Him with greater zeal
b. For those who are not Christians
1) To encourage them to let Jesus be their way to everything that
is truly good
2) Both in this life and in the life to come!
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Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2009
