TEXT:  John 14:6

INTRODUCTION:

A.      FOR MANY LIFE IS FILLED WITH DESPAIR AND OVERWHELMING

          PROBLEMS.

B.      COMMON PLIGHT OF MEN OF ALL AGES( Job 14:1-2 ).

C.      JESUS CLAIMS TO BE THE SOLUTION( John 14:6 ).

D.      IN THIS AND THE FOLLOWING LESSONS WE WANT TO DISCUSS

          SEVERAL AREAS IN WHICH JESUS TRULY "THE WAY."

I.      THE WAY TO A BETTER LIFE.

A.      JESUS STATED HIS PURPOSE IN COMING( John 10:10 ).

B.      MORE THAN SIMPLY LIFE IN THE "HEREAFTER."

          1.       A loving Father in Heaven( Matt. 6:31-33 ).

          2.       More than sufficient provision( Psa. 37:25;  Mark 10:29-31 ).

C.      THE HAPPIEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD ARE THOSE WHO ARE FULLY

          COMMITTED TO JESUS AS THE WAY.

          1.       Paul( Phil. 4:11-13 ).

          2.       Peter( 1 Pet. 1:6-8 ).

II.     THE WAY TO FORGIVENESS OF SINS.

A.      SIN IS A PROBLEM FOR EVERYONE( Rom. 3:23;  6:23;  5:12 ).

B.      FORGIVENESS IS IN JESUS( 1 John 4:9-10 ).

          1.       Jesus died in our place( Eph. 1:7 ).

          2.       Our response( Mark 16:16;  Acts 2:38 ). Faith, Repentance, Baptism.

III.    THE WAY TO GOD.

A.      MANY CHURCHES TOTALLY SILENT ON THE CONCEPT OF

          FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD.

          1.       Could this indicate a lack of real understanding of Jesus' purpose?

          2.       Man's original state in the Garden( Gen. 1:27-28;  2:15;  3:8 ).

          3.       That fellowship disrupted by sin( Gen 3:24;  Isa. 59:1-2;  1 John 1:6 ).

B.      JESUS CAME TO RECONCILE MAN AND GOD( 2 Cor. 5:18-21 ).

          1.       This occurs when sin is removed( vs. 21 ).

          2.       Through Jesus we can partake with God( 2 Pet. 1:4 ).

          3.       As noted, Jesus claimed to be the only way to the Father( John 14:6 ):

C.      THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE ETERNAL LIFE WITHOUT FELLOWSHIP

          WITH GOD IS POINTLESS AND EMPTY.

D       THIS IS WHAT JESUS OFFERS( John 17:1-3 ).

IV.   THE WAY OUT OF RELIGIOUS CONFUSION.

A.      MUCH CONFUSION AMONG THOSE WHO DESIRE TO FOLLOW JESUS.

          1.       Many churches to choose from.

          2.       Conflicting doctrines offered by those who profess to be his disciples.

B.      THIS CONFUSION UNNECESSARY AND DISAPPROVED

          ( Matt. 12:25;  John 17:21-21 ).

C.      HOW CAN UNITY BE ACHIEVED?

          1.       It helps to remember that Jesus promised to build HIS church( Matt. 16:18 ).

          2.       It has one head( Eph. 1:22-23;  4:4-6 ).

          3.       Getting back to the Book( Jer. 6:16;  1 Cor. 4:6 ).

          4.       Our attitude toward preaching and preachers( Eph. 6:18-20; 3John 5-8, 12 ).

          5.       In other words( 2 John 9-11 ).

V.    THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE.

A.      DEATH AND JUDGMENT COME TO ALL( Heb. 9:27 ).

B.      DEATH BECOMES THE DOOR TO DESTINY( Matt. 25:46 ).

C.      TO DIE IN JESUS IS TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE( 1 John 2:25;  Rev. 14:13 ).

CONCLUSION:  WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT EVERY

        SPIRITUAL BLESSING COMES THROUGH "THE WAY" ( Eph. 1:3;  John 14:6 ).