Jesus the Way by Charles Okenyi

Text: John 14:1-10

"Jesus answered, I am the WAY and the TRUTH and the LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Introduction:

The question raised by Thomas in John 14:5 brought out from Jesus Christ the whole confession about His true position in the plan of God for us believers. God surely has plans. John 29:11.

Why Many Fail

We stumble in almost all aspects of our lives because we always
choose to follow our own ways. Even believers fail yo recognize the truth in the gospel that Jesus is the only WAY to God.

Some think Christ is only relevant to them at the point of death, before God in judgement. Heb.9:27; Lk.23:39-43.

Our ways are usually tailored to fit the time we live in, contrary to Heb.13:8. God changeth not and He I'd the Ancient of Days. We can only get to Him through the ancient paths - Jer.6:16.

The choice of Jesus as the WAY to God the Father was taken before the creation of the world - I Peter 1:20.

How to Know Gods Plan and Purpose

God has His purpose for creation. To live a life of fulfilment. Being able to identify and fulfil God's purposes for us demands that we must key into Christ who is the WAY. He came to the world that we may have life, which He is, and have it more abundantly - John 10:10b. His Word is Amen and Yes.

Disadvantages of Technology and Advancement in Knowledge

The world is what it is today because we have woefully devised means of altering the truth and pave ways of trying to enhance life our way. Technology and advancement in knowledge of earthly things have made us to abandon the "ancient paths that guarantee rest for our souls." (Jer.6:16).

Instances of this problem are: EVOLUTION: a theory that existing plants and animals have developed over time from earlier forms to what they are today, thereby discounting the Bible's record of creation; EUTHANASIA: the act or practice of killing painlessly, especially to relieve pain or suffering considered incurable by man's thinking, thereby expressing utter lack of faith in God's healing power; CLONING: raising organisms like cells or even humans grown from a single cell of its parent and genetically identical to the parent organism, thereby challenging the creation prowess of God.

Civilization has brought to us, armed peace, guarded freedom, wars and rumours of wars, global economic meltdown, local bank distress, terrorism, kidnapping, materialism and the quest for erotic pleasure that has now made same-sex marriages the norm in the Western World. For abandoning the WAY, we cannot recognize the TRUTH that will give is LIFE. We have endangered our lives at our own peril.

Any Way Out?

Surely there are many ways to a market or town. While on a journey, you make a U-turn when you realize you are going the wrong way to your desired destination. It does not matter how far you have gone in the wrong direction.

To those of the world, you are in hell if you are financially poor and in heaven if rich. No wonder people have resorted to any ill means of getting rich. "We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way"- Isa.53:6. For this, God Almighty laid on His son, Jesus Christ the "iniquity of us all", "the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him and by His wounds, we are healed"- Isa.53:5b.

Thid message was delivered by Prophet Isaiah hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus on earth Amos 3:7.

John 1:3 confirms that we were made through him. As the gate (John 10:7) whosoever enters through the gate is saved. Those who do not enter through the gate are thieves and rubbers John 10:9.

Finally, in John 14:13,14, Jesus tells us who entered through the gate to ask for whatsoever in His name, being the only true WAY, and it will be granted us.

Conclusion

As Christians, we must not abandon the WAY of the cross the Way through Calvary which Jesus went on our behalf: we must endeavor to carry our crosses and strive to drag them through the narrow road and Gate that lead to eternal life Matt.7:14.