Justin Danielson, pastor, Parkview Christian Church
During the month of April at Parkview Christian Church, I preached through one verse and broke it down into four parts. This simple verse is all about who Jesus is and says He is.
John 14:6, “Jesus said to him. ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
JESUS IS: The Way
There is nothing like someone asking you to go somewhere being given directions and soon find out you are lost. With today’s technology we can usually get where we are intending to go or at least pretty close.
When Jesus says, “I am THE WAY,” He isn’t saying one way or sort of the way. He is saying flat out that He is the only way! There are no other options, only Jesus. He is the way out of our old life of sin. He is the way through our current life situations -disappointments, failures, difficulties, or uncertain times. Jesus is the way we reach our full potential and find true satisfaction. The Bible talks about a narrow and broad way. The broad way leads to destruction which is eternity in hell. The narrow way is the way that leads to heaven for eternity with Jesus. Jesus Is the Way!
JESUS IS: The Truth
I always find it interesting when someone starts out a conversation with, “I tell you the truth…” My thought is, “Well, I hope so.” We all want and long for the truth. Sometimes the truth is hard to hear or to give. but it is always the best in the end.
Jesus has been with God from the beginning of creation. John chapter 1 tells us this. The prophecies about Jesus in the Old Testament (His birth, death, and resurrection) were fulfilled in the New Testament. The Bible is truth, God Himself is truth, Jesus is truth, and the Holy Spirit is truth. There is freedom in the truth. Jesus said in John 8:31-32, “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in My word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Jesus Is the Truth!
JESUS IS: The Life
Life on this earth has a beginning and an end. On our tombstone there is a birth date, a dash and then a date of the day we pass away. So, the question is, “What are we doing with our dash?”
Let’s take a quick look at the L.I.F.E of Jesus in and acrostic.
Lays down his life – A lot of us know the famous verse in John 3:16 that tells us that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son Jesus to bring forth eternal life. There is also a verse in 1 John 3:16 that says, “By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” We are called to put off self and to be there for one another.
Intentional life – Jesus spent time with God the Father in times of prayer. Jesus put God first in what He said and did. Jesus was obedient to God even to the point of death. Jesus invested His time, talent, and treasure to advance the Kingdom. As Christians we are called to be intentional just as Jesus was.
Fulfilling Life – Jesus wasn’t rich by the world’s standards. He came from humble means, and His followers were ordinary people. That didn’t matter because Jesus knew His mission was not to build an earthly kingdom, but a heavenly one. We can live a fulfilled life in Christ, built on pleasing Him and not man. We do this by living out the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40) – loving God and loving others as well as fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) – making and multiplying disciples.
Everlasting Life – Jesus came to this earth with a mission. He was born to die. His death wasn’t the end. Jesus defeated death by rising on the third day out of the tomb, proving that He is the true Messiah. We can experience eternal life as well by faith (belief and trust), repentance, confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior, being baptized, and living out our Faith. Jesus is the L.I.F.E.!
JESUS IS: The Only
Jesus says in the last part of John 14:6, “…No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Jesus is the only way to God the Father and Heaven…period! There is no other way. Some say there are many paths, but anything other then Jesus is false. 1 Peter 2 tells us that Jesus was a living stone, chosen and precious. God chose Jesus to be our salvation. God’s plan was simple and straightforward. Out of love, He sent His sinless, perfect and unblemished Son. Jesus shed His blood for you and me on the cross. Jesus conquered death through the empty tomb. Jesus is the mediator between us and God. Jesus is our High Priest and the name above all names. Jesus is the Only!
Jesus is my Lord and Savior – Justin Danielson – Minister Parkview Christian Church
For the complete column, see this week’s edition of the Centralia Fireside Guard.
