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[0:00] He's faithful and that he's not just going to get us in the pen and then leave us. He's going to watch over us. Jesus says, I am Yahweh. I am God. I am your God. And I am your shepherd. I am the Son of God.

[0:16] At the death of Lazarus, I am the resurrection and the life. I am the true vine in John 15. Jesus is. And how we respond to this great one makes all the difference in the world.

[0:28] And here in John 14, 6, three things Jesus says, I am. I am the way and the truth and the life. So throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus is claiming remarkable things for himself that could only be true if he is God.

[0:43] And he is. The narrower context here is that Jesus is talking about returning to his father's house and preparing a place for his disciples. And isn't that sweet truth?

[0:54] He's preparing a place for us. That this world is not our home. Where he's preparing for us is. But in that context, he says, and you know the way to where I'm going.

[1:07] But Thomas isn't so sure that they do know the way. We don't even know where you're going. How can we know the way? And it's in reply to that question that Jesus gives this very familiar statement.

[1:18] That you know that we're considering tonight. I am the way and the truth and the life. How can we know the way? Well, if you know Jesus, you know the way. Because he is the way.

[1:30] But what does that mean? Let's talk about each of those. Jesus being the way and the truth and the life. When you look at that word, the way, in the New Testament, you'll find some interesting things, I think. In some circumstances, there is more than one way.

[1:44] In the story of Jesus' birth, you remember the wise men who came to worship Jesus. And Herod said, hey, tell me when you find him. Tell me where he is so I can go and worship him.

[1:55] Of course, Herod wants to kill him. And so in Matthew 2.12, and being warned in a dream to not return to Herod, they departed to their country by another way. I think that's interesting.

[2:06] There was more than one way to get from their country, or from where they were to their country. They could have gone by way of Herod, but they went another way. Sometimes there's more than one way. But when you're talking about the way to the Father, there's only one way.

[2:26] In Acts, you find that the Christian faith is called the way. Isn't that interesting? Jesus says he is the way, the only way to the Father. And in the early church, those who have faith in Christ are said to be part of the way.

[2:41] Paul, when he was still Saul, wants to go persecute saints in Damascus. Acts 9.1 and 2. But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

[3:02] Being a disciple of the Lord, that's Jesus, is in parallel with belonging to the way. So if you trust in Christ, you're part of the way, because as he said, I am the way. Right?

[3:12] And so the early church reflected that. If you were part of the early church, you were part of the way, as you all are. We just don't call it that anymore like they did in the book of Acts. Maybe we should.

[3:25] And then the book of Hebrews helps us understand more about this way of Christ. Hebrews 10.19 through the first part of verse 22. Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.

[3:39] See if you can hear the connection to the Lord's Supper tonight in Hebrews 10. Since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is through his flesh.

[3:54] And since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near. The old way was through the blood of bulls and goats, which foreshadowed and pictured and pointed forward to Christ, to Jesus.

[4:08] But with the arrival of Jesus, they didn't need the picture anymore. We have the blood of Jesus and the body of Jesus, which is the way into the presence of God.

[4:20] Says Hebrews 10. Jesus, by his own blood, has provided the new and living way through his flesh offered for us, which is what we remember at this Lord's table tonight.

[4:31] The body and blood of our Savior that is the way to God. He is the way to the Father. He is the way to eternal life. He is the way of salvation from sin.

[4:42] Jesus is the way, but he's also the truth. See, that word also in John's Gospel. He's called the Word.

[4:52] Jesus is called the Word in John 1.1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And in verse 14 of John 1, you'll find this. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory.

[5:05] Glory is of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. Jesus says, I am the truth. Should we be surprised then that he's full of grace and truth?

[5:19] Or verse 17 of chapter 1, for the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ, because he is the truth. He speaks the truth. Opposite of the devil, who is the father of lies, he is the truth.

[5:33] Jesus doesn't just declare revelation from God. He is the full and final revelation of God. Hebrews 1. 1 and 2. Long ago, many times, and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets.

[5:46] But in these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. He is the truth. He is the revelation of God. And as one who bears witness about himself, his testimony is true.

[6:00] John 8. Jesus answered, even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true. I am the one who bears witness about myself. And the Father who sent me bears witness about me.

[6:12] Jesus tells the truth. And he is the truth. And the truth will set you free later in John 8, verses 31 and 32. So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, If you abide in my word, my word, which is truth.

[6:28] If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth. And the truth will set you free. Free from sin.

[6:39] Free from slavery to sin and the dominion of Satan. Free. He is the word made flesh, the truth. And he sets his people free.

[6:50] And he is the life. John 1.4 says of Jesus, the word. In him was life.

[7:02] And the life was the light of men. John's gospel all hangs together. The way, the truth, and the life, you'll find it woven throughout his gospel. In him was life.

[7:13] And the life was the light of men. We can have life in no one else. Remember, Jesus said, I am the bread of life. John 6.33-35. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.

[7:28] They said to him, Sir, give us this bread always. Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me shall not hunger. And whoever believes in me shall never thirst. Do you want to live?

[7:39] You have to eat. If you want to stay alive physically in this world, you have to eat. For some of you, that will be bread. Bread. For some of you, bread would kill you. But for others of you, that's bread. Right? You've got to have physical food.

[7:53] If you want to have eternal life, you must have the bread of life. And that's Jesus. You come to him and you'll never hunger and you'll never thirst.

[8:07] And as Jesus said to Martha in John 11.25, I am the resurrection and the life. There it is again. Repeatedly says, I am the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.

[8:19] And everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. These are amazing words. Eternal life comes only through Jesus.

[8:30] If we are going to the eternal father and are going to dwell with the eternal God for all of eternity, then we have to have eternal life. And it only comes through Jesus, who is the life.

[8:44] Resurrection and the life. Remember what Peter said. John 6.68. Simon Peter answered him. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. There's nowhere else to go.

[8:57] It's Christ alone. As we often sing, in Christ alone, your hope is found. That's it. He is the way, the truth, and the life.

[9:07] There's no other way to the father. There's no other way to eternal life. There's no other way to eternal life. There's no other way to eternal life. That means he is the only way of salvation.

[9:21] We are sinners in need of saving. The only salvation is in Christ. If you want life, you must have Christ. Acts 4.11 and 12. This Jesus is the stone.

[9:36] John didn't know what I was preaching tonight when he talked about that capstone. But here it is in Acts 4.11 and 12. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.

[9:50] And there is salvation in no one else. For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Some reject him.

[10:03] And some receive him by faith. So let me ask this question tonight. What if you don't have Jesus? And when I say if you don't have Jesus, I mean you're not trusting in him alone.

[10:18] You heard Jesus talk about believing in him. You're not looking to him alone for salvation. You are not joined to him in union with him by faith. If you're not trusting in Christ tonight.

[10:30] If you haven't begged him for mercy. If you are not by faith leaning on him alone to forgive your sin and to make you right with God. If you don't have Christ, then you are lost.

[10:43] If you don't have Jesus, you're not on the way that leads to life. Matthew 7.13 and 14. Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide. And the way is easy that leads to destruction.

[10:58] Those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow. And the way is hard that leads to life. And those who find it are few. If you don't have Jesus.

[11:11] If you're not trusting him. If you're not walking with him. You're not on the right way. You're on a way. But it's the way that leads to destruction. Which means that you're lost.

[11:23] If you don't have Jesus, you're lost. Because you're not on the way. If you don't have Jesus, you're deceived. There are many in our world who reject Jesus. Who claim to be enlightened. They claim to know.

[11:33] They claim to be in the light. And they reject Jesus. Because they are too enlightened for that. The reality is that they are deceived and living in darkness. If you reject God's truth.

[11:45] If you reject God's Son. If you reject Jesus. Who is the truth. You have no truth. John 8.44 You are of your father the devil. And your will is to do your father's desires.

[11:57] He was a murderer from the beginning. And does not stand in the truth. Because there is no truth in him. When he speaks. He speaks out of his own character. For he is a liar. And the father of lies.

[12:09] Without the truth. Without Christ. You continue to embrace Satan's lies. And if you continue down that path. It will land you in hell. With Satan himself.

[12:21] Forever. So if you don't have Christ. You are lost. You are deceived. And you are dead.

[12:33] As the broad road that leads to destruction shows. If you don't have Jesus. You are dead. You may be physically alive. You are. If you are here tonight. Physically alive.

[12:43] You have got breath in your lungs. But as long as you go on rejecting Jesus. You are spiritually dead. And headed for eternal death. In eternity without Christ. Without hope.

[12:54] Without comfort. Eternal suffering. Revelation 20. 14 and 15. Then death. And Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.

[13:04] This is the second death. The lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life. He was thrown into the lake of fire. So if you have Christ.

[13:16] You have life. And your name is written in the book of life. But if not. You experience the second. The final. And eternal. Death. Not non-existence.

[13:30] Not. Nothingness. Not. Reincarnation. Not. Some other. Alternative. Explanation. To what happens after you die. But eternal suffering.

[13:44] In other words. If you try to find the way. And the truth. And the life. Anywhere. Other than Jesus Christ. You will fail. You'll be lost. Deceived. And dead. And that is what some of you here tonight are.

[13:55] And that may not be a very. Popular. Or well-received thing to say. That you're lost. Deceived. And dead. But if you are. You need to know it.

[14:07] And it wouldn't be right of me not to tell you. And to warn you. But thank God for the good news of Jesus Christ. Because if you do have Christ.

[14:18] If you are trusting in him. Then you're found. We're saying. I once was lost. But now I'm found.

[14:31] If you have Christ. You've been found by him. And you're on the way. That leads to life. You've entered through the narrow gate. You're part of the way. And privileged to have Christ. As your savior.

[14:41] And your shepherd. Your faith is in Jesus. Now you can't get to heaven. By following the way. That Christ took. By trying to be like him. And do the things that he did. You could never do enough. Your death wouldn't be sufficient.

[14:52] Your life and righteousness. Would not be enough. You get there by. Being joined to Christ. Who is the way. And trusting him. So you share in his life.

[15:04] And his death. And his resurrection. As you see in Romans 6. And so if you have Christ. You're found. You're on the way. Praise God. That leads to eternal life. You're free.

[15:16] If you have Jesus. You have the truth. And the truth. Sets you free. You've been truly enlightened. The eyes of your heart. Have been opened. And you've seen the truth.

[15:28] And the truth has set you free. What a privilege that is. Children of the light. To embrace the truth. Of Jesus Christ. And so when the devil attacks us. With his lies. We have the truth. Knowing that Christ.

[15:39] Is our first. And best ally. We're no longer slaves to sin. We have truth. And we are free. From slavery to sin. And.

[15:52] You're alive. Dear child of God. If you have Christ. You're alive. You have eternal life. It is a narrow hard way. You know that tonight.

[16:04] You're walking that way. You're finding the trials. The difficulties. The suffering. The pain. But on that narrow hard way. Jesus says. I am your shepherd. And I am the way.

[16:16] That you are on. And that means. That you are going to get. To the destination. Which is eternal life. You have everything. That you need. For this life. Difficult as it is.

[16:27] On that narrow hard way. And eternal life. Waiting for you. In glory. Nothing can snatch you. Out of God's hand. And so. Which are. Are you tonight?

[16:39] Lost. Deceived. And dead. Or found. And free. And alive. Which do you want to be?

[16:53] It's not a hard question. Think about the words. Lost. Deceived. Dead. Found. Free. And alive.

[17:04] Which are you? Do you know Christ? Have you. Trusted him. As your Lord. And savior. Have you believed. In him.

[17:14] Have you. Trusted him. To give you his righteousness. And deliver you. From your sin. And the terrible. Forever punishment. That you deserve. We're all sinners. We've all broken God's law. We all deserve judgment.

[17:25] That's true. That's one of those. Those realities. That we know. That is too familiar. To us maybe. We really do deserve it. We're not just saying that. It's true. And the only way our sins are forgiven.

[17:37] Is through the work of Jesus. Which is what we remember. At this Lord's table. We enter the world. Lost. Deceived. And dead. And can't do anything about it ourselves. But. Thank God.

[17:49] That he sent his son. To do what we could never do. To be the only way. The truth. And the life. And so Jesus died in our place. Our sins were placed on him.

[18:01] And God punished him. Instead of us. At the cross. Which again. Is what we remember. As we partake tonight. And so instead of the punishment. We deserve. We receive the reward.

[18:12] That he earned. So that we can be right with God. And live forever. There's only one way. That that happens. And it is through Jesus. God has been pleased to reveal that truth to us.

[18:25] If you're here tonight. You're privileged. Not because you got to hear me preach. But because. You have this. Because you know. That Jesus is the way. The truth. And the life. Have you received him?

[18:36] If you have. Bless God. For these realities. Those things that we sang about earlier. Praise him. I hope that as we partake. Your heart is overflowing. In gratitude. In worship. And if you have not.

[18:50] Trusted in Christ. As we partake. And you see these elements past. I pray that you will lay hold of the throne of grace. You cry out. God. Be merciful to me.

[19:01] The sinner. Have mercy. I want to be found. And free. And forgiven. And alive. I need the way. And the truth. And the life. Come save me. Lord Jesus.

[19:11] And he will. And you can have this way. This truth. This life. That Jesus is. For all who believe. In him. Amen. Amen.

[19:22] Thank you.