RECAP: THE WAY, TRUTH, AND LIFE based on John 14:1-17
We live in a post-Christian world. We are saturated with things of faith in the United States, but no longer truly believe the message of the Word of God. In a recent survey put forth by Probe Industries, over 60% of those who responded between the ages of 18-39 selected that Jesus was one of many ways to heaven; you could follow any faith teacher and get there, like Buddha, Muhammad, etc. We also see charismatic leaders such as Rob Bell who, in his book Love Wins, argued that hell is no longer a destination for anyone after the work of Jesus on the cross! Proverbs 16:25 says “there is a way that seems right to humanity, but in the end, it leads to death (destruction in KJV).”
Jesus, on the other hand, said he is the Way. He did not say he was a way or one way, but the Way. No one comes to the Father except through him. Jesus declared himself to be the only way to heaven. For the promise of heaven can only be achieved through his sinless sacrifice on the cross to atone the sins of humanity. It is through Jesus’ act of love that we now have a pathway to heaven. Without Jesus’ act, there is no way anyone could achieve heaven, for all our ways lead to death! He showed us how to live. He pointed us to the Father. But it is our choice whether to follow his way or not; if we do, we find the blessing of heaven, but if not, “Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 7:21). We can try to find our own way, or listen to another voice pointing the way (like a bad GPS leading us into a creek to find a house wanted to buy), but the way of Jesus is the only way to life.
Jesus is the Truth. We live in a world that does not believe in any absolute truth. Without truth, there is no standard, and everything goes. If I try to build something without a standard (like a level), everything will eventually tilt or fall apart. Without a standard of truth in our faith, everything will tilt and fall apart. It leads to confusion–how can two say that God is speaking to them, telling them to do polar opposite things that contradict each other? But when we apply everything to the standard of truth, the very Word of God, written and Incarnate, the right way becomes clear and the false trails are revealed.
Too often we fall for a substitute, an idol. We do not have idols made of wood and stone anymore, but an idol is any reality we empower above God. It could even be something we associate as good like service, love, tradition, or peace! But when we put it to the standard of truth, it will be revealed as false. In the aforementioned passage, the people appealed, pointing to all the works done in the name of religion. But the works themselves became an idol (Matt 7:22-23). How do we know we have accepted a false truth? When we encounter Jesus and he asks us to surrender what we are holding on to, can we do it? Can we walk away? If not, then it might indeed be an idol and a false path.
Satan does not want us to achieve eternal life. Eternal life is the end product of a life that follows after God. And it is a guaranteed promise. Jesus is preparing a place for his people. It is a large and spacious place, designed to hold as many as possible, for Jesus’ heart is for the whole world. But in the end, the road is narrow, and many will never find it. We have to choose to embrace the Way and the Truth to access Life. Jesus even warned a day would come, shortly before his return, when there would be a great falling away, and even the people of God would be deceived. But we know we are walking in the right Way and Truth if we are trusting in Jesus like a newborn is dependent upon their parents, if we are coming to Jesus and not another source, if we are taking time to know Jesus, building a relationship with him based on intentional time, and if we acting like him. If we are doing what Jesus did on this earth, and even greater things, we know we are walking in the Way, for Jesus will empower us to be His witness.
Don’t chase the false paths, the alternate ways. Jesus is the only Way; He is the Truth and your Life!
Questions for Reflection
1) What ways or practices sometimes get in the way of following Jesus?
2) Are you regularly investing time in the Truth of the Word of God?
3) What idols in your life do you have difficulty casting aside?
4) In what way can you act like Jesus this upcoming week and share the gospel?
Upcoming Service
This Sunday, Pastor Ryan will continue the “I AM JESUS” series with the sermon titled, “The Vine,” based on John 15:1-12. Jesus is the vine, the Father is the gardener, and we are the branches. Why is it important to remain connected to the vine? Come or tune in Sunday to find out!
Daily Bible Readings for March 8 – 14
March 8: Psalm 1 How do we walk in the way of the Lord? What are the benefits?
March 9: Proverbs 1 What are the drawbacks of refusing to walk in the way of the Lord?
March 10: Proverbs 2 What are the blessings to being faithful to the ways of the Lord?
March 11: Proverbs 3 What are the blessings to being faithful to the ways of the Lord?
March 12: Acts 24:1-23 What was the earliest following of Jesus called? How was it described?
March 13: Genesis 15:1-20 What was Abraham’s understanding of God’s identity?
March 14: Exodus 33:12-23 How deep was Moses’ relationship with God?
This Week’s Events:
Thursday, March 10–Constitution Committee, 7 pm
Sunday, March 13–Step Five District Meeting, 12:15 pm; lunch to follow (note the switch per request of district leadership)–if it changes, will send out another email
Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, March 16–Ministry Team, 7 pm
Thursday, March 17–Leadership Team, 7 pm
Friday, March 25–Gospel Hymn Sing Concert Benefit for the Whitmore Family, 6:30 pm
April 10–Love Feast, 5:30 pm
April 17–Easter Sunrise Service, 7 am
April 17–Easter Service, 11 am
Announcements:
SPRING FORWARD
Remember to move your clocks forward an hour Saturday night! Daylight Savings Time begins at 2 am on Sunday morning!
Youth Benefit
Following the step five meeting with the district, the youth have planned a soup & potato bar lunch for a freewill love offering. The money will go help youth ministries!
Whitmore Family Relief Benefit Concert
We will host a Gospel Hymn Sing Concert benefit on Friday, March 25 beginning at 6:30 pm (doors open at 6 pm). We will collect a love offering for the Whitmore family. Some of the guests include Michael Hoover (Elvis), one of the Crestmans, and more!
Call for Worship Leaders and Children’s Story
As we look at the ability to reopen in the coming weeks, we are in need of both worship leaders and children’s stories. We are looking for one person each week, rather than a month at a time. If you would like to serve, contact Alice Over (worship leading) or Tammy Stine (children’s story).
Call to Prayer & Discernment
Let us continue to pray for our nation in the following ways:
1) National return to God
2) Repentance of personal sin
3) Repentance of corporate sin
4) Healing for the brokenness of relationships
5) Our leaders
6) Revival
7) Guidance for our congregation in the days ahead
Nursery
The Christian Education Team is looking for volunteers for the nursery during the Sunday School hour for next year. If you are willing to help, even if it is just for a Sunday, please reach out to her and let her know.
Four Ways to Give!
1) Mail your tithe into the church office
2) Drop it by the church office on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday, 9 am – 1 pm
3) Our online giving platform: https://beavercreekchurchva.churchcenter.com/giving
4) Drop off in the offering plate on Sunday!
Prayer Needs
Continue to Keep in Prayer our members in Skilled Care Facilities: Mary G Miller, Shirley Miller, Stanley Suter & Carolyn Wine
John Bennington (health)
Sandy Bennington (health)
Samantha Cooper (health)
Patsy Dastoli (health)
Elijah Tucker Dean (health)
Natalie Dodge (health)
John Fix (addiction)
Cindy Heatwole (health)
Darlene LaPrade (health)
Barbara Meadows (health)
Alda Miller (health)
Betty Miller (health)
Mary G Miller (health)
Marty Moore (recovery)
Tami Plaugher (health)
Pidge Rhodes (recovery)
Lottie Ritchie (health)
Ann Simmons (health)
Crystal Smith (health)
Whitmore family (various)
Mary Whitmore (health)
Tom Wilfong (health)
Owen Wright (health)
Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek COB