The Jesus Way!

Sermon Summary:

This powerful exploration of John 14 invites us into one of the most intimate moments in Scripture – Jesus’s final night with his disciples before the crucifixion. As we journey through the familiar words ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life,’ we’re challenged to understand what it truly means to flourish as followers of Christ, even in the midst of trouble and uncertainty. The message reminds us that flourishing isn’t about surface-level happiness but about deep, abiding trust in our Good Shepherd. We’re confronted with the reality that life brings genuine trouble – death, loss, broken relationships, illness – yet somehow we can still flourish because Jesus shepherds us through every valley. The disciples were troubled that night, and Jesus himself was troubled throughout his ministry. This honest acknowledgment that faith isn’t always easy becomes liberating rather than discouraging. We’re called to live by faith, not by sight, focusing our gaze on Jesus even when our circumstances tempt us to look elsewhere. The promise that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us isn’t just about heaven someday – it’s about discovering the meaningful, purposeful life he’s designed for us right now, with the assurance that he’s coming back to take us home.

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Sermon Points:

• FOCUS: Disciples of Jesus live a lifetime of focusing on . . . Jesus!
• FAITH: Disciples of Jesus live a lifetime of faith!
• FOLLOWING: Disciples of Jesus live a lifetime of following Jesus.
• FUTURE: Disciples of Jesus life a lifetime with hope because of our future.
• FLOURISHING: God’s desire for Disciples of Jesus is for us to . . . flourish!

Key Takeaways:

• Flourishing is a deep reality, not superficial happiness, and is possible even in difficult seasons of life through the Good Shepherd
• Focus: Disciples must fix their eyes on Jesus, who is the full revelation of God in the flesh
• Faith: Following Jesus requires living by faith, not by sight, especially during troubled times
• Following: The Jesus way is the only way to the Father; there is no alternative path to God
• Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life – all three are essential aspects of His identity
• Future: Believers have hope because Jesus has gone to prepare a place for them and will return
• Christians will do “greater works” in terms of size and scope, not significance, as the gospel spreads throughout history
• Prayer in Jesus’ name, aligned with His will, receives answers from God
• The Christian life is characterized by an intimate, conversational relationship with God through Jesus

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Scripture References:

Sermon Transcript:

Well, you know that we are in this multi year journey where we are learning more about flourishing. What does it mean to flourish as the people of God? And what does it mean to flourish in every season of life? And, you know, we’ve talked a little bit about that, and we’re going to make our way through this season learning more and more about it. And, and so each liturgical season during the year, we focus on a different element, if you will, of that larger vision.

Well, this is the Lenten Easter season. And so our theme for this season is the Good Shepherd. And we’ve been reading through the Gospel of John together every day in our daily Bible readings. And God has really been speaking to me. I hope he has been to you as you make your way through those.

And as we have thought together about Jesus being the Good shepherd, you know that we have begun every worship time or the sermon time quoting the 23rd Psalm. So we’re going to put it on the screen for you. And as I’ve shared with y’ all already, we have chosen the version that is most, most familiar to my ears, and that’s the King James version of the 23rd Psalm. But, you know, as. As we, before we quote it, read it out loud together.

You know, I’m just mindful of the fact that flourishing can look different in different seasons of life, because I think sometimes we misunderstand what we mean by flourishing. Flourishing is not a flippant thing. It’s not just about being happy. And it is not really a surface reality. It is a.

It’s a deep reality because we all know that in our lives, we are going to walk through seasons. Great challenge, right? Some of y’ all in this room have lived long enough to know that, right? There’s going to be challenges along the way. Death of a spouse, loss of a job, broken relationships, financial challenges, physical illness.

But somehow, in the midst of any of those seasons, you still can flourish because we have a Good shepherd and we are going to continue to learn about him even today. So we’ll put the 23rd Psalm here on the screen for you, and I want us to read it out loud together, as is our custom here during the Lenten season. So let’s look at Psalm 23. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.

He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil, My cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. As we’ve said each Sunday in this season, it’s my hope that that’s your testimony that the Lord really is your shepherd. So with that said, let’s continue our conversation for the Lenten season entitled the Message today, the Jesus way.

John 14. If you have your copy of the New Testament, if you just turn to that page, Very famous passage of Scripture. We have been on a journey since Ash Wednesday learning about Jesus being our good shepherd. Well, how does he shepherd us? It’s my contention that every new believer needs to be shepherded into the family of God.

Well, Jesus is the word of God. We’ve already learned that he’s the Revelation of God. He’s the bread that has come down from heaven. He is the guiding light. He’s the good shepherd.

We’re walking through some of these self revelatory statements from Jesus that usually begin with I am. And today we will talk about another one last Sunday, I am the good shepherd. Today we’re going to notice and learn. One of the ways he shepherds us is that he shows us the way. So with that said, let’s look at John 14 and I’d like to read it for us.

And you know it’s our custom to stand and honor the Lord Jesus when we read the gospel. So let’s stand for this gospel reading where Jesus says, do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in Me. My Father’s house has many rooms. If that were not so, would I have told you that I’m going there to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me, so that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I’m going. Thomas said to him, lord, we don’t know where you’re going, so how can we know the way? And Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him, and you’ve seen Him. Philip said, lord, show us the Father and that’ll be enough for us. Jesus Answered. Don’t you know me, Philip?

Even after I’ve been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, show us the Father? Don’t you believe that I’m in the Father and the Father’s in me? The words I say to you, I do not speak of my own authority.

Rather, it’s the Father living in me who’s doing his work. Believe me when I say that I’m in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I’ve been doing. And they will do even greater things than these.

Because I’m going to the Father and I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in My name, and I will do it. Thank you. You may be seated.

So here’s what I would like to do this morning to walk you through this text. I’m going to offer you several key words, and I will just try to explain them, if I may. Let’s start with this word. Focus. Disciples of Jesus live a lifetime of focusing on Jesus.

God has chosen to reveal Himself to us. Aren’t you glad he didn’t have to? But he has. And he’s revealed Himself in numerous ways to us. One of the ways he’s revealed Himself to us is through his creation.

Think about it. All creation exists because of the very breath of God. The Bible says. And God said, and God said, think about how intimate that is. The very breath of God brought everything into existence.

And so all of creation testifies to the glory of God. God’s also revealed Himself through the law, through the prophets. But the writer of Hebrews says that in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son. And so Jesus is to be our focus because the Word became flesh. Let me read to you another passage from Hebrews.

Hebrews 12 says this. Therefore, since we’re surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race Marked out for us. Notice this phrase. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

For the joy set before him. He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Fixing our eyes on Jesus. Your glance can be in this world. In fact, it has to be.

Because we live in this world. But your gaze as a Christian on Jesus, we focus on him. He’s at the very center of God’s Revelation. In fact, if you have your Bible still open, look at verse nine. Jesus says, philip, don’t you know me?

Have you not been with me? I am going to show you the Father. If you know me, then you know the Father. This is at the very heart of Christianity, y’. All.

It is focused on the very person of Jesus Christ. He is eternally the Son of God. He is God in the flesh. And he came to reveal all truth, in fact, in our daily Bible readings. Eventually, before we get to Easter, we’re going to read John 18.

In John 18, Jesus is going to be in this conversation with Pontius Pilate, and Pilate’s going to ask Jesus, are you. Are you the King like they say you are? And Jesus says this to Pilate, the reason I was born is to testify to the truth. I came to show you the truth. That’s what Jesus says.

God himself is in Christ, reconciling the world and restoring creation to himself, because Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Amen. Now, back in Alabama, that had gotten a really good amen. But it’s okay. I realize we’re still learning here, so I’m just telling y’, all, Jesus is God in the flesh, and that’s actually.

That’s how you do it. Okay, let me give you another word. Faith. Faith. Disciples live a life.

Disciples of Jesus. We live a lifetime of faith. How do you focus on Jesus? Well, by faith. That’s how you do it.

You have to believe in him. In fact, again, look at this text. Look at verse one. Now, you know, we’ve talked about this many times. You know, the Bible’s not written in English.

The New Testament’s written in Greek. Sometimes when you’re trying to translate things into English or any language, it can be a little challenging. Here’s one of the examples. You believe in God, believe also in me. That word believe is used twice in the same tense in Greek.

It could be a command. Believe in God. Believe in me. But most scholars think it’s the way the NIV is translated. You already believe in God.

Now put that same faith in me. Now, y’, all, who talks like that? If I ever say that to y’, all, fire me. If I ever say to y’, all, you’ve already believed in God, take that very same belief and put it on me. I’m not Jesus.

But that’s what Jesus said. It’s by Faith. Now, I want you to think about the context here. Here we are on the final night of the life of Jesus. John 13.

We’ve just read this week in our daily Bible readings. Jesus has washed the feet of the disciples. He has shared with them some very intimate details about what’s about to happen to him. He’s about to die. The disciples, a little bit confused.

Judas leaves. You remember the story. Where’s Judas going? What’s he doing? Well, we’re not really sure.

Maybe he’s the one with the money. Maybe he’s got to go buy something. Jesus starts talking about his death. Simon Peter says, I tell you what, I’ll die for you. And evidently, kind of as an aside, almost kind of like a private conversation, Jesus looks at Simon Peter and says, you know what?

Before this night is over, you’re going to deny you ever knew me. Then he turns page 14 to the 11. Because now the second person pronouns are plural. Now, okay? In chapter 14, now he’s talking to the 11.

And now we’ve got this private conversation, this private teaching between Jesus and these 11 disciples. Aren’t you glad there was an eyewitness there that wrote it down for us so that we can actually learn the lessons, too? So Jesus looks at all of them and he says, now, you believe in God, you believe in me, and here’s why you have to do that. He says, because you’ve got to live this life by faith. You’ve got to put your faith in me.

I’m here to tell y’, all, I’ve been living this Christian life a long time. It’s not always easy to put your faith in Jesus. I wish it were. But you know what? Life brings trouble.

That’s what it brings. It brings heartache. It brings challenge. Life can deal you some really, really difficult situations.

And then you got to figure out how to navigate through trouble. The Bible is honest. As a matter of fact, that word trouble, look at verse one of chapter 14. These guys, Judas has left. Jesus is talking about dying.

Peter says, I’ll die with you. Jesus says something quietly to Peter. They’re troubled. What is going on right now? Well, that word trouble, do you know it’s used in the book of John several times?

John 11, verse 33. The Bible says Jesus gets to the tomb of Lazarus, and Jesus was troubled in his spirit. Chapter 12 of John, verse 27. Jesus is considering when his hour has come. And the Bible says he was troubled in his spirit.

The page Before John 13, Jesus is dealing with Judas. And the Bible says, in verse 21, chapter 13. He was troubled. Even Jesus gets troubled. So if you think Jesus got troubled, how about me and you?

We’re going to be troubled? What’s the answer? Man, I wish it were. I wish it were easier for me to tell y’. All.

The answer is faith. And faith is hard. But the Bible says we live by faith, not by. And I’m telling y’, all, that’s a gift. You don’t think it is, but it is.

Because if God let you see everything, you talking about how discouraged you’d be if you knew everything is in your future. I’m just going to tell you right now. I don’t want to see it all. Let me just walk by faith today. I’m good.

But it’s hard to put your faith in Jesus. But guess what, y’? All? It’s not an option. Let me remind you of one of the pages in our Bibles, Hebrews 11.

You’ve read it, and you know what the Bible says in Hebrews 11? By faith, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Israel, Rahab, Gideon, Barak. Do I need to keep going? Samson, Jephthah, Samuel, David, the Prophets, everybody. By faith, by faith, by faith, by faith.

How do you focus on Jesus? By believing in him, putting your faith in Him. Matter of fact, one of my favorite pages in the Bible is Hebrews 11. One of my favorite passages is found in Hebrews 11, 13. All these people were still living by faith when they died.

They did not receive the things promised. They saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting they were foreigners and strangers on this earth. To focus on Jesus means you put your faith in him no matter what, that you learn to trust him no matter what. Because it’s when you learn how to do that, when you and I learn ourselves how to live by faith, it builds so much depth to our lives as we manage our way through trouble. Because times can be very troubling.

Just is what it is. And I would tell y’ all if our lives weren’t characterized by trouble and challenge. I’m wondering sometimes how deep our prayer lives would be.

But so often the challenging days are what drive you to the depths with the Lord. So don’t waste any of that. That’s our admonition. Don’t waste it. Let’s learn more deeply how to trust and put our faith in Jesus.

Let me give you another word. Following the disciples of Jesus. Live a lifetime of following Jesus. So here it is, y’, all, verse 16. So let me just say it to you plainly.

The Jesus way. It’s the best way. It’s the right way. It’s the only way. There is no other way that will lead you to God, period.

Choose a way that’s wrong. If it ain’t the Jesus way, I don’t care what it is. I don’t care who espouses it. According to the authority of the Word of God, Jesus is the only way to the Father, period. He is the answer for all of humanity.

As a matter of fact, in the Book of Acts, nobody knew what to call us yet. And all they called us in the early days of the church, we were just called followers of the way. Just the way. The Jesus way. The Jesus way is the only way to heaven.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died on the cross for our sins, resurrected from the dead, ascended to the Father, who will return one day as king. The foundational truth of Christianity. He’s the only way. I hope you found your way on the Jesus way, but this text says something else. He’s also the truth and the life.

You know, truth, y’. All. Truth will set you free. But I’m here to tell you, truth’s powerful. You know, Pat Conroy, he wrote this book called My Losing Season.

And he talks about just kind of a disastrous season he had in basketball. And he said it was hard because they just lost so much. And he said, you know what losing does to you? He said, you just can’t. You just can’t get it out of your ear.

He said, it’s like a hound dog baying at your window at night, reminding you you’re a loser. You’re a loser. I thought a lot about that. Truth is that way. Truth will hound you.

It just will. It’ll set you free. But don’t hound you. You know, I was a little boy growing up in Birmingham. We didn’t have air conditioning, so we slept with the windows open at night.

When I was a little boy growing up, we didn’t have air conditioning.

No, I mean, I’m serious. We didn’t have air conditioning. So we slept with the windows up at night. Some of y’ all know what that’s like. And our next door neighbor, the Lintons, they had these dogs that just like to bark at night.

I can still hear my daddy hollering out that window, hey, Linton. Basically tell him to hush the dogs up. He didn’t quite say it that way, but I can’t say what he said because I’m standing right here. But y’ all get the point. You Know what truth is?

Like an old hound dog, it just sniffs its way out. And truth will hound you at night like a hound dog. It’ll. It’ll bay at your window. Truth’s like a.

It’s like a water leak. You ever had one, you can cover it up. You can act like it’s not there. But I’m here to tell you, I got enough experience of water leaks. Sooner or later, it’ll make itself known.

Truth. That way, you think you can hide it? You think you got it covered up? I’m here to tell you, sooner or later, in due time, truth wins out. Jesus said, I am the truth.

Pilate said, now are you the king? Jesus said, I’m embodying the truth here. Pilate said, what is truth? He had no idea the truth was standing right in front of him. Jesus also said, I’m the life.

John 10. I came so that you might live. I came so that you might live abundantly. John 3. I came so that you might live eternally.

Jesus is the life. He is the way. Here’s what I would say about Jesus. We follow Jesus all the way to heaven. Amen.

We also follow him on this earth. His way is the way in every part of your life. Y’ all remember we used to have those little bracelets, the little wwjd. Y’ all remember what I’m talking about? I’m gonna make a new one, okay?

And it’s gonna say. It’s gonna have an I, a T, a T, A, a J, and a W. Is this the Jesus way? Ask yourself that when you’re making a decision. Is this the. Is this the Jesus way?

Ask that when you’re trying to decide what to do at work or at school. Is this the Jesus way? Because the Jesus way, y’, all, is the best way. And then let me offer you this word. The future disciples of Jesus live a lifetime with hope because of our future.

Here’s what Jesus says. Are y’ all still with me? We’re on the last night of Jesus Life, y’. All. It’s crucial right now.

And can you imagine? You’re sitting there with Jesus, and all of a sudden, Judas leaves. And then he seems to have this somewhat awkward conversation privately with Peter. And then he looks at all of us. We’re the disciples.

And he says, now, I’m leaving. I’m leaving y’. All. What? You know.

No, no. See, we. See, we left everything. No, we thought you were the guy. See, we left our homes.

What do you mean? Where you going? You can’t leave now. We don’t even know what’s happening. And it feels pretty ominous right now.

And Jesus says, well, no, you see, I’m gonna go. And then he says this. I’m going to go, though, and I’m going to prepare a place for you. Okay, well, where is that going to be? Well, it’s my father’s house.

Well, where is that?

Now, if you’re a first century Jew, where’s the Father’s house? It’s the temple in Jerusalem. So now what are we doing? Jesus says, I’m going to go and prepare a place for you. It’s interesting.

It says, in my Father’s house. See, verse two. In my Father’s house. That Greek word translated rooms the old. King James translates it.

Mansions. I like that word better, don’t y’? All?

But to be honest with y’, all, I don’t really care. I don’t care what he’s prepared. I’m gonna take it and I’m gonna live in it forever. I really don’t care when I die and I’m standing before the Lord if. Gee, I don’t know how it’s gonna play out, y’.

All. Come on. But let’s just say this. Let’s say Jesus says, hey, Dennis, welcome, honey. And he walks me to a neighborhood, and he says, this right here is yours.

I’m gonna go, awesome. All this is mine. I don’t care where it is. I don’t even care who my neighbors are. Okay, wait a minute.

Wait a minute. Hold on. I’m not. Let me. Let me retract that.

If we’re talking about eternity, let me rethink that, okay? Maybe I do care about that, because I don’t want to learn any more lessons in heaven, y’. All. I’ve learned enough on earth. But nevertheless, the point is he’s got.

He’s going to prepare a place for us so that he can then come back and get us. Okay? Now I feel better. I’m sitting in that room that night. He says, I’m going.

I’m leaving and I’m going. I’ve got something to go do, but then I’ll come back and get you, okay? I’m good. I don’t even know what you mean by that, but just the fact that you’re coming back, can you imagine what that was like, y’? All?

But guess what? He’s coming back. Jesus Christ is going to return as king. The disciples are still going to have to learn that. Acts, chapter one.

Luke says this. After Jesus Said this. He was taken up before their very eyes. A cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside the men of Galilee.

They said, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus who’s been taken from you into heaven will come back in the same way you’ve seen him go into heaven. So Jesus one day is going to return. And here’s what I think about this text. I think it has a double meaning.

I think that when Jesus said, I’m going to prepare a place for you, I think part of what he means by that is, is a place on this earth for you to live. I don’t mean your house. I’m talking about your life. He’s gifted you. He’s designed you.

He’s given you a role, a life with meaning and purpose. Find it, live in it, because that’s what he has for you. Here’s the good news, though. One day he’s going to take you to the place he’s prepared for you for glory. Can we just say, praise his name for that?

Aren’t you glad that’s what he’s doing for us? Come on, y’. All. Seriously. I mean, if I told y’.

All. If I told y’, all, hey, I tell you what, I’m gonna go on to heaven. I’m talking about me, little old Dennis Wise. I’m gonna go on to heaven and I’m gonna get something ready for you. Good.

But if I tell you the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, has gone to prepare a place for you. Come on now.

That’s what he’s done for us. We have a future. And you know what all that adds up to? Flourishing. Yeah.

Because God’s desire is for the disciples of Jesus to flourish. That’s what he wants for you. He doesn’t want you to just get by. He wants you to flourish even in those hard times. As a matter of fact, look at what he says.

Look at verse 12. Here’s what Jesus says, okay? Here’s what I have for you. He says, I’m going to give you work. To do my work, I’m going to let you in on what I’m doing.

I’m going to let you be a part of what I’m doing. And then, not only that, he says, I’m going to let you be in a personal, intimate relationship with God through me. Do you see that? He says in verse 12, if you’ll believe in me, Then these works that I’ve been doing, I’m going to give them to you and I want you to talk to me about them for. For the rest of your life.

I want you to ask me about them. That’s what I want. I want to have a lifetime of conversation with you about what you’re doing. And if you’ll ask in accordance to my will and my plan with my name on it, guess what? I’ll answer your prayer.

I’ll be there for you. Because that’s what he does. But you don’t have to access it. You can do your own works. We all can.

We can just get completely caught up in our own lives. Of course you can. But is that. Is that all? Is that all we want?

We’re not that. We’re not that short sighted, are we? No, we want what he’s doing. And so people get a little freaked by this, though. Look at verse 12.

You’ll do even greater things. Now come on, y’, all, seriously. Have you ever interrupted a funeral by raising a dead person like Lazarus? I’ve never done that. So how can what I do be greater than what Jesus did?

That’s not really what Jesus is talking about. Jesus is talking about size and scope, not significance. In other words, you’re not going to be the Savior of the world. That’s Jesus. You’re not going to offer up your life as a sacrifice for sin.

That’s Jesus. Here’s what I believe he means size and scope. How many people did Jesus heal in his earthly ministry? I don’t know. The Bible doesn’t tell us.

But you know what Christians have done. Did you know Christians really invented hospitals? How many millions of people have been healed by Christians? I don’t know. How many people Jesus fed?

I’m not sure. Occasionally he’d feed a whole bunch of people, right? How many people have been fed by Christians throughout history? I don’t know. How many people Jesus brought into the kingdom.

The Bible doesn’t really tell us how many people have been led into the kingdom by Christians. In other words, Jesus says all this right here, right now. It’s right here, y’. All. It’s right here.

It’s right here in Israel. Here it is. You and I are in it. Guess what’s about to happen.

This thing is going to explode. Greater works than you could ever imagine are going to be done by you all. And church history has borne that out. If you’ll believe in him, he will empower you, answer your prayers, and give you a life worth living. Praise his name.

There’s just nobody else like Jesus. So here’s how we say it here at First Baptist Arlington. This is our summary theological statement. Glorifying God by following the Jesus way, that’s how you do it. In fact, that’s the only way to do it.

Anything else leads to glorifying ourselves. And that is not the way. So can I just sum this up with a quote from Thomas A. Kempis? Here’s his commentary. Thomas A. Kempis on John 14, verse 6.

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Let me read it to you. He says the words of Christ cry out to us, follow thou me. I am the way and the truth and the life. Without the way there is no going.

Without the truth there is no knowing. Without the life there is no living. I am the way which thou must follow, the truth which thou must believe, the life for which thou must hope. I am the inviolable way, the infallible truth, the never ending life. I am the straightest way, the sovereign truth, life true, life blessed and life uncreated.

Praise his name. Let’s pray together.

Lord, today we’re grateful. How could we not be? Thank you for what you’ve done for us. And certainly Lord, we thank you for Jesus, for you choosing to reveal yourself so personally to us. It’s my prayer that everybody within the sound of my voice has found their way to the Jesus Way.

But if they haven’t, may today be that day. A life given to you, celebrated through the gift of salvation that only is found in Jesus. Commemorated by baptism like Judson this morning, lived out like so many people in this church and in your kingdom. We thank you. And we trust Lord, that during this Easter season we’ll all find our way on the Jesus Way.

And we’ll lead others to find their way also. And we pray in Jesus name, Amen.