The Journey to Eternal Life

The Journey to Eternal Life: Understanding Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life

The Resurrection and the Life

Perhaps one of the most profound statements comes in the context of Lazarus' death. When Martha expresses her belief in the future resurrection, Jesus responds, "I am the resurrection and the life." This declaration transcends time, offering hope not just for a distant future but for the present moment. It's a promise that in Christ, we can experience new life now and eternal life in the future.

The story of Job from the Old Testament beautifully illustrates this hope. Despite losing everything, Job clung to his faith, declaring, "I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth." This ancient proclamation finds its fulfillment in Jesus, who conquered death and offers us the assurance of resurrection.

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

In a poignant moment with His disciples, Jesus makes a statement that encapsulates His entire mission: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This powerful declaration addresses our deepest needs:

This statement is beautifully illustrated by the familiar John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son(the way), that whoever believes in him shall not perish(the truth) but have eternal life(the life)." Here we see the way (God's love expressed through His Son), the truth (believing in Him), and the life (eternal life) all encapsulated in one verse.

The Invitation to Believe

Imagine if I offered to take you on a trip with me to the most beautiful place in the country. In your mind, there are three obstacles you must overcome to make the trip.

1. "What is the price?"
2. "How do we get there?"  automobile, train, airplane?  
3. "Do I trust this offer as true?"

 It doesn't matter how great the trip might be, if you do not have the funds to cover the price you are not able to make the trip.
What if I tell you the price has been covered? I went down to the appointed place and paid all your fees.
The next obstacle is "how do I get there?" Easy! part of the plan is I have a vehicle that will transport us to our destination. What a relief! Your car may have been in bad shape and not capable of the trip. Now you do not have to rely on your own transportation.
 
This brings us to the final obstacle. What is the only remaining reason that you would not make this trip? Both the price and the mode of transportation have been settled.

The remaining reason is that you did not trust in the two truths that have been revealed to you. The price has been paid and the means of transportation is prepared.

This analogy helps us understand the essence of salvation through Christ.

Now I ask you, what do you think keeps you from eternal life?

1. "Is it the price?"
2. "The transport?"    
3. "Do I trust this offer as true?"

The price for our sins – which separates us from God – has been paid by Jesus on the cross.

1 Peter 3:18  For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

He is the vehicle through which we obtain eternal life. What remains, is for us to believe and trust this incredible gift.

Colossians 1:13-14  He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,  (14)  in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

John 3:16-18  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  (17)  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  (18)  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Jesus went to the appointed place to pay the requirement for your journey. He himself is the transportation to eternal life. All he is ask is that you hear the first two truths and trust it as your way to eternal life. Everything is based on the work and person of Jesus Christ.

John 3:16-18  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  (17)  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  (18)  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

You could never pay the price for eternal life, Jesus is the only transport to eternal life. God has offered eternal life to you as a gift. Do you believe the offer? Will you put your trust in what Jesus has done for you?

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,  (9)  not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

As we navigate life's journey, may we continually return to these profound truths, allowing them to shape our understanding of God and our place in His grand narrative. For in Jesus, we truly find the way, the truth, and the life – an eternal adventure that begins the moment we believe.

Full Sermon: https://tricitybaptistna.org/media

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