The Way

Prov 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”

Matt 7:16-20 “You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down & thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”

Rom 6:21 “But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The end of those things is death.”

Prov 12:15 “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”

Jude 17-23 “But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, ‘In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.’ It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.”

James 1:27 “Religion that is pure & undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans & widows in their affliction, & to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

2 Tim 1:14 “By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.”

1 Tim 6:20 “O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you.”

As you research the world religions, you’ll find some major categories regarding how one gets to heaven. Some say hard work is the path; others say wisdom is the way that unites us with God, i.e., Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.. Religions like Scientology & Jainism (man is god) teach independence & freedom. In religions like Unitarianism & Wicca, the afterlife is not heaven but whatever you want it to be. Salvation is a non-issue because there is no such thing as a sin nature. There are still other religions that teach that the afterlife does not exist, or if it does exist, it’s too unknowable to even discuss.

Christianity is the only religion that teaches man can do absolutely nothing to earn his way into heaven & that man is a slave to the sin nature inherited at conception. We are taught that man must rely completely on the grace of God in applying Jesus’ sacrifice to sins of all who truly believe. For Christians, salvation comes to those who place their faith in the death & resurrection of Christ. Today’s sermon is simply amplifying the truth that there is only one way to heaven – Jesus Christ is THE WAY!