Author: Art Davison

I AM THE WAY

JOHN 14:1-6

Introduction:

This is one of the messages in the “I AM” series. In this verse He declares three things about Himself: First, “I am the way.” Secondly, “I am the truth” and thirdly, “I am the life.” Jesus is all of these things and more.

In this message we will deal with the phrase “I am the way.” He refers to the way to Heaven for He concludes saying, “no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Consider the following.

I. JESUS IS THE WAY

A. Before Abraham, I AM, John 8:58, “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

1. This establishes who Jesus is, Matthew 16:15-16, “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

2. He is the great I AM, Exodus 3:13-14, “And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? 14And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”

B. “I am the light of the world,” John 9:5, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

1. He is the Light of Life, John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”

2. He is the light of men, John 1:4, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”

3. He is the True Light, John 1:9, “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”

II. JESUS IS THE DOOR, John 10:7-9

A. Entering by faith, man shall be saved, v. 9, “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.”

B. All that came before were “thieves and robbers,” v. 8, “All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.”

C. All who have come since were LIARS, Matthew 24:4-5, “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”

III. THE CHURCH IS THE REFLECTED LIGHT OF CHRIST, BUT NOT THE WAY, Matthew 5:14-16

A. God’s people REFLECT the Light of Christ, Matthew 5:14, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”

B. Their light is to show the WAY to others,

Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

1. To Preach the Word of God,

a. Jesus is the Word, John 1:1-3, 14, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

b. Preach the Word, 2 Timothy 4:1-2, “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

2. The Great Commission was given “to make disciples,” Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

C. We must let our light shine,

1. We must be like a city on a hill, Matthew 5:14, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”

I AM” SERIES

I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE

John 14:1-6; key verse: v. 6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Introduction:

Here is some good news, news that will ease your troubled heart, v. 1, Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” News that will cause you to rejoice and be glad, Psalm 40:16a, “Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee:”

Jesus has declare that He is everything that we need, 2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”

I.    I AM THE WAY

A. The Church is not the way, but rather the one who has the mission of carrying the message of “the way” to the world, Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

1. To make disciples… that is, preach the gospel to every creature.

2. To baptize those disciples… after salvation.

3. To teach those disciples all things regarding the Scriptures.

B. Jesus is “the way”,

1. He is the entrance to heaven, not Saint Peter, John 10:9-10, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

a. Jesus is the entrance by which one enters into eternal life,

b. Jesus came that we “might have life,” v. 10, “I am come that they might have life.”

c. This is an abundant life, v. 10, “and that they might have it more abundantly.”

d. In this abundance there is peace.

2. Jesus is “the way of holiness,” Isaiah 35:8, “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.”

a. God expects His people to be holy, 1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

b. The believer was created in true holiness, Ephesians 4:24, “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

II. I AM THE TRUTH

A. Jesus is full of truth, John 1:14, 17, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

B. The truth bring freedom, John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

1. Free from the penalty of sin, Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

2. Free from the guilt of sin, Psalm 34:22, “The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. [guilty]

III. I AM THE LIFE

A. There is life in Jesus, John 5:21, “For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.”

B. This life is ETERNAL, John 10:28, “And I give unto them eternal life; c, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

1. This is security, “and they shall never perish.”

2. Even if he dies he is still safe in Jesus Christ, John 11:25, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

IV. NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER BUT BY ME

A. This statement nullifies all other ideas about the WAY OF SALVATION! Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

B. Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”

CONCLUSION:

There is no other way to heaven except by Jesus Christ. Many have tried religion, good works, philosophy, etc., all of which are failures.

Only Jesus Christ can save a soul from Hell. He says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

I AM THE TRUTH

JOHN 14:1-6

Introduction:

Jesus said, “’I am the way, and the truth, and the life.’ Either of these statements is profound enough to STAGGER any one, but here all three together OVERWHELM Thomas.

“Jesus had called himself “THE LIFE” to Martha (11:25) and ‘THE DOOR’ to the Pharisees (10:7) and ‘THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD’ (8:12). He spoke ‘THE WAY OF GOD IN TRUTH’ (Mark 12:14). He is the way to God and the only way (verse 6), the personification of truth, the center of life.

“’EXCEPT BY ME.’ There is no use for the Christian to wince at these words of Jesus. If he is really the INCARNATE SON OF GOD (1:1,14,18), THEY ARE NECESSARILY TRUE.” —A. T. Robertson

I. GOD IS A GOD OF TRUTH

Deuteronomy 32:4, “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.”

A. A God of TRUTH, Psalm 31:5, “Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.”

B. A God WITHOUT iniquity, Psalm 92:15, “To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.”

II. CHRIST IS TRUTH

John 14:6; John 7:18, “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.”

A. Christ was FULL of Truth, John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

B. Christ SPOKE Truth, John 8:45, “And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.”

III. THE WORD OF GOD IS TRUTH

A. The SCRIPTURE of Truth, Daniel 10:21, “But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.”

1. Thy Word is TRUTH, John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

2. The Words of the Lord God are TRUE, 2 Samuel 7:28, “To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.”

B. The WORD of Jesus is the Word of God, John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.”

1. His Word is the STAGGERING Truth, John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

2. His Word is the OVERWHELMING Truth, “Either of these statements is profound enough to stagger any one, but here all three together overwhelm Thomas.” —A. T. Robertson

a) Jesus had called himself “the life” to Martha, John 11:25, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”

b) Jesus had called himself “the door” to the Pharisees, John 10:7, “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.”

c) Jesus had called himself “the light of the world,” John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

d) He spoke “the way of God in truth,” Mark 12:14, “And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?

e) He is the way to God and the only way, the personification of truth, the center of life, John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

f) Jesus said that no one goes to heaven “but (Except) by me” because He is the Incarnate Son of God, John 1:1, 14, 18, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 18No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”

CONCLUSION:

“There is no use for the Christian to wince at these words of Jesus. If he is really the Incarnate Son of God, they are necessarily true.” —A. T. Robertson.

The words of Jesus are words of TRUTH and LIFE. If you will trust Him and His Word you will have ETERNAL LIFE, John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

I AM THE TRUE VINE 2

JOHN 15:1-10; GALATIANS 5:22-23

Introduction:

This is the second message on the True Vine. In the first message we learned that Israel was God’s choice vine and that He looked for fruit from her. See notes.

In this message we will see what happens as God prunes his branches and when that fruit is not found.

I. THE PRUNING PROCESS

A. Any good tree needs pruning in order to produce more fruit, v. 2, “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”

1. The pruning make us stronger, Job 17:9, “The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.”

2. It refines the believer, 1 Peter 1:7, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

B. Every branch that does not bear fruit is cut off, v. 6, “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” Matthew 3:10, “And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”

1. These are those who profess to know Christ, but their fruits deny it, Matthew 7:20-21, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

2. These are false professors of Christ, Jude 12, “These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;”

3. These will be turned into Hell, Revelation 20:15, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

II. THE DISCIPLE IS TO REMAIN FAITHFUL

A. First he receives Jesus Christ as his Savior, John 6:54, 56, “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.”

B. Then he is to continue or persevere in believing, John 8:31, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;”

1. Some paid attention to Jesus’ words without necessarily committing themselves to Him personally, John 6:53, “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.”

2. These did not continue, 1 John 2:19, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”

3. Those that remain are true disciples, John 3:33, ”He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.”

4. The true disciple is to let what we have heard from the beginning live in us, 1 John 2:24, “Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.”

C. It means that the believer is to have a believing, loving obedience, John 15:9-10, “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.”

1. To continue in His love, 1 John 2:28, “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”

2. Keep His commandments, John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

3. In keeping His commandments we will abide in His love, John 14:21, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”

a. Jesus said, “If a man love me, he will keep my words,” John 14:23, “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” [to attend to carefully]

b. He that doesn’t keep His commandments doesn’t love Him, John 14:24, “He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.”

CONCLUSION:

The Word of God is emphatic here. Those that love God will keep His commandments and those who do not love God will not keep His Word.

When the believer lives a righteous obedient life for the Lord then others will see Jesus in our lives. That will cause folks to see the need for Christ in their life.

I AM THE TRUE VINE

JOHN 15:1-10

Introduction:

This is the last of the seven great “I AM” statements in John. Here the Lord Jesus declares “I am the true vine,” Here the Lord speaks of Himself in humble terms. He that is the Sun of righteousness, and the bright and morning Star compares himself to a vine. Look at these verses and you will find the greatness of our Savior as he cares and protects the branches of His vine.

The fruit mentioned here is not the winning of souls to Christ, but rather a life of righteous, loving obedience.

I. I AM THE VINE

A. Israel was God’s choice vine, Isaiah 5:7, “For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.”

1. God lavished care and attention on the vine, Isaiah 27:2-3, “In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine. 3 I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.”

2. God longed for fruit, but Israel produce rotten fruit, Jeremiah 2:7-8, “And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination. 8 The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.”

B. Jesus is the True Vine of God, v. 1.

1. He is the Branch of the Lord, Isaiah 4:2, “In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.”

2. He is a root of Jesse, Isaiah 11:10, “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.”

II. THE GARDNER IS THE FATHER

A. The Father cultivates and protects the vine; He is the husbandman, v. 1.

B. He desires fruit (mentioned 8 times in this chapter), vs. 2, 4-5, 8, 16.

1. A progression is seen:

a. Fruit, v. 2; Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

b. More fruit, v. 2; Philippians 1:11, “Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”

c. Much fruit, vs. 5, 8; Colossians 1:9-10, “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it , do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

2. The fruit which God desired from Israel was loving obedience, righteousness, and justice, Isaiah 5:7, “For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.”

a. God looked for Judgment or Justice in Jerusalem, Proverbs 8:20, “I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:”

b. He found oppression or bloodshed.

c. God looked for righteousness in government, Amos 5:7, “Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth,”

d. He heard a cry of distress.

CONCLUSION:

The fruit that the Lord is looking for in the believer is loving obedience to His commandments. The blessings of God are tied to that obedience. Christians today are not enjoying God’s blessings because of the lack of obedience to His commands.