Talk

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

Jonathan Pokluda
January, 14, 2024

Does the truth compromise your lifestyle? Jonathan Pokluda presses into the importance of believing the truth (God) that brings us life rather than accepting a lie that will cost us in the form of our death.

Key Takeaway

If we truly believe that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life then why aren't we telling people? It's not loving not to be honest with people. Tell people the truth, tell them about Jesus.

Religion will let you down. Often, it seems like those who have nothing to do with God live the good life. They're having fun, they're advancing, they have everything going right for them. So many walk away from religion and find out they're really good at being worldly. They get enslaved to it. We think Heaven is nothing more than a club that we have to have our name on a list to get into. If it's not there, there's a floor opening, and they go to Hell.

Do you believe Hell is real? Do you care that people are going to end up there? John 10:9 says that Jesus is the gate, and only through Him will you be saved.

We understand exclusivity. We understand membership. We understand someone getting in means someone else is not.

Do all roads really lead to God? Do all religions come from Him? 70% of Americans believe this, including Christians. So, is Jesus the only way?

Read John 14. Jesus tells His disciples he is going to leave. This feels like weird language, but in Jewish culture, a young man would leave his father's house, go to a foreign land, and get engaged, but he would leave and go back to his father's house to prepare a room for them to live in. At a day and hour, she did not know, he would return to take her back to be his wife. This is the language Jesus is using. They want to go with Him, but He tenderly tells them they can't come. They asked how they know where He was going. He answered, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him." (verse 6).

He is the way. He is how to get to Heaven. We have to die to the idea that we will do something great that will leave a mark on the world for ourselves. What did your great, great grandfather do? You may not even know his name, yet he was alive 50 years ago. What does that mean for 50 years from now? No one is going to be thinking about anything you have done. So, we need to figure this "way" out.

Jesus is the only way to God. To say that all religions actually teach the same thing is a statement of ignorance. All that means is someone hasn't looked at any world religions. Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism all teach that their way is the exclusive what to salvation. They all contradict each other. And while Christianity is exclusive, it's the most inclusive of all the world religions. Jesus died on the Cross for ANYONE who would believe in Him so that He could give them eternal life. He does not desire for anything to perish. Jesus gave us proof of His love for us by giving His life so we could live with Him forever. So, telling someone all roads lead to Heaven isn't loving because it's not true.

It would be like someone telling you any airport gate could get you home. That's not a loving thing to say because it's not true. At the same time, if someone told you which specific gate takes you home, you wouldn't fight them about it and tell them they are narrow-minded. It's loving to tell the truth. The truth is Jesus is the only way to Heaven.

He is the truth. Jesus is historically true, but Jesus isn't claiming that; he's claiming that He is truth. Something can be truth whether or not you act like it or feel like it. Just because it doesn't feel right doesn't mean it's not true. No matter what you feel doesn't change what truth is. Are you on a truth journey or a happiness journey? You'll believe a lie as long as it makes you happy and lets you do what you want. Truth is still the truth when it compromises your deepest desires. The most loving thing you can do is tell someone that their truth is a lie and it's going to cost them. The truth is that we were created by Jesus for Jesus. See Colossians 1:16. This includes your atheist friend who says they want freedom. The truth will set them free. See John 8:32.

There are absolute truths we have no problem believing. If you stop eating, you starve. If you stop breathing, you die. No one tries to prove these wrong. What happens when you don't know Jesus; you don't have a way to God.

You were made to live in right relationship with Jesus. You can try to live your life without HIm, but it won't go well for you. Jesus is the source of all truth.

He is the life. He knows how it is lived best. In John 10:10, Jesus said He came so we could have life to the fullest. He offers us freedom through repentance. Sin isn't just a bad idea, fun that God is trying to keep you from; He's trying to show you where life is. The world was made for you to have a right relationship with Him, so you won't find life when you run from Him.

The opposition to this message will come from "new tolerance."

  • Old tolerance: I have to be ok that you and I disagree. I can tolerate that you have a different opinion than me.
  • New tolerance: I have to believe that what you say is right, even if it's contrary to my beliefs and my convictions.

So, if you believe you can fly, I have to say you're right; that's "your truth." That is inconsistent with the word and will of God. That will not lead to life.

Acts 4:10-12 is how you talk when you understand that Jesus is the way, truth, and life. You might be killed for it, but you'll never stop saying it. There's no other way. Jesus had to die; we couldn't just follow the rules or be good; He had to give His life to give us ours.

Are you 100% in on talking to everyone about Jesus? You have freedom from fear of man, so go tell! If you believe it, how do you not tell everyone?

"When I asked her why (christian) life was better than mine even though she never did anything 'fun.' She replied, 'I've had more fun and have less scars.'"
Jonathan Pokluda

Discussion Questions

  1. Do you ever feel like those who ignore God are living a better life than you are?

  2. What does Jesus say about Himself in John 10:9?

  3. What are some examples of exclusivity in your everyday life?

  4. Why does Jesus use the language of a Jewish wedding when tells the disciples He will be leaving?

  5. Jonathan Pokluda said it is an ignorant statement to say all religions teach the same thing. Why is that?

  6. Why is it not loving when you tell someone something that's not true? It seems pretty self-explanatory, but how do you see this compromised every day?

  7. Are you on a truth journey or a happiness journey?

  8. What truth is found in Colossians 1:16 and John 8:32?

  9. If you were made for right relationship with God, what would running from Him rob you of?

  10. Who could you talk to about Jesus this week? What is holding you back?

Scripture References

4
When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
10then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
11Jesus is

“ ‘the stone you builders rejected,

which has become the cornerstone.’

12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
16For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

1

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God
; believe also in me.
2
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
4
You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Jesus the Way to the Father

5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6Jesus answered,

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
7
If you really know me, you will know
my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

8Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

9Jesus answered:

“Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
10
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
11
Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.
12
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
13
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14
You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

15

“If you love me, keep my commands.
16
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—
17
the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be
in you.
18
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
19
Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
20
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
21
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

22Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

23Jesus replied,

“Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
24
Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

25

“All this I have spoken while still with you.
26
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

28

“You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
29
I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.
30
I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me,
31
but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

“Come now; let us leave.


Jonathan Pokluda
Jonathan Pokluda
Lead pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas