The Way Of Christ - Introduction

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                          "THE WAY OF CHRIST"

                              Introduction

INTRODUCTION

1. Today it is not unusual to hear the term "Christianity" to
   describe...
   a. The teachings of Jesus, emphasizing the role of Jesus as savior
   b. The collective body of Christians throughout the world and history

2. But in the early days of the church, both were simply known as "The
   Way"...
   a. Saul of Tarsus persecuted those of the Way - Ac 9:2; 22:4
   b. Others spoke evil of the Way, even caused a riot - Ac 19:9,23
   c. Paul confessed to Felix that he worshiped God according to the Way
      - Ac 24:14,22

[Today the expression "The Way" is rarely used, except by some
parachurch organizations, individual congregations, and even a few cult
groups.  But what did it mean in the early days of the church...?]

I. THE MEANING OF "THE WAY"

   A. PROBABLE ORIGIN...
      1. Jesus taught about two ways - Mt 7:13-14
         a. The broad way that leads to destruction
         b. The narrow way that leads to life
      2. Jesus claimed to be the way - Jn 14:6
         a. The way to truth and life
         b. The only way to the Father
      -- It seems likely that Jesus' statements led to the use of "The
         Way"

   B. POSSIBLE MEANING...
      1. Simon J. Kistemaker (BNTC) suggests it refers to:
         a. The teaching of the gospel
         b. The Christian's conduct directed and guided by the gospel
         c. The Christian community in general
      2. W. A. Ewell (ECB) suggests it connotes something of:
         a. The way of salvation - Ac 16:17
         b. The true way of God - Ac 18:25-26
      -- It likely referred to following Jesus as "The Way" in both
         doctrine and life

[With this lesson, I wish to introduce several topics that certainly fall
under the category of "The Way Of Christ" as it pertains to the doctrine
and life of those who follow Jesus...]

II. THE WAY OF CHRIST

   A. THE WAY TO GOD...
      1. Jesus is the only way to God - Jn 14:6; Mt 11:27
      2. Through Jesus, both Jew and Gentile have access to the Father
         - Ep 2:18

   B. THE WAY TO TRUTH...
      1. Jesus came to this world to bear witness to the truth - Jn
         18:37
      2. He offers the truth that sets us free from the bondage of sin
         - Jn 8:32-36

   C. THE WAY TO LIFE...
      1. Jesus came that we might life more abundantly - Jn 10:10
      2. He offers life beyond this life - Jn 11:25; 1Th 4:13-18

   D. THE WAY OF LOVE...
      1. Jesus taught His disciples to love one another - Jn 13:34
      2. He even taught them to love their enemies - Mt 5:43-45

   E. THE WAY OF JOY...
      1. Jesus spoke in order that His disciples' joy might be full - Jn
         15:11
      2. He did so that they might have His joy fulfilled in themselves
         - Jn 17:13

   F. THE WAY OF PEACE...
      1. Jesus offered a peace unlike any the world could give - Jn
         14:27
      2. A peace that overcomes tribulation in the world - Jn 16:33

   G. THE WAY OF UNITY...
      1. Jesus prayed for unity among those who believe in Him - Jn
         17:20-23
      2. He died on the cross to reconcile Jew and Gentile - Ep 2:11-17

   H. THE WAY OF PRAYER...
      1. Jesus taught us how to pray, to pray diligently and humbly - Lk
         11:1-13; 18:1-14
      2. He serves as High Priest and Advocate as we pray - He 4:14-16;
         1Jn 2:1

   I. THE WAY OF FORGIVENESS...
      1. Jesus taught the importance of forgiving others - Mt 6:12,14-15
      2. He demonstrated the attitude of forgiveness on the cross - Lk
         23:34

   J. THE WAY OF BEARING FRUIT...
      1. Jesus taught the necessity of bearing fruit to being His
         disciples - Jn 15:1-2,8
      2. Abiding in Him is the key to bearing fruit - Jn 15:4-5

   K. THE WAY OF SERVICE...
      1. Jesus came to serve, and taught His disciples to do likewise
         - Mt 20:25-28; Jn 13:12-17
      2. Therefore His followers are to serve one another in love - Ga
         5:13; 1Pe 4:9

   L. THE WAY OF SUFFERING...
      1. Jesus had to suffer to enter His glory - Lk 24:25-26
      2. He calls us to follow in His steps, if need be - 1Pe 2:20-23

   M. THE WAY TO GLORY...
      1. Jesus will one day be revealed in glory - 2Th 1:10
      2. We too shall be revealed in glory in Him! - 2Th 1:12; Col 3:4

CONCLUSION

1. We may or may not refer to ourselves as people of "The Way"...
   a. There are other designations just as scriptural
   b. In some circumstances, it could be misunderstood as a cult

2. But we should never stop thinking of Jesus as the Way...
   a. The way to God, truth, life, and glory
   b. The way of love, joy, peace, and unity
   c. The way of prayer, forgiveness, bearing fruit, service, and
      suffering for righteousness' sake

We shall examine each of these more closely in succeeding lessons.  In
the meantime, have you accepted Jesus as your Way to salvation and
eternal life?  Are you willing to become His disciple and learn from
Him...?

   "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will
   give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I
   am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your
   souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
                                                   - Mt 11:28-30

   And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has
   been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make
   disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the
   Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
   observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with
   you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
                                                   - Mt 28:18-20
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