How Do You Know Your Way is the Only Way?

Max Fernandez

My Friends Are Asking • Sermon • Submitted 7 years ago

Acts 17:16–34

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Title: How do you know that your way is the only way?

Text:

Series: My friends are asking

Introductory thoughts:

The gospel has come crashing into the Graeco-Roman world. With its’ force comes the call to repent from pagan idols. The call of the gospel presumes exclusivity. Note one example in , .

During his second missionary journey, Paul is stirred to speak when he sees the tremendous idolatry in Athens at the time (). At the time, historians note that it was possible to find more idols than men in Athens.

SLIDE: The biblical book of Acts in the New Testament contains vivid descriptions of the cultures of the ancient Greco-Roman world. Each city worshipped its favorite deities and built shrines around their images for worship. When Paul went to Athens he saw that it was literally filled with images of these divinities (). The Parthenon of Athena overshadowed everything, but other deities were represented in every public space. There was Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty; Ares, the god of war; Artemis, the goddess of fertility and wealth; Hephaestus, the god of craftsmanship. - TK

None of these gods fully satisfied. The people would find temporary release or false approval before a god that did not truly exist and the cycle would begin again. So, what right does any person or institution have to claim exclusivity? Who has the right to say that they are the only way to have a life that is acceptable before the One God? Who deserves the right to say that they are the only WAY to have eternal life?

It cannot be denied that if, indeed, we can know with certainty that there is a God and that He has spoken, it follows ineluctably that He alone would be the perpetual novelty. It would then logically follow that to know Him-to live with Him-would be the supreme purpose and pleasure of life. But that is a big "if." How do we know if Christ really is the way and the truth and the life, as He claimed He was? In our consideration of that all-important issue, let us first examine one of the most controversial and castigated assertions of the Christian faith-its exclusive claim to truth. - Ravi Zacharias

Proposition:

If Christ is indeed the one, true God [among other gods], then He demands a verdict from you: Will you submit yourself to Him as Lord and Savior or not?

(1) Why do men look for a way to God?

(a) There is the evidence of an immaterial world: Man has a nature to worship ()

“superstitious” - devout, religious

“devotions” - objects of worship

There is something within man that pursues to no end an object of worship that will bring ultimate enjoyment and pleasure. Note man’s incessant pursuit of knowledge. ()

(**) Man’s nature of worship crashes into the physical realm (it is visible) ()

This is an undeniable fact because of how this worship is evidenced. There are visible manifestations. There are experiential evidences. Man’s very nature shows their natural belief that there is an immaterial world. There is something beyond the seeable.

Something else not explicitly stated in the text is that this worship implies a innate belief in blessing and cursing - an innate belief in justice. It is a code within mankind that seeks the blessing of some higher deity, though they do not know who this deity is.

14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Illustration:

SLIDE: Seven people were killed and more than 40 others were hospitalized after a series of terror attacks struck on and around London Bridge late Saturday night....The London Ambulance Service said 48 people were treated in five hospitals across the city. London The service said that 80 medics responded to the scene. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said Sunday that some of the injured were in “critical” condition.....Gerard Vowls told The Guardian newspaper that he saw a woman being stabbed by three men at the south end of London Bridge. He said he threw chairs, glasses and bottles at the attackers in a bid to stop them. "They kept coming to try to stab me. They were stabbing everyone. Evil, evil people," he told the newspaper. [http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/06/04/london-attacks-at-least-7-dead-more-than-40-injured-after-van-ramming-stabbings.html, Accessed June 04, 2017]

"They kept coming to try to stab me. They were stabbing everyone. Evil, evil people," he told the newspaper.

(b) There is the evidence of the material world () - God that made the world...

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;

And the firmament sheweth his handywork.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Man is brought to a stark reality that he is absolutely NOT independent. Man’s dependency gives rise to the incessant search for ultimate survival. Hollywood has made millions on movies promoting the survival of a species or the survival of mankind. There is a search for this because man presupposes dependency. But, why? The reason is: death. Death is the one elusive enemy that forces man to look at his own finitude.

Illustration:

I was at Macy’s in line behind a man who had a shirt on that said, “Death smiles at all of us, but only a few of us smile back.” (backdrop graphic of the Grim Reaper).

(d) There is the evidence of man’s impotence [lack of power to determine] ()

Who determined where you would be born? Who determined where your parents would be born? And their parents? And there parents? Paul ascribes to God something that man cannot control. This is reminiscent of Daniel’s prophecy in - Gold head, silver arms, brass loins, iron legs…etc

(e) There is the evidence of man’s very existence ()

SLIDE:

Paul is describing a potential that was not fulfilled in the Athenian situation. There was plenty of reaching out for God in the form of popular religion and philosophical reflection, but the result was a proliferation of idolatry and self-confessed ignorance of the true God (vv. 16, 22–23). Nevertheless, God’s purpose for humanity remains, despite the blinding and corrupting effects of sin. The possibility of seeking after God and finding him is based on the fact that God ‘is not far from any one of us’.

Peterson, D. G. (2009). The Acts of the Apostles (p. 498). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Man’s very existence and the nature of his existence show that there is a God to be searched for. In this appeal, he points out the obvious. It is obvious that man is complex and unique and should not create his own objects of worship. If man is such a creature, we should not think that his Creator is anything less than man. It is only in accordance to man’s created nature that he seeks a higher being to worship.

Quote:

In other words, there is a biblical truth echoed in the pagan poet’s reflection on the relationship between Creator and human beings. It is natural for people to seek after God, since he made us to have a relationship with himself.

Peterson, D. G. (2009). The Acts of the Apostles (p. 500). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Man will live life presupposing several things.

(1) There is more to life than the physical.

(2) The physical world proves there is something more than the physical world.

(3) Death is the real evidence that man is not all-powerful and all-knowing.

(4) Man’s control is limited.

(5) Man’s existence causes a search for higher meaning/purpose.

9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive ipower, and riches, and wisdom, and istrength, and hhonour, and hglory, and kblessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, kBlessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, pAmen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

King James Version Chapter 5

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Application:

(2) If there is a way, what must man do?

(a) Be humbled before the forbearance (winked - overlooked) of God () - See also, ,

God has been merciful to mankind. To the religious Jew who has had special revelation, the scriptures say that “the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” To the religious Gentile, he calls them to turn back to him. It is truly of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed.

(b) Be submissive to his command - Repent ()

This means to turn from belief in all other false gods of this world. This means that there is a call to exclusivity. Note:

SLIDE: It cannot be denied that if, indeed, we can know with certainty that there is a God and that He has spoken, it follows ineluctably that He alone would be the perpetual novelty. It would then logically follow that to know Him-to live with Him-would be the supreme purpose and pleasure of life. But that is a big "if." How do we know if Christ really is the way and the truth and the life, as He claimed He was? In our consideration of that all-important issue, let us first examine one of the most controversial and castigated assertions of the Christian faith-its exclusive claim to truth. - Ravi Zacharias

(3) What makes your way the only way? ()

(a) Man is right: Justice will be served ()

The inner sense and desire of man will be fulfilled. Justice will be served; but it must be served by someone who reserves the power and right to a position of justice over man. It must be someone who can relate to man and yet is greater than mere man.

(b) Jesus’ Resurrection is the assurance we have that Jesus is that man ()

Man is dependent because of death; but Jesus defeated death. Mankind is the offspring of a complex creator God, Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. Man has limited control on time; but Jesus is the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world.

Consider the claim of Jesus:

SLIDE...but by my name Jehovah I was not known to them" (, ). So sacred was this name, JHWH, that devout Jews would not even pronounce it. Many take the word to mean "underived rived existence" or "He who is" from the "I AM" of , but the meaning of the term is not certain. It is known for sure that Jehovah is the I AM of and that for the Jews he alone is God. Everything thing else is an idol or false god. - Geisler

In view of the fact that the Jehovah of the Jewish Old Testament would not give his name, honor, or glory to another, it is little wonder that the words and deeds of Jesus of Nazareth drew stones and cries of "blasphemy" from first-century Jews. The very things that the Jehovah of the Old Testament claimed for himself Jesus of Nazareth also claimed, as the following verses reveal: Jesus said "I am the good shepherd" (), but the Old Testament declared "Jehovah is my shepherd" (). Jesus claimed to be judge of all men and nations (. and .) but Joel, quoting Jehovah, wrote: "for there I will sit to judge all the nations round about" (). Jesus said, "I am the light of the world" () whereas Isaiah says, "Jehovah will be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory" - Geisler

Jesus will judge the world of righteousness because when He suffered death, the consequence for sin, He defeated death showing that He is truly the righteous One.

Habermas states that while many critical scholars in the nineteenth century disputed the resurrection on naturalistic grounds, few liberal critics take that position anymore. He says contemporary critical scholars basically agree with these nine key facts concerning the resurrection of Jesus:

The disciples believed they had encounters with the risen Jesus.

The disciples were transformed from doubters who lacked the courage to identify with Jesus to bold declarants of His death and resurrection.

Jesus’ tomb was empty.

The resurrection message was central to the teaching of the early Church, especially in Jerusalem, where Jesus was both crucified and buried.

Jewish leaders could not disprove the disciples’ message ().

Accounts of the resurrection were crucial to the Church’s birth and its rapid spread.

Sunday became the primary day of worship.

James was transformed from skeptic to believer because he was convinced he had encountered the resurrected Christ.

Paul, just a few years later, was converted as a result of an encounter with one whom he believed to be the risen Christ. [Limbaugh, David (2014-09-08). Jesus on Trial: A Lawyer Affirms the Truth of the Gospel (p. 283). Regnery Publishing. Kindle Edition.]

Limbaugh, David (2014-09-08). Jesus on Trial: A Lawyer Affirms the Truth of the Gospel (p. 283). Regnery Publishing. Kindle Edition.

Conclude:

When you hold a new born baby, you will not say, “Wow! What a biological accident!”

When the sun warms your face in the beauty of the day, you will not say, “Wow! What a scientific anomaly.”

These evidences will resonate with something that God has put into your hearts. God has put eternity in your hearts.

When you stand at the casket of your loved one, you will not say, “Boy, they deserved this!” or “Death, you should have come sooner!”

You will be confronted with the reality that you too will face this door.

Death will remind you that sin has devastating consequences on creation.

When you hear of Jesus Christ, you will see Him suffer the consequence of death and the evidence of the Resurrection.

When you hear the claims of Christ - “I am the Way, the Truth, & the Life…No man...” - you will be commanded to respond with belief or unbelief.

When you wonder, “Why should I believe?” The loud answer is, “Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.”

"A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things that Jesus said wouldn't be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic on the level with a man who says he's a poached egg--or else he would be the devil of hell; you must take your choice. Either this was, and is, the Son of God, or else a mad man or something worse. You can shut Him up for a demon, or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But don't come up with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great moral teacher. He hasn't left that alternative open to us. He did not intend to." - C.S. Lewis

I believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to God because:

(1) He addresses the created need and pursuit of man

(2) He claimed himself to be the Creator become flesh

(3) He proved to be the Creator become flesh in the Resurrection

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