The Greatest Statement Ever Made

 

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 6 APRIL 2025 - MR JOHN WEIR

JOHN 14 VERSES 1 TO 6

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." verse 6

Powerful words from the Saviour. Life changing, inspirational words. Over the years many have made great statements. Neil Armstrong said "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Martin Luther said "I have a dream". Winston Churchill "Never, never, never give up." Muhammed Ali claimed "I am the greatest". Nothing compares to these words made by the Saviour. It is one of the great "I am" statements. Jesus said "I am the bread of life", "I am the light of the world", "I am the door", "I am the good shepherd", "I am the resurrection and the life, "I am the true vine." When Jesus speaks we must listen. Maybe the Lord is speaking to you already through the choruses and testimony. The bible says "Today if you hear his voice harden not your hearts." The Lord makes it clear he is the only way to heaven. Everyone wants to be in heaven, no-one wants to be lost, in hell for all eternity. The only way to heaven, to the Father is to have your sins forgiven. There are many people with a past. They have done things they would never admit to. Wouldn't it be lovely to live a life knowing we are cleansed and washed in the blood of Christ. 

Jesus is the way and that is the way for the lost. For men and women, boys and girls. They are spiritually lost. "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." We are all on a journey, all heading to eternity. We might live 50/60/70 years. You are on the broad road that leads to destruction. There is a narrow way that leads to life, heaven and home. "Enter ye in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be which go in thereat." Do you want to go to heaven? I am sure you would say "yes". How many are willing to live their lives for Christ? Think of your street, your community, your school, college, university - how many are Christians? Born again of the Spirit of God, converted? Have you ever been lost as a child? It is an awful feeling. To be spiritually lost is an even worse feeling. We read of Jesus "he was moved with compassion". William Booth told his young followers "If I had my choice, I wouldn't send you to school, I'd send you to Hell for five minutes, and you'd come back real soul winners.” There is no second chance. Many people sat in the very pew you sat in for years, heard great preachers from this pulpit but they got up and left this church. They are lost for all eternity. Maybe you made a profession years ago but tonight you are lost. You are outside the family of God, do not attend the prayer times or bible studies. You need to get back to your first love. There are many who say that all religions lead to God, that if you do your best everything will be all right. Jesus says there is no other way - verse 5. Thomas wanted to be in heaven and it is no different for us. He wanted to be sure. A lot of people are not sure if they are saved or not. Are you a Christian? Converted, born again of the Spirit of God? Make sure you know for sure. The story is told of Albert Einstein who lost his ticket on a train one day. The conductor saw him on his hands and knees trying to find the ticket. He came to him and said "it is alright, everyone knows who you are Mr Einstein, don't worry about it." Einstein replied "I know who I am, I just don't know where I am going."  He didn't know the stop he had to get off at. Many are like him. They don't know where they are going. Many end up in hospital with a consultant telling them they have only weeks left to live. They panic, they are on the verge of eternity. Not every one gets time and space. It is so important that you make sure you are ready for eternity. Heaven gives you hope. Death is not the end. We know as Christians that death is not the end. They are going to spend eternity with the Saviour. I know for sure that one day I will see Jesus. But there is no hope for those on their death beds. They have nothing to cling to. It was said of John Wesley's converts that they died well. Revelation 21 verse 4 "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things have passed away." Maybe you have people who prayed for you. What a reunion it will be one day. Won't it be awful if you were not there? Many have a head knowledge but it has never becomes a heart knowledge. That is the greatest journey in life - from head to heart. People know it in their head but don't have it in their heart.

Jesus is the truth and that is for the learned. There are many educated and learned people today. Think of the most intelligent people ever. There was a recent list of the 5 most intelligent men - first was Johann Goethe, an 18th Century German polymath. Second was Albert Einstein, then Leonardo da Vinci, Isaac Newton and last James Maxwell, a Scottish mathematician and scientist. I wonder - how many of them are Christians. For all their intellect do they know Christ as Saviour?  3 men who lived 200 years apart were Plato, Socrates and Aristotle. How many know what they taught? Yet a little child could come up here and tell us what Jesus taught. Are you in love with Jesus? Is he your Saviour? Was there a change in your life when you accepted him as Saviour? Do you take a stand for him? "No man cometh unto the Father but by me." No matter your background, whether you are rich or poor, what religion you have. It is a big statement and he could say it. He was God manifested in the flesh. He saves us, keeps us. The Spirit of God comes and lives in us when we accept his salvation. He can save you and keep you. He can satisfy you. "The Spirit of Christ beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." Does anybody talk to themselves? Remember there is someone inside your body. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. "He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall rush torrents of living water." We all have trials, battles, storms in life. Maybe you are going through difficult times even now. There have been many tragedies over the years. Isn't it good to know that the Lord has been with you. When death comes he will be with us.

Jesus is the life and that is for the longing people. I meet a lot of people who are bored with life. They don't want to get up each day and live. They have nothing to live for. I see people going up and down the street getting a bottle just to get through the day. Life only begins when you accept Jesus as Saviour. Many drink alcohol, take drugs, are involved in all sorts of relationships, are living for the next holiday, a new car. Only Jesus gives true satisfaction. The devil is described as a thief. The devil comes to steal and kill and destroy. "I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly." We have eternal life through Jesus Christ. Little Zacchaeus in Luke 19 - his life changed. Legion was cutting himself, he was in torment and not wanting to live another day. Jesus appeared and changed him. Mary Magdalene had 7 devils inside her. She was a lost cause. One day she was released. At the cross Mary was there watching Jesus die. All the other disciples were hiding for fear of the Jews but she stood by her Lord to the end. What was she thinking? "That man changed me, set me free." The dying thief lived a sinful life. At the last moment he cried for mercy - "remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom today." Jesus replied "today you will be with me in paradise." Do you want a new life? Do you want to go to heaven one day? The Spirit of God is searching hearts right now. This message is for you. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me."

Come to Jesus by the way of the cross. The national anthem in hell is "I did it my way". Will you live for Jesus? The news will not make the headlines in the Belfast Telegraph or the BBC News but it will be recorded in heaven. Is your name in the Lamb's Book of Life? Will your name be there? If you are saying "no" make sure tonight. Make sure your name is in that book, that is the most important thing of all.