THE WAY
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. Christianity is spoken of frequently in the book of Acts as
"The Way."
B. When we think of "a way," we might think of a road or highway,
a means of going from one place to another.
1. Also, we think of a course of action; e.g., the manner or
way of doing something.
C. Spiritually, "The Way" is both. It is a prescribed course for
going from one place to another, and a way of thinking and
action.
I. "THE WAY" WAS PROPHESIED IN OLD TESTAMENT.
A. Isa. 35:5-10 - It is a way in which the redeemed will walk.
B. Isa. 40:3-5 - This is often quoted by John the Baptist.
1. It is used figuratively of changing the hearts and lives of
the people. John's work was to encourage the people to be
more spiritually minded, to cause them to readily receive
the Messiah when He came. Luke 1:16-17
II. "THE WAY" IS FULFILLED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT; IT IS THE NEW
TESTAMENT.
A. The new and living way. Heb. 10:19-22
1. It is "new" in contrast to the "old" - the Law of Moses.
2. It is "living" because Jesus, its author, ever lives. Heb.
7:25-26
3. Jesus is the Way. We should never lose sight of this. The
Way is Jesus; the Life is Jesus; and, the Truth is Jesus.
4. When we lose fellowship with Him, we are truly "cut off."
John 15:5-6
B. The straitened way. Matt. 7:13-14
1. "Enter ye in at the strait (not straight, without crooks or
bends).
2. It is a "strait" way because it is confined and narrow. It
is like a narrow gorge between two rock cliffs. It is
restricted and confined.
3. Only a few find this narrow way. They don't find it because
they are not looking for it.
a. We need to rejoice and be thankful that we have found
it.
b. It is truly like a wonderful treasure and a pearl of
great price. Matt. 13:44-45
4. Only a few continue to walk in it. Matt. 22:14; Luke 8:14
a. Let us strive to stay in the narrow way that leads to
life.
III. THE WAY OF CHRIST VERSUS SOME OTHER WAY. (See chart below).
A. Jesus spoke of some trying to climb up some other way. John
10:1-2,7-9
B. The Way of Christ is the "Way of Truth." 2 Pet. 2:1-3
1. It is the way which has truth as its source.
2. High waves on the sea were giving a ship great difficulty as
it was being slowly guided into a rocky harbor. The Captain
of the ship standing on the bow with binoculars was
carefully watching every rock that intruded out of the
water. One of the passengers being sorely frightened came to
the Captain and said, "Sir, do you know where all the rocks
are?" The Captain answered, "No, I don't know where all the
rocks are." The passenger replied, "If you don't know where
all the rocks are, what's to keep us from shipwreck?" The
Captain answered, "I know where the safe channel is."
3. Likewise, regarding the religions of our time, we don't need
to know where all the rocks are. There are hundreds, even
thousands, of false doctrines being taught and practiced
today, and we don't need to familiarize ourselves with them,
nor waste our time studying them. After using up a lifetime
in acquainting ourselves with them, evil men would only
have that many more for us to learn. However, we do need
to know where the safe channel is. We need to be thoroughly
acquainted with the safe channel (the holy Scriptures) so
that we can follow in the Way that the Lord prescribed.
C. The Way of truth versus the way of error. 1 John 4:6
1. Man follows his own personal desires and tastes, wisdom of
men, feelings, sincerity and conscience, the majority,
dreams, visions, conventions, councils, synods, religion of
parents, traditions of men, disciplines, cathacisms, and
creed books, but God's people follow only the way of truth.
D. The Way of Christ is the "Way of Peace." Luke 1:79; Rom. 5:4;
Phil. 4:6-7
E. The Way of Peace versus the Hard Way. Prov. 13:15; Isa. 57:20-
21
F. The Way of Christ is the "Way of Salvation." Acts 16:17
1. Following in the way of Christ will bring salvation.
G. The Way of Salvation versus the Way of Destruction.
1. Matt. 7:13
2. The wicked will be punished with everlasting destruction.
H. The Way of Christ is the "Way of Righteousness."
1. 2 Pet. 2:21
2. It was called "the way of holiness" in Isaiah.
I. The Way of Righteousness versus the Way of Wickedness.
1. Isa. 55:6-7
J. The Way of Christ is the "Right Way."
1. 2 Pet. 2:15-16 - Through love of money Balaam forsook the
right way.
K. Going in the Right Way versus Doing Wrong (or going in the
Wrong Way). Col. 3:23-25
1. Like Balaam, many deliberately chose to go in the wrong
way.
L. The Way of Christ is "the Way of the Lord."
1. Acts 18:25
2. The Way of the Lord is the way of truth, peace,
righteousness, and salvation.
M. The Way of the Lord versus the power of Satan.
1. Acts 26:18
2. They are under the power, influence, and control of Satan;
hence, they are going in the way of Satan.
N. The way of Christ involves the "Ways of Life."
1. Acts 2:28 - The Psalmist spoke of God's ways, e.g., the
resurrection of the Messiah.
2. God's ways are different from man's ways. Isa. 55:8-9; 1
Cor. 1:27-29
O. The Ways of Life versus the Ways of Death.
1. Prov. 16:25 - Millions and millions today are going in ways
which "seem" right to them. This brings a tragic end.
IV. HOW DOES ONE GET INTO THE WAY?
A. As we mentioned, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life
(John 14:6). How does one get into Him? Gal. 3:26-27
B. Jesus is the Savior of the body (Eph. 5:23). How does one get
into the body? 1 Cor. 12:13
C. The blood of Christ remits our sins (Eph. 1:7). How does one
receive remission? Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3-4
V. HOW DOES ONE STAY IN THE WAY?
A. Follow the map; stay alert. "Be watchful." Mark 13:32-37; 1
Thess. 5:6; 1 Pet. 4:7
1. We can't see every curve and narrow bridge.
B. Avoid breakdowns, delays.
1. "Strengthen the things that remain." Rev. 3:2; Acts 11:23;
14:22
C. Be persistent.
1. "Strive to enter in." Luke 13:24; Heb. 12:1-2; Phil. 3:13-14
2. We need to continue in a right course of action regardless
of discouragement, opposition, or previous failure.
Concl.
A. Let us follow in the good Way that leads to Life. All other
ways lead to destruction.
B. Officer Peter O'Hanlon was patrolling on night duty in northern
England some years ago when he heard a quivering sob. Turning
in the direction that it came from, he saw in the shadows a
little boy sitting on a doorstep. With tears rolling down his
cheeks, the child whimpered, "I'm lost. Take me home." The
policeman began naming street after street, trying to help him
remember where he lived. When that failed, he repeated the
names of the shops and hotels in the area, but all without
success. Then he remembered that in the center of the city was
a well-known church with a large white cross towering high
above the surrounding landscape. He pointed to it and said, "Do
you live anywhere near that?" The boy's face immediately
brightened. "Yes, take me to the cross. I can find my way home
from there!" (From Bible Illustrator)
1. Making a spiritual application, truly, the way of the cross
leads us to our eternal home.
Chart #1 - (Note: This chart was designed for columns.)
THE WAY OF CHRIST VS. SOME OTHER WAY
Way of Truth (2 Pet. 2:1-3)
Way of Peace (Luke 1:79)
Way of Salvation (Acts 16:17)
Way of Rig. (2 Pet. 2:21)
The Right Way (2 Pet. 2:15-16)
Way of the Lord (Acts 18:25)
Ways of Life (Acts 2:28)
SOME OTHER WAY
Way of Error (1 John 4:6)
The Hard Way (Prov. 13:15)
Way of Destruction (Matt. 7:13)
Way of Wickedness (Isa. 55:6-7)
Doing Wrong (Col. 3:23-25)
Power of Satan (Acts 26:18)
Ways of Death (Prov. 16:25)
Chart #2
How Does One Get Into The Way?
1. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6)
How does one get into Him? (Gal. 3:26-27)
2. Jesus is the Savior of the body. (Eph. 5:23)
How does one get into the body? (1 Cor. 12:13)
3. The blood of Christ remits one's sins. (Eph. 1:7)
When does one receive remission of sins? (Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3-4)
Chart #3
How Does One Stay In The Way?
1. Follow the map; stay alert.
"Be watchful." (Mark 13:32-37; 1 Thess. 5:6; 1 Pet. 4:7)
2. Avoid breakdowns, delays.
"Strengthen the things that remain." (Rev. 3:2; Acts 11:23; 14:22)
3. Be persistent.
"Strive to enter in." (Luke 13:24; Heb. 12:1-2; Phil. 3:13-14)