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)