Title: JESUS CHRIST the only way
1- JESUS CHRIST the only way
2- Today we celebrate the resurrection of JESUS who
is the only way to the FATHER but why is this
important? - In John 14 v6 JESUS declared I AM the way the
TRUTH and life. No one comes to the FATHER except
through me - The key passion for JESUS was to make a way for
man to reach to GOD the FATHER - JESUS made the only way by shedding HIS blood. No
other prophet or holy man shed their blood to
redeem their followers (Buddha, Mohammed) - None of these religions have the transformation
power that we see in the NAME of JESUS
3How can we be certain about these events?
- Could Christ have simply arranged HIS life to
match all the previous Bible - prophecies, including all the miracles, the
earthquakes? - He would have to have all HIS enemies (the Roman
Army, Chief - priest, Pharisees and the whole Jewish
nation play to HIS script!) - HE would also have to manufacture every
supernatural event in the Bible (virgin birth,
healings, walking on water etc) - Prophesied over 400 times in the Bible
- Sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zech 11v 12 -13),
JESUS word on the cross (Ps 22 v1-7, v16-17),
JESUS sufferings (Isa 53 v1-12) - It was recorded by many 1st Century non-Christian
historians such as Josephus - Why would JESUS disciples choose to die for
what they know is a lie e.g. being burnt alive or
thrown to lions? -
- What of the transforming power
that we see today?
4Why the cross? It is the only solution to sin
- Sin is costly! Mans relationship with GOD
has broken - Sin is dangerous ! Even presidents have lost
their place due to sin - Sin is deadly! Even lying can kill (ask Ananias
and Sapphira in Acts 5) - Without JESUS, we were all on death row
- Without the shedding of blood there is no
forgiveness of sins (Heb 9 v22, Lev 17 v11) - Sacrifice of bulls and goats could not take away
sins it simply covers sin but the power of sin
is not broken (Heb 10 v 1-7) - Blood of JESUS cleanses us and provides eternal
redemption (Heb 9 v11-14) - ?GOD so loved the world (John 3 v16). GOD made
man in HIS own image there is always that
attachment to HIS creation
5Why the cross? It is the only access to GOD
- Access to GOD has never been easy without JESUS
- Open Heavens of the 25 March 2013 was entitled
GOD so approachable has it always been like
that? - Esther 5 v1-3 Having access to people in
authority is very hard and even in the olden
days it can cost lives e.g. Esther - BEFORE JESUS CAME
- Ex 19 v 10 -22
- V10 There is preparation consecration and
washing - V12 -13 Access for everyone is NOT allowed
- V16 -19 The LORD thunders and even mountains
quake hence one has to be careful and approach
HIM with GODLY fear and humility - v21 Unauthorised access will kill - just like
any live wire can kill - v23 Once a place is declared a Holy ground,
there MUST be limits set - v22 -25 Even the priest could NOT have access to
GODs presence
6Access to GOD is limited to the qualified
- ?ISREAL ON THE MOVE and the TEMPLE has
demarcations (inner and outer court and the HOLY
of HOLIES) i.e. there are limits to access - The Temple was where the presence of GOD resided
- You MUST qualify(i.e. be a Levite) before you
can even have access to the Tabernacle(Num 1
v47-53) - You MUST be the High priest to have access to the
inner court and the HOLY of HOLIES - It is only at the HOLY of HOLIES that requests
can be made.
7Access to GOD is limited to the qualified
8Access to GOD is limited to the qualified
9Access to GOD is limited to the qualified
10Access to GOD is limited to the qualified
11Access to GOD is granted to everyone
- AFTER JESUS DIED I.E TODAY
- Matthew 27 v50 -51
- JESUS cut the curtain granting us access into the
HOLY of HOLIES - It is only at the HOLY of HOLIES that requests
are granted - JESUS is still making a way and opening doors
for us today - You dont need to be of any pedigree but you
MUST be born again. - We see that JESUS set people free once HIS blood
touches the earth to the extent that even the
dead arose. HE is still doing the same today!
12Access to GOD is granted to everyone
- Today the only access is through the BLOOD of
JESUS (Heb 9v11-14 and 10v 1-10) - The BLOOD of JESUS took common people like us
from the exterior into the Outer court -gt from
the Outer to the Inner court -gt and from the
Inner court to the HOLY of HOLIES - Our LORD JESUS also granted us freedom so that we
can come boldly to GOD the FATHER to receive help
in time of need(Heb 4 v16) -
13The Cost of Salvation
- Matthew 27 v 22-66, Matthew 28 v1-10, v16-20
14The Cost of Salvation
- ? Demonstration of humility (Phil 2v 5-8)
- Demonstration of total submission to the will of
GOD v us humans (Isa 53, Heb 2v 9 -10 Captain
of our Salvation) - Showing forgiveness self control (even when
nailed to the cross), Christ restrained himself
for you! - Make no mistake, JESUS suffering was brutal
(King of the Jews!) - JESUS agonised over what HE was about to face
- Could there be any other way (JESUS enquired of
the FATHER). Do not be deceived there is NO
other way except through JESUS
15 HE IS RISEN !
16Victory through the BLOOD of JESUS
- The BLOOD of JESUS speaks forgiveness unlike the
blood of Abel that speaks condemnation - Matt 28v18 JESUS said All power is given unto
me - The BLOOD of JESUS has power over death and Hell
and the devil - I am the resurrection and the Life(JESUS
told Martha) - - Dead saints rose (Math 27 v 52-53)
- Opened the way for us to have direct access to
the FATHER (Math 27 v 51) - Securing our hope for eternal life
- Bought us by HIS blood - HE now stands as the
GREAT HIGH PRIEST(Heb 2 v14 -18)
17Victory through the BLOOD of JESUS
- For Christ is the end of the law for
righteousness to everyone - who believes (Romans 104)
- JESUS triumphed over the devil and all
principalities and powers (Col 2 v15, Eph 1 v21) - JESUS wiped away the death penalty (Col 2 v
13-14) - JESUS restored our relationship with the FATHER
(Eph 2 v14 -18) - For by one offering HE has perfected forever
those who are being sanctified(Heb 1014).
18Victory through the BLOOD of JESUS
- The BLOOD of JESUS brings a new covenant (Matt
26v28) - I am going to my FATHER and your father (John 20
v17) - JESUS still stands today as our GREAT HIGH
PRIEST pleading for us because of HIS blood.
Because CHRIST himself suffered HE is able to
sympathise with them that suffers (Heb 2v18) - JESUS also gave us the only weapon that defeats
the devil - Rev 12 v11 They overcame him by the BLOOD of the
LAMB
19Victory through the BLOOD of JESUS
- Hope for the future
- The BLOOD of JESUS also qualifies us for Heaven
- Rev 7 v9-14 Those whose robe are washed in the
BLOOD of the LAMB
20- There is no other way but JESUS
- May the LORD bless you as you keep HIS word
- Amen