
Asking For A Friend: Is There Only One Way to God?
2 Corinthians 5:14-21
August 21, 2022
Jay Haugh
All religions address 4 key areas:
1. Origin (where did we come from?)
2. Meaning (meaning of life?)
3. Morality (what’s right and wrong?)
4. Destiny (where am I going after death?).
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” —John 14:6 NKJV
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” —Acts 4:12 NIV
1. Jesus claims to be God.
“It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” —John 10:33
2. Jesus’s atoning death.
Atonement is the work Jesus did in His life and death to earn our salvation.
Jesus’s death takes our place. He gets punished instead of us.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. —Romans 5:8 NIV
Christianity is not a ladder.
3. Jesus rose from the dead.
If the resurrection didn’t happen, produce the body.
The resurrection didn’t bring them popularity or prosperity. It brought persecution and pain.
4. Grace.
Our evil deeds don’t get canceled out by doing “good works.”
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord (God) and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. —Romans 10:9-10
Are all religions created equal?
Jesus is equal to no one.
Big Idea:
Jesus is unique in His claim, His death, His resurrection and the grace He offers.
TEXT “Yes to Jesus” to 319-284-6520
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS
*Memory Verse: 1 Peter 3:15 * … in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…
When discussing your faith with others, have you ever encountered someone who believes that all religions are equal? That there are many roads to the same “God”? How have you responded to this critique?
Do you have friends who are of a faith other than Christianity? How can we best engage these friends about the truth and message of Jesus Christ?
1. Jesus is God
Read Hebrews 1:1-4; Philippians 2:5-11; Exodus 3:14; and John 8:58.
What is the significance of Jesus being God?
In what way is Jesus the ultimate word of God?
Even though Jesus would have had the power to do so, we don’t see Him acting like a superhero. What do you think this says about God and the purpose of Jesus’ life?
2. Jesus’ Atoning Death
Read Romans 5:6-11. Why was Jesus’ death necessary for us to have a relationship with God?
When speaking with non-believers about Jesus, how much emphasis do you put behind the concept of atonement?
Read Romans 5:1-2 and Ephesians 2:8-10. Why do you think so many people believe that a person can earn their way into heaven?
Does being a Christian mean that, since we are not saved by good works, they are not important to our faith? How do you balance the tension between a saving faith and living a life filled with good works?
3. Jesus Rose from the Dead
Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-8. What is the connection between the resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of the dead that everyone will experience after Christ’s return?
4. Grace
Read Romans 3:21-26 and 1 Corinthians 15:9-11. How have you experienced this grace in your life? How can you use your experience and biblical truth to impact others?
Paul, who persecuted the Church and killed followers of “The Way,” was shown grace and it impacted his life’s trajectory. Who do you know that is far from God? How can the Gospel message of grace be impactful for others?
What areas in your life do you still carry a burden of past sins?
What do you need to do to turn that burden over to God and experience His grace?