How Know We The Way? John 14:5 I. Introduction. A. The Lord encouraged his disciples: John 14:1-4. 1. Thomas' response: John 14:5. 2. The right way: John 14:6. 3. Different from all other ways: Hebrews 10:20. B. Each person must choose the way they desire to go in this life. 1. Man is a free moral agent. 2. Choosing one's way must be done by each person. 3. The Pharisees and scribes wanted their own way and rejected the way of the Lord. 4. The multitudes of today want to "go my own way"(do own thing). C. How can one know which way to go? 1. There are only two ways: one to life(the Lord's way) and one to eternal death(Satan's way). 2. One must weigh the benefits and consequences of what is chosen. II Body. Let us consider--- A. The Lord's way: Matthew 3:3. 1. John is instructed to prepare the "way of the Lord"--a way of hope and righteousness. 2. The taught way: Acts 18:25-26. a. One must learn the plan and stay with the plan. b. The apostles and early Christians were taught and they taught others. c. Not by mysterious experience, etc.--but by teaching. 3. The perfect way: a. Provides exact(perfect) knowledge: Acts 24:22. b. Designed, built, and maintained by God. c. No man or group has any right to alter or change the Lord's way. 4. The way of peace: Luke 1:79. a. John the Baptist's father prophesied(knew the work of his son). b. Jesus' way brings peace: Romans 5:1. c. Settles moral and spiritual conflicts: satisfies the soul. 5. The happy way: Acts 8:39. a. The eunuch rejoiced(was happy). b. The song: O Happy Day. c. Note(blessed): James 5:11. d. Even in suffering, blessed: I Peter 3:14. e. If a Christian is not happy--it is one's own fault, not the fault of God or the brethren. d. Do not confuse "happy" with "touchy/feely." 6. The way of salvation: Acts 16:17. a. The one way to go to heaven. b. It is not broad enough to embrace error and rebellion. 6. The only way that pleases God: John 14:6. a. Why? Not a way devised by men. b. To please God, must be in this way and stay in it! c. It is a narrow way: Matthew 7:14. B. The way of Satan: I Peter 5:8. 1. Satan wants all on his way. a. Uses every temptation to enroll his travelers. b. Will even make the road appear attractive: Hebrews 3:13. 2. The broad way: Matthew 7:13. a. The majority travel this way. b. Satan has room for everyone. c. Allows these to believe what they want, act as they desire, not being concerned about what is right. d. This way embraces every sin, every error, every false religion--for its leader is the father of lies. 3. The wrong way: a. One should always look toward the destination in any journey. b. The wrong way may even be made to appear the right way: II Corinthians 4:4. c. This way leads to: II Thessalonians 1:9. 4. Some reject truth to be on this way: Acts 24:25. a. Want to approve all teachings--does not matter what one believes. b. Opposite of the way of truth. 5. Some let the seed fall by the wayside: Matthew 13:19. a. Reject the right way for their own(Satan's). b. Do not give the word a chance. 6. Some drift from the way of God: Matthew 13:20-22. a. These were on the way, but lost their direction. b. They made a choice: they can still return to the Lord's way. II. Conclusion. A. We can know the way that is right. B. We can be on the way and continue to walk the paths of righteousness.-jy