Download How can we say that Christ is the one and only

How can we say that Christ is the one and only way to salvation?
Introduction
A. What are the usual objections to Christianity being the only way?
How can so many people be wrong?
Since all religions are basically the same why does a religion matter?
Christ may be good for you but not for me and others.
Isn't Christianity too narrow?
ILL: The accepted truth of our age is that all religions are basically the same.
invited to interfaith worship service, declined explained that they were inviting me to
join their faith, which is that all religions are the same, and deny my faith that
Christianity is only way to worship God right!
B. How can Christianity claim that Christ the only way?
Three possible alternates
1. It does not claim to be the only way
2. Claims to be but is wrong: there are other ways, so incorrect by being narrow.
3. Claims to be and is right.
I. Christianity does not claim to be the only way
This is taught by liberal Christians who say, fundamentalist have twisted the Bible.
A. But Jesus clearly claimed to be
1. Jesus taught that he was the only way.
(Joh 3:18 ESV) 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not
believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son
of God.
(Joh 8:24 ESV) 24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I
am he you will die in your sins."
(Joh 14:6 ESV) 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through me.
2. Jesus taught that he was uniquely God, other religious leaders do not claim
this.
(Joh 8:58 ESV) 58 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I
am."
(Joh 10:30 ESV)
30
I and the Father are one."
3. Jesus taught that all would face him as judge in the last days.
(Joh 5:25-29 ESV) 25 "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here,
when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
1
26
For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in
himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son
of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs
will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of
life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
4. Jesus taught that he, as God, had the authority to forgive sins.
(Mar 2:5-11 ESV) 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your
sins are forgiven." 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their
hearts, 7 "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins
but God alone?" 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus
questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question these things in your
hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say,
'Rise, take up your bed and walk'? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has
authority on earth to forgive sins"--he said to the paralytic-- 11 "I say to you, rise, pick up
your bed, and go home."
B. The Apostles affirmed Jesus is the only way
(Act 4:11-12 ESV) 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders,
which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is
no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
(Rom 6:23 ESV) 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Gal 1:6-8 ESV) 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you
in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- 7 not that there is another
one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But
even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one
we preached to you, let him be accursed.
QUESTION: What questions do you have about Christianity claiming to be the
only way?
II. Christianity claims to be only way but is wrong, there are other ways.
A. Must address false assumptions behind this point:
1. “Other sincere people believe they are right, cannot discount their sincerity.”
a. But being sincere does not make it true.
IIL Jonestown sincere,
ILL Nurse attached a tank labeled oxygen to a mask, she was sincere patient died, it
was nitrogen,
b. Believing something, even sincerely does not change reality, it only changes your
interaction with reality.
2
ILL Sincerely believe you are on time because watch is late does not change reality
that opera already started.
2. “It might be right for you but not for all.”
a. Same as saying: you like oysters but I don't
b. But truth does not change with preference.
- world thought earth flat but that never made it flat.
3. “Christianity is too narrow and exclusive since we should all be tolerant so its
narrowness makes it wrong.”
a. But being narrow does not make a claim incorrect.
ILL 2 plus 2 equals 4 is narrow but not therefore wrong
ILL putting only gas in a car is narrow, but not wrong, try putting in diesel or water.
B. All religions are different
In their views of who God is, human destiny, and human salvation
1. Views of God
Christianity, one God in three persons
What does Islam say that God is? Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhist.
Islam, Judaism, one God one person
Hinduism, ranges from all is the one god to many different gods to worship, thousands.
Buddhist, different sects, polytheistic, pantheistic or atheistic.
2. Views of man’s destiny
Christianity eternity in heaven with God for believers.
What does Islam say is man’s destiny? Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhist.
Islam, heaven for sensual pleasures
Judaism varies from no afterlife to heaven with Messiah
Hindus eventually become one with all nature/gods cease to exist as an individual
Buddhist , final dissolution into nothingness in Nirvana.
3. Views of Salvation
Christianity, Faith in Christ obtains forgiveness and eternal life
What
What does Islam say is man’s destiny? Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhist.
Islam, earn heaven by observing the five pillars of faith and affirming five doctrines,
external obedience, never certain.
Judaism turn to God and live a moral life
Hindu reincarnated based on how well you live in this life.
Buddhist follow eight-fold path to be released from world to Nirvana.
Question: What are some things you notice about these other four ways?
3
APPL simple point, all religions tell you what you must give and do to go to heaven,
Christianity tells you want has been given and done for you. Plenty for us to give and do
in response but not to get to heaven. Evaluation four of these rely on works, only one on
grace.
C. All religions are exclusive
1. They all, but Hinduism, claim to be the only correct way to understand god, man,
salvation.
2. Even Hinduism claims to be the best way to Nirvana.
3. Cannot all be true, because they claim contradictory points: Hinduism says no
personal god we say personal, cannot both be true.
D. The law of non-contradiction applies to religions too!
1. Law of non-contradiction: Two statements which contradict each other cannot both be
true. Either one or the other is true, or both are false.
ILL All dogs shed hair, poodles don't shed hair. Both cannot be right, one is right and
the other wrong or both wrong.
2. Religions do contradict one another. Therefore the law of non-contradiction applies.
3. Jesus says he is the only way, Mohammed says there is another way. One wrong or
both, both cannot be true.
4. Christianity is not made wrong by claiming to be the only way, all religions
claim to be the only, or the best, way.
a. Question cannot be is it too narrow but is it true?
Question: What questions do you have about the point that Christianity claims to
be the only way but is made wrong by that claim since there are other ways?
III. Christianity claims to be the only way and is right
Question is not: Is it too narrow? The question is: Is it true?
A. Is Christ who he claimed to be?
1. He could be a liar: knew he was not God but wanted to deceive.
QUESTION: What about the life and teaching suggest to us that he was not a liar?
a. But his teaching resounded with truth, who has found flaw in his teaching?
b. His life of uprightness and love show his personal integrity.
c. These are not the life of a liar.
d. Does a liar willingly go to his death for the lie? The con man skips town when the con
stops working.
4
2. He could be a lunatic: sincerely thought he was Good but was wrong.
What about the life and teaching of Jesus suggests that he was no lunatic?
a. But a lunatic displays an imbalanced life, Jesus shows balance of passion, Love anger, tough-tender.
3. He could be Lord: the evidence suggests he is Lord
a. The Bible has proven to be reliable where testable, no reason to doubt it
b. The resurrection is historically verified, and speaks to Jesus being Divine.
B. Christianity is not only narrow, but true: Jesus is the only way,
1. Problem: Everyone cannot be right about who Jesus is, because they make mutually
exclusive claims.
Eg, who is Jesus? A minor prophet, a wise teacher, an imposter, or Savior, cannot be
all those things.
2. Chris is the narrow door to salvation, to peace with God, to eternal life.
(Mat 7:13-14 ESV) 13 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is
easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is
narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
3. Therefore it is unloving to leave people in their sin believing that there are other ways
when they are wrong.
(Rom 10:13-15 ESV) 13 For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to
believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without
someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is
written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"
APPL Because this is true we need to tell people the truth lovingly, winsomely, but
confidently: There is no other way:
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through
me.
5