I_Am_The_Way_Truth_And_The_Life.docx

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting Jesus Over Religious Performance

Jesus invites us to a relationship, not a checklist. Instead of striving to earn God’s favor through endless rules or rituals, we are called to trust in the finished work of Christ. This trust is not passive or theoretical—it is a living, active faith that shapes how we approach God and how we live each day. When we believe that Jesus is the only way, we are freed from the burden of trying to measure up and are welcomed into a life of grace and dependence on Him.
This new way of relating to God means letting go of self-reliance and embracing the sufficiency of Jesus. It’s a call to reorient our hearts, our decisions, and our relationships around Him. As we do, we discover that following Jesus is not about what we can achieve, but about what He has already accomplished for us.

“And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.’” (Romans 4:5-7, ESV)

Reflection: Where in your life are you still trying to earn God’s approval instead of trusting in what Jesus has already done for you? What would it look like to surrender that striving today?

Day 2: Anchored in Unchanging Truth

In a world where truth often feels like it shifts with every new opinion or trend, Jesus stands as the unchanging standard. His words and His life provide a foundation that does not move, no matter what culture or circumstances may say. Following Jesus means allowing His truth to shape our beliefs, our values, and our actions—even when it challenges us or goes against what is popular.
This kind of faith requires humility and courage. It means being willing to let Jesus correct us, to admit when we are wrong, and to stand firm when others may not understand. The truth of Christ is not just information; it is a living reality that transforms us from the inside out.

“Remove falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.” (Proverbs 30:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a belief or habit in your life that you know doesn’t line up with the truth of Jesus? What step can you take today to let His truth reshape that area?

Day 3: Love That Reaches Beyond Comfort

Jesus calls His followers to a life marked by love—not just for those who are easy to love, but for everyone, including those who are difficult or even opposed to us. This kind of love is not natural; it is the evidence that we belong to Christ and are being transformed by Him. Loving God and loving others is the new way of living that Jesus offers, and it is meant to be visible in our everyday actions and attitudes.
This love is not selective or self-serving. It stretches us beyond our comfort zones and asks us to see others as God sees them. When we choose to love in this way, we reflect the heart of Jesus to a world that desperately needs to see His love in action.

“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” (James 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you find difficult to love? What is one practical way you can show them Christ’s love today?

Day 4: Courage to Resist Cultural Lies

Anything that contradicts the truth of Jesus is, by definition, a lie. As followers of Christ, we are called to discern and resist cultural beliefs or practices that go against His standards of justice and morality. This resistance is not about pride or feeling superior, but about being faithful to the One who is truth itself.
Standing against cultural lies requires both discernment and humility. It means being willing to speak the truth in love, to stand firm when it would be easier to go along with the crowd, and to let our lives be shaped by God’s standards rather than the world’s. In doing so, we become a light that points others to the hope and freedom found in Jesus.

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8, ESV)

Reflection: What is one cultural message or practice you encounter that you know doesn’t align with Jesus’ truth? How can you lovingly resist or speak truth into that situation this week?

Day 5: Faith That Changes the World Around Us

The “I AM” statements of Jesus are not just for personal encouragement—they are invitations to communal transformation. As we embrace Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life, we are called to reflect His character in our relationships, our workplaces, and our neighborhoods. Our faith is meant to be visible and compelling, a living testimony to the reality of Christ in us.
This kind of faith doesn’t stay private or hidden. It overflows into the way we treat others, the choices we make, and the hope we offer to those around us. When we live out our faith together, we become a community that points people to Jesus and invites them to experience His love and truth for themselves.

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can make your faith more visible and encouraging to your community this week—at home, at work, or in your neighborhood?

Sermon Summary

of the Sermon**

In this sermon, we continued our journey through the “I AM” statements of Jesus, focusing on His declaration in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Pastor Floyd emphasized that this statement was not just a theological concept, but a radical call to transformation for the original disciples—and for us today. While previous religious systems demanded strict adherence to hundreds of laws, Jesus simplified the path to God: belief in Him as the only way. He also established Himself as the unchanging standard of truth and called His followers to a new way of living—one marked by loving God and loving others, even those who are difficult to love. The message challenged us to examine how we live out our faith in a world that often contradicts the truth and love of Christ.

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Key Takeaways

1. Jesus as the Only Way: The claim that Jesus is “the way” is not just about securing a place in heaven, but about reorienting our entire approach to God. Instead of striving to fulfill endless religious requirements, we are invited to trust in the finished work of Christ. This trust is not passive; it calls us to a living, active faith that shapes every decision and relationship.
2. Truth That Does Not Shift: In a culture where truth is often seen as flexible or subjective, Jesus stands as the unchanging standard. His life and teachings provide a moral and spiritual anchor that does not move with the tides of opinion or circumstance. Following Jesus means allowing His truth to challenge and correct us, even when it’s uncomfortable or countercultural.
3. A Life Marked by Love: Jesus’ statement that He is “the life” points us to a new way of living—one defined by love for God and for others. This love is not selective or self-serving; it extends even to those who oppose or misunderstand us. Living this way is not natural or easy, but it is the evidence that we truly belong to Christ.
4. Standing Against Cultural Lies: Anything that contradicts the truth of Jesus is, by definition, a lie. This means that as followers of Christ, we are called to discern and resist cultural practices or beliefs that conflict with His standards of justice and morality. This resistance is not about arrogance or superiority, but about fidelity to the One who is truth itself.
5. Faith That Transforms Community: The “I AM” statements are not just personal affirmations; they are invitations to communal transformation. As we embrace Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life, we become a people who reflect His character in our relationships, our workplaces, and our neighborhoods. Our faith is meant to be visible, tangible, and compelling—a living testimony to the reality of Christ in us.

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: “I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life”**

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### Bible Reading

- **John 13:1 – 14:7**

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### Observation Questions

In John 14:6, what three things does Jesus say He is?
According to the passage, what was the disciples’ reaction when Jesus told them He was going away?
What did Jesus say was required to come to the Father?
How did Jesus contrast His way to God with the religious requirements the disciples were used to?

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### Interpretation Questions

Why might Jesus’ claim to be “the way, the truth, and the life” have been so shocking or life-changing for His disciples at that time?
What does it mean that Jesus is the “only way” to God, especially in a world with many different beliefs and religions?
How does Jesus being “the truth” challenge the idea that truth can change depending on the situation or culture?
What does it look like, practically, to live a life marked by the kind of love Jesus describes—especially toward people who are hard to love or who disagree with us?

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### Application Questions

The sermon said that trusting Jesus as “the way” means more than just believing in Him for heaven—it’s about letting Him shape every decision and relationship. Is there an area of your life where you’re still trying to “earn” God’s approval instead of trusting in Jesus’ finished work? What would it look like to surrender that area?
In what ways do you see our culture promoting “truths” that don’t line up with what Jesus taught? How do you personally discern what is true when you’re faced with conflicting messages?
Jesus calls us to love not just those who are easy to love, but even those who oppose or misunderstand us. Can you think of someone in your life right now who is hard to love? What is one practical step you could take this week to show them Christ-like love?
The sermon mentioned that following Jesus means sometimes standing against cultural practices or beliefs that go against His standards. Have you ever felt pressure to go along with something you knew wasn’t right? How did you respond, and what would you do differently now?
Our faith is meant to be visible and compelling to those around us. What is one way you can make your faith more “tangible” in your workplace, school, or neighborhood this week?
The “I AM” statements are not just for us as individuals, but for us as a community. How can our small group better reflect Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life to those around us?
The sermon talked about resisting cultural lies not out of arrogance, but out of faithfulness to Jesus. How can we do this in a way that is loving and humble, rather than judgmental or self-righteous?

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Sermon Quotes

When Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” it’s not just a slogan for coffee cups and t-shirts. For the Apostles, it was a call to change the way they were living their lives.

Instead of 613 laws to obey, Jesus said believe in Him. Not just belief that He exists, but belief in Jesus as the only way to God because He died for our transgressions and sins.

Jesus declared Himself as the objective, unchanging truth—the standard for all morality, justice, and righteousness. Truth does not change based on a situation; it is unchanging and consistent in every circumstance.

Anything that contradicts truth is a lie, so anything that contradicts Jesus is a lie. Any cultural practice that goes against the unchanging morality and justice of Jesus is a lie.

When Jesus said, “I am the life,” He was making a statement about how anyone who chooses to follow Him is to live: Love God and love others, even those who hate you and disagree with you.

Faith in Jesus is the only way to experience eternal life in heaven. It’s not about following a list of rules, but about believing in the One who gave His life for us.

Jesus calls us to a lifestyle that conflicts with the world: love God and love others, even when it’s hard, even when others don’t love us back.

God’s morality and justice are the unchanging standard of truth that we have to stand up for, even when the world tells us otherwise.

The way we live our lives, how we treat one another, and how we do life together all start with understanding who Jesus is and who He calls us to be.

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