Worldviews: Choosing the Narrow Path

Devotional

Day 1: The Bible as the Exclusive Source of Truth

The Bible stands alone as the authoritative and unchanging revelation of God, providing objective truth that does not contradict itself and demands a response from those who hear it. Unlike the shifting and often contradictory texts of other religions, Scripture is consistent, divinely inspired, and historically rooted, written over centuries by diverse individuals yet unified in its message of God's glory and salvation through Jesus Christ. As followers of Christ, we are called to make the Bible our ultimate authority, not just reading it occasionally, but allowing its truth to shape our lives daily, trusting that it is God's only word to humanity. [07:43]

Psalm 119:160 (ESV)
The sum of your word is truth,
and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

John 17:17 (ESV)
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you seek guidance from sources other than Scripture? What would it look like to intentionally turn to God’s Word first this week for direction and wisdom?

Day 2: The Unique Character and Nature of God

God, as revealed in the Bible, is utterly unique: He is triune—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—personal, holy, sovereign, loving, and the Creator and Sustainer of all things. Unlike the distant or impersonal deities of other religions, the God of Scripture is intimately involved in His creation, providing for, loving, and calling His people to holiness, while also being the righteous Judge and the One who holds all things together. This understanding of God brings both comfort and awe, inviting us into a relationship marked by reverence, trust, and love, knowing that He is both infinitely powerful and deeply personal. [20:45]

2 Corinthians 13:14 (ESV)
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Genesis 1:1-2 (ESV)
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Leviticus 11:45 (ESV)
For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

1 John 4:16 (ESV)
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Reflection: In what ways do you relate to God more as distant or impersonal rather than as your loving, holy, and personal Creator? How can you intentionally draw near to Him as your Father this week?

Day 3: The Person and Work of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is utterly unique among all religious figures: born of a virgin, sinless, performing miracles, dying as a sacrifice for sinners, physically rising from the dead, and claiming to be God Himself. His life, death, and resurrection are not only historically attested but also fulfill the prophecies and claims of Scripture, setting Him apart as the only Savior and the true revelation of God in human flesh. To know Jesus is to know the way, the truth, and the life, and to recognize that no other religious leader or philosophy can offer what He alone accomplished for humanity. [25:53]

Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

John 8:58 (ESV)
Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

1 Peter 2:22 (ESV)
He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.

Luke 24:39-43 (ESV)
“See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

Reflection: What aspect of Jesus’ life or work do you find most difficult to fully trust or embrace? How might you bring your doubts or questions to Him in prayer today?

Day 4: Salvation by Grace Alone

Salvation is a gift from God, received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone—not by human effort, religious rituals, or good works. Every other religion and philosophy teaches that salvation or enlightenment must be earned, but biblical Christianity proclaims that Christ has already accomplished everything necessary for our forgiveness and eternal life. This truth brings freedom from striving and assurance of God’s love, inviting us to rest in what Jesus has done and to live with gratitude and humility. [31:28]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Titus 3:4-7 (ESV)
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Reflection: Are you tempted to try to earn God’s approval or forgiveness through your own efforts? What would it look like to rest in the finished work of Christ and receive His grace today?

Day 5: The Call to Boldly Proclaim and Live the Truth

Because Jesus is the only way, truth, and life, Christians are called to boldly share the gospel and live out their faith without fear or shame, trusting in the power and exclusivity of Christ’s work. The world offers many paths and philosophies, but only Jesus provides true hope, forgiveness, and relationship with God; therefore, believers are urged to stand firm in their convictions, lovingly engage others, and invite them to the narrow path that leads to life. This calling is not just for Sundays, but for every moment, as we live in the freedom and security of knowing Christ and make Him known to others. [35:21]

John 14:6 (ESV)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the truth about Jesus? What is one specific step you can take this week to share the gospel with them or to encourage them toward Christ?

Sermon Summary

Today, we explored one of the most pressing questions of our time: Do all religions lead to God? In a world where truth is often seen as relative and many believe that all spiritual paths are equally valid, it is vital to return to the exclusive claims of Jesus and the unique message of biblical Christianity. We began by considering the nature of truth itself—how, by definition, truth is exclusive. Just as one cannot be born in two places at once, not all contradictory claims about God and salvation can be true at the same time.

The foundation of our faith is the Bible, which stands apart from the sacred texts of other religions. Unlike the Quran, the Buddhist canons, Hindu scriptures, or the writings of Mormonism and Daoism, the Bible is consistent, historically rooted, and divinely inspired. It is not a collection of human opinions or evolving traditions, but the very revelation of God, written over 1,500 years by diverse authors, yet unified in its message: God’s glory through the salvation of sinful humanity in Jesus Christ.

We then examined the character and nature of God. The God of the Bible is personal, holy, sovereign, and loving—utterly distinct from the impersonal or capricious deities of other faiths. He is the Creator, Sustainer, Judge, and Redeemer, desiring a relationship with us, not just our ritual observance or fear.

Central to this is the person and work of Jesus Christ. Unlike any other religious figure, Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed undeniable miracles, died as a sacrifice for sinners, and rose bodily from the dead. He claimed to be God in the flesh, the “I AM” of the Old Testament, and his resurrection is a historical event that sets him apart from all others. Other religions may mention Jesus, but they deny his divinity, his atoning death, and his resurrection.

Finally, we contrasted the way of salvation. Every other religion and philosophy teaches that salvation or enlightenment is something to be achieved by human effort, ritual, or moral striving. Only biblical Christianity proclaims salvation as a gift of grace, received by faith in Christ alone. It is not about what we do, but what Christ has done.

These truths are not just theological distinctions—they are the very heart of the gospel. Jesus is the narrow way, the only way to the Father. We are called to boldly and lovingly share this hope, knowing that God desires a personal relationship with each of us, and that in Christ, we are secure, forgiven, and adopted into his family.

Key Takeaways

1. Truth is exclusive and demands a response Truth, by its very nature, cannot accommodate contradictions. Just as one cannot be born in two places at once, not all spiritual claims can be equally true. The Bible calls us to recognize and respond to the exclusive truth revealed in Christ, which challenges the relativism of our age and calls us to a firm conviction in God’s revelation. [03:53]
2. The God of the Bible is personal and loving Unlike the distant or impersonal deities of other religions, the God of Scripture is intimately involved in creation and in our lives. He is holy, sovereign, and just, yet also loving and desiring relationship with us. This personal nature of God is a profound comfort and a call to deeper trust, knowing that he cares for us and invites us into fellowship with him. [15:28]
3. Jesus Christ is utterly unique among religious leaders Jesus’ virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, sacrificial death, and bodily resurrection set him apart from every other figure in history. He is not merely a prophet or teacher, but God incarnate, the only one who can truly save. This uniqueness is not just a doctrinal point, but the foundation of our hope and the reason we proclaim him as the only way to God. [25:53]
4. Salvation is by grace, not by works Every other worldview teaches that salvation or enlightenment is something to be earned. Only in Christ do we find the message that salvation is a gift, received by faith, not by our own efforts. This truth humbles us, frees us from striving, and fills us with gratitude, as we rest in the finished work of Jesus. [28:55]
5. The gospel calls us to boldness and compassion Because of the exclusive claims of Christ, we are called to lovingly and courageously share the gospel with those of other faiths. Our confidence is not in ourselves, but in the power of God’s word and the uniqueness of Jesus. We need not fear, for the truth we proclaim is life-changing and eternally significant. [35:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:37] - Do All Religions Lead to God?
[01:16] - Jesus’ Words on the Narrow Gate
[01:57] - Knowing Truth to Discern Lies
[03:15] - The Source of Truth
[04:34] - The Bible’s Authority and Uniqueness
[07:03] - The Bible vs. Other Sacred Texts
[12:16] - Is the Bible Your Authority?
[12:58] - The Character and Nature of God
[14:47] - God as Creator and Sustainer
[16:10] - God’s Holiness and Sovereignty
[19:25] - God’s Love Compared to Other Religions
[21:22] - The Person and Work of Jesus
[25:53] - Jesus’ Divinity and Resurrection
[28:15] - Salvation by Grace Alone
[32:09] - Four Key Contrasts Summarized
[32:49] - Testimony: From Buddhism to Christ
[34:43] - The Assurance of Salvation
[35:21] - Boldness in Proclaiming the Gospel
[36:01] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 14:6 (ESV) — > Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV) — > For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

1 John 4:16 (ESV) — > So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Observation Questions

According to John 14:6, what does Jesus claim about himself and the way to God?
In Ephesians 2:8-9, what is the basis of salvation, and what is it not based on?
The sermon described the God of the Bible as personal and loving. What are some ways the Bible shows God’s personal involvement with people? [15:28]
What are some of the differences between the Bible and other religious texts mentioned in the sermon? [07:03]

Interpretation Questions

Why is the exclusivity of Jesus’ claim in John 14:6 so challenging in today’s culture where many believe all religions are equally valid? [01:16]
The sermon says that truth is, by nature, exclusive. How does this idea affect the way we think about spiritual beliefs and claims? [03:53]
The God of the Bible is described as both holy and loving. How do these two attributes work together in the way God relates to us? [19:25]
Why is it significant that salvation is described as a gift of grace rather than something we achieve by our own efforts? [28:55]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to consider whether the Bible is truly our authority. How do you decide where to turn for guidance or truth in your daily life? Are there areas where you rely more on other sources than on Scripture? [12:16]
Jesus’ claim to be the only way to God can feel uncomfortable to share with others. Have you ever hesitated to talk about this with someone from another faith? What made it difficult, and how might you approach it differently now? [35:21]
The God of the Bible desires a personal relationship with us, not just ritual or fear. What does a personal relationship with God look like for you right now? Are there ways you want to grow in this area? [20:45]
The sermon contrasted “do” religions (where you must earn salvation) with Christianity’s “done” message (salvation is a gift). Are there ways you still find yourself trying to earn God’s approval? How can you rest more in what Christ has already done? [31:28]
The uniqueness of Jesus—his miracles, sinless life, death, and resurrection—was emphasized. How does remembering these truths affect your confidence in sharing your faith? [25:53]
The message called us to boldness and compassion in sharing the gospel. Who is one person in your life from a different background or faith that you could reach out to with love and truth this month? What is one step you can take? [35:21]
The sermon mentioned that God’s truth doesn’t change and doesn’t contradict itself. Are there areas in your life where you feel pressure to compromise or adjust your beliefs to fit in? How can you stand firm in truth while still showing love? [03:53]

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Worldviews: Choosing the Narrow Path - Sermon