“The Unwavering Path: Jesus, the Only Way to Salvation”
Text: John 14:6, Acts 4:12, Matthew 7:13-14
Introduction:
“It was a sweltering afternoon in Lusaka, and Emmanuel had been wandering the streets of the CBD for what felt like hours. He had gotten lost on his way to a meeting, and now he was running late. As he turned a corner, he found himself at a busy intersection, surrounded by towering buildings and the constant honking of cars. The sounds of vendors calling out their wares and the smell of street food filled the air, making it hard for Emmanuel to think straight.
As he stopped to ask for directions, a passerby rushed past him, muttering something about being late for a meeting. Emmanuel felt a pang of anxiety – he was supposed to be at that meeting too. That’s when he spotted a small, unassuming figure standing at the edge of the crowd, looking calm and composed. Emmanuel approached the stranger and asked, ‘Excuse me, can you tell me the way to…?’ The stranger smiled and said, ‘Before I give you directions, let me ask you something: do you know where you’re trying to go?’
Emmanuel hesitated – he had a destination in mind, but he wasn’t quite sure how to get there. The stranger nodded and said, ‘That’s okay, I can help. But first, let me tell you something: If you want me to take you to your destination you need to follow all the instructions I give you, remember to follow me where ever I go don’t leave my site. Emmanuel looked puzzled, and the stranger continued, ‘don’t worry I will take you and you will surely reach the place where your meeting is. So Emmanuel followed silently as the stranger led the way and did not even blink thinking he will loose the stranger guiding him. Within a short time the stranger stopped and smiled there, looking at the building in front of him it was the tall FINDECO house which was hosting the meeting he was going to. As he looked at the entrance he could even see familiar faces, excited he even forgot the stranger who led him to the place where the meeting was, realizing later he looked back to say thank you to the stranger, but he was not there, the stranger vanished in the wind.
Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’ (John 14:6)”.
The Exclusive Claim of Jesus*
“Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’ (John 14:6, NIV). This isn’t just an exclusive claim; it’s an inclusive invitation. Jesus isn’t one of many options; He’s the only option. Acts 4:12 says, ‘Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved’ (NIV). You can’t get to God through Buddha, Mohammed, or any other name – only Jesus.
Think about it: if you tried to get to a specific room in a huge building, but you didn’t have the key or the password, you’d be stuck. Jesus is the key, the password, and the door. ‘Who do you say I am?’ (Matthew 16:15, NIV) is the question. Say yes to Jesus, and you’ve got access to God.”
The Narrow Path
“‘Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it’ (Matthew 7:13-14, NIV). Jesus warns us about two paths: the popular, easy road and the narrow, often-missed path.
The narrow path isn’t about rules; it’s about a Person – Jesus. ‘I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved’ (John 10:9, NIV). Are you on the narrow path? It’s not about trying to be good enough; it’s about trusting the One who made the way.
The Sufficiency of Jesus’ Work
“‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3:16, NIV). Jesus’ sacrifice is enough. ‘He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world’ (1 John 2:2, NIV).
You can’t earn salvation; it’s a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus paid the price; believe and receive. ‘Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already’ (John 3:18, NIV). Don’t try to add to Jesus’ work – it’s complete.
The Urgency of the Message
“‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few’ (Matthew 9:37, NIV). Many are on the wrong path. ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28, NIV) is Jesus’ invitation.
Don’t delay. ‘Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation’ (2 Corinthians 6:2, NIV). Today, choose Jesus – the only way to salvation.
Emmanuel followed the stranger without even questioning, lets follow Jesus without doubts for he will guide us to eternal life.
By Evangelis Pastor Emmanuel Alfred Kapanza