I am the way the truth and the life. Jesus claimed to have the anchor point of this life.
The gospel demands a response. We call all to hear this truth.
Tis is the second in a two part series on the sixth I AM.
3. epistemology
theory of knowledge:
the branch of philosophy that
studies the nature of knowledge,
in particular its foundations,
scope, and validity
How do we know what we know?
Can we know anything for sure?
4. “Infallibility and certainty
are huge issues when we
think about knowing...
All of us want to be sure…
Especially in areas in which
a lot is at stake in the truth
of our claims, we want to
be sure.”
Meek, pp.26-27
5. faith
• Faith is a function of truth.
• Belief shapes behavior.
– We act the way we act in
response to our perception
of truth.
– Our neighbors are watching
carefully.
6. “The quality of the church’s
corporate testimony
determines to a great
extent how credible its
members’ individual
testimonies will be.”
MacArthur, p.153
7. certainty
• We want to be certain. We
want to know for sure.
• We need an anchor for our
souls in times of greatest
uncertainty and trouble.
8. “What the postmodern
person is looking for, what
postmoderns really want, is
the stability, the rock, the
anchor, the foundation, of
the truth that they can
stake their lives on.”
Poe, p. 149
9. “Crises of one sort or
another prompt us to stop
and scrutinize what we
thought we were confident
of. … These things and
others can move us to ask
the question again with
fresh urgency.”
Meek, p.16
10. gospel
• The gospel is THE something
to believe in.
– Its veracity is based squarely on
the person and work of Christ.
– If He has lied, we are adrift.
– If He is the true way to the
Father, we have a chance again.
11. facts
1. I have a personal relationship
with God, the Father, by
knowing Jesus, the Son. (vv.7-9)
12. facts
2. I accept the authority of God,
the Father, as the basis for all
truth expressed by Jesus, the
Son. (vv.10)
13. facts
3. I have found the supporting
evidence of Jesus’ message to
be clear, compelling, and
convincing. (v.11)
17. “You can get too fixated on
doing what you are
supposed to do, so much
that you lose sight of a
gracious, relational God.”
Meek, pp. 94-95
18. “We have nothing to offer
the postmodern world in
terms of organizations,
programs, institutions, and
structures. What we have to
offer is a concrete basis for
peace in a fragmented
world…”
Poe, p. 74
19. • I AM the way, the truth, and the
life…
• I AM the focus of your
epistemic pursuit…
• KNOW Me.
20. “Jesus Christ is the only
reliable basis for truth.”
Poe, p. 154
21. facts
4. I will model my thoughts,
speech, and actions after
Jesus, the Son’s, in order to
glorify God, the Father. (vv.12-14)
22. “Speaking the facts doesn’t
lead to the goal [knowing];
embodying the facts does.”
Meek, p.65
“…Truth requires obedience.
Obedience,… is lived truth.”
Meek, p.140
23. function
• Whoever believes will do.
– longer life will mean greater
influence for God
• Whoever believes will ask.
– more aligned praying will mean
greater glory for God
• Whoever believes will live.
– stronger certainty will mean
greater passion for God