The Way, The Truth, and the Life

The Way, The Truth, and the Life

Introduction (John 14:1–6)
In John 14:1–6, Jesus comforts troubled hearts and declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Our hope, our path, and our future are bound up in Him.

A Word About “Easter” and Passover (Acts 12:4)
Many people reflect on Jesus’ resurrection today. The King James Version uses the word “Easter” in Acts 12:4, where Herod imprisoned Peter and intended to bring him out after the Passover. The term there points to the Passover season. Scripture urges disciples to remember the risen Lord each first day of the week in the Lord’s Supper, not only on a yearly observance (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26). Peter was delivered from Herod’s intent by the Lord’s power, reminding us that the risen Christ still reigns (Acts 12:4–11).

Hearing the Son Above All (Matthew 17:1–5; Colossians 2:14; Galatians 3:24–25)
From Genesis onward, Scripture prepares us for Christ (Genesis 18:18). The Law tutored Israel toward Him (Galatians 3:24–25), and He fulfilled it, taking it out of the way at the cross (Colossians 2:14). On the mount of transfiguration, the voice from heaven directed the apostles to hear Jesus (Matthew 17:1–5). Our authority is the Son. We listen to Him in His new covenant.

“I Am the Way” — Jesus Our Path to the Father (John 14:6)
Jesus does not merely point out a route; He Himself is the way. Christianity is a walk shaped by His teaching and presence. The apostles received the Spirit to guide them into all truth (John 16:13), and they preached Jesus crucified and risen. When hearers on Pentecost learned that God made Jesus both Lord and Christ, they asked what to do. They were told to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; about three thousand obeyed and the Lord added them to His church (Acts 2:22, 37–38, 41, 47). Later, disciples were simply called Christians (Acts 11:26). The Ethiopian heard Jesus preached from Isaiah, confessed faith, and was baptized; he went on his way rejoicing (Acts 8:34–39). The way is personal and obedient: hearing, believing, confessing, repenting, being baptized, and walking daily with Christ (John 6:45; Mark 16:16; Luke 13:3).

“I Am the Truth” — Jesus Our Revelation from the Father (John 14:6)
Truth liberates (John 8:32), and the Father’s word is truth (John 17:17). Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). The church, Christ’s body, is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). God equips us through inspired Scripture for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16–17). The Lord warned that some will turn away from sound teaching toward fables (2 Timothy 4:3–4). Disciples fasten the belt of truth as part of God’s armor and stand firm (Ephesians 6:14).

“I Am the Life” — Jesus Our Present and Eternal Life (John 14:6)
In Him is life, and that life is the light of men (John 1:4). As the Father has life in Himself, so He granted the Son to have life in Himself (John 5:26). Eternal life is knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent (John 17:3). This life begins with the new birth: born of water and the Spirit to enter the kingdom (John 3:3–5). We are born again through the imperishable word of God revealed by the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 1:23; 2 Peter 1:21).

Living the Life Together — Worship and Daily Practice (Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7)
New-covenant worship flows from the cross where Christ fulfilled the Law (Colossians 2:14). Disciples assemble faithfully, continue steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, break bread, and pray (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:24–25). We bring our requests to God (Philippians 4:6). We give on the first day of the week as prospered, with cheerful hearts (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6–7). We examine ourselves and partake of the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of Him (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:28). We teach and admonish one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord (Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19). Jesus is our High Priest who offered Himself once for all (Hebrews 7:27). In all these paths, He is the life among His people.

The Way, The Truth, and the Life Sermon Outline:

• Text: John 14:1–6

• Theme: Jesus is the way to the Father, the truth from the Father, and the life with the Father.

• I. Hear Him

  • Transfiguration: the Father’s command (Matthew 17:1–5)

  • Fulfillment and the cross (Colossians 2:14)

  • The Law as tutor (Galatians 3:24–25)

• II. The Way

  • Guided apostles (John 16:13)

  • Pentecost obedience and additions (Acts 2:22, 37–38, 41, 47)

  • Christians, nothing more or less (Acts 11:26)

  • The Ethiopian’s confession and baptism (Acts 8:34–39)

• III. The Truth

  • Truth frees (John 8:32; 17:17)

  • Christ, Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16)

  • Pillar and ground of truth (1 Timothy 3:15)

  • Scripture’s sufficiency and warning (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 4:3–4)

  • Belt of truth (Ephesians 6:14)

• IV. The Life

  • Life in the Son (John 1:4; 5:26)

  • Eternal life defined (John 17:3)

  • New birth by water, Spirit, and word (John 3:3–5; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Peter 1:21)

• V. Living the Life Together

  • Steadfast assembly and devotion (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:24–25)

  • Prayer (Philippians 4:6)

  • Giving (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6–7)

  • Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:28)

  • Congregational singing (Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19)

  • Christ our High Priest (Hebrews 7:27)

• VI. A Note on “Easter” and Passover

  • KJV wording in Acts 12:4; the season of Passover (Acts 12:4–11)

  • Weekly remembrance of the risen Lord (Acts 20:7)

Call to Action
Come to the Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life. Trust Him, confess Him, turn from sin, and be baptized in His name for the remission of sins. Then walk in His teaching, gather with His people, and live the abundant life He supplies. He prepares a place and promises to receive His own. Let your heart be steady in His word and your steps be steady in His way.

Key Takeaways

• Jesus alone brings us to the Father (John 14:6).

• The Father commands us to hear the Son (Matthew 17:5).

• The gospel calls for obedient faith: repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38, 41, 47).

• Scripture fully equips disciples to stand in truth (2 Timothy 3:16–17; Ephesians 6:14).

• New-covenant worship centers on Christ’s finished work and the weekly assembly (Acts 20:7; Hebrews 10:24–25).

Scripture Reference List

• Acts 12:4–11 — “Easter” in KJV refers to Passover; Peter delivered from Herod’s plan.

• John 14:1–6 — Jesus the way, the truth, and the life; comfort to troubled hearts.

• Genesis 18:18 — Promise to Abraham that all nations will be blessed.

• Galatians 3:24–25 — The Law as a tutor to bring us to Christ.

• Colossians 2:14 — The handwriting of ordinances nailed to the cross.

• Matthew 17:1–5 — Transfiguration; the Father’s voice: “Hear Him.”

• John 16:13 — The Spirit guiding the apostles into all truth.

• Acts 2:22, 37–38, 41, 47 — Pentecost preaching, repentance, baptism, additions to the church.

• Acts 11:26 — Disciples called Christians.

• Acts 8:34–39 — The Ethiopian’s confession and baptism; rejoicing on the way.

• John 6:45 — Taught of God; hearing and learning from the Father.

• Mark 16:16 — Belief and baptism joined in the Lord’s promise.

• Luke 13:3 — The necessity of repentance.

• John 8:32; 17:17 — Truth frees; God’s word is truth.

• Matthew 16:16 — Peter’s confession of Christ.

• 1 Timothy 3:15 — The church as pillar and ground of the truth.

• 2 Timothy 3:16–17 — Scripture’s inspiration and sufficiency.

• 2 Timothy 4:3–4 — Warning against turning from sound doctrine.

• Ephesians 6:14 — Belt of truth.

• John 1:4; 5:26 — Life in the Son.

• John 17:3 — Eternal life as knowing the Father and the Son.

• John 3:3–5 — New birth of water and Spirit.

• 1 Peter 1:23 — Born again by the imperishable word.

• 2 Peter 1:21 — Holy men moved by the Holy Spirit.

• Acts 2:42 — Steadfast in teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayers.

• Hebrews 10:24–25 — Stirring up love and good works; assembling together.

• Philippians 4:6 — Prayer with thanksgiving.

• 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6–7 — Giving on the first day; cheerful giving.

• Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:28 — Lord’s Supper on the first day; self-examination.

• Hebrews 7:27 — Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice.

• Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19 — Congregational singing that teaches and admonishes.

Prepared by Don Cope