Jesus, The Way To A Better Life

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                            "JESUS, THE WAY"

                    Jesus, The Way To A Better Life

INTRODUCTION

1. In the preceding study, we introduced the theme of "Jesus, The Way"

2. Now we shall concentrate our attention on the subject "Jesus, The Way
   To A Better Life"

3. The popular goal of our generation is "the good life"...
   a. This dream is not new
   b. It has been the desire of every age and every walk of life -- of
      teachers and philosophers, of kings and common men

[But to the truly good life, Jesus is the way! To see how this is true,
consider first that...]

I. JESUS CORRECTS OUR MISCONCEPTIONS

   A. WHAT "THE GOOD LIFE" MEANS TO MANY...
      1. Material prosperity
      2. Pleasure
      3. Popularity

   B. WHY MANY THINK THIS WAY...
      1. Nearly everyone would agree that two words sum up what "the
         good life" is all about:  happiness and peace
      2. Many suppose material prosperity, pleasure and popularity will
         bring us these things
      3. But even a cursory observation reveals that most wealthy,
         high-living, famous people are extremely unhappy and lacking
         inner peace

   C. JESUS CORRECTS THIS MISCONCEPTION...
      1. He taught there is more to life than material possessions - cf.
         Lk 12:15
      2. He offers a peace which things of the world cannot give, and a
         joy which is complete and full - Jn 14:27; Jn 15:11

[What the world cannot give, Jesus can. How does He do it...?]

II. JESUS LEADS THE WAY TO A BETTER LIFE

   A. BY IDENTIFYING AND REMOVING THE REAL PROBLEM...
      1. What is the cause of so much unhappiness? What deprives so many
         of inner peace?
         a. Is it not things like immorality, theft, murder?
         b. Is it not things like coveting, deceit, envy and pride?
         c. Such things destroy families, friendships, and property
      2. What then is the cause of these things?
         a. Jesus declared the source to be the sinful hearts of men
            - Mk 7:21-23
         b. James, the Lord's half-brother in the flesh, concurred with
            His diagnosis - Jm 4:1-2
      3. What has Jesus done to remove this problem? - cf. Tit 3:3-7
         a. Out of kindness, love, mercy and grace, God through Jesus
            Christ has saved us and made us righteous in His sight!
         b. This took place when we experienced the "washing of
            regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit" (a reference
            to the act of baptism, in which one who believes in Jesus is
            truly born again of water and Spirit! - Jn 3:5)
         c. I.e., In other words, Jesus removes the problem of
            unhappiness and lack of inner peace by first removing the
            cause: Sin! But there is more...

   B. BY TEACHING US TO SEEK NEW GOALS IN LIFE...
      1. He warns of the folly of seeking after riches - Mt 6:19
         a. They are perishable
         b. They are open to theft
      2. He teaches us to put our treasure in heaven - Mt 6:20
         a. Where it is imperishable
         b. Where it is secure - cf. 1Pe 1:3-5
      3. How does one go about laying up treasure in heaven?
         a. By living for Jesus, even under the most adverse conditions
            - Lk 6:22-23
         b. By following His teaching - e.g., Lk 6:35

   C. BY GIVING US WHAT WE DO NOT EXPECT...
      1. Once we learn not to make material things, pleasure, and fame
         our goals in life, but to instead make following Jesus and His
         teachings our goal, He then provides us an unexpected portion
         of these very things!
         a. Material things for those who put God first - Mt 6:31-33; Mk
            10:28-30
         b. Pleasure that is full and inexpressible - Jn 15:11; 1Pe 1:8
         c. Fame that lasts forever - Col 3:4; 2Th 1:10-12; 2:14
      2. In the very exercise of living for Christ and following His
         example
         a. We find peace and happiness - cf. Jn 13:12-17; Ac 20:35
         b. Note the word "blessed" (truly happy) in these verses

CONCLUSION

1. The world sets before us goals which many people cannot achieve, and
   even if achieved, often do not satisfy - cf. Ec 5:10

2. But Jesus places before us goals which can be achieved, and that do
   satisfy...
   a. All can store up treasure in heaven
   b. All can live for Jesus

3. If there is any doubt that doing this brings lasting happiness and a
   much better life even now, just look any individual you may know who
   is truly following Jesus...
   a. Outwardly they may be suffering persecution, social ostracism, or
      physical illnesses
   b. But even then they still have that joy that is full, that peace
      which is unspeakable

4. If you are not happy, if you are not at peace in your heart, if you
   are looking for a better life, why not let Jesus be "The Way" for
   you?

5. Let Him take care of your problem of sin, which is the true cause of
   unhappiness in life...!
   a. Let Him be your guide in giving you new direction in this life!
   b. Let Him be your key to "the good life"!

As Jesus Himself said:

   "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it
   more abundantly." - Jn 10:10

Our next study will discuss how Jesus deals with the problem of sin...
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