How Can I Know the Way of Jesus? | John 14:1-14 | Darien Gabriel
Series: Signs & Glory
Title: How can I know the way of Jesus?
Subtitle:
Scripture: John 14:1-14 NIV
Bottom Line: Because Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, we can trust His promises in the midst of our fears, follow His words, ways, and wisdom with confidence, see the Father clearly, and rely on Him to provide all we need for the mission.
INTRODUCTION
CONTEXT
SERMON OUTLINE
CONCLUSION
NOTES
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
MAIN REFERENCES USED
Opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.
INTRODUCTION
“I’m sure that everyone reading this book has been touched by the death of a loved one. I have; by the mercy of God, both of my parents died at home in bed. My mother slipped away at night when I was asleep, but I was next to the bed, more than fifty years ago, when my father breathed his last. I watched death in front of my eyes, and in that moment I lost the person who meant more to me than any person on the face of the earth. When it happened, something stabbed my soul, causing me to say: “This is insane. This can’t be real. He must merely be sleeping. O God, will he live again?” -R.C. Sproul
Moments like this leave us asking: Are we really prepared for what’s ahead?
His disciples faced a similar challenge 2,000 years ago, beginning with a turning point of cosmic proportions with the betrayal of Judas Iscariot.
I submit that we should proceed as Jesus led his disciples to on the night of his arrest and the eve of his crucifixion.
Bottom line:
CONTEXT
Jesus's disciples are deeply troubled because they have just heard 3 things:
One of them will betray Jesus,
Jesus is about to leave them and go where they cannot go, and
Peter will deny Jesus 3 times that night.
On top of all of this, Jesus is still wanted for arrest and likely crucifixion for treason and blasphemy. If they are looking for him, they are likely looking for them as well. They're terrified.
OUTLINE (w/ help from ChatGPT)
Bottom Line: Because Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, we can trust His promises in the midst of our fears, follow His words, ways, and wisdom with confidence, see the Father clearly, and rely on Him to provide all we need for the mission.
1. Jesus Calms Troubled Hearts (vv. 1–3)
• Context: Jesus has announced His departure (13:33) and Peter’s denial (13:38). The disciples are shaken.
• Truth: “Let not your hearts be troubled.” The antidote to fear is faith.
• Explanation:
• Believe in God; believe also in Me → Jesus calls for the same trust we give to God.
• In My Father’s house are many rooms → heaven is real, personal, and prepared.
• I will come again → the return of Christ guarantees our eternal presence with Him.
• Application:
• When anxiety rises, put your weight down on His promises.
• We don’t just long for a place (heaven) but a Person (Jesus).
Illustration: A child afraid of the dark sleeps peacefully when she lies next to her parents bed because they are with her.
2. Jesus Is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (vv. 4–7)
• Thomas: “We don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?” (v. 5)
• Jesus’ Answer: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (v. 6)
• Explanation:
• The Way → He doesn’t show the way; He is the way. The cross and resurrection open the road.
• The Truth → Not one truth among many; the full reality of God revealed in Him.
• The Life → Eternal life is only in Him (cf. John 11:25; 1 John 5:11–12).
• Application:
• In a culture that says “all paths lead to God,” Jesus insists: only one does.
• Jesus is not just useful; He is essential.
Illustration: GPS apps give different routes to the destination. Some take longer while others are easier. We won't all follow exactly the same way. But we do follow him his way rooted in his truth to true and lasting life.
3. Jesus Reveals the Father (vv. 8–11)
• Philip: “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” (v. 8)
• Jesus’ Reply: “Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father.” (v. 9)
• Truth: Jesus is the full disclosure of God (cf. Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3).
• Application:
• You don’t have to wonder what God is like—look at Jesus.
• If we’re confused about God’s character, we must return to Jesus’ words and works.
Illustration: Like a high-resolution picture bringing clarity where once it was blurry, Jesus brings the Father into perfect focus.
4. Jesus Empowers His Followers (vv. 12–14)
• Promise: “Whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do.” (v. 12)
• Explanation:
• Not greater in quality but in extent—global reach through the Spirit.
• Through prayer “in My name,” Jesus continues His work through us.
• Application:
• We are not powerless—we are prayerful participants in Jesus’ mission.
• Ask boldly in His name, aligning with His will.
Illustration: A relay race—the baton of Jesus’ mission is passed on, but with Spirit-powered expansion beyond what the disciples could imagine.
Conclusion: Bringing It All Together
• When your heart is troubled → Trust His promise (vv. 1–3).
• When you wonder about the way → Follow Him as the only way (vv. 4–7).
• When you want to know what God is like → Look to Jesus (vv. 8–11).
• When you feel powerless → Pray in His name and live on His mission (vv. 12–14).
Bottom Line: Because Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, we can trust His promises in the midst of our fears, follow His words, ways, and wisdom with confidence, see the Father clearly, and rely on Him to provide all we need for the mission.
CONCLUSION
Bottom Line: Because Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, we can trust His promises in the midst of our fears, follow His words, ways, and wisdom with confidence, see the Father clearly, and rely on Him to provide all we need for the mission.
INVITATION
What about you?
Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:
““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” Acts 2:36-39 NIV
How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:
Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions:
What is God saying to me right now?
What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper.
What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.
[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.
Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don’t have to get too specific to give him praise.
Lord's Supper, 1 Cor 11:23-26 is good passage.
Also, say something like, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." (past, present, and future)
Pray
NOTES
“I’m sure that everyone reading this book has been touched by the death of a loved one. I have; by the mercy of God, both of my parents died at home in bed. My mother slipped away at night when I was asleep, but I was next to the bed, more than fifty years ago, when my father breathed his last. I watched death in front of my eyes, and in that moment I lost the person who meant more to me than any person on the face of the earth. When it happened, something stabbed my soul, causing me to say: “This is insane. This can’t be real. He must merely be sleeping. O God, will he live again?”
R.C. Sproul
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
What do I want them to know?
Why do I want them to know it?
What do I want them to do?
Why do I want them to do it?
How do they do this?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/
Read the passage together.
Retell the story in your own words.
Discovery the story
What does this story tell me about God?
What does this story tell me about people?
If this is really true, what should I do?
What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)
What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)
Who am I going to tell about this?
Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast
Alternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:
Who is God?
What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?
Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)
What do I do? (In light of who I am)
How do I do it?
Final Questions (Write this down)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
MAIN REFERENCES USED
“John,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes
Exalting Jesus in John, by Matt Carter & Josh Wredberg
The Gospels & Epistles of John, FF Bruce
John, RC Sproul
John, Köstenberger
The Gospel According to John, DA Carson
Let's Study John, Mark Johnston
The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin (TLHC)
The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner (TVW)
“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)
“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)
“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)
Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee (TTB)
Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)
NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/
Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)
ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org
The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com
Nicky Gumbel bible reading plan app or via YouVersion
ChatGPT AI
Grok AI
Google Gemini AI