- Glenn Kenadjian

This retreat is a time to relax and have fun

It’s also a time where we can reflect on some of life’s big issues• Where are we to go, and how do we get there?• Where do we find truth?• Where do we find satisfying life?

What does the Bible teach about these?

Our theme verse: John 14:6• Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the

truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ”

Overview of our sessions

Jesus is speaking to his disciples shortly before his arrest and crucifixion.

He knows what’s coming.

John 14:1-61 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

He had told them he is going away. Hard times are coming.

We have destinations we’d like to reach.• My wife’s dream

• Common dreams

Jesus is NOT saying he is way to wherever we want to go.

To where does he say he is the way?

1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

He is the way to Heaven and God

Why care about this destination?

1. When we reach other destinations, we usually don’t find lasting satisfaction.“Life’s been good to me. I’ve had great success, many friends, prestige, a great wife and beautiful family. And yet sometimes I sit at home in my mansion and get so lonely. I used to wonder why so many rich people commit suicide—now I know.”

Why care about this destination?

1. When we reach other destinations, we usually don’t find lasting satisfaction.The Problem with climbing the ladder of success

Why care about this destination?

1. When we reach other destinations, we usually don’t find lasting satisfaction.

2. The impact of reaching here lasts the longest—forever!

3. It’s what we were made for—otherwise the Bible says we’re lost.

“I am the way”; Not “I will show you the way”, “I will teach you the way”

“ . . . No one comes to the Father except through me.”

My reaction

The way is not being ethical or religious practices—It’s a relationship.

The Bible teaches Jesus was and is both God and man.

But to make a way to God for us, it says Jesus also had to do something.

The tabernacle and temple in the O.T.

• God instructed the Israelites to make a tabernacle

The tabernacle and temple in the O.T.

• They later followed these guidelines to make a temple.

The tabernacle and temple in the O.T.• The Holy Place

- Only priests could enter with sacrifices

• The Holy of Holies- Behind a veil / curtain- Inside is the ark-

represents God’s throne

- Only the high priest could enter once a year

- He had to bring a blood sacrifice to cover sins

What’s the message?

The tabernacle and temple in the O.T.• People cannot enter

God’s presence—he is too holy and we are too sinful.

• Only a representative can approach God for us, and only with a sacrifice for our sins.

What’s the message?

Something remarkable happened when Jesus died.

Matthew 27:50-51• And Jesus cried out again with a

loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.

The significance?

Hebrews 9:24-26• 24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places

made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Hebrews 9:24-26• 24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places

made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

Hebrews 9:24-26• 24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places

made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own

Hebrews 9:24-26• 24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places

made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Ephesians 2:12-18• 12 remember that you were at that time separated

from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Ephesians 2:12-18• 12 remember that you were at that time separated

from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Ephesians 2:12-18• 12 remember that you were at that time separated

from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Ephesians 2:12-18• 12 remember that you were at that time separated

from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Ephesians 2:12-18• 12 remember that you were at that time separated

from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Not a Christian?• If you come to Christ, you can go to Heaven

and you can know and experience God in this life.

You are a Christian?• Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then with confidence

draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

• Does this make a difference?

• My wife’s and my experience this past year.