Jesus' Exclusivity

The new challenges we face in sharing the good news

Making The Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity

Jean Julien


Charlie Hebdo Cartoon


Making the Case for Jesus’ Exclusivity

Goals for today’s sermon1. Gain a deeper understanding of our culture’s

disdain for religious intolerance.2. Explore the ways in which Jesus’ exclusive

claims collide with our “it’s all good” culture.3. Come up with an evangelistic strategy that is

true to Jesus’ claims and builds a bridge towards people who are inclined to reject the gospel as being “narrow-minded.”


1. Understanding our culture of inclusion.


Piotr Młodożeniec


Peace/Buddhism

JudaismBahaism

TaoismIslam Equality Christianity




Webster’s Definition of Tolerate - 1973“To recognize and respect [others’ beliefs, practices, etc.] without sharing them.”

“To bear or put up with [someone or something not especially liked].”


The New Tolerance

“The belief that every individuals beliefs, values, lifestyle and perception of truth are equal… There is no hierarchy of truth. Your beliefs and my beliefs are equal and all truth is relative.”


The New IntoleranceEmily

Brooker


The New Intolerance

ChaplainWes Modder


2. Understanding how Jesus’ exclusive message collides with our culture.


Jesus’ Exclusive Statements


John 144And you know the way to where I am going.” 5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”


John 146Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.


John 107 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.


John 108 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.


John 109 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.


John 1010 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.


John 1014 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,


John 1015 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.


John 1016 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.


Jesus’ Followers Mirror His Exclusive Statements


Acts 411 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.


Acts 412 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”


Galatians 1

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—


Galatians 17 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.


Galatians 18 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.


Galatians 19 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.


3. Developing an evangelistic strategy that is true to Jesus’ claims and builds a bridge towards people who are inclined to reject the gospel as being “narrow-minded.”


A. Don’t change the gospel in order to spread the gospel.


Pope Francis Inclusive Statement concerning Atheists."The Lord created us in His image and likeness, and we are the image of the Lord, and He does good and all of us have this commandment at heart: do good and do not do evil. All of us.


‘But, Father, this is not Catholic! He cannot do good.’ Yes, he can... "The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone!".. We must meet one another doing good.


‘‘But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist!’ But do good: we will meet one another there.”


B. Build a case for the exclusivity of the gospel on the basis of the exclusivity of truth.


John 1837Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”


C. Don’t reject tolerance. Reject the new tolerance, but practice true tolerance.


“Tolerance isn't about not having beliefs. It's about how your beliefs lead you to treat people who disagree with you.” Timothy

Keller

The new challenges we face in sharing the good news

Spiritual

Jesus' Exclusivity