JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY

Written By Garden Internal Links

John 14:1–31 — Taught by Nolan Tjaden

WHEN YOU’RE SURROUNDED

It was late at night. Me and a few buddies ran to WinCo for energy drinks. Out of nowhere, a group of guys started following us, yelling stuff, escalating. We jumped in the car—next thing we knew, it was a full-blown car chase.

I tried to lose them by pulling into a parking lot, thinking I could slip out the other side… but their big truck blocked the exit.

We were surrounded. Trapped. No way out.

Ever feel like that in life? Maybe not by thugs—but:

  • Stress from work

  • Financial collapse

  • A diagnosis

  • Addictions

  • A dead marriage

  • Endless pressure

  • Toxic relationships

  • A dead-end future

What do you do when the world is closing in?

In John 14, Jesus is surrounded too. It’s Thursday night—the day before the cross. Judas has just walked out to betray Him. And Jesus looks at His disciples—stressed, confused, overwhelmed—and He gives them hope.

01. IS THERE ANY HOPE IN THIS EVIL WORLD? (vv. 1–4)

“In my Father’s house are many rooms… I go to prepare a place for you.” – John 14:2

Jesus isn’t abandoning them—He’s making space for them.

He’s not talking about a floaty heaven in the clouds. He’s talking about something better: a renewed creation. A real place. Real bodies. Real joy. The curse reversed. Evil undone.

🕯️ Beauty and the Beast got it right—true love lifts the curse. The castle comes alive. And so will we.

“Heaven and earth will meet again when God renews the whole world.” – N.T. Wright

💥 You are not destined for destruction. You are headed for redemption.

02. ARE WE ALONE OR IS THERE HELP? (vv. 15–25)

“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper…” – John 14:16

Jesus promises the Holy Spirit—not a vague spiritual vibe, but a real presence.

Greek word: paraklētos
It means Helper. Advocate. Strengthener. Warrior at your side.

Not Mr. Rogers with a warm hug.
More like your wife showing up with an energy drink yelling, “Let’s go! You got this!”

“The Spirit isn’t primarily for mystical experience but for empowerment of mission.” – Michael Green
“Not just soothing—but strengthening.” – Don Carson

🔥 The Holy Spirit lives in you. He doesn’t just comfort you—He commissions you.

🙋‍♂️ Question:
What would you attempt if you truly believed the Spirit of God was in you?

03. HOW CAN JESUS BE THE ONLY WAY? (vv. 1–7)

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6

Isn’t that kind of exclusive?

I wrestled with that at 18. I asked my small group leader, “What about the guy on an island who’s never heard about Jesus?”

Romans answers that question:

  • God will judge all fairly (Rom. 2:6–11)

  • But none are truly righteous (Rom. 3:10–12)

  • Everyone has a conscience—and it condemns them (Rom. 2:14–16)

Every worldview excludes something. Even the “all roads lead to God” story is exclusive—because it assumes superior knowledge and rejects everyone who disagrees.

“You can’t say no religion sees the whole truth unless you yourself claim to see the whole truth.” – Tim Keller

Christianity is exclusive in its Savior—but radically inclusive in its invitation.

📉 Other religions:

  • Judaism: Must convert or descend from Abraham

  • Islam: Submit to Sharia law

  • Hinduism: Caste system counts

  • Buddhism: Achieve through self-mastery

  • Secularism: Reject moral absolutes

  • New Age: Must be “spiritually open”

📈 Christianity:

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:28
All are welcome. Anyone can be saved. Everyone can come.

On Pentecost, they preached in every nation’s language so everyone could hear.

✝️ No matter your past, your beliefs, your background—if you put your trust in Jesus, you’re in.

THERE’S A NARROW WAY

Back to that parking lot: I turned the car around and saw a tiny gap between the truck and a wall. It was the only way out.

So I hit the gas and flew through it—barely squeezing through—and we escaped.

🚗 Listen: It might feel like there’s no way out. But there’s not no way—there’s a narrow way.

His name is Jesus.

REFLECTION & NEXT STEPS

  • Are you hopeful for the future—or just bracing for impact?

  • Are you leaning on the Spirit—or living like you're alone?

  • Have you surrendered to Jesus—the narrow way to life?

➡️ Ready to go all in? Sign up to be baptized.
➡️ Let the Spirit fill you.
➡️ Step into the narrow path—and live.

Garden Internal Links https://thegardenaz.com
Next

CRINGE CLICHÉS CHRISTIANS SAY