This is Part 4 of the message series EXPLORE GOD. This series is designed to help answer the 7 biggest questions of life. The fourth question is this: "IS CHRISTIANITY TOO NARROW?" In this message, Pastor Chuck Bernal discusses the narrowness and exclusivity of the Christian faith and why the claims of Christ declare that He is the ONLY way to know God. This message was delivered on October 4, 2015 at LifePointe Church in Crowley, TX.

1. IS CHRISTIANITY TOO NARROW?
Message Series – Explore God
Part 4 – 10-04-15 - Pastor Chuck Bernal
As a Christ-follower I’m faced with the challenge that
Christianity is not presented as just another subjective,
religious philosophy. Christians see the claims of Jesus as
objectively true—true in the sense that gravity is true. And if
the gospel of Jesus Christ is truth, then it is absolute and true
for all people. The problem is, there are so many knotty and untenable implications with that
position. At first blush Christ’s claims seem to smack of arrogance, bigotry, and narrow-
mindedness. (Ed Gungor)
THE NATURE OF NARROW
There are two paths before you; you may take only one path. One doorway is narrow. And one
door is wide. Go through the narrow door. For the wide door leads to a wide path, and the wide
path is broad; the wide, broad path is easy, and the wide, broad, easy path has many, many
people on it; but the wide, broad, easy, crowded path leads to death. Now then that narrow
door leads to a narrow road that in turn leads to life. It is hard to find that road. Not many
people manage it.
(Matthew 7:13-14 – Voice)
I am the only God! There are no others. I have the power to save. I invite the whole world to
turn to me and be saved. I alone am God! No others are real.
(Isaiah 45:21-22 - CEV)
THE EXCLUSIVITY OF JESUS – THE NARROWNESS OF OUR FAITH
And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been
given among people by which we must be saved [for God has provided the world no alternative
for salvation]. (Acts 4:12 – Amp)
Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one
comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6 – Amp)
He wants all people to be saved and to know what is true. There is one God. There is also only
one man who can open the way between God and all people. That man is Christ Jesus. He gave
his life to set all men free. (1 Timothy 2:4-6 – WEB)
Jesus is exclusive inHis ____________________________________
The Word (Christ) was in the beginning. The Word was with God. The Word was God. He was
with God in the beginning. He made all things. Nothing was made without Him making it.
(John 1:1-3 – NLV)
The Father and I are one. (John 10:30 – LEB)
Jesus said to them, “My Father is still working all the time so I am working also.” The Jews tried
all the more to kill Him, not only because He had worked on the Day of Rest, but because He
had also called God His Own Father. This made Himthe same as God. (John 5:17-18 – NLV)
Jesus alone claimed to be _______________

2. Jesus is exclusive inHis ____________________________________
Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we’re in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our
sins. God’s plan is that we allexperience that rescue. (Galatians 1:4 – Msg)
He was born a baby. And when he was a man, he was humble. He was even willing to die, yes,
to die on a cross. (Philippians2:7-8 – WEB)
It was our pains he carried— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he
brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that
did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins! He took the punishment, and
that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed . . . And GOD has piled all our sins,
everything we’ve done wrong, on him, on him. (Isaiah 53:4-5 – Msg)
Jesus alone gave his __________ for others
Jesus is exclusive inHis ____________________________________
God already planned to have us as His own children. This was done by Jesus Christ. In His plan
God wanted this done. We thank God for His loving-favor to us. He gave this loving-favor to us
through His much-loved Son. Because of the blood of Christ, we are bought and made free
from the punishment of sin. And because of His blood, our sins are forgiven. His loving-favor to
us is so rich . . . For by His loving-favor you have been saved from the punishment of sin through
faith. It is not by anything you have done. It isa gift of God. (Ephesians 1:5-7, 2:8 – NLV)
Jesus alone offers _______________ to everyone
Jesus is exclusive inHis ____________________________________
Christ suffered for our sins once for alltime. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring
you safely home to God. (1 Peter 3:18 – NLT)
For God so loved the world that he gave his only and unique Son, so that everyone who trusts
in him may have eternal life, instead of being utterly destroyed.
(John 3:16 – CJB)
Jesus alone can ____________ us to God
I am the Door. Anyone who goes in through Me will be saved from the punishment of
sin . . . The robber comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came so they might
havelife,a greatfull life.(John10:9-10 –NLV)
Jesus is exclusive inHis person
Jesus alone claimed to be God
Jesus is exclusive inHis purpose

3. Jesus alone gave his life for others
Jesus is exclusive inHis provision
Jesus alone offers salvation to everyone
Jesus is exclusive inHis promise
Jesus alone can bring us to God