First: Jesus embodies the way to God.
2ndly: Jesus reveals the truth of God.
Thirdly, Jesus provides life with God.
Slide 1
Few people enjoy feeling lost.
When traveling how do you feel when you are lost?
When lost, most of us feel stressed and anxious as we seek to get our bearings and determine the right path forward. These feelings are often enhanced when we think we were on the right path and then, suddenly, nothing looks familiar, and the path is no longer clear.
When this happens we may not know
what to do,
what to think,
or even how to pray.
How then do we get back on track?
Some people fear getting lost and won’t venture out by themselves. God calls us to go, and we are assured that we never go alone and you can have peace because He goes with us and even before you.
Slide 2
If you’ve felt off course in your walk with God, the good news is that He is always ready to guide you back. Getting “back on track” means reconnecting with His truth, restoring your priorities, and living in alignment with His will.
How to Get Back on Track as a Christian
If you’ve felt off course in your walk with God, the good news is that He is always ready to guide you back. Getting “back on track” means reconnecting with His truth, restoring your priorities, and living in alignment with His will.
1. Recognize and Acknowledge Your Struggles
Begin by taking an honest look at where you’ve drifted—whether it’s in prayer, Bible study, worship, or service. Denial can prevent progress, so admit areas where you’ve fallen short (Christian Educators Academy). For example, you might notice you haven’t opened your Bible in weeks or that you rush through prayers without much thought. By naming these struggles, you position yourself for real change.
2. Trust God Again
Once you have acknowledged your struggles, the next step is to renew your trust in God. Proverbs 3:5–6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding… he will make straight your paths.” Instead of leaning on your own plans, trust His wisdom and timing (www.180chicago.church). For practical application, try writing down areas where you are struggling to trust God, then pray specifically about each one.
3. Reconnect with God Through Prayer and Worship
After renewing your trust, it’s important to reestablish a strong connection with God through prayer and worship. Prayer is your direct line to God (Christian Educators Academy). Set aside ten minutes each morning for prayer, or use a journal to track your conversations with God. Worship—whether through music, Scripture reading, or praise—rekindles your passion for Him (Christian Educators Academy). You might join a worship service, listen to Christian music while commuting, or read aloud a favorite Psalm.
4. Read and Apply God’s Word
Building on your renewed connection, immerse yourself in God’s Word. Psalm 119:105 calls His Word “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Make it a habit to read Scripture daily, meditate on passages, and apply them to your circumstances (www.180chicago.church). For example, start a reading plan, memorize a verse each week, or discuss a passage with a friend, letting God’s Word shape your decisions and attitudes.
5. Repent and Seek Forgiveness
As you apply God’s Word, you may recognize areas needing repentance. If you’ve sinned, confess it to God. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us… purify us from all unrighteousness.” Repentance opens the door to restoration (Sarah Titus). You might write a prayer of confession, seek accountability with a trusted friend, or ask God for strength to change.
6. Remove Obstacles and Clutter
With a repentant heart, it’s time to clear your path. Isaiah 57:14 urges you to “build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people’s way.” Identify and eliminate habits, distractions, or influences that keep you from God (www.180chicago.church). This could mean setting boundaries with social media, reorganizing your schedule, or curbing unhealthy behaviors.
7. Revisit Your Purpose and Priorities
Once obstacles are cleared away, reflect on your purpose and priorities. Ask yourself: What is my calling? What values guide me? Align your time, talents, and resources with God’s mission (Christian Educators Academy). You might create a vision board, list your top three spiritual goals, or volunteer in your church or community.
8. Join a Christian Community
Connecting your purpose to community helps sustain your progress. Bible studies, small groups, and accountability partners keep you grounded. Fellowship reminds you of God’s presence and strengthens your faith (Christian Educators Academy). Take a step by attending a church event, joining a group, or reaching out to someone for mutual encouragement.
9. Walk in the Light
Finally, as you move forward, stay focused on God’s truth. Philippians 2:15 calls you to “be blameless and innocent… shine as lights in the world.” Live out your faith in daily choices, even when the world is crooked (www.180chicago.church). You might set reminders to check your motives, encourage others, or practice gratitude each day.
Bottom line: Getting back on track is a process of repentance, restoration, and recommitment. Start small—pick one area to improve, pray about it, and let God lead you step by step. He promises to never abandon you (Hebrews 13:5) and will make straight your paths if you trust Him.
Verse one of John chapter 14 says;
14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;[a] believe also in me.
God’s messages are so timely! This message got me through this past week. Life is hard! Relationships are hard! Ministry is hard work! The gospel message is simple, but people make it hard! People complicate issues. People cause damage and havoc in the lives of others.
What people say,
what people feel,
what people do,
Often complicate the work God sets before us. Watching over and tending to just a small the flock is extremely troubling and we have to trust God. We have to give all of our concerns over to him.
Slide 3
I found myself feeling very lost this week. I didn’t know to react or how to react to the words people say and post on social media. Since, I have figured out that people will write won’t they will not say in person.
Oh How I felt lost and troubled. The spiritual battle that we can not see is real.
My path grew dime in front of me and I did not fully know how to react to the feelings of others.
I was stopped, I was stalled, and I made some detours.
Slide 4
I drove into ditches.
Slide 5
Yes even I had to drive through pots holes.
I Wrecked, I crashed, and I burned.
Slide 6
Yes I found myself (by Tuesday) totally lost and troubled!
I was stressed to the max! I had to rest, I needed to relax, and got my bearings, but I had to allow God to pick me up.
But God helped me determine the right path forward.
And the word says “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;[a] believe also in me.
- Trust the Lord God and lean not to your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
First: Jesus embodies the way to God.
2ndly: Jesus reveals the truth of God.
Thirdly, Jesus provides life with God.
Next, in the word of God Jesus declares;
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?[b] 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.
Slide 7
In the last few days of Jesus’s life, it is not surprising that the disciples felt lost. Although Jesus had already spoken about His pending death (John 12:1-8 John 12:30-36) they thought all things were fine if they stayed away from those in Jerusalem who wanted to kill Jesus.
As before, this teaching had the disciples feeling confused, anxious, and even lost. Jesus had been their guide and they had followed Him with their whole hearts.
Today, we must follow God with our entire being!
He is the Way, and He is the Truth, and He is the Life!
They did not understand everything. Thus, when we read scripture and can’t follow it or have trouble understanding it we need to slow down and follow Jesus through it.
In response to these feelings Jesus did a couple of things.
Slide 8
First: Jesus comforted them. They did not need to have “troubled hearts” nor did they need to have fear. (V27).
We sometimes feel abandoned and abused, but like the audience here in scripture they trusted and (believed) in God,
They and we can trust in Jesus.
Jesus knows what He is doing just as does God, and so, they and we must learn to trust instead of feeling stressed and anxious.
Though the disciples understood little in these words, we know that we certainly can.
The disciples could trust that Jesus’s departure was for a reason. With his death, Jesus was going ahead of them to prepare a place for them in his father’s house. (14:2.) While, it is not certain what kind of place Jesus was referring to here, what is certain is the nature of it. Because Jesus was going to prepare it, the rooms in this house will be a fitting place for Jesus disciples and it is a place where both Jesus and the Father will be clearly present.
In essence, all of Jesus’s followers, including ourselves, will be with both Jesus and the father once we die. So, no matter how lost we may feel, Jesus is always directing the feet of the faithful believers to his presence.
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.
Despite Jesus’s words of comfort, Thomas was still overwhelmed about Jesus’s teaching concerning his death.
His question shifts the focus from where Jesus is going to the disciples inability to know the way in verse five.
Slide 9
Wherever Jesus is headed, what Thomas beliefs the disciples need is a roadmap.
They needed to know the way they should go, and a roadmap should provide that direction.
Two question, Jesus turns his lost disciples back to himself. The only roadmap that anyone needs is Jesus. He is the way.
More than that….
Jesus is not just the true way to the place that he is preparing, but he is also the true way to the father.
And those who followed Jesus as the true way, also receive eternal life with the Son and the father. For “Jesus says, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to me except to the father” – in verse six The only map we need, in this case, is Jesus.
According to verse 7
7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.[d] From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Jesus then rebukes his disciples for their lack of faith. A lack of faith is what displeases God from us too.
Slide 10
Sunday nights lesson was light hearted and straight to the point, but God knew today’s lesson and this weeks crash and burn, lead me to have a need and appreciate that mustard seed of faith lesson.
In the picture above, you see the earrings, the necklace, and the bracelet that Jesus provided me and He used to to send me a very loud message to my heart.
Jesus says; Young ones hold onto that mustard seed of faith you have. Though the directions of road map seem foggy and unclear I will pick you up and I alone will set you free. Trust in me. Give me the road map, and I will give you smooth and solid ground. I will make the mountain crumble. I will set you on my firm foundation. I will stop and fill the pot holes. I will heal the burnt. I will heal the broken. I will change the scene from your collision path and set you on new, clean streets,
Go forward and follow me: I will bring you into a polished city made not by the hands of man but by me and it will be made of gold and glittering jewels unknown to man. Your new not scene is way beyond the road map you hold.
After all this time, the concerns of the disciples suggests that they may not know Jesus the way they should. To know Jesus is to know the father. So, it is no wonder that they were feeling lost. By losing track of Jesus and his plans, they had lost track of their father and his plans. But even here, once they understood who Jesus is and what he must do, they will then know with certainty the father and his plans.
Evidently, this teaching showed the disciples to be not only lost, but also disoriented. Have you ever been disoriented? Can you relate to the pastors life this week?
Slide 11
Here in scripture they were Unable to accept Jesus‘s teachings at face value, we have the prevalence and hindsight to understand fully. This is why the word of God is important. We must take more time to learn the lessons found in his word.
What road signs have you seen on your spiritual
journey that tell you you’re on the right track?
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Let’s continue in more of our Bible study this morning!
Philip appealed to Jesus to show them the father because Philip thought that would be enough to get himself and the disciples back on track. Yet, the nature of this request shows how truly lost and disoriented they all were. Not even Moses, who spent as much time as he did with God ever saw God. But what about the disciples and their time with Jesus? They had not seen enough to believe that Jesus and the father are one. (10:30)
Yet, now, Jesus is concerned that they are in no better shape than he is opponents whom he urge to believe his works and had come from the father, even if they could not believe that Jesus himself is the father and the father is in him (10:37–38; 14:10 –)? So, whether Philip realized it or not, his request had already been granted. This is the same for us today. Our path is leading us to Jesus.
Since they knew Jesus, they had already seen the father.
10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
In the end, Jesus showed greater faith and his disciples than they did in him. Jesus knew that after his resurrection, his disciples were finally understand, and though him as the way, the truth, and the life. And after they experienced the resurrected Jesus they would begin to live out their mission. Though Jesus will be absent in the flesh, he will be present in their ministry through the Holy Spirit. (14.16-17)
Because Jesus is so certain of his future for his disciples he can even say they will receive whatever they ask in his name because they will be seeking to glorify the father and the son (14:13). If only we could always see things and others, as Jesus did, because if we did, we would not feel lost like the disciples. But if we cannot see things that Jesus does, may we, at least, trust that Jesus will show us the way.
What road signs have you seen on your spiritual
journey that tell you you’re on the right track?
