“I Am” Statements and Jesus
-Introduction
-I’m convinced that much of the ignorance in the religious world is a result of people
listening to those who have been labeled as “experts.” One such “expert” was
speaking on a tv program and stated that Jesus may have thought that He had some
kind of Messianic purposes but that He never claimed to be the Christ nor made any
claims to deity. How absurd!
-Matt. 16:13-18; Mark 14:60-62; Luke 22:66-71
-The Scriptures Attest to the Deity of Jesus
-John 1:1-3
-Phil. 2:5-8
-Matt. 1:23
-John 20:28
-Heb. 1:8
-Jesus Also Attested to His Deity
-The people of Jesus’ day understood that He was making this claim.
-Luke 5:20-21
-John 10:25-33
-John 8:53-59
-Ex. 3:1-14 – The Great I Am
-The Jews understood the significance of the statement “I Am.” That’s why those
who opposed Jesus took up stones to stone Him in response to Jesus applying those
words to Himself.
-The Book of John – 7 “I Am” Statements of Jesus
-Also, when considering the statement, “I am,” we can turn to the book of John and
find the seven “I Am” statements of Jesus.
2. the Light of the World – 8:12;
3. the Door – 10:7;
4. the Good Shepherd – 10:11;
5. the Resurrection and the Life – 11:25;
6. the Way, the Truth and the Life – 14:6;
7. the True Vine – 15:1
-By studying these, we can better understand the purpose of and blessings offered
through the mission of Jesus.
-Summary and Invitation
-Obviously, we don’t have time in this lesson to delve into these “I am” statements.
-Yet, from this lesson, please take with you a reminder of the Deity of Jesus.
-He wasn’t just some really good person who lived upon this earth, gathered a large
following and made significant claims.
-He wasn’t a fellow human although He took upon himself the form of man.
-He wasn’t a created being. He was and is a member of the Godhead.
-Col. 2:9
-As this nation celebrated its independence yesterday, I hope that everybody
considered the fact that freedom isn’t free. It comes at a high price.
-Such is certainly the case with our spiritual freedom. It has come at a very, very
high price.
-Acts 20:28
-2 Cor. 9:15
-Are you enjoying spiritual freedom? Have you been freed from the slavery of sin
through the cleansing blood of Jesus?
-If not, please respond to the Gospel of Christ – believe in Him (John 3:16, 8:24);
confess that faith (Matt. 10:32, Rom. 10:9-10); repent of sin (Luke 13:3,5; Acts
17:30); be baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38,
Rom. 6:3-4)
-If you’ve obeyed the Gospel, have you remained in freedom through faithful living?
If not, confess your shortcomings, repent of them and pray for God’s forgiveness
(1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24).