Good morning, my name is Greg Loper and I am one of the Elders here at Grafted Community Church and we are in the midst of a sermon series in John call Life in his name. We are in John chapter five.

OUTLINE RECAP LAST WEEK THIS WEEK John 6:1-15 John 6:16-21 Jesus walks on water Jesus declares he is the “I AM” to his disciples Jesus gets in the boat

LAST WEEK John 6:1-15 Jesus feeds the five thousand Jesus retreats to the mountain by himself to avoid being taken by force to make him king He’s trying to teach them that he is the “Bread of Life”

THIS WEEK John 6:16-21 Jesus walks on water Jesus declares he is the “I AM” to his disciples Jesus gets in the boat

John 6:16-21 16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

Jesus walks on water

Jesus walks on water No other mention of the miracle of Jesus walking on water in the rest of John The miracle is only for the disciples and they don’t appear to talk about it later Only six verses are given to this in John More in Matthew

Matthew 14:22-33 22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Matthew 14:22-33 28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Jesus declares he is the “I AM” 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” A few other translations of “It is I”: “I am He” “I AM” “I AM THE LIVING GOD”

Jesus declares he is the “I AM” Some references to the old testament Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Jesus declares he is the “I AM” Some references to the old testament Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Jesus declares he is the “I AM” Some references to the old testament Psalm 23:4 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Jesus declares he is the “I AM” Some references to the old testament Psalm 23:4 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Jesus declares he is the “I AM” Some references to the old testament Exodus 3:13-14 13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

Jesus declares he is the “I AM” Some references to the old testament Exodus 3:13-14 13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

Seven declarations of “I AM” by Jesus I AM the Bread of Life (John 6:35,41,48,51) I AM the Light of the World (John 8:12) I AM the Door of the Sheep (John 10:7,9) I AM the Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14) I AM the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25) I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6) I AM the True Vine (John 15:1,5)

Jesus gets in the boat

Not this kind of boat

Maybe more like this

Or maybe you prefer this

Jesus gets in the boat He gets in the boat, so what? The disciples invited him into the boat Why is this significant?

Jesus gets in the boat “The point has been made. It’s been made twice. I did a miracle for you on the land, and gave each of you a basket of bread. I showed you that I will be your personal bread – each one of you. If you have an overwhelming ministry in front of you – to feed 5 thousand – and you feel totally inadequate, not only will I give you resources to feed them, I will be there for you when it is all over. I will not just give you bread; I will be your bread. And now I have done another miracle for you. I have shown you that in the dark, in the storm, I will let nothing separate me from you. And when you take me into your boat with joy, we will arrive at our desired haven. So whether the story is about being rescued from hunger by making bread, or being rescued from wind by walking on water, the point is: I don’t just give bread. I don’t just make the wind stop; I get into the boat.” -John Piper, From the sermon: “Twelve Baskets of Bread and the Walk on Water”

TAKEAWAYS Do you recognize Jesus as the Great “I AM”? Are you so focused on the winds/storms in your life that you don’t recognize Jesus in it and allow him to be in control? Have you allowed Jesus into your life and depend on him as your “bread”?