I Am The I Am’s of Christ John 8:51-59

John 8:51-59 I Am 51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. 52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. 53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? 54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

I Am Introduction Jesus faces the Jews and they berated Him Accused Him of blasphemy This was His bold claim of Deity! If He was not God, then he was guilty of blasphemy! Punishment for blasphemy was death - Leviticus 24:16 God made this claim to Moses at the burning bush Exodus 3:1-14 Jesus was God in the flesh - Preeminent in All Things John 1:14; Colossians 1:12-22; Matthew 28:18 He is Equal With God the Father - He is Eternal Philippians 2:5-11; John 12:44-45; 14:8-9 He Was the “express image” of the Father - Heb. 1:3 Lev. 24:16 - And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death. Ex. 3:1-14 - READ Jn. 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Col. 1:12-22 - READ “Preeminence” - proteuo - to be first (in rank or influence):--have the preeminence - Strong; Vine - "to be first" (protos), "to be preeminent," is used of Christ in relation to the Church, Col 1:18. Thayer - to be first, hold the first place Matt. 28:18 - And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” Phil. 2:5-11 (ASV) - Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; 10 that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Jn. 12:44-46 - Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. 45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. Jn. 14:8-9 - Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Heb. 1:1-3 - God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

I Am Introduction God appeared to Abraham and comforted him Promised to protect & provide for him - Genesis 15:1-7 “I Am” (Lord, Jehovah) in the OT: At least 7 times in Genesis - 15:1, 7; 17:1; 26:24; 28:13; 35:11; 46:3 Occurs at least 21 times in Exodus - 3 times in Exodus 3:14 7 times in Psalms (Prophetic in nature) Psalms 22:6; 40:17; 69:8, 20, 29; 102:7, 11 Final OT “I am” in Mal. 3:6 - “For I am the LORD, I change not…” “I Am” is found in Revelation Revelation 1:8, 11, 17, 18; 2:23; 21:6; 22:13, 16 The Gospel of John contains the most beautiful and personal “I Am’s” of Jesus and in meaning, expresses His eternal nature and Deity and his love for sinful man! Gen. 15:1-7 - READ Ex. 3:14 - And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. Mal. 3:7 - For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

“the bread of life” John 6:35, 48, 51 I Am “the bread of life” John 6:35, 48, 51 Jesus is the giver of bread Reference made to the manna in the wilderness Given by God - Exodus 16 He fed His disciples and multitudes with physical food 5000 - John 6:1-14 - 4000 - Matthew 15:29-39 He is the source of all blessing - both physical and spiritual - Jas. 1:17 Jesus is the gift, refers to Himself as “the bread” He is the gift of God and the sustainer of the spirit All spiritual blessing are “in Christ” made possible By God - Eph. 1:3 He is the “living bread…from heaven” vs. 51 “…I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” - John 6:51 Jn. 6:35 - 35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 48 I am that bread of life. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world Ex. 16:12-15 - 12 I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God. 13 And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host. 14 And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. 15 And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat. Jn. 6:1-14 - READ Matt. 15:29-39 - READ Jas. 1:17 - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Eph. 1:3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

“the light of the world” John 8:12 I Am “the light of the world” John 8:12 John described Jesus as “the True Light” John 1:1-9 - Word and the Light 1 John 1:1-7 - Called God and the Light Jesus is the source of Light and Truth - John 8:12-59 Jesus distinguished His teaching as “Light” in contrast to the darkness of the religious teachers of his day He insinuated that the teachers of His day did not have the light of life, but walked in darkness Taught the people that they must follow Him to have the light “…I am the light of the world. He who followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” - John 8:12 Jn. 8:12 - Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Jn. 1:1-9 - READ 1 Jn. 1:1-7 - READ

“the door of the sheep” John 10:7, 9 I Am “the door of the sheep” John 10:7, 9 Jesus teaches the parable of the Sheepfold and the Good Shepherd - vss. 1-16 The sheepfold was where sheep were kept over night! Usually one shepherd guarded the entrance, hence Jesus’ illusion to this The “porter” (doorkeeper - NKJV) was at the door - vs. 3 Christians are of His fold - vs. 16 Entrance into His fold is on His terms - vs. 1; Hebrews 5:8-9 Obedience to the Gospel is of necessity - 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 “…Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep…I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture” - John 10:7, 9 Jn. 10:7-9 -Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. Jn. 10:1-16 - READ Jn. 10:3 - To him the porter (doorkeeper) openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. Jn. 10:16 - And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Jn. 10:1-2 - "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 "But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. Heb. 5:8-9 - though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 2 Thess. 1:7-9 - and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,

“the good shepherd” John 10:11, 14 I Am “the good shepherd” John 10:11, 14 Describes Himself as the “Good Shepherd” This suggests there were bad ones! Jesus was the protector and leader of the sheep - no reason to fear He gave His life for His sheep - Hebrews 13:20 Shepherds and sheep were frequently used in Jesus’ teachings Parable of the lost sheep - Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:3-7 Called his disciples His “little flock” - Luke 12:32 The “Good Shepherd” protects and feeds the sheep! The sheep hear His voice (obey Him) - vs. 16, 27 Jesus is the “Shepherd and Bishop” of our souls - 1 Peter 2:25 “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep…I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine” - John 10:11, 14 Jn. 10:11, 14 - I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. Heb. 13:20 - Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Matt. 18:12-14 - "What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13 "And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 "Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. Lk. 12:32 - Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Jn. 10:16 - And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 1 Pet: 2:25 - For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 2 Tim. 2:19 - Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

“the resurrection, and the life” John 11:25 I Am “the resurrection, and the life” John 11:25 This was said by Jesus in connection with the raising of Lazarus - vss. 1-44 Martha understood it in light of the final resurrection - vs. 24 This statement was a test of Mary’s faith & a sign of Jesus power vss. 32-45 Possessing a spiritual relationship with the Son of God can make the spiritually dead alive again and the living shall not die - vss. 25-26 Parable of the lost son - Luke 15:22-32 Romans 5:10; 1 Corinthians 15:22; 2 Cor 5:1-10; Phil. 1:21-23 “…I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” - John 11:25 Jn. 11:25 - Jesus said unto her (Martha), I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: Jn. 11:24 - Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jn. 11:32-45 - READ Jn. 11:25-26 - Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? Lk. 15:22-32 - READ Rom. 5:10 - For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 1 Cor. 15:22 - For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 2 Cor. 5:1-10 - READ Phil. 1:21-26 - For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

“the way, the truth, and the life”- John 14:6 I Am “the way, the truth, and the life”- John 14:6 He answers the question asked by Thomas - vs. 5 Jesus is: The way (this suggests there is one and only one way) Greek suggests a road or pathway The proper way Vs. 6b - “No one comes to the Father except through Me” The Truth - He is not connected to a source of Truth - He is truth! It is the essence of His being - His Divine Word John 1:1-2; 17:17 We will be judged by His words - John 12:48-50 The Life - He is the source of spiritual and physical life John 1:4; 9:5; John 20:31; 1 John 5:10-11 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” John 14:6 Jn. 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Jn. 14:3-5 - And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jn. 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. Jn. 17:17 - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Jn. 12:48-50 - "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. 49 "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50 "And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.“ Jn. 1:4 - In him was life; and the life was the light of men. Jn. 9:5 - As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. Jn. 20:31 - But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. 1 Jn. 5:10-11 - He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

I Am “the true vine” John 15: 1, 5 Relationship with Christ, as a Vine to the Branches A lesson on spiritual horticulture Christ is the “true vine” The Father is the “husbandman” Disciples (branches) must: Abide in the vine and bear fruit - Vs. 2, 6 This speaks of abiding in His word - 2 John 9-11 Branch cannot bear itself - Must be supported by the Vine - Vs. 4 Cannot survive, “except” we abide in the Vine! - Vs. 5-6 We glorify the Father when we abide in Christ and bear fruit - Vs. 8 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman… I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” - John 15:1, 5 “Abide” (meno) - To stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy):--abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry - Strong Jn. 15:1, 4 - "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” Jn. 15:2 - Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 2 Jn. 9-11 - Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. Jn. 15:4 - Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. Jn. 15:5-6 - "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. Jn. 15:8 - "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

May we always respect His Deity and reverence Him! Conclusion The I Am’s of Jesus found in John illustrate His remarkable Deity! “…the bread of life” “…the light of the world” “…the door of the sheep” “…the good shepherd” “…the resurrection, and the life” “…the way, the truth, and the life” “…the true vine” May we always respect His Deity and reverence Him! I Am

“…what shall we do?” Acts 2:37 An alien sinner must… Hear the Gospel – Romans 10:17 Believe – John 8:34 Repent – Acts 17:30 Confess Christ – Matthew 10:32 Be Baptized – Acts 2:38 An erring Child of God must… Repent and Pray – Acts 8:22 Live “faithful unto death” Revelation 2:10 Acts 2:37 - Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart (cut to the heart), and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Rom. 10:17 - So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Jn. 8:34 - I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. Acts. 17:30-31 - And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Matt. 10:32 - Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. Acts. 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 8:22 - Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. Rev. 2:10 - Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.