2. Jesus, The “I AM” I. One of the ways that Jesus expressed His deity or relationship to the Father was by referring to Himself as or implying that He was the “I AM” (Mark 14:62; Luke 22:70; John 8:24, 28, 58). A. God had revealed Himself as the “I AM” (Ex. 3:14; 6:3).

3. B. God revealed this name as His covenantal name. God would be whatever we need Him to be including: 1. Jehovah Jireh or The Lord My Provider (Gen. 22:13-14). God presents Himself as the One Who will provide atonement for us which we cannot provide for ourselves (Ps. 65:3; 79:9; Ezek. 16:63).

4. 2. Jehovah Rapha or The Lord My Healer (Ex. 15:26). God presents Himself as our Doctor who can heal us inside and out (Ps. 103:3; 147:3).

5. 3. Jehovah Nissi or The Lord My Banner (Ex. 17:14-15). God presents Himself as the One Who leads us forth into battle and gives us the victory. When you fight under the Lords banner the victory is certain (See: Is. 11:10).

6. 4. Jehovah M’Kaddesh or The Lord My Sanctifier (Ex. 31:13; Lev. 20:8; 22:32). God presents Himself as the One Who provides for our sanctification or holiness not something that we can do of ourselves.

7. 5. Jehovah Shalom or The Lord My Peace (Judg. 6:24). God presents Himself as the One Who makes it possible for us to have peace with God and as a result we do not need to be fearful in His presence (Ps. 29:11; Is. 26:12).

8. 6. Jehovah Rohi or The Lord My Shepherd (Ps. 23:1). God presents Himself as the One Who cares for us the same way that a shepherd cares for his flock (Ps. 28:9; 80:1).

9. 7. Jehovah Sabboath or The Lord of Armies (II Sam. 6:2). God presents Himself as the One Who has a mighty army and He will fight for us as we put our trust in Him (I Sam. 14:6; 17:45-47; II Kgs. 6:16-17; 19:31).

10. 8. Jehovah Tsidkenu or The Lord My Righteousness (Jer. 23:6). God presents Himself as the One Who stands in our stead and becomes what we cannot become in ourselves— righteous (Ps. 23:3; Is. 46:13; 54:17).

11. 9. Jehovah Shammah or The Lord Who is Present (Ezek. 48:35). God presents Himself as the One Who is in the midst of us and is always present and will never forsake us but will be an ever present help in time of trouble (Is. 12:6; Ps. 46:1, 4-5).

12. C. God revealed His name as a triune name (Ex. 3:13-16). I AM – WHO – I AM 1. The God of Abraham—I AM—The Father 2. The God of Isaac—WHO—The Son 3. The God of Jacob—I AM—The Holy Spirit

13. D. God’s triune name was cloaked in mystery. 1. Jacob inquired about the name (Gen. 32:29). 2. Samson’s parents inquired after the name (Judg. 13:17-18). 3. Agur asked about the name (Pro. 30:4). 4. Isaiah indicated that His name was “wonderful” (Is. 9:6).

14. 5. Gabriel announced that His name would be “Jesus” (Mt. 1:21).

15. II. The Gospel of John particularly tells us that Jesus is the “I AM.” Jesus declared Himself to be the “I AM” in seven ways: I AM the Bread of Life I AM the Light of the World I AM the Door I AM the Good Shepherd I AM the Resurrection and the Life

16. I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life I AM the True Vine

17. A. I AM the Bread of Life (John 6:35). Just as the Children of Israel lived off of the bread from heaven provided to them by the Father, we as believers live off of the bread that descended down from above—Jesus (John 6:31- 33). Bread in most cultures of the day was considered to be the “staff of life.” Along with water it was considered essential for one’s daily existence (Gen. 21:14; Ezek. 4:16-17).

18. Bread was usually broken before it was consumed. Jesus on the night that He was betrayed broke bread with His disciples (Mt. 26:26; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19). Every time that we celebrate communion we celebrate Jesus as the Bread of Life (I Cor. 10:16; 11:23-26).

19. B. I AM the Light of the World (John 8:12; 9:5). 1. Outside of Christ the whole world is dwelling in darkness (Mt. 4:16; John 3:18-21; Eph. 5:8; Col. 1:13; I Pet. 2:9). 2. Jesus is the light Who enlightens the life of every man who receives Him (Luke 1:79; John 1:4-9; 12:35-36).

20. a. He possesses the qualities of light. Purity (I John 1:5) Life (John 8:12) Warmth (Ps. 104:2) Healing (Mal. 4:2) b. He illuminates darkness (Mt. 4:16).

21. C. I AM the Door (John 10:7-10). Jesus as the door of the sheep fold has two aspects to it. 1. Jesus is the door of protection, keeping out the wolves and other enemies of the sheep. Jesus provides protection from: Thieves (John 10:1, 8, 10) Robbers (John 10:1, 8, 10)

22. Strangers (John 10:5) Hirelings (John 10:12-13) Wolves (John 10:12) 2. Jesus is the door providing access to pasture and rest.

23. D. I AM the Good Shepherd (John 10:11- 14). 1. Jesus describes His ministry to us as that of a “Shepherd.” In doing so He brings in the picture of the people of God as sheep. 2. Jesus describes Himself as a “Good” Shepherd.

24. a. There were shepherds who were not “good.” These were shepherds who were characterized by: Caring more for themselves than they do the sheep (Ezek. 34:3; John 10:13). Exploiting the sheep for their own purposes (Ezek. 34:2). Driving the sheep for their own personal gain (Ezek. 34:4).

25. Forgetting the sheep that have gone astray (Ezek. 34:4). Abusing the sheep (Jer. 23:1).

26. b. There were shepherds who were “good.” Psalm 23 defines what it means to be a “good” shepherd. These were shepherds who were characterized by: Loving the sheep more than their own life (John 10:11). Knowing the sheep in a personal way (John 10:14). Providing lush pasture for the sheep (Ps. 23:2).

27. Protecting the sheep continually (John 10:27-29).

28. E. I AM the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25). When we read this account we discover several things: 1. Jesus intentionally waited for Lazarus to die before coming on to the scene (John 11:6). 2. Jesus knew that He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead before He arrived in Bethany (John 11:4, 11-14, 40).

29. 3. Jesus would use this incident to benefit His followers (John 11:15). 4. Jesus presented Himself as the personification of resurrection and life (John 11:25-26). 5. Jesus wept because of the unbelief of the crowd (John 11:33, 35, 38). 6. Jesus had spent time with the Father regarding Lazarus before He called Him forth (John 11:41-42).

30. F. I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). 1. Jesus is the Way. a. Jesus is the only way to God. He is the narrow way that leads to life (Mt. 7:13-14; I Tim. 2:5). b. There are many ways to God that have been prescribed by man (Pro. 14:12).

31. c. Jesus is the one Who restored our path to God (Eph. 2:18; Heb. 9:8; 10:19-20). d. Those who followed Jesus were called the people of the way (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22).

32. 2. Jesus is the Truth (John 1:17; 17:17). 3. Jesus is the Life (John 1:4; 11:25; Col. 3:4). Many people are looking for the key to life. Jesus is the only path to life (I John 5:12). a. He is the author of life (John 1:4). b. He is the giver of life (I Cor. 15:45; II Tim. 1:1).

33. c. In Him is eternal life (John 3:15-16, 36; 5:24; 6:40, 47).

34. G. I AM the True Vine (John 15:1-8). Jesus uses the analogy of the vine and branches. In doing so He teaches us things about ourselves and about Himself. 1. We understand that we are utterly dependent upon Him. a. We cannot bear fruit without Him (John 15:5).

35. b. Without Him we wither and become good for nothing (John 15:6). c. When we abide in Him it gives us the right to ask for what we desire (John 15:7). d. When we abide in Him we will bring forth fruit (John 15:8).

36. 2. We understand His ministry toward us. a. He provides us with the energy to produce fruit (John 15:4). b. He prunes us so that we can be even more fruitful (John 15:2). c. There will ultimately be a fiery judgment awaiting those who bear no fruit (John 15:6).