The “I Am” Statements of Jesus

Introduction. I am a preacher. I am a father. I am a husband, a son, a grandfather, a Christian, an American, and a  man. When we use the words “I am” we communicate important things about our identity, our values, our personality, and our nature. So it is with the Lord. When He speaks to us using these words it enables us to better understand who He is. Tonight I would like for us to consider this from a study of the “I am” statements of Jesus.

Each of the statements I want us to consider help us answer three important questions about Jesus: 1) Who is Jesus?; 2) What can He do for me?; 3) Why should I follow Jesus?

I. Who Is Jesus?

A.      “Before Abraham Was, I AM.” Discussion about Jesus and Abraham (John 8:30-33). The Jews did not act like children of Abraham (John 8:39-40)—What is Jesus’ relationship to Abraham? (John 8:51-53).

•         Jesus existed before Abraham, and...

•         Jesus uses the phrase associated with Deity to speak of Himself—“I Am” (John 8:56-59).

B.      God is the “I Am” (Exod. 3:13-15). Note: v. 14 “I Am who I Am” (God is not one who was, or became, or will be—He simply is in all time and space). V. 15 LORD=Yahweh (Jehovah) meaning “self-existent One.” In essence He says “the self-existent One sent you.” Jesus, in speaking to the Jews uses this same terminology.

1.      Jesus is DIVINE.

•         “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world” (John 8:23).

•         “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).

2.      Jesus is ETERNAL (Rev. 1:7-8) Alpha and Omega—is, was, is to come.

•         “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8).

II. What Can He Do For Me?

A.      “I Am the Bread of Life” (John 6:30-35).

•         “Do not labor for the food that perishes , but for the food that endures to everlasting life” (John 6:27).

•         “The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life” (John 6:63).

1.      Christ offers man SUSTENENCE—Spiritual sustenance.

B.      “I Am the Light of the World” (John 8:12).

•         Jesus is the life giving light shining in darkness (John 1:4-5)

•         He brings man out of darkness into light (Col. 1:12-13).

1.      Christ offers man GUIDANCE.

C.      “I Am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:1-5; 11-18).

1.      Christ offers man PROTECTION and CARE.

a.       Atonement. Jesus “have Himself for our sins that He might deliver us from the present evil age” (Gal. 1:4).

b.      Purification. Our souls are purified in obeying the truth (1 Pet. 1:22).

c.       Intercession. He makes intercession for those who come to God through Him (Heb. 7:25).

III. Why Should I Follow Jesus?

A.      “I Am the Resurrection and the Life” (John 11:20-27).

1.      Without Him no one can have ETERNAL LIFE with God.

•         Those in Jesus see eternal life (John 3:35-36).

•         Jesus will call the resurrection (John 5:28-29).

B.      “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:1-6). (2 John 9).

1.      Without Him no one can have ACCESS TO GOD.

•         Those without Christ are without God (2 John 9).

C.      “I Am the Door” (John 10:7-10).

1.      Without Him no one can have SALVATION FROM SIN.