[271]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE “I AMs” OF JOHN’S GOSPEL
There are 7 or 8 of the great “I Am” statements in the Gospel of John. I have done these in a Series on SermonCentral – about 18 messages I think - https://sermoncentral.com/sermon-series/the-quot-i-ams-quot-of-john-39-s-gospel-sermon-series-from-ron-ferguson-22874
John is the only Gospel that features this as John was most careful to set out the divinity of Jesus Christ to his readers. It is a most precious thought considering pockets today that attack the divinity of Christ. Liberalism would want to silence the fact that Jesus is God divine.
I have always had an interest in these great I AM statements since I was 20 and studying the Greek with the “ego ego eime” – I, I AM. The time on the water when Jesus said – {{John 6:20 but He said to them, “IT IS I. Do not be afraid.”}}
Jesus stood on the raging sea and declared “I, I AM”. e?µ? ???. It was a marvellous truth that caught me and still has me. That is why I just love these I AM statements. Jesus is the divine One come among men. It is all power and authority and assurance.
In this poem I have taken these statements of I AM, 8 of them, and added an extra one to them in the last stanza. I presented the whole series (that one now on SermonCentral) when I was last speaking in England. It was a wonderful time for me then. It is sad the way many in the UK are turning to liberalism and the Government is becoming horrific, anti-Christian in Britain’s decay. We are in the last days so it is not a surprise. Australia has today 21/1/2026, introduced “hate speech laws” that will protect Islam and condemn Christians and conservatives who express their views. Australia has no lawful freedom of speech protection like the USA has.
I hope you can meditate on these sayings as they are so full of blessing for us.
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THE BREAKDOWN OF THE STANZAS
Stanza 1 - {{John 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, I AM THE DOOR OF THE SHEEP.”}}
Stanza 2 - {{John 6:35 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.”}}
Stanza 3 - {{John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, “I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”}}
Stanza 4 - {{John 10:11 “I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”}}
Stanza 5 - {{John 15:1 “I AM THE TRUE VINE, and my Father is the husbandman.”}}
Stanza 6 - {{John 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.”}}
Stanza 7 - {{John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I AM THE RESURRECTION, AND THE LIFE: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”}}
Stanza 8 - {{John 6:20 But he saith unto them, “IT IS I; (I AM) be not afraid.”}}
Stanza 9 - {{John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS, I AM.”}}
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THE POEM - THE “I AMs” OF JOHN’S GOSPEL
“I AM THE DOOR,” the only access true.
By Me, My sheep redeemed, can all pass through.
His blessings He supplies, while thieves subdue.
The wholesome pasture, daily He’ll renew.
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THE BREAD OF LIFE He is for hungry souls.
Believing, thirsty ones, His grace enfolds.
His righteousness from off His table rolls
To satisfy the hungry with full bowls. (seeking with His goals)
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“I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE for all.”
The Way to God for those His Name will call.
God’s Truth surrounds Him as a faithful shawl.
The life in which the righteous ones enthral.
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GOOD SHEPHERD, Christ became for all His sheep.
Laid down His life; a harvest He still reaps.
Dark waters rolled across His head - so deep.
No man can pluck away the lambs He keeps.
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“TRUE VINE, I AM,” to them, He that declared.
“My Father is the Vinedresser,” He shared.
To bear your fruit, remain in Me, the Head.
Apart from me, just nothing should be dared.
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He is THE LIGHT in this dark world of sin,
Exposing man’s true, sinful state within.
Here, Christ fulfilled the Father’s works in Him,
Then comes the night when all turns cold and dim.
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“I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE.”
The throes of death belong to darkest night.
For those in Christ who share His glory bright,
The sting of death has lost its fearful might.
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He is the “I AM” of the elements:-
In storm-tossed seas when this life makes no sense.
When black of night descends with fears immense,
Then His “I am” is my secure defence.
Alt 3rd line - (Descends the night with testings too immense.)
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“I AM, BEFORE your father ABRAHAM.”
Before the world’s foundations, as the Lamb.
Eternal Son who centres heaven’s plan.
The all-sufficient One; the Great I am.
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6 - 7 October, 1997 R E Ferguson 10-10-10-10 AAAA