Jesus Is The Light Of The World Series

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Series: Jesus the “I Am” of Renewal

Thesis for Series: John uses Jesus' "I Am" proclamations to prove that Jesus was the Messiah – God in the flesh - and these proclamations are pivotal for the Jews and Christians to understand.

Summary of Sermon 1: Jesus is the Bread of Life!

In sermon one, we laid the foundation for the meaning of God's name, "I Am". Let's review what we learned.

"I Am" God's name found in Exodus 3:14 was an answer to Moses when Moses asked for credentials to prove to Israel that God had indeed authorized him to lead them out of bondage and into freedom.

The disclosure of the name given from the burning bush represents that this entity was eternal and constant. This scenario revealed to Moses and Israel that this was the same God of their forefathers. "I Am" designates a characteristic (The Main One) that "I Am" represents absolute timeless existence. He always was but with the twist He is here now, present tense and He will be with us also into the future.

The apostle John, in the New Testament revealed that Christ's "I Am" signified that He was the same God of the Old Testament and is the "Bread of Life". He is the only source for life sustaining food which will enable us to live forever. His food is found in feeding on His word and being in connection with Him. It’s also connected to the ordinance of Communion – this ordinance is to help us not forget His great sacrifice on the cross for our sins.

The “I Am’ statements in John are sudden impact statements (intended to cause renewal) – they are made by Jesus to define who He was and who He is. They all use the first person terminology and clearly claim that He is the Great “I AM” of the Old Testament. Each one of Jesus’ seven impact statements declared the truth about Jesus’ person, divinity and ministry. They also point to His credentials to do the miracle and say what He is saying in His teachings.

In other words, Jesus answers their question of where He gets the authority to do what He is doing in the life of the nation of Israel:

1. “I am the bread of life!”– John 6:35, 48 and John 6:41, 51

2. “I am the Light of the World!”– John 8:12

3. “I am the door!” – John 10:7, 9

4. “I am the Good Shepherd!” – John 10:11, 14

5. “I am the resurrection and the life!” – John 11:25

6. “I am the way the truth and the life!” – John 14:6

7. “I am the true vine!” – John 15:1,5

In addition to the above “I Am’ statements there are other “I Am” statements which are not followed by a title or a claim to deity. These statements of renewal still make an impact upon the hearers – Jesus’ claim to be the “Great I Am” points to the following declaration: “I AM – Yahweh of the Old Testament!” Standing in front of you doing the miracles, the healings, teaching you truth and I have the power to forgive sin.

John 4:25,26: 25The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.”

• Jesus is being clear with woman that He is the Messiah they are looking for.

John 8:24, 28, 58: 24 “I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.” 28 “So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am ‹the one I claim to be› and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.” 58 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

• Jesus makes it clear He was before Abraham – He was there at Creation – He is the “I Am that spoke to Moses from the bush and the one who gave him the 10 Commandments!”

John 13:19: 19 “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He.” You can compare these impact statements with the following references. John 6:20: But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” John 7:34 - 36: 33 Jesus said, “I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me. 34You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.” 35The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? 36 What did he mean when he said, ‘You will look for me, but you will not find me,’ and ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?”