Series: Never Seen Before in 2024!
Thesis: To see something, we have never seen before in 2024 requires us to do something we have never done before! So, what is the “One Thing” you need to do you have never done before to see your miracle -breakthrough- revelation or desire from God?
Scripture Text: Psalm 119:1-8 “Every verse in Psalm 119 refers to God’s Word- using names like Law-statutues-ways-precepts-decrees-commands-word-promise (etc.).
1 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart.
3 They do nothing wrong;
they walk in his ways.
4 You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
6 Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
8 I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.
The challenge: We are challenging you to Read through the Bible this year – attend church regularly – do a Bible Survey class so you see something you have never seen before!
The prayer to God before each message: (Have them hold up their Bibles and say this as a prayer to God to help them see something they have never seen before in 2024!)
“Lord, we know your Word is alive and active. We know it is sharper than any two-edged sword and that when spoken and believed on by us it penetrates our soul and spirit. Lord, we know it exposes our thoughts and our attitudes. Lord give us wisdom from your Word today and open up our eyes to see a new Revelation of you today! Lord, please show us what to do to experience something new that we have never experienced from you before this year in 2024!”
Amen!
T.S. – To tell the Story of the Bible and reveal it’s 50 themes and messages requires me to start our series with Jesus – Every book of the Bible refers to Jesus – He is revealed in every book last year I did a handout on this and made available. So, I really felt compelled to start with Jesus who is the number one message and theme of the Bible!
Sermon 1: John’s “I Am” statements.
Thesis Sermon: In the Gospel of John – Jesus uses the 7 “I am” statements of Jesus to prove He is the Word of God and that He was with God in the Beginning at Creation – to also prove He is the Word of God in the flesh – Jesus uses these “I Am” statements to point back to Moses’ encounter with God in the burning bush in Exodus where He tells Moses that He is the great “I Am!” The God of Israel and all who believe!
Scripture Texts:
John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:17-18: “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and Only Son, who is himself God and is closest in relationship with the Father, has made Him known.”
Exodus 3: 13-15: 13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: (Important)
“I Am” and “Yahweh” come from the same root word but have different tense references. “I Am” is 1st person where “Yahweh” is 3rd person.
The covenant name for the God of Israel in the Old Testament is “Yahweh.” This name was so sacred to the Jews that by the second century they refused to pronounce it. Even today Orthodox Jews will not pronounce this name. In the past when ancient Jewish scholars came across the name “Yahweh”, they would pronounce it differently and say “Adonai” which means “My Lord.” They did this so they would not use the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
The Hebrew at the time had no vowels in its language so “Yahweh” was written “YHVH” which is called the forbidden four-letter word (We have other four-letter words which are bad today!). The truth is since it was kept so hush - hush no one really knows if it is even pronounced correctly today. When the Masoretic scholars added the consonants to “YHVH” from the word “Adonai” the name turned out to be “YaHoVaH.” However, this is the hybrid word used today and many translations have dropped “Jehovah” in favor of “Yahweh.”
When Jesus enters the scene of this world as he did in John’s Gospel, we discover that whenever he referred to himself as the great “I Am” it created a sudden impact moment on the crowd of the day. Mostly because of the reverence that was given to the name of the Lord and the fact that Jesus said he was the “I AM.” This sent the crowds and the Jewish leaders into a frantic frenzy over and over.
So, it becomes important to observe in the Gospel of John whenever Jesus uses this pivotal statement ‘I Am.” We need to know and remember the name “I Am” is Jesus’ claim to deity and it points us and the original hearers to that fact that He is Jehovah (Yahweh). When He says, “I Am” He is using the first-person tense and declaring, “I Am Yahweh” the same God that spoke to Moses from the burning bush.
T.S. - Jesus comes to us sent from God the Father as the “I Am in the Flesh – God in the flesh – the literal manifestation of the Word of God in living form!”
Selah - Pause and think about that a moment?
Listen to His “I Am” statements: Jesus is The Word of God in the flesh – the spoken Word of God in physical form – He always existed from the beginning of time! He is the “I AM!”
1. John 6:35: “I Am the bread of life!”
a. John’s Gospel has the most extensive series of “I Am” statements made by Jesus Christ.
i. The theological themes in John begin with the revelation that Jesus is the Logos (The revelatory Word of God) to the people of Israel and the world beyond.
ii. John 1:1, 2 and Exodus 3 all lay claim to the fact that Christ always “WAS!”
1. He is the same God who has been involved in the lives of individuals from the beginning of time.
2. John wanted to start out in his Gospel by establishing the truth that Jesus was 100% divine and 100% human in nature.
3. John uses the “I AM” statements of Jesus to emphasize and prove that Jesus was Christ-The Messiah- the Promised One - who would deliver the people of the world from the bondage of sin.
a. The “I Am’ statements in John are revelatory impact statements made by Jesus to define who He was and is. They all use the first-person terminology and clearly claim that He is the Great “I AM” of the Old Testament.
b. The historical background of Jesus first I am statement: I Am the Bread of Life!
i. The miracle feeding: Jesus has performed the miracle of feeding over 5,000 people supernaturally in the wilderness with a boys five small barley loaves, and two small fish. He took the loaves and fish which the boy gave them – He thanks God, and they distributed the boys lunch which amazingly fed all 5,000 plus people.
1. When Jesus performed this miracle, it fulfilled Biblical and Jewish prophecy!
a. The Jewish writings of the day spoke of the Messiah who would come at Passover, and he would repeat the Old Testament miracle of providing manna in the wilderness.
b. He would do this at Passover time revealing that He is the Messiah. One way he would do this would be by feeding a multitude like God did through Moses in the wilderness.
c. The Rabbis also noted that the latter Redeemer (that is the Messiah) shall be revealed and he will lead them into the wilderness of Judah where he will feed them.
d. Others were more specific and said he would feed the multitude in the desert of Og in Batanea or Bashan.
i. The day Jesus fed this multitude was around the Passover and he miraculously did it in the desert of Og.
e. Jesus fulfilled many of the Talmud and Hebraic writings from the Jewish leaders about the coming Messiah.
i. Note John 6:14, 15: 14After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
ii. The Jews were looking for The Prophet according to Deut. 18:44-22:14.
2. The supernatural crossing of the lake: After this miracle feeding Jesus withdrew to the mountain to pray. The disciples went down at dark got in their boat without Jesus to head home. A strong wind was blowing the journey was rough especially at night as they rowed, they noticed a figure walking on the water toward them – It was Jesus! They became afraid at first until Jesus said, “It is I; don’t be afraid!” Jesus gets in the boat after walking on the water to them!
3. The crowd follows Jesus because they were fed: The crowds catch up with them the next day knowing Jesus did not leave with them in the boat! How is that possible? They ask how he got there? He does not answer them but says – you are only following me for the meals I can provide without having to work hard for them – not because you believe “I Am” – That is the great “I Am” – You have to believe in the one God has sent to you!
4. Jesus clarifies His teaching and point:
a. Moses has given you the bread of Heaven – The Old Testament Law – first five books of the Bible called the Pentateuch which is Genesis-Exodus-Leviticus-Numbers-Deuteronomy.
b. But my Father has given you “The Word” – The Law in the flesh – Jon 6:33” For the Bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
5. Then Jesus says even more directly “I Am the bread of life.” Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
a. He adds – but you see me in the flesh, and you still do not believe me!
i. I feed you supernaturally – I walked on the water, I have spoken the Word to you but this is not enough for you!
ii. After Jesus teaching it says the Jews began grumbling about him – see John 6:42!
2. John 8:12: “I am the light of the world!”
a. The historical background of this statement: John 7 and 8.
i. Jesus continues teaching and doing miracles, people pick a part His words – call him demon possessed – there is arguments over who Jesus is among the Jews- the Jewish leaders totally do not believe Jesus is the Great “I Am!”
1. The Word of God in the flesh before them – a leader of the Jewish religious party defends Jesus Nicodemus – there is conflict and anger over Jesus and His teachings. Especially his miracles and claims. Jesus is denied as a prophet because no prophet would come from Galilee!
ii. Jesus responds to the critics - the leaders with His 2nd “I Am” statement get even more agitated. He says “I Am the light of the world. Whover follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
1. The religious leaders argue: He is not “The Light” yet John in the first chapter of John proves Jesus is the light of the world and he is the witness to it John the apostle– so was John the Baptist.
2. Jesus confronts the leaders back with these points:
a. I know who “I Am!”
b. I know where I came from and where I am going – you do not!
c. The Father is also His witness!
d. Jesus says it this way: John 8:19b “…If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”
3. John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” He adds verse 11 “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.”
3. John 10:7: “I Am the door or gate!”
a. Historical background of the statement: John 9 -10
i. The Jewish people and leadership witnessed Jesus heal a man born blind and yet they still do not really believe that Jesus is “The Word in the flesh” God’s Word spoken is now before them in physical form revealing the glory and the way to God the Father. But they refuse to open the door!
1. Instead of rejoicing in Jesus’ presence and miracle the leaders of their religious establishment investigate the healing of the man born blind – they doubt the man’s story – so they call for his parents they confirm that he was born blind – they disagree with each other if this is a real-life miracle- they call him a second time He responds:
a. John 9:24-34: Funny scenario I love the man’s responses:
i. “Whether he is a sinner or not I don’t know but I was blind and now I can see!”
ii. “I told you this, but you do not listen!”
iii. Question to leaders “Do you want to become his disciples too?”
1. Result they insulted him!
2. Moses is our leader not him – we know God spoke to him but as for this fellow we don’t even know where he came from – John answered that question in John 1!
a. Jesus was the Burning bush – with God the Father and The Holy Spirit!
3. The healed man challenges their thinking again – sinners don’t heal blind people that only happens by God so this man must be from God!
4. So, they threw him out!
ii. In light of this denial of this divine miracle by Jesus – and the denial of it by the religious leaders - Jesus says his third “I Am” statement John 10:7-10: “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”
iii. Jesus makes it clear He is the way into Heaven – He is the living Word which opens the ability for us to be in the presence of the God!
1. Yes, Moses God “I Am” is standing in front of them and they are blind – the religious leaders are lost, and they do not lead people to God the Father! They can not open the door to God and His presence or even to the truth!
4. John 10:11 “I Am the Good Sheperd!”
a. Historical Background of Jesus when making this statement.
i. The religious leaders are attacking Jesus – denying who He is in His teaching – questioning His miracles and truth. They claim to follow the God of Moses – but He is standing in front of them, and they cannot see him – they do not believe He is “I Am!”
1. Jesus makes it clear they are not good shepherds but bad ones – and the Good Sheperd will lay down His life for His sheep they will not – they are all about themselves and keeping their powerful positions!
2. He tells them they do not care for their sheep!
3. Jesus knows His sheep and they know Him – He even in verse 16 makes it plain that he has sheep from another pen – another race!
a. That would be us today – Gentiles!
4. He will lay his life down voluntarily no one can take it – He will give it to open the door for Heaven for all who believe!
5. In verse 19 they are divided again over Jesus statements and teachings and miracles!
5. John 11:25 “I Am the resurrection and the life!”
a. The historical context of this statement:
i. The Jews and leaders are in conflict over the claims of Jesus – they want to know are you the Messiah? John 10:22
1. I did tell you, but you did not believe me! Jesus said in John 10:25
ii. Jesus clarifies His teaching and statement again!
1. Jesus makes it clear again in verse 30 “I and the Father are One!”
a. The Jews pick up stones to stone Jesus!
b. They ask if He is the Messiah he answers and they want to stone Him because they do not like His answer!
2. Jesus responds to them again “I have shown you many good works from the Father, for which of these do you stone me?”
a. They are ready to stone him because they get it, He is claiming to be God!
b. They try to seize Him, but they cannot touch Him. His time is not yet!
iii. Jesus does another miracle to prove He is who he says He is – the undeniable miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead after 3 days of being dead!
1. John 11
a. Lazarus a close friend of Jesus and relative of some of his closest followers gets sick – Jesus keeps ministering where He is at and even stays two more days!
b. But after two days He says let’s go back – some of the other disciples tell him not to go because they almost stoned him last time He was there.
c. He gets criticized for going and we will see He gets criticized for waiting too long to come!
d. He tells them He is going to wake Lazarus up – because he is dead – He will wake him up so that they and others may believe!
e. When he gets there the sisters are mad at Him for not coming sooner to heal Lazarus – Jesus in the midst of their grief weeps too!
b. Jesus’ statement: “I Am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die, and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
i. Martha believes and states it to Jesus’ in verse 27:
1. 27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
ii. She goes and gets her sister Mary – when Mary sees Jesus, she says Her brother would not have died if you had come sooner!
1. Jesus sees her grief and pain and the others grief and pain!
2. Jesus – The Word of God in the flesh weeps with us in our grief and loss – He has empathy for our pain!
a. Jesus knows he will resurrect Him - but He stills feels their pain!
i. God cares and He weeps with us! If you believe in Him!
iii. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead!
1. The crowd goes wild with excitement and joy!
a. He is alive after being dead for days!
b. The legend of Jesus spreads like wildfire – people are believing He is the Messiah as He says!
iv. But the thought and minds of the religious leaders goes darker – Now the Jewish leaders say they must kill Jesus for their own sake and for the sake of Israel! They reason! But oh, how deceived they are! How dark!
1. So, the conspiracy is set in motion to Kill Jesus by the leaders who say they represent Him!
6. John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life!”
a. Historical Context of this statement:
i. The conspiracy to kill Jesus is underway by the religious leaders! Really to kill God in the flesh who they claim to serve and teach about!
ii. Jesus even predicts his death.
iii. Jesus washes His disciples’ feet and instructs the disciples about communion at the Lord’s supper at Passover.
iv. Yes - Jesus has been anointed for death and burial – He predicts his betrayal by one of his own Judas! Even after he has washed his feet!
v. Jesus predicts Peter’s denial!
vi. Jesus comforts His disciple’s!
b. His statement in this moment: John 14:6-7
i. “I Am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen him.”
ii. His own disciples struggle with what He says – they do see it! Who he is in the flesh – God’s Word!
1. God’s Word was manifested in the flesh with Jesus – this Bible is manifested in the flesh and blood of Jesus, and they have hung with Him for three years – they have seen the miracles – heard the teachings. Yet they still do not get it!
a. Jesus words-life-death and sacrifice make this book alive and active!
2. So, Jesus promises them the Holy Spirit which will help them see and understand all that has transpired around them for three years.
a. Jesus promises them help – a comforter – a teacher a guide to find truth – the way – to find life – real life!
b. Jesus knows we need help, so he sends the Holy Spirit to us!
7. John 15:1 “I Am the vine!”
a. Historical Context of this last statement from Jesus before His death!
i. Jesus has made it clear He is going to be killed – he could stop it if He wants but He knows this is the divine plan of the Father – the only way to save mankind is that there be a perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind – a spotless lamb must die and that lamb is Jesus.
ii. When he dies, they must stay connected to Him the vine – they must stay attached to His truth – His teaching – His story and believe in Him.
1. No matter what happens they must believe and allow God through the Holy Spirit to produce fruit in their lives. If they fail to produce fruit God will prune them away!
2. Jesus makes it clear they cannot produce fruit with their own works or hands only can fruit come from their life if they are connected to him the Vine of life.
3. They must understand the importance of being connected to the vine – there is no other way to eternal life and to bearing fruit for the Kingdom of Heaven.
a. Jesus says it again John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches if you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
b. He reminds them that He and the Father love them!
c. He reminds them that the world will hate them verse 18!
d. He reminds them that the Holy Spirit is coming – He will send them the Holy Spirit and they must attach to Him to produce fruit!
e. He will lead and guide them to the truth!
Conclusion:
What do we need to know from these 7 statements of Jesus – God’s Word in the flesh – in physical form? Jesus is the personification of the Word of God in physical form!
Answer:
The main meaning of the “I Am” statements spoken by Jesus in the Gospel of John are always traced back to the first appearance of the name for God as “I Am” in Exodus 3.
* The sad fact is though the nation of Israel as a whole rejected Jesus as their long awaited “Messiah” and refused to allow Him to lead them out of their current condition of bondage to sin. They rejected the movement of renewal and revival Jesus offered them! They choose instead to stay enslaved to sin by rejecting the sacrifice that Christ paid on the cross. Jesus used His statements to the Jewish people to prove to them who He was who he said He was - yet still many rejected Him.
Jesus even said at one point this statement in John 8:58 “…before Abraham was, I AM!”
The statement "I Am":
The words "I Am" in John's Gospel is a pivotal assertion by Jesus Christ. Jesus uses this name to reveal who He is. The titles, "I Am" and "Yahweh" come from the same root word. The difference though, in these names is the tense.
"I Am" is first person.
"Yahweh" is third person.
The "I Am" assertion signifies that Christ is the "I Am" who appeared to Moses in Exodus 3. The assertion Christ makes is "The Great I Am is standing right now in your presence.”
Review of the “I Am” Statements:
I AM the bread of life – Jesus said I am the one who can and will satisfy your eternal
hunger.
I AM the light of the world – Jesus points us to the light which will lead us out of the darkness of this world.
I AM the door – Jesus said I am the door there is no other door to Heaven and I am the one who opens and closes this gateway to eternal life.
I AM the resurrection and the life – Jesus said I am the one who brings dead people back to life and let’s them live forever. I am the one who defeated death by the power of my resurrection.
I Am the Good Shepherd - "I am the good shepherd... The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
I Am the Way, The Truth and the Life - Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Jesus is the only entrance to Heaven - When you meet Christ you will see He is the way. It becomes very clear through His personal touch on our lives. Once you have met and get to know Christ, you become aware of truth, what it looks like, what it sounds like, how it functions, what it does and does not do. The final point Christ makes here is once you accept Him as the Way, you find direction, this direction leads you into truth, on the discovery of truth you learn the meaning of life and this life is everlasting.
I Am the Vine! - 1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. We are chosen by Jesus to bear fruit – that is our divine purpose on this planet – in this life. We are to bear fruit that will last for eternity! Bearing fruit brings God glory. When we bear fruit and follow His Word, we prove that we are a friend of God.
We stay attached to the vine by feeding on His Word, we then bring God glory by living out the Word with our lives.
