A. AN INTRODUCTION TO THE “I AMs”
1. There are 7 + 1 (7 is the number of perfection; 8 is the number of new things).
1. I am the bread of life – John 6:37.
2. I am the light of the world – John 8:12.
3. I am the door – John 10:9.
4. I am the good shepherd – John 10:11.
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.
2. The title “I Am” was first given to Moses. “God said unto Moses, ‘I Am that I Am’” (Ex. 3:19). Later God said, “I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob . . . but [by] My name JEHOVAH I was not known to them” (Ex. 6:3).
3. The root meaning of JEHOVAH or LORD is “I am, I am.” Which suggests “the self-existent One.”
• No one created the LORD.
• No one was before the LORD.
• No one is equal to the LORD.
4. When Jesus said, “I am the bread of life,” He meant,
a. Eternal life – (6:37).
b. Resurrection life – (6:38-44).
c. Satisfying life – (6:48-51).
d. Indwelling life – (6:52-59).
B. A STUDY OF THE WORD BREAD
1. Why does a person eat?
• We eat for health.
• We eat to get strength.
• We eat for enjoyment.
• We eat to fill our perceived need.
2. World hunger has little to do with food shortages. What causes hunger?
• Poverty – no land to grow, tools, seeds, or money.
• Armed conflict – no agricultural production, etc.
• Environmental overload – rapid population growth, metropolitan sprawl.
• Discrimination – no access to education, credit, jobs.
• Powerless people – no political clout.
3. Eleven million people die from starvation each year, but not due to the lack of food. They die of illnesses because their bodies are under nourished.
4. There are 815 million people in world who are undernourished.
5. Types of bread: white, rye, wheat, whole grain, unleavened, biscuits, rolls, muffins, pumpernickel, dumplings, fritters, pancakes, scones, waffles, tortillas, and corn bread.
6. Wheat has more vitamins (nourishment) than any other type of grain from which we make bread.
7. Secular tradition: unleavened bread used until an Egyptian slave set aside wheat flour dough which fermented and rose.
8. Christian tradition: since Jesus used bread as a symbol, it was a sin to throw away. They made a sign of the cross with knife and butter, always gave thanks – even if only a morsel.
C. JESUS USED THE “I AM” TITLES
1. Used in the last year of His ministry when proving His deity.
2. Jesus as bread satisfies the deepest hunger by people for God. “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matt. 5:6).
3. Jesus as bread overcomes the curse on Adam, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread” (Gen. 3:19). The cure of Christ, “I am the living bread . . . if any man eats of this bread, he shall live” (John 6:51).
4. Jesus as bread brings worship to God, a type of Old Testament bread offering to the Lord. “He (the priest) took one unleavened cake . . . and left them on the altar of burnt-offering: they were consecrated for a sweet savor . . . unto the Lord” (Lev. 8:26, 28).
5. Jesus as bread fulfills the type of the manna in the wilderness. “Moses gave you not that bread from heaven, but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven” (John 6:32).
Characteristics of Manna
• Daily, had to be gathered and eaten.
• Sufficient, for all family.
• Couldn’t store up, it would spoil.
• Healthy, it sustained life (no sickness).
6. Jesus as bread fulfills the Lord’s Prayer. “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11).
• Bread is a symbolic word that represents all our needs.
• Not a warehouse but a bread maker.
7. Jesus as bread is fulfilled in the communion. “Take eat, this is My body which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of Me” I Cor. 11:24).
• Broken bread is a picture of Jesus’ body that died for me.
• Eating is a picture of receiving His presence into my life. “You in me and I in you” (John 14:20).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
