1. Even though Jesus was well into His ministry, some people did not properly identify Him -- they considered Him to be one of God's great servants from the past. 2. Even though confusion still exists, "we can properly identify Jesus." 3. This morning we examined 4 sources that enable us to identify Him as God's Son, including God, the Scriptures, the Lord's signs, and credible witnesses. 4. In our lesson we are examining 8 of the Lord's statements in the Gospel of John that reveal key information about His identity. 5. These are called the "I am" statements of Jesus in John. 6. Studying these statements carefully will help us to properly identify Jesus.
Discussion:
I. "I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE" (John 6:35)
A. Jesus had fed the 5,000 (vs.1-14). B. Some people followed Him because they had eaten the food He provided (vs.26). C. Jesus calls upon us to seek the spiritual food He provides that leads to eternal life (vs.27).
II. "I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD" (John 8:12)
A. Jesus brought light to a world of darkness (John 1:4-5, 9). B. He identified Himself as "the light of the world" again when He gave sight to the man born blind (John 9:1-7).
III. "BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS, I AM" (John 8:58)
A. Jesus had stated in vs.56 that Abraham had seen His day. B. The Jews questioned Jesus about this in vs.57. C. The Lord's statement in vs.58 indicates that He is a member of the eternal Godhead, as John declared at the beginning of his Gospel (John 1:1-3, 14).
IV. "I AM THE DOOR OF THE SHEEP" (John 10:7-10)
A. To enter the sheepfold we must go through Jesus. B. Those who enter the sheepfold through Him will be blessed.
V. "I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD" (John 10:11-16)
A. Jesus is the Good Shepherd because He gave His life for the sheep. B. His sheep hear Him and follow Him.
VI. "I AM THE RESURRECTION, AND THE LIFE" (John 11:25)
A. Jesus gives His followers eternal life. B. He demonstrated the fact that He is "the resurrection and the life" by raising Lazarus from the grave (vs.43-44).
VII. "I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE" (John 14:6)
A. Jesus had said that He was going to His Father's house to prepare a place for His followers (vs.2). B. In vs.3 He stated that He will return and take His followers to the place He prepared. C. Jesus is the only way to the Father in heaven.
VIII. "I AM THE TRUE VINE" (John 15:1-8)
A. According to vs.8, bearing fruit is a requirement of the Lord's disciples, and it glorifies God. B. To bear fruit we must remain attached to the vine.
Conclusion:
1. In our lesson we have covered information that will help us to properly identify Jesus so we can know who He is. 2. Let us take to heart the admonition given in 2 Peter 3:18 that has to do with growing in our knowledge of Christ.
