March 12, 2017 Dr. Jim Cecy
JESUS: THE GREAT I AM (John 8:56-59) Introduction: Matthew 16:13-18 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He began asking His disciples, saying, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Simon Peter answered and said, ”Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.” “Who do you say I am?” How would you answer?
Who did Jesus say He is? The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke—present a synthesis of the whole story of Jesus’ ministry on earth) The Supplemental Gospel (John)—present highlights certain aspects of the life of Christ) John 20:30-31 “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”
The “Seven Signs of Jesus.” John 2:1-11 John 4:43-54 John 5:1-15 John 6:1-15 John 9:1-28 John 11:1-44
Jesus turns water into wine Jesus heals the official’s son Jesus makes the lame walk Jesus feeds the multitudes Jesus gives sign to the Blind Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead
The Seven Great “I AM” Statements in the Gospel of John = “Portraits of the Great I AM” Portrait #1: Portrait #2: Portrait #3: Portrait #4: Portrait #5: Portrait #6: Portrait #7:
“I AM the bread of life.” (John 6: 35, 48) “I AM the light of the world.” (John 8: 12, 9:5) “I AM the door.” (John 10:9) “I AM the good shepherd.” (John 10:11) “I AM the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) “I AM the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) “I AM the true vine.” (John 15:1)
John 8:56-59 “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple.
Image #1. Christ: Abraham’s Savior (John 8:56-57) John 8:56 “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” John 8:57 So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?”
Image #2. Jesus: The Eternal God (John 8:58) John 8:58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.”
Exodus 3:13-14 Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you. Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” The name “I AM” is the personal name of God Himself (from the Hebrew word: hayah). = “I am that I am” = “I always was and always will be.” = “I am the Ever-Existent One who is everything you need and have always needed.” = “I AM the Ever Existent God who meets all your needs” Jesus Christ, the Great I AM is . . . • Yahweh - Jireh — the Eternal One who provides (Gen. 22:13-14) • Yahweh - Rapha — the Eternal One who heals (Ex. 15:26) • Yahweh - Shammah — the Eternal One who is there (Ez. 48:35) • Yahweh - Tsidkenu — the Eternal One who is our righteousness (Jer. 23:6) • Yahweh - Shalom — the Eternal One who is our Peace (Ju. 6:24) • Yahweh - Nissi — the Eternal One who our Banner (i.e. our Rallying Point) (Ex. 17:15) • Yahweh - Ra’ah — the Eternal One who is our Shepherd (Ps. 23:1) • Yahweh - Sabbaoth — the Eternal One who is the Lord of Hosts (The Sovereign One) (1 Sam 1:3)
Image #3. Jesus: The Rejected Son (John 8:59) John 8:59a “Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him…” John 8:59b “...but Jesus hid Himself...”
Image #4. Jesus: The Patient Redeemer (John 8:59) John 8:59b “...but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple.” cf. 1 Samuel 4 regarding “Ichabod: The Glory of the Lord has departed) When Jesus arrived in the Temple...
But now that He just left the Temple...
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
Conclusion: 1 John 5:2 “He who has the Son has the life...”
Discussion Questions: 1. Why do you think the apostle John selected this “supplemental” Gospel story in John 8:56-59? Why is this so important? 2. Which of the images of Christ in John 8:56-59 most attracts you to Jesus? 3. What did you get most out of this message? 4. Which of the next seven “I AM” statements in the Gospel of John are you most interested in learning about?
© 2017 Dr. James M. Cecy | Campus Bible Church, Fresno, CA 93726 | www.campusbiblechurch.com
