The Great I Am

We had a few weeks of special messages around the holidays that I wanted to share with you. First is a short message from friend of Colona Community Church, Jim Juhl (the audio quality isn’t great, but it’s a lovely message). Also included is Terry’s message, entitled “The Great I Am,” from the Gospel of John.

Here’s Jim’s message:

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And Terry’s message:

The Great I Am

• Intro: We were created for relationship with God, but sin has gotten in between. There must be a second birth (John 3:3) to be saved from our sin. Jesus came to reconcile us to God.
• God calls Himself, “I Am” (Exodus 3:13-14); Jesus has seven “I Am” statements in the Gospel of John.
• “I Am the bread of life” (John 6:35)
  • Jesus had physically fed the 5,000 (John 6:1-14)
  • Now He is feeding them spiritually (v. 33-35)
• “I Am the light of the world” (John 8:12)
  • We can’t exist without light
  • Spiritually, we can’t thrive without His light chasing away the darkness
  • the Word is life & light (Psalm 119:105)
  • Light coming into the darkness makes people accountable for their sin.
    • John 3:19
    • 1 John 2:16
  • God is drawing people out of the darkness & into the light
  • the dwelling place of the believer is the Word of God
  • Matthew 6:33
• “I Am the gate/door” (John 10:9)
  • the door to eternal life
  • John 10:10 – the thief vs Jesus
• “I Am the good shepherd” (John 10:11; 12-15)
  • gives His life for the sheep
  • He is making intercession for us (Romans 8:34)
  • sheep have one obligation – keep your eye on the Shepherd
  • the Shepherd fends of the enemies of the sheep
    • sheep are easy marks
    • peace & joy come from knowing He’s looking out for us when we follow Him
  • the Shepherd sacrifices His life for the sheep
    • reversal of the Passover
• “I Am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25; 24-26)
  • v. 24: Martha knew the Scriptures
  • v. 25-26: Jesus gave new revelation to Martha
    • John 5:28-29 – everyone that dies will be resurrected
      • to eternal life or
      • to eternal damnation
• “I Am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; 1-7)
  • v. 1-3: He is preparing a place for us in the Father’s house
  • v. 4-5: the disciples didn’t know what He was talking about – they couldn’t truly understand until they had the Holy Spirit
  • v. 6-7: Jesus is all we need
• “I Am the true vine” (John 15:1; 2-6)
  • If He’s the true vine, there must be a false vine.
  • Isaiah 5: Israel was the vineyard, but the fruit rotted
  • v. 2: we will be pruned for our own good
  • v. 4-5: live & dwell in the Vine & God will take care of us
    • no other way to please God than to trust & obey
  • He wants Christlikeness in our lives – can’t do that apart from Him
    • if we abide in Him, the Spirit will produce fruit in us (Galatians 5:22-23)
  • v. 6: branches not bearing fruit will be taken away and burned
• He is all we need!