BS5D - "I AM"

In Old Testament times “I AM” was the most holy name for God – the source of all life, the ever-living One. In Hebrew I AM = YHWH. It was pronounced “Yahweh” or “Jehovah” and means “the covenant-keeping God”.

“I” as a personal pronoun indicates that God wants to relate personally to us.
“AM” is the present tense. Everything about God is NOW! It’s never about the past or the future.

Moses was being commissioned by God to rescue the Israelites from their Egyptian oppressors and he clearly didn’t want to go. He asks God a series of questions and finally asks Him this one:
Exodus 3:13

How did God answer him?
Exodus 3:14

Now turn to John 8 where Jesus is having a very contentious dialog with a crowd of Jews.
John 8:48-57

How did Jesus respond?
John 8:58

When Jesus called Himself “I AM” the crowd knew what He was claiming and so what did they do?
John 8:59

When Jesus says “I AM” he means that where He is, there is God. When Jesus teaches, it’s as though God is teaching. What Jesus did, is what God would have done. Throughout the New Testament there are many verses where this name for God is used. Here are a few just from Matthew’s gospel.

“I AM willing” – Matthew 8:3
“I AM sending you out” – Matthew 10:16
“I AM gentle and lowly in heart” – Matthew 11:29
“I AM the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” – Matthew 22:32
“I AM the Son of God” – Matthew 27:43
“I AM with you always” – Matthew 28:20

But it’s in John’s gospel where John records Jesus specifically calling Himself:
“I AM ______” seven times. The blank is a noun Jesus uses to describe to us further who He is NOW. He was talking with the Jews of his time, but that “NOW” is today in our own lives. Let’s look at these seven “I AMs” because they have great relevance for every one of us. We’ll also talk about another “I AM that John writes about in Revelation.

“I AM the Bread of Life”

“Bread of life” refers back to a time when God sent manna from Heaven to sustain the children of Israel in their desert trek to the Promised Land. That “manna-bread” came directly from God – NOT through Moses their leader.
John 6:32

Jesus defines for the crowd what the “bread from God” is for them. How did He define this bread?
John 6:33

The people immediately responded.
John 6:34

And to their surprise what did Jesus declare?
John 6:35

The “bread of life” Jesus was declaring was not like the manna that would spoil after a day. It was his very person. He had been sent to them from God to be the fulfillment of all that they needed spiritually. They had only to “believe in Him” or to align their lives with HIS life and they would never hunger or thirst. But what was the problem for most of the people?
John 6:36

Still Jesus encourages them to come.
John 6:37

Within that crowd of unbelievers, Jesus knew there was probably a few who were still wondering, still hoping, that maybe He WAS the Messiah. He encourages those who were close to a decision with the fact that He was on a mission to do the Father’s will. What was that will?
John 6:38-40

Most in that crowd were unbelievers and that soon became obvious. What did they begin to grumble about Jesus?
John 6:41-42

Jesus knows what is going on and responds with further clarification.
John 6:43-46

These were Jews who claimed to know, love, and follow God the Father. Yet even as they were seeing God in action through Jesus, they would not believe. Jesus now tells us an important truth. In five verses he says the same truth three times in different ways. What is that truth?
John 6:47-51

An eternal life with God is ready and waiting for all who make Jesus their life and become fully united with Him. But that eternal life starts NOW while we live our life on earth.

In this discourse that John records for us, it’s interesting that he uses two different Greek words for eating. The first word is: “phagein”. It refers to when a person receives Jesus as Savior. They are in a sense “eating his flesh” and is a reference to a “once and for all” salvation. This word “phagein” is used by John in these verses:
John 6:50, 51, 52, 53

But there is a second Greek word for “eat” that is “trogan”. This word emphasizes that there is a continual or habitual eating that is needed to sustain life. That word “eat” is used as Jesus shifts the conversation to the need for us to continually feed on His life. These are the verses were “trogan” is used:
John 6:54, 56, 57, 58

Let’s put this altogether so we can clearly see what Jesus is claiming. During this entire discussion in a synagogue in Capernaum what does Jesus claim five times?
John 6:38, 41, 50, 51, 58

The fact that Jesus has “come down from Heaven” states clearly that He has been with God in eternity.

Then, three times Jesus tells us who has sent Him to us.
John 6:38, 44, 57

He has been sent by God to earth to be like the manna was to the children of Israel. While the manna physically sustained God’s people, Jesus was to be the “bread of life” that sustains our soul and spirit.

Hunger in the physical realm means that our stomach is empty. It’s growling to tell us “Feed me”. If we don’t feed it we soon feel a gnawing pain and our bodily systems begin to shut down. Being thirsty is even more serious. We can live without food for a long time, but without water we begin to shut down within days.

Sin had caused us to be born with a condition – we are spiritually dead. None of us could help what our first parents did and subsequently how we were born. But IN JESUS God sent a remedy to not only make us spiritually alive, but to actually be life in abundance for us.
John 10:10B

Jesus is claiming to be for us the “food and drink” that will fill our emptiness and I found for myself the truth of that many times in life.

Every time it revolved around people that I thought I knew and could count on. I was holding onto them as anchors in my life. But, when they walked out of my life, I felt I was adrift at sea and about to drown.

I believe now that God allowed these different situations to pull me towards the only anchor that we can truly find to be rock solid --- Jesus. In one instance I had such a deep sadness that I thought I would never find joy again. But during this sad time the only person I wanted to be with was Jesus. I literally clung to Him for dear life. I read and studied his words as often as I could. I took long walks and talked with Him. I would sit quietly with Him and just BE in His presence.

It took some time, but after about a year I had developed a new habit. Jesus became my truest friend, that as King Solomon says: “stuck closer to me than any brother or sister could have” (Proverbs 18:24). Instead of turning to people first with my aching hunger and thirst, I went to Him.

Then came an important day of revelation. I was on a sales trip and alone in my motel room. I suddenly realized that I felt happy and content just being with Jesus. Hardly without my knowing it, He had filled the aching emptiness in my soul. He had replaced my deep sadness with a quiet contentment and joy at just being in His presence. He had snuck up on me and become “the bread of life”.

I AM the Light of the World

In a sweeping few verses the Apostle John writes about how “the Word” (Jesus) was in the beginning with God in eternity and how God did all His creating through Jesus.
John 1:1-3

In this “Word” (Jesus) was “life” and what did that “life” become for all mankind?
John 1:4

The Greek word for “life” is zoe. Zoe is life that is real and genuine, devoted to God, and the kind of “God-life” that keeps us fresh, strong, and blessed in every way. The Psalmist puts this “zoe” kind of life into a clear picture for us.
Psalm 1:3

The “Word” John was writing about was Jesus. Prior to Jesus coming to the earth, how did God speak to His people?
Hebrews 1:1

But NOW, God was going to do something new and more personal. How was He going to speak to us?
Hebrews 1:2

Jesus was going to be God’s personal “Word” to anyone who would listen to Him. And why should we listen to Jesus?
Hebrews 1:3

Jesus as the exact representation of God the Father was going to “show” the world exactly what the loving heart of God was really like. God wasn’t content to just give us a road map to Him. No, He would send His Son to literally take our hand and show us the way.

Because of sin, the situation in the world had deteriorated so much that the Prophet Isaiah predicted God would send “a great light”. Who was God going to send this great light to?
Isaiah 9:2

Here we have Israel – God’s own people --- as the ones described as people walking in darkness and living in the “land of the shadow of death!”

God had planned to use the nation of Israel to bless every one else on earth – including the Gentiles. What did God want Israel to spread to the ends of the earth?
Isaiah 49:6 / Acts 13:47

They failed miserably and now needed saving themselves. Spiritual darkness had settled over the land and God pointed his finger straight at the leaders and prophets in Israel. As you read this passage, list for yourself what they were doing.
Micah 3:1-7

What did God do as a result?
Reread Micah 3:4, 6-7

There was then 400 years of silence before God would send Jesus to break that silence. Jesus was the first man back on earth filled with the Spirit of God (the way we were all originally created) and that’s why John says that “the Word was life”. Into a world now spiritually blind Jesus would shine God’s light of truth.
John 1:4-5

We might think that was a hopeful and happy day for the Israelites to have God’s light walking in their midst. But what happened instead?
John 1:10-11 / John 3:19-20

To the Jews God had given His Word – the Scriptures – to be their guide through life. They had “the truth” to keep them close to God and on the right path. But just having the truth isn’t good enough. We have to live by that truth. Who therefore does Jesus say will be glad to have His light?
John 3:21

When we “live by the truth” we do what is right in God’s eyes. What will that mean for us? Make a list of what Paul says.
Romans 13:8-14

Notice in verse 14 that we are to clothe ourselves in the Lord Jesus Christ and when we do that, He becomes our “armor of light” (mentioned in vs 12).

As God’s children clothed in the light of Christ, we become light for others. What can Jesus shining through us do for someone else?
Ephesians 5:13-14

In brief, darkness hides and light exposes. Our eyes are the means by which we see light and if those eyes are bad, we remain in darkness.

One day Jesus and his disciples were walking along and they saw a man who was blind. They had perhaps seen this man before or been told that he had been blind from birth (John 9:1) and this prompted a question from the disciples.
John 9:2

The Jews were taught that when such unusual things as blindness came upon someone that sin was lurking somewhere in their background. Jesus surprised them with His answer.
John 9:3

This man’s physical eyes were bad and so he lived in darkness. But further, this man lived during a time and amongst a people that were in great spiritual darkness. If our spirits are dead, we stay in darkness. Jesus knew this double fact (bad eyes and dead spirit) and now makes His great proclamation.
John 9:5

The first thing Jesus tackles is the situation with the man’s bad physical eyes. What does he do?
John 9:6-7

And WHEN did Jesus do this?
John 9:14

The blind man’s neighbors and people who had seen him begging questioned amongst themselves whether he was the same man. And then they questioned the blind man himself. Finally, they brought him to the Pharisees for questioning. And instead of rejoicing that the man could now see what did they say?
John 9:16

Still not believing that the man had been blind in the first place, they sent for his parents. What two things did his parents confirm?
John 9:20

What couldn’t they confirm?
John 9:21

So now, for a second time, the Pharisees questioned the man born blind. What is the first thing he tells the Pharisees he is sure about?
John 9:25

This starts a rather hostile exchange. But through this exchange the blind man is not only seeing physically, but he had woken up spiritually. He “sees” through their pride and pretense and courageously confronts them.
John 9: 30-33

For this confrontation he is thrown out of the synagogue (John 9:34) which was no small thing. Notice who goes looking for the man.
John 9:35A

Jesus has found the man so He could finish the healing process. What is the result?
John 9:35B – 38

Jesus as the light restored his physical eyes and then awakened his dead spirit so he was now whole in body and in spirit.

Then Jesus says something within the hearing of the Pharisees that should rouse us today out of our sleep and darkness.
John 9:39-41

The meaning of “judgment” here is not the sense of condemnation, for Jesus clearly says elsewhere He hasn’t come to condemn the world (John 3:17 / 5:45 / 12:47). The sense in which the word judgment is used here is to reveal the condition of men. The result of His coming as “the light of the world” will expose our true spiritual condition: referring to all of us who are blind and ignorant of our sin and therefore have minds which are darkened – yet, who desire to see. But why would Jesus say that “those who see will become blind?”
Reread John 9:39B

The effect of light will either be one way or another. It will soften the heart to embrace the truth of what Jesus is showing us (so that we can walk into the light of Christ’s salvation). Or, for those who think they are without sin and are perfect in their own eyes, the effect of truth can also harden the heart sinking a person deeper into blindness. It was a clear warning to all pharisees then and all pharisees now.

Albert Barnes in his commentary of John 9:41 says: “This passage teaches conclusively:

1. People are not condemned for what they cannot do.

2. The reason why they are condemned is that they are not disposed to receive the truth. (Or the light that Christ brings them)
3. Pride and self-confidence are the source of condemnation
4. If people are condemned, they, and not God, will be to blame.

People’s sins will always be unpardoned while they are proud, and self-sufficient, and confident of their own wisdom. If they will come with humble hearts and confess their ignorance, God will forgive, enlighten, and guide them in the path to heaven.”

What is Christ’s desire for ALL of us today?
John 12:46

Some of us need physical eyes that work but ALL of us need a new spirit that can perceive the things of God and Jesus longs to be the light that blasts through our darkness.

 I AM the Good Shepherd

Jesus grew up in a land that was full of sheep. Therefore, it was natural for Him to use analogies about sheep, shepherds, and wolves to get His point across.

WHO was Christ’s ministry primarily to?
Matthew 10:6 / Matthew 15:24

One day as Jesus looked out over the crowds, he was filled with a great compassion for them. Why?
Matthew 9:36

Jesus had been sent to earth by God to tend first to God’s own people – the Jews—who were now like lost sheep. He was comparing sinners (ones who live independent from God) to sheep without a shepherd (strays who have left the flock and are roaming out on their own.

If Jesus felt compassion, it means that was what God was feeling. For what purpose had God created the nation of Israel to be to Him?
Exodus 19:5 / Deuteronomy 14:2 / 26:19

But John described the crowds that Jesus looked out over as harassed and helpless. It’s true that they spent their daily lives under Roman occupation. But the phrase “they were like sheep without a shepherd” alludes to the leadership of Israel.

From the Old Testament we find many examples of what false shepherds or bad leadership looked like. As you read these verses make a list of what these false shepherds were doing.
Isaiah 56:10-12 / Jeremiah 6:13 / 23:11,14,16,25 / 50:6 / Lamentations 2:14 /
Ezekiel 34:1-10/ Zechariah 11:17

We can see from this picture why the people of God were so lost and why God was so displeased with His leaders.

Now turn back to Ezekiel 34 to see what God promises the people. Over and over in these verses we see the phrase “I will”. Write down all the things that God says He will do.
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

Notice in verses 11 and 15 that God speaking through the Prophet Ezekiel says with emphasis….”I myself will” or in the King James version: “I, even I will”. God is fed up with these leaders and He is promising HIMSELF to come and lead them.

Therefore, at just the right time (Galatians 4:4) God sent Jesus into that Jewish society and who did He claim to be?
John 10:11,14

Here was Jesus saying He was THE Good Shepherd promised in Ezekiel who had come to lead them. And what was the most important thing that Jesus as their shepherd would do for them? He repeats it three times in these verses.
John 10:11, 15, 17

Most in the crowd – especially the leaders – know what Jesus was claiming. God Himself had finally come in human form to fulfill what Ezekiel had promised. How did the crowd respond?
John 10:19-21

I AM the Door (Gate)

A sheep pen was a walled enclosure that protected a shepherd’s flock against predators, especially at night. These pens were often made of stones with thorny brush poked into the top of the walls. It contained only a single narrow opening that allowed the shepherd to control which sheep got in or out.

Prior to Jesus proclaiming that He is the Good Shepherd, He talked with these same crowds and their Jewish leaders about a sheep pen and especially the door or gate into it. Who enters by the door and who doesn’t?
John 10:1-2

Jesus was trying to make a point and they weren’t getting it.
John 10:6

Therefore, Jesus tells them more directly.
John 10:7-9

Jesus is proclaiming that He is the only way into God’s true sheep fold (or family). The Jews were incensed by this! Who did they proudly proclaim they were?
John 8:33, 39A

Jesus already knew that as “children of Abraham” the Jews considered themselves true children of God. But Jesus didn’t agree. Why?
John 8:39B – 46

What was the reason that they could not and would not take in what Jesus was saying to them?
John 8:47

The Jewish people were intensely proud of their heritage as God’s chosen people – children of Abraham. Now, here was a man doing miracles in their midst, claiming He was God, and accusing them of NOT being true children of God! What question did they ask Jesus at the Feast of Dedication in the temple area?
John 10:22-24

How does Jesus respond to them?
John 10:25-30

Why wouldn’t they believe?
John 10:26

What do all true sheep do?
John 10:27

These people were neither listening or following.

What does Jesus plainly tell them again?
John 10:30

And how did the crowd respond?
John 10:31-33

Jesus next addresses them from the law, which they claimed they believed and followed. But it was no good. His words fell on deaf ears.
John 10:34-39

Jesus had come from God as the promised Good Shepherd and He is saying to all of us that He is the only door into the true family of God. He is the only entrance into a new life with God. If we want deep satisfaction in life we must go through Jesus. He is the “I AM” who offers us fullness of life!
John 10:10

Most people don’t like the fact that there is only one door. They react to the exclusivity of it. They feel that there are many ways to reach the same end. But Jesus is telling us this is not so. When we enter through Him, what will we receive?
John 10:9A

Then, we’ll have the liberty to go in and out of the sheep pen. We’ll go in for safety and protection and we’ll go out for food and service.
John 10:9B

Perhaps the Jews after years of bad shepherds were afraid and maybe we feel some of that same fear. But God tells us through Isaiah how Jesus will tend His flock.
Isaiah 40:11 / Isaiah 43:1-4

And Jesus confirms that by extending his hand to us.
Matthew 11:28-30

I AM the Resurrection and the Life

Jesus had a few close friends – Lazarus, along with his sisters Mary and Martha -- that had a home about 2 miles outside of Jerusalem in a town called Bethany.  One day Jesus received word from the sisters that Lazarus was very ill. What was Jesus’ response upon hearing the news?
John 11:4

The Greek word for death here means “remaining under death” or “permanent or unchanging death”.  Jesus therefore was not denying that Lazarus would die, but he goes on to say that He would raise him up to show forth God’s power and glory.

We might expect that Jesus made double-time to get to his dear friends. But He did not. What did He do instead?
John 11:6

Finally, Jesus announces to his disciples that they will go to Bethany. How does He phrase the situation?
John 11:11

The word “sleep” in pagan writings was often used instead of the word “death”. But in the scriptures, “sleep” is used to intimate that death will not be final. It’s applied usually to the saints and is a tender expression to remove all that is fearful in death. It’s a reference to a calm repose after a life of toil with a future awakening of increased vigor and power. That is the word Jesus uses here and was misunderstood by the disciples.
John 11:12-15

Before they head off, Thomas says something strange to the other disciples.
John 11:16

Lately when they were in Judea (which was where Bethany was located) the people had attempted to stone Jesus. That’s why when Jesus suggested they head back to Judea the disciples objected.
John 11:8

Thomas may have meant by his words that Jesus was about to throw himself again into danger which might mean he will die. Therefore, he is suggesting they go with him to attend to him and perhaps even die with him.

When Jesus finally got to Bethany how long had Lazarus been in the tomb?
John 11:17

Who went out to meet Jesus and what was said?
John 11:20-22

“Lord, if only you had been here” – a gentle rebuke -- with evidence of her faith that if Jesus had been there Lazarus would not have died.

“Even now I know” – Martha expresses her faith in Jesus as the Messiah who has come directly to them from God.

Jesus now makes a promise to Martha that she misinterprets.
John 11:23

Jesus was referring to an act He was about to perform, but Martha was enjoying the consolation of thinking that Lazarus would rise in a future resurrection.
John 11:24

And now comes one of the greatest claims that Jesus could say about himself.
John 11:25-26

Although Martha doesn’t understand what Jesus is saying, she affirms her belief in what she knows without a doubt.
John 11:27

Then, perhaps thinking that her sister Mary would understand all this better, she abruptly leaves to get her. Notice that when Mary arrives to Jesus, she says virtually the same as Martha.
John 11:32 (compare with John 11:21)

They had seen Jesus many times heal blind people, deaf people, and all kinds of sick people. They had hoped Jesus would do this for Lazarus. But Jesus wanted to go beyond just healing another sick person. He wanted to use Lazarus as an example for all time that Jesus was able to triumph over death. If we are to know resurrection we need to know death first. For there can be no resurrection without death.
Philippians 3:10-11

That’s why Jesus waited two more days before heading for Bethany. He wanted to be sure Lazarus was fully dead. What had Isaiah predicted would happen concerning death.
Isaiah 25:8

Now, here was Jesus about to fulfill part of that prophesy. We think of resurrection today as an event because we know it has taken place. But remember at this time Jesus had not died yet and therefore his friends didn’t know about such an event.

Notice that Jesus didn’t say, “I will raise the dead”, or “I perform resurrection”. He said, “I AM the resurrection”. Death is the end of natural life, but when Jesus says “I AM the resurrection” it’s like he is saying: “I AM the power able to raise up and restore anything that has died.”

Jesus is the source of all life. His claim is not only “I AM the resurrection”. If something is resurrected it must come back to life. His full claim is: “I AM the resurrection and the life”.  Death comes first, then resurrection, and then life. The Greek word for life is “zoe”. It refers to the absolute fullness of life as belongs to God. Jesus was about to give the gift of life back to his friend Lazarus.
John 11:33-43

Notice in verse 43 that Jesus called out in a “loud voice”.  This was in contrast to what the ancient magicians and jugglers did. They performed all their wonders by whispering and muttering. Jesus spoke with a loud, clear voice so that all could hear and fully understand His power to do what He was about to do. He did this in public, in open day, and with many witnesses.
John 11:31

He called Lazarus by name and Lazarus walked out of the tomb. But there was a problem for Lazarus that Jesus had yet to take care of. What was it?
John 11:44-45

This is important because life after resurrection is different from life before resurrection. Life before resurrection is full of restrictions and things that bind us (grave clothes). Jesus ordered these be removed because life after resurrection is free and unrestrained. The “zoe” life of God makes us free and unbound from everything that tries to restrict us.

How Does Jesus Being “The Resurrection and the Life” Relate to Us Today?

All of us are born with a physical body that is alive in a natural, physical way. But because of the sin nature we inherit from our parents, we are born spiritually dead – without the life of God within us.

God knows this is everyone’s condition and that we can’t do anything about it. Therefore, before sin even came into the world, God put a plan in place (in eternity) that would give us all the opportunity to come out of our condition. God put us (the old sinful nature that we inherited) into Jesus back in eternity.
1 Cor 1:30A

Why is this important?

It's because we are in Jesus that whatever happens to him, happens to us. Bible teacher Watchman Nee gave a clear example of this truth when he placed a piece of paper inside of his Bible. He asked his audience:
“What happens when I throw this Bible into the river?
Answer: The paper goes with it and gets wet.
“What happens when I bury the Bible?”
Answer: The paper is buried with it.
“What happens if I burn the Bible?”
Answer: The paper is burned with it.

This is what the Apostle Paul is also telling us. As you read these verses list the experiences that Jesus had and therefore, we have had as well – all because God has put us into Jesus.
Romans 6:3-10 / Romans 7:4-6 / 2 Corinthians 4:14 / Colossians 2:9-13

There can’t be resurrection if there isn’t death first.  All of us are born in the condition of spiritual death.
Ephesians 2:1-3

But because God puts us into Jesus, the old sin nature we are born with, died with Him on the cross (Romans 6:6) and what is the result?
Ephesians 2:4-6

Can you see that there is nothing that you or I did to make this happen? All has been done by God through Jesus and that is what grace is. Grace is God’s kindness and favor to all of us who have been alienated from God through sin.
Ephesians 2:7-9

We start life in spiritual death….
God crucifies the sinful nature we inherited, in His Son on the cross. Therefore, when Jesus died we died…..
We are buried with Jesus to our old life……
God raises us up with Jesus…….so that the life we live after resurrection is where?
Reread: Ephesians 2:6

Life after resurrection is completely different from before resurrection. And why is that? It’s because we have a new perspective. Since we are (in spirit) with Jesus at God’s right hand, we are looking down on our problems and trials rather than being buried by them. From God’s perspective they are already solved and that becomes our perspective as well. Because we are “in Christ” our citizenship has changed.
Colossians 1:13-14

Before our death with Christ, we were alienated from God, and living our lives the best we could. Everything we did was for ourselves because we wanted to survive and be better than everyone else. But because our perspective has changed who do we live for now?
2 Corinthians 5:15

WHAT does the Apostle Paul say we are now?
2 Corinthians 5:17

This “new creation” in Christ is our same physical body but with a spirit that has now been made alive by Christ’s own Spirit. Who is now doing the living using our body?
Galatians 2:20-21

And WHO has orchestrated all of this?
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

BUT…..I don’t feel anything is different in my life! How can this be true?

God truly has done everything to reverse the condition we are born with: having an inherited sin nature that keeps us alienated from God.  But God doesn’t want robots that have to love Him and that’s why He gave us free-will. Therefore, we do have to make a decision. What is required of us?
Romans 10:9-10

Let’s break these verses down.
What do we confess with our mouths?
Romans 10:9A

To confess before others that Jesus is now our Lord means that we have a new master. We are no longer in charge and we follow Jesus wherever He leads us rather than living for ourselves.

What do we believe in our hearts?
Romans 10:9B

To believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead means that we acknowledge that God has the divine power to bring back life where there has only been death. We acknowledge that we were once dead to God but now we are alive to Him. That’s because when God raised Jesus, He also raised you and I. Now our desire is to live wholly for God.

What happens when we believe God raised Jesus from the dead?
Romans 10:10A

To be justified, is to be made in God’s eyes, “just-as-if-we-had-never-sinned”.  We have been restored to be the people God originally intended us to be.

Finally, what happens when we confess with our mouths all that God has done for us in Jesus?
Romans 10:10B

That word saved in Romans 10:9 is “sozo” in Greek and it is packed with meaning.  It can be translated: delivered, protected, healed, preserved, do well, be made whole.
In Romans 10:10 the word saved or salvation is “soteria” and also means deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation.

We have been delivered from having to keep on sinning in the present because our carnal sin nature has been rendered inoperative at the cross.  We are saved from the final consequences sin always produces. We are healed from the debilitating sicknesses and pains that affect our body and soul. We are rescued out of the kingdom of darkness and transferred to God’s Kingdom. We are restored and made whole in Jesus.

While God has done a complete work, all that is left for us to do is to believe and receive.
John 1:12

Believe + Receive = Become

We believe that what God has done in Jesus (His death, burial, and resurrection) is sufficient for our own life. Then, we receive the “Spirit of Life” that Jesus offers us. He gives us His own Holy Spirit to indwell our human spirit that has now been made alive to God. Christ’s Spirit within us is the power we’ll need to follow Jesus and do as He asks of us.
How do we know all this can happen?
Romans 10:13

It's a promise!

One More Thing About Christ’s Claim “I AM the resurrection and the life”

There are things in this fallen world that may seem dead to you. Often, it’s been something vital and alive in your life but now has died. It might be your marriage, your business, or a friendship gone sour. You have tried everything you know to keep it alive, but still there has been no change. It’s when we run out of our own ideas that Jesus as our “Resurrection and Life” can work on our behalf.

There are battles we face that can only be fought by the Lord on our behalf. Why? Because He alone knows every heart. He knows where there are invisible walls that we can’t see. He knows the invisible forces that want to keep us divided and at odds to one another.
Ephesians 6:12

For these situations that are dead, our part is to stand with the Lord and allow Him to work.
Ephesians 6:10-11

Notice we don’t stand in our own strength but in the Lord’s strength. For this we have to put on armor.
Ephesians 6:13-18

When we “stand” with the Lord -- wearing all the armor God gives us -- it means we  “hold our ground”. We hold a defensive position while letting the Lord fight on our behalf. We stand and hold our position of victory.
2 Chronicles 20:17

The hopeless, dead situations in our life that are important to us (and God) such as our marriages or friendships in the body of Christ can be raised to new life when we allow Jesus as the resurrection and the life to work on our behalf. He is God and able to do what we cannot.
Luke 1:37

I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life

When a Christian states that there is only one way to God – through Jesus—they are sharing what Jesus himself, told his followers. He said to them, “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me.”

Far from being exclusive or arrogant, Jesus wanted to make it clear about the way every man and woman could be made right with God and enjoy His love and fellowship.

To understand this better just imagine that the town you live in was hit by a devastating tornado. Your home is demolished and you are living in your car which had survived total damage. The state declared your town a disaster area and set up relief funds to give help. To get these funds, “a way” was set up to apply. You needed to call a certain phone number, and have an agent come out to access the damage.

One of your neighbors told you that there were five ways you could get this help. You tried all of them and nothing happened. But another neighbor told you the ONE phone number you needed to call to get the right agency that could help you. Which neighbor was a true friend to you? Was the one who told you the truth arrogant and exclusive?

If men and governments set up certain ways and systems for obtaining something like emergency funds, would it be reasonable to say that God might do the same?

This claim of Jesus has disturbed people for centuries because men and women feel there are many ways to “practice religion” and they would be right. There are many religions, and people all over the world practice them for various reasons. Therefore, in this study we must be clear what Jesus is claiming. Read first his words for yourself.
John 14:6

In the second part of that verse Jesus is claiming to be “the way” to the Father. He has come to earth from eternity and therefore knows the way we can find God. The word for “way” in the Greek is “hados” and it means a road or highway. Isaiah had predicted that a great restoration would be coming because God was coming and what was He planning to do?
Isaiah 35:4-7

What would be running through the deserted land?
Isaiah 35:8A

WHO will walk on that highway and WHO won’t be allowed to travel on it?
Isaiah 35:8B

Jesus is that predicted highway which is a holy way. He is the one who provides access into the throne room of God for those who are redeemed.
John 10:9 / Ephesians 2:18 / Ephesians 3:12

Notice in Ephesians 2:18 it says “Through Him (Jesus) we BOTH have access…” This means that both Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) have access to God through Jesus.

Jesus is not talking about a religion with these words, for religion in its essence, is man’s way of reaching God through his own systems.  What Jesus is saying is that He can reveal God the Father to anyone who wants to know and show us how to find Him. He is also saying that we can have a relationship with God by having a relationship with Him. Wherever we are in our point of experience, at whatever stage of sin, this way begins where we are NOW. We only need to take it and Jesus will lead us to God.
John 14:8-11

If you only want to “practice a religion” you are free to choose any of them. But if you want to find the one true God, then Jesus is THE ONLY WAY. That is what He is claiming.

Jesus can only be “the way” if He is also “the truth” and “the life”. The three parts of His claim all hang together.

Jesus didn’t say, “I speak the truth” but “I AM the truth”. In his very person and work we find all truth that is essential to know. In his own words Jesus told us why He came into the world.
John 18:37

Men and women ask the question “Who is God” and then what they conceive as God is only a higher version of themselves. But it’s impossible for us to have a sufficient idea of God because none of us have been beyond this earth to where God is --- except Jesus.
John 17:3-5 (especially vs. 5)

Jesus in His own person is THE TRUTH about God. The way to KNOW God is to KNOW Jesus.
John 14:7

But just having knowledge isn’t enough. In Jesus we also find the living power to use the truth about God that He gives us. In other words, He is also “the life” or the “living way” for us. Jesus brings us into connection with the source of all life (God the Father) by being the personal guide every one of us needs.

When we don’t live according to “the truth” (Jesus) then we lack life. Jesus has the life of God in Himself and is therefore a “life-giving” Spirit.
1 Corinthians 15:45

Life is fundamental to Christ’s being and His life is light for all people.
John 1:4 / John 5:26

In his own words Jesus tells us more about why He came to earth.
John 10:10B

The Apostle John sums it up in this verse:
1 John 5:12

Therefore, “the way” that we commit ourselves when we seek to know God is through Jesus Christ – a person – a living way. We aren’t just handed a map to walk a road alone. We don’t need to guess. Jesus is blazing the trail before us and that’s why we follow Him. He opens doors we didn’t have the ability to open and closes ones that would have taken us off the way.

You might ask this question: “But, since Jesus has left the earth -- do I just imagine Him?”
No! Jesus promised His disciples that He would give His own Spirit to them after He left the earth. He kept this promise to His disciples (Acts 1:8) and He keeps this promise to us today (Luke 11:13).  By giving us His Spirit to indwell our human spirit what could we all know?
John 16:13

The Holy Spirit (third person of the trinity) is the same Spirit that indwells God the Father and Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:9). When we receive Jesus, we receive the Holy Spirit into our human spirit and in this way, we are in constant communication and knowledge of what God wants us to do.
1 Corinthians 2:10-15

The life of Jesus within us by His Spirit becomes the means to seeing truth, which in turn becomes our way through life on earth right into the throne room of God. It starts with Jesus NOW and He and I, or Jesus and you, walk through life together.

Christianity isn’t an invitation to join others in a religion of do’s and don’ts. It’s an invitation to walk with Christ along a narrow highway that leads to God the Father.

I AM THE TRUE VINE

Palestine abounded in vineyards and was a clear and present picture to illustrate spiritual truth. The vine was the picture the Old Testament prophets used of the Jewish people. God had planted this vine (His people) and He had great expectations for them because He worked to cultivate them for His use. But what happened instead?
Isaiah 5:2

Instead of abounding in blessing for the world, Israel has become an exclusive, insular culture concerned mainly for themselves. This left God asking questions.
Isaiah 5:4 / Jeremiah 2:21

WHAT did God decide to do with his “unfruitful vine” called Israel?
Isaiah 5:5-6

WHY did God decide on this path towards His people? List the reasons from these verses.
Isaiah 5:7 (especially 7B) / Ezekiel 15:8 / Hosea 10:1-2, 13

The people of Israel failed miserably to be the fruitful vine that would show God to the world and be a blessing for everyone. They didn’t bring forth any fruit to God. Therefore, they were NOT the “true vine”.

Instead, God planted His Son on the earth to be like a great fruit tree and do what the Hebrew nation failed to do. Therefore, Jesus stated another claim about himself.
John 15:1

The word “true” means real or genuine. It distinguishes Jesus from all that is false and unreal. Just as a vine yields nourishment to all the branches enabling them to bear luscious grapes, so Jesus is the source of all real life to his disciples, enabling us to bear fruit for God.

In the same verse, Jesus tells us about His relationship with His Father and how their work would differ.
Reread John 15:1

God the Father is the source of all blessing to men and women but He does it through His Son. All grace flows through Jesus who is the true vine planted by God in the earth.
John 1:14, 17

Implied in the fact that Jesus is the vine, is the fact that all who are united by faith to the Lord Jesus Christ are the branches.
John 15:5A

Therefore, according to John 15:1, God the Father is the vinedresser or gardener. He cares for all the branches. Therefore, we learn in these few verses that there is an intimate relationship between Jesus and us and the Father who tends us all.

Christ’s plan when He left the earth, was that His disciples would carry on His work. He would give them His own Spirit to indwell their human spirit. What would His Spirit give His disciples the power to do?
Acts 1:8 / 2 Corinthians 5:19-20

WHO makes us competent (or qualified) to carry on Christ’s work to the world?
2 Corinthians 3:5-6

Here in these verses, we see that same intimate relationship that John spoke about in John 15. God is the one who qualifies us to be witnesses to the new covenant of grace. As long as we the branches stay attached to Jesus (the true vine), the living sap of the Holy Spirit flows into us. 2 Corinthians 3:6 ends with: “…for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” NIV or “The old covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life.” NLT

It's the life (sap) of the Holy Spirit flowing through Jesus (the true vine) and out to you and I (the branches) that is able to produce fruit (grapes) for the world. It’s this fruit (grapes) that give nourishment, refreshment, and pleasure to people in the world who need it.

This stresses the need for us to stay abiding or living in Jesus (attached to the vine). If we do, what is promised?
John 15:5A, 7-8

If we detach ourselves from Jesus what will happen?
John 15:5b-6

Jesus was showing us (by this vine and branches analogy) that if we want to produce fruit that will last for eternity, we are going to have to stay attached to the vine and on a “short leash”. What does this mean?

When a dog is on a short leash he can’t just run after every rabbit he sees off in the distance. If he does, he gets a sharp yank in his neck! So too, we won’t be able to hear of a need and just take off to attend to it at our own whim and choosing. At all times we have to stay in step with Jesus and move only when He says to move.

We are often a dissipated people – pulled in all directions – doing good but exhausted from doing it without Jesus. He wants us focused like a laser beam on what He has asked us to do – NOT on what WE THINK He wants us to do. Jesus knows that if we stay attached to Him our reach will be short. Therefore, what does He promise us?
John 14:13-14 / John 15:7, 16

Our part is to stay abiding in Him and ASK. His part is TO DO whatever we ask and to do it for us! If that seems a little backwards, that’s because we are used to operating in the wrong direction. Only God – using our mind, will, emotions, and body – has the power to say and do the right things at the right time. Only He has the knowledge and wisdom to see behind and through the mountains of our lives. And so, Jesus invites us……Reread John 15:7 (and memorize it too!)

Waiting upon God’s timing isn’t easy, but it’s always the right time. Since we are meant to operate WITH GOD, He will use our faculties to do the work that HE wants to do. That means our branch on His vine will bear much fruit and bring Him much glory. Learn to be satisfied on a “short leash” and ask God to do FOR YOU the things you can’t reach. Isaiah tells us the wonder of waiting on God.
Isaiah 64:4

It’s a sobering thought that the vine can’t produce grapes without the branches – meaning that we need Jesus but He also needs us. Christ’s claim to be the “true vine” is the only vine we should want to be attached to.

Aligning ourselves with other vines may produce some temporary fruit, but never fruit that will last to eternity. Being a conduit of Christ’s life for others can only happen when we let go of our own efforts and goals. Choose to be happy and satisfied staying attached to Jesus who supplies all we need to live out our destiny.

I AM THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA

Let’s talk about one more major claim Jesus makes that affects our lives today.  It’s John who again writes about it but this time in Revelation.
Revelation 1:8

This verse contains three thoughts:

1. “Alpha and Omega” -- Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet and Omega is the last letter. They are bookends to the “whole of anything”. Today we would say “from A to Z” indicating the completeness of a topic. It’s also a phrase that a Jewish Rabbi would use to talk about the eternity of God.
2. “who is, and who was, and who is to come” – Here is another phrase indicating Christ’s eternity. This phrase is a direct tie to claiming that He is co-equal with God. Isaiah tells us what God says about Himself. Make a list of how God the Father describes His identity.
   Isaiah 41:4 / 43:10 / 44:6If the God of the Old Testament identifies Himself as the first and the last, then Jesus describing Himself as the same, is revealing to us that He is part of the Godhead.
3. “the Almighty” – Finally Jesus tells us directly that He is God. The word “THE” before Alpha, Omega, and Almighty tells us that Jesus isn’t just any “almighty”. He is “THE one and only Almighty”. He is the one true God.Putting this altogether Jesus is saying to us that He is the complete manifestation of all that can be known about God.

Notice in Revelation that there are four other times when this phrase Alpha and Omega along with further qualifiers appear.  Three of those times Jesus is speaking:
Revelation 1:17/ 2:8 / 22:13

One of those times it is God the Father speaking:
Revelation 21:6

The fact that Jesus is THE Alpha, THE Omega, THE first, THE last, THE beginning, and THE end shows us how much He wants us to understand that He is the complete manifestation of God.

Repeated over and over in scripture we can see the comprehensive nature and rule of Jesus Christ. As you read these verses notice the repeating word in them, and then write down the fact that Paul is stating about Christ.

1. Ephesians 1: 9-10
2. Ephesians 1: 20-21
3. Colossians 1:15
4. Colossians 1:17
5. Colossians 1:19
6. Colossians 2:3
7. Colossians 2:9
8. Colossians 3:11

To sum it up there is nothing we need that we won’t find it first in Jesus Christ.

Question: How is all this practical for you and I today?

First, if Jesus is the A to Z of all wisdom and knowledge, then whenever a situation poses a question as to its morality --- whether it’s right or wrong--- we have to go to Jesus to get His answer. For every question there are always two answers: God’s and everyone else’s. If everyone else disagrees with God, they are wrong.

The Bible talks about two kinds of wisdom. The first kind of wisdom is what we are surrounded with every day. It’s the opinion of “the experts”. It’s the opinion of our friends and family. It’s what we hear on radio, television, and the internet. It’s what’s written in the text books and taught in our classes. We are bombarded with what man determines is true and wise and it is often presented as the moral authority. How does God view all of these opinions?
1 Corinthians 3:19-20

James goes on to write that worldly wisdom has three descending levels.
James 3:15

First, worldly wisdom is earthly or secular. It’s not wisdom coming from God.

Second, man’s wisdom is natural or unspiritual. If we don’t know the one true God all we can speak is what comes up from our old sinful nature. It might even sound good, and true, but it’s not.

Third, worldly wisdom can come from demonic influences on a person and is therefore evil.

In contrast, spiritual wisdom is the ability to use knowledge correctly so that it will have a positive impact and outcome. What kind of outcomes will come from spiritual wisdom?
James 3:17-18

Timothy was the Apostle Paul’s young protégé who lived in the midst of godlessness.
2 Timothy 3:1-7
(Sounds like today, doesn’t it?)

How did Paul encourage him to proceed through these times?
2 Timothy 3:14-15

Paul tells Timothy and us directly that it’s the Scriptures (the Bible) that is able to make us wise. How is that possible?
2 Timothy 3:16

You might be facing a question that the Bible says nothing specific about. Yet, since there is “nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9), God can show you through His Word just the right truth to enable you to know His wisdom concerning the matter. This is revelation from God and what does it do for us?
2 Timothy 3:17

As the world progresses, we see an increase in godlessness. If we aren’t careful, we can get caught up into it because it sounds reasonable or logical. This makes it important for any of us who call Jesus Lord to seek His perspective first and to talk things out with Him. The author of Hebrews says it like this:
Hebrews 12:2A

Have you ever been with someone, whom you loved and respected, in a conversation with others? While you were listening to different ones expressing their opinions, you kept looking over to the one you respected to see their eyes. You kept your eyes fixed on them so that you could determine their reaction to what was being expressed. This is exactly what Jesus wants us to do with Him. We are to “keep our eyes fixed on Jesus”.

And why is this important?
Colossians 2:3

If Christ is God’s deposit of all wisdom and knowledge, then it’s imperative that we keep our eyes on Him. Otherwise, what is certain to happen?
Colossians 2:4

Today, Christians are picking and choosing what they take seriously in God’s Word. It’s resulting in a mixture of truth and error. God is constantly guiding his children and warning us concerning things on earth. What is our part?
Hebrews 12:25

One of the best examples of “keeping our eyes on Jesus” was when Jesus went off to pray while sending his disciples ahead of Him in the boat. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus came to his struggling disciples walking on the water towards the boat. Peter, always the outspoken one, wanted to know for sure it was the Lord coming towards them, so he put out a “dare”.
Matthew 14:25-29

Peter became the second human to ever walk on the water. However, the next verse starts with “But….”. What happened next?
Matthew 14:30

As long as Peter was looking at Jesus, he could walk above the raging sea. But….as soon as he focused his eyes on the winds and the waves, he began to sink. This is a beautiful picture for us today. As you watch the news, keep your eyes on Jesus. As you listen to the world around you, keep your eyes on Jesus. As you read books, keep your eyes on Jesus. He will enable you to have HIS perspective. What will the Holy Spirit within us remind us of?
John 14:26

We must also remember where we are seated.
Ephesian 2:6

Our perspective is to be the same as Jesus: seated at the right hand of God the Father. This means we have the high ground regarding any problem or concern.

We’ve been answering the question as to how Jesus being The Alpha and Omega is practical for us today. The first point of practicality is: If Jesus is the A to Z of all wisdom and knowledge, then whenever a situation poses a question as to its morality --- whether it’s right or wrong--- we have to go to Jesus to get His answer.

Now let’s look at a second point of practicality regarding Christ’s claim to be “the alpha and omega”, “the beginning and the end”, “the first and the last”.

God is the overall mastermind of creation but WHO did He do all His creating through?
Colossians 1:15

That means that Jesus and His Father planned all of us very carefully. Every detail of our lives was ordained and written down before we ever got started!
Psalm 139:13-16 / Jeremiah 1:5

Jesus said that we are so valuable, what information about us is noted in Heaven?
Matthew 10:30

Isaiah describes God forming us like a potter making a unique pot for a specific use.
Isaiah 64:8

Like any Father, God had big plans and dreams for each of us.
Jeremiah 29:11

In fact, what three things does this beautiful verse tell about you?
Ephesians 2:10

First: “We (you) are God’s workmanship” -- workmanship is from the Greek word “poieo”. It means “a work” or “a thing made”.  But it’s also where we get our English word for poem. Don’t you love the thought that you are “God’s poem”?

Second: we have been created to do “good works”. Notice that we share the same mission with Jesus. He too went about doing good (Acts 10:38). Our good works will serve others but who are they especially for?
1 Peter 4:10-11  (especially 11b)

Third: God has prepared all the good works that we’ll do throughout our lives in advance for us! That means we don’t have to blaze our own trail. Because Jesus and the Father are “in the beginning” of our lives, they have laid out our path carefully and are orchestrating the right circumstances to allow it to happen. That doesn’t mean we have no choice. We will always have the choice to choose God’s way or our own. But the fact that the way has been cleared before us to walk into the work God has prepared for us is a wonderful thought. It’s God’s advance planning for our lives.

Jesus is the “Alpha” of our life. He was in the beginning, and the first to lay his hand on the beautiful creation our lives are meant to be.

Before we talk about Jesus being the “omega” in our life, we have to see Him as being in the middle of our life – all the other letters of the alphabet! Once we are born, Jesus is constantly with us --- overseeing and shepherding us.
Psalm 139:1-10

What God said to Joshua (Hebrew name for Jesus) will be true for us as well.
Joshua 1:5, 9 / Hebrews 13:5

Notice in Hebrews 13:5 there is a double negative: “never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  Other versions say, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”

Saying something two or three times within the same verse is a way of showing importance and emphasis of the fact. It should bring us great comfort to know that never, never, never, never will Jesus ever leave us throughout our life. Even if we don’t want Him, Jesus will still be “standing in the shadows” waiting for us to call on Him.

And now we come to the end of our life. Since Jesus planned our whole life from the beginning to the end and He is with us from beginning to end, we do not need to fear death.  But people do fear old age and death because they move from being in their prime – able to do whatever they want – to being dependent on others.  King David wrote this prayer as he was getting old:
Psalm 71:9

Of course, if David had just thought a little more, he would have realized there was no need to pray like that. Why?
Isaiah 46:4

God the Father and Jesus as our “omega” promises that right up to the end of our life what will he give us?
Deuteronomy 33:25 / Philippians 4:13

I hope you can see that Jesus as our Alpha and Omega will always have the final word on your life.  Your parents may have told you that “you’ll never amount to anything”, but Jesus will have the final word about your life.  A doctor may have told you your disease is terminal, but Jesus will have the final word about that. Men and women will say many things that may or may not be true about your life. Hear them out but always remember that Jesus has the final word on your life because He is the “omega”.

Next Study: BS6 - WHY DID JESUS DIE? 

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