The seven “I Am” statements of Christ give insight into His heart for humanity and His Messianic mission. These statements helped relate God’s plan of salvation to their initial hearer’s but remain relevant for us today. They are hope to the hopeless, an invitation to the unloved and an answer to those in search for truth. They are words from a loving Savior and declare why Jesus alone can carry the tittle of Messiah. The beginning of who you are, starts at His statements of “I Am.”
The Name
By: Ian Opiniano
Our identity begins when we accept His identity. For the first sermon of the “I am 7” series, we looked at John 8 where Christ declares to the Jews that, “before Abraham, I AM”. Jesus attributes the name of God in the Old Testament to Himself, declaring to the world that they are one and the same. It is because of this reason that we also looked at Exodus 3 where God gives His name to Moses. We learned that His name is to be revered; it is recognized as the name of the Most High God. His name is also to be remembered; during times of trials and uncertainty, His name reminds us of His power. Finally, His name is to be received; it is accepted as the identity of Christ, the One true God. We can depend on the name of the Lord because as the Psalmist says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” (Psalm 20:7-8). There is no greater name than the name of Jesus.
The Bread
By: Ian Opiniano
“I am the bread of life” is a statement that declares the sufficiency of Christ and an examination of our deepest desires. In this message, we learned about the reality that Christ is enough. We learned how Christ is sufficient for our satisfaction, able to meet our deepest need and our greatest want. We also learned how Christ is sufficient for a sign of the reality and the goodness of God — no one else in history comes close. Finally, we learned about Christ’s sufficiency for salvation; it was never about what we can do, but all about what He did on the cross and in the grave. Whatever desire or need that surfaces within us, Christ as the bread of life proclaims that He is enough, now and forever.
The Light
By: Joshua Mathew
Jesus Christ is the Light of the World and in Him, there is no darkness at all. In this message, we looked at our Lord’s statement of being the Light of the World as God’s only point of salvation for all humanity to regard, receive and revere (John 8:1-23 ESV). We learned that this statement is exclusive in the truth, that Christ is the only true light and it is inclusive of all to have an equal opportunity to receive Him as their Light of salvation upon their belief. We also learned that this statement is expressive through the Church today who are imitators of Him. As hopeful as this statement is, we also learned that it serves as a warning to those who do not believe and is destructive to them who after hearing it, chose to continue walking in darkness rejecting God’s only hope of redemption for the world.
The Door, The Shepherd
By: Ian Opiniano
Throughout Scripture, humanity is often portrayed as sheep in need of a shepherd. It is in this context that Christ declares Himself to be the door and the good shepherd. As we continued our study into the “I Am” statements of Christ, we discovered yet another facet of Christ’s identity and His heart for humanity. His statement, “I am the door” declares that He is genuinely the true and only way to an abundant life. We also learned that what separates Christ from those who came before Him is that He is good. It is in the truth of His goodness that we can trust and depend on Him for whatever needs we may have. Finally, we learned that Christ’s statement as the good Shepherd is yet another declaration of His divinity as it parallels God’s claim to this title in Ezekiel 34. It is in light of these characteristics that Christ calls His sheep, so the question remains: will you heed His call?
The Resurrection, The Life
By: Ian Opiniano
“Is there life after death?” A question that has often crossed the minds of humanity, and a question that all beliefs seek to answer. It is against this backdrop that Christ declares that He is “the resurrection and the life”. During our last service, we looked at the death of Lazarus in John 11 and the context of this “I Am” statement. We learned that this statement—amidst despairing circumstances—declares how Jesus is in control; not even death is out of His reach. It is a statement that also confesses His compassion towards our finite existence, rectifying in Himself our separation from God the Father. Finally, we learned how this statement is a shout of victory, declaring how Christ has conquered even the greatest of humanity’s enemies; death itself. In the end, Christ as the resurrection is the reality that all of humanity must face, some to everlasting life, and some to everlasting contempt (Daniel 12:2). But to the one who answers the call of Christ, this “I Am” statement is a comfort and hope that at the end of this life, our loving Savior awaits us with open arms.
The Vine
By: Joshua Mathew
Jesus Christ is the True Vine and those who abide in Him are the fruitful branches. In this message, we learned about this I AM statement, and our connection with Him (John 15:1-11). This passage shows us the truth of Christ being the one who connects us to God, in contrast to all other ways that show unfruitful connections to God. Secondly, we learned that those who are connected to Jesus are put to the test; they are pruned so that Christ may grow through them and bear much fruit. Finally, we saw Jesus’ repeated emphasis of the task: abiding in Him by valuing His commandments. Through this powerful metaphor, Jesus is confronting every heart to reflect upon their connection with Him; to see if one is a mere professor of Him or a true possessor of Him.
The One
By: Ian Opiniano
In a world of varying truths, the “I am” statements of Christ present an exclusivity to His claims as the Savior of the world. As we concluded our “I AM 7” series, we looked at Christ’s penultimate statement, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” This is the claim that brings all of Jesus’s other I AM statements into one single thought, that He is the One. What this means is that Jesus is the only one who grants access to the Father, allowing His followers to approach God with full confidence. He is also the one truth that offers complete assurance in times of trouble. And finally, the life that He offers is the only life worth fully accepting, in this life and in the next. Jesus is the only way, the only truth, and the only life. There is an abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness only through the one man, the one Savior- Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17)