03/14/2024 – Because I am, You will
Acts 1: 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
In the gospel of John we find seven I am statements that perfectly reveal who Jesus is, and in doing so, He reveals the Father to us. These statements use the very name of God, first revealed to Moses from the burning bush. They reveal who Jesus is; but they also reveal our absolute dependence on the Lord Jesus for salvation- He said:
- I AM – the bread of life. whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
- I AM the light of the world. – “the man who follows me shall certainly not walk in the dark, but shall have the light of Life.”
- I AM the door – y me if any man enter in, he shall be saved,
- I AM the good shepherd – I lay down my life for the sheep. (Recognize and obey my voice)
- I AM the resurrection and the life! (Believe no matter what!)
- I AM the way, the truth and the life! (You’d better know!)
- I AM the true vine…If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
The common theme in these statements is LIFE! Abundant life, everlasting life! Purposeful life! A life worth living!
But after His resurrection there was a change in revelation from I am to You will. With the same power that the Lord Jesus completed His ministry…overcame evil, rose from the dead…with the same power that He calmed the sea and the wind…with the same power He pronounced I AM, He said: You will!