I AM

John 1:1–18 KJV 1900

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John 8:58 “58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”

Trinity - I can’t explain it 3 in 1

Father-Son-Holy Ghost

I. Many religions cast doubts on the deity of Jesus

A. Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that Jesus is the first creation of God.

B. Muslims see Jesus as nothing more than a significant prophet, much like Moses.

C. Probably the best analysis of who is Jesus is found in the book of John.

II. The evidence in John

A. The Word was God - John 1:1-5, 10-12, 14

1. Everything was created by the Word.

2. Light of the world

3. That same God dwelt among us as a man

B. Jesus’ omnipresence - John 1:45-49

Presence in every place at the same time; unbounded or universal presence; ubiquity. Omnipresence is an attribute peculiar to God.

1. Jesus saw an event were he was not present physically

2. Nathaniel realized the full significance of Jesus’ ability.

3. This was later demonstrated at Lazarus’ death - John 11:3-15

C. Jesus knew the hearts of men - knows the hearts of men -John 2:24

1. This is a claim of omniscience

The quality of knowing all things at once; universal knowledge; knowledge unbounded or infinite. Omniscience is an attribute peculiar to God.

2. Jesus knew the past of people he only just met - John 4:17-18, 28-29

3. Jesus healed without being present - John 4:47-53

a. Not only was the healing done, but Jesus knew the results without being present.

b. Another sign that he was all-knowing.

D. Jesus’ claim of being the son of God made him equal to God - John 5:17-18

1. His statement indicates that God as well as he was working to sustain the world, even as they spoke.

2. Colossians 1:17 - In Jesus all things consist

Colossians 1:17 “17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

E. The power of Jesus

1. In John 6, Jesus demonstrates his power over creation by feeding five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes and still having 12 baskets of leftovers.

2. He also walks on water during a storm in John 6

3. He raises Lazarus from the dead in John 11.

4. This is the claim of omnipotent

1. Almighty; possessing unlimited power; all powerful. The being that can create worlds must be omnipotent.

2. Having unlimited power of a particular kind; as omnipotent love.

F. He claimed to come from heaven - John 6:38, 41-42, 46-51

1. Not only this, but Jesus makes an even stronger claim of seeing God the Father

2. A similar claim later caused the Jews to attempt to kill him - John 7:28-29

G. Jesus claimed to be “I AM”

1. God identified himself as “I AM” to Moses - Exodus 3:14

2. John 8:23-24 - Notice that the “he” was added by the translators. Jesus said he was not from this world and that we must believe that he is “I AM”.

3. John 8:50-59 - The Jews understood this.

John 8:58 “58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”

4. After washing the disciple’s feet, Jesus tells the future events so that they will believe that he is “I AM”. - John 13:18-19

5. This explains why those who came to arrest Jesus fell on the ground before him - John 18:3-8

John 18:3–8 “3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. 6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. 7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. 8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:”

a. The very statement of his name caused even the wicked to bow before him.

III. Truly was, Jesus the fullness of deity in bodily form -

Colossians 2:9 “9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

A. His name is Immanuel - “God with us” -

Matthew 1:23 “23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”