THE MASTER OF SELF-DISCLOSURE II
The Red Letters • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 5 viewsSince Jesus boldly identifies Himself as God in the flesh, how will you respond?
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction
If Jesus asked, "Who do you say that I am?" , how would you answer?
If Jesus asked, "Who do you say that I am?" , how would you answer?
If Jesus asked, "Who do you say that I am?" , how would you answer?We can find His own description of Himself in His “I am” statements in the New Testament.
The Master of Self-Disclosure is Jesus — nothing He disclosed about Himself was shallow or trivial. He was on a mission…He only had 3 years to display, communicate, and disclose everything about Himself — the world desperately needed, and still needs, what Jesus said and did.
If Jesus asked, "Who do you say that I am?" , how would you answer?We can find His own description of Himself in His “I am” statements in the New Testament.
Last week we saw that Jesus revealed Himself as the Bread of Life () and the Light of the World (John 8:12)
NIVThen Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
NIVThen Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
Physical food has its purpose — but Jesus is true bread and true water — Only He can feed and sustain us in our inner most beings. This is why we are not satisfied without Him
He is the Light of the World — victory, joy, and direction come from Him
We have only scratched the surface of Jesus’ self-disclosure…His “I Am” statements leave no wiggle room as to His real identity.
“Before Abraham was, I Am!” - video clip
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
How would you respond if you were listening to a preacher and his words were so powerful that you couldn’t turn away. You were riveted…clinging to every word. And what if right in the middle of it, He stopped and said, “Oh, in case you didn’t know, I am God!” Hopefully you would get up and walk out of that place.
Big Idea: In light of Jesus' overwhelmingly clear self-disclosure, how will you respond?
Prayer
How would you respond if you were listening to a preacher and his words were so powerful that you couldn’t turn away. You were riveted…clinging to every word. And what if right in the middle of it, He stopped and said, “Oh, in case you didn’t know, I am God!” Hopefully you would get up and walk out of that place.
“Before Abraham was, I Am.”
Hopefully you would get up and walk out of that place. One way that Jesus self-disclosed was the fact that He didn’t hide His true identity. He said many things that pointed to the fact that He was indeed the Son of God…a full member of the Godhead. Those that had ears to hear the truth would eventually realize exactly who Jesus was.
He also said “I am the Good Shepherd” in . Those that had ears to hear the truth would eventually realize exactly who Jesus was. Some sooner than others.
He also said “I am the Good Shepherd” in . Again, Those that had ears to hear the truth would eventually realize exactly who Jesus was. Some sooner than others.
He also said “I am the Good Shepherd” in . Again, Those that had ears to hear the truth would eventually realize exactly who Jesus was. Some sooner than others.
The Red Letters are like a hurricane, disclosing who He is. When He says “I am...”, He leaves no doubt as to His identity and purpose.
Big Idea: In light of Jesus' overwhelmingly clear self-disclosure, how will you respond?
Since Jesus boldly identifies Himself as God in the flesh, how will you respond?
What does it mean when Jesus says “I Am”?
What does the image of a shepherd reveal about Jesus
Transitional: It was a clear message that He is God
The Red Letters Stir People Up ()
The Red Letters Stir People Up ()
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Exposition:
In parts of the ancient world, shepherd imagery was very common, because the culture was extremely familiar with the work of Shepherds
In literature and stories, kings and gods were often likened to shepherds
It makes sense that Jesus would use an allegory based upon some important truths of shepherding sheep in Palestine
History tells us that sheep were led into a walled pen…mostly open to the sky but with some shelter from weather and other dangers.
If it was a large pen, several flocks would be kept there — so the door would be guarded by a doorkeeper, who would only allow the shepherds in.
Even though sheep are thought to be pretty dumb…they do have some useful instincts. One very Important one is that they know the voice of their own shepherd. So when he would show up and call them…they would come to him and follow him wherever he led.
The Sheep would follow because they knew the shepherd’s voice
The sheep would never follow a stranger’s voice
The sheep could only go in and out of the pen through the gate....there was no other way
THE GATE MEANS SECURITY FOR THE SHEEP
THE GATE MEANS SECURITY FOR THE SHEEP
Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
There is only one Gatekeeper — only one way in to the fold — Jesus!
The Red Letters Stir People Up
The Red Letters Stir People Up
Others pretend to be the way to go
Those that would lure you away from Jesus represent Satan — He is a liar and a theif
Those that try to distract you from Jesus are used by Satan — whose plan is to kill, steal, and destroy
Jesus came to bring abundant life to those that hear His voice and follow
…Jesus mixed his metaphors in this passage…but it wasn’t by accident
…Jesus mixed his metaphors in this passage…but it wasn’t by accident
THE GOOD SHEPHERD CARES FOR HIS SHEEP
THE GOOD SHEPHERD CARES FOR HIS SHEEP
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—
jOHN 10:11-
He’s no hired hand
When it get rights down to it, a hired hand will run if things get crazy…if he sees the wolf coming
Not so with Jesus
He’s not only the gate…he is the shepherd
The Good Shepherd is so invested in us…He loves us so passionately, that He willingly laid down His life for all mankind
Some hear His voice and follow
Others are seemingly deaf to His voice
Others are waiting for someone to point them to the Shepherd
He did everything possible to make a way for you and I to be saved and protected by His great love for us
Application:
The Red Letters Stir People Up ()
The Red Letters Stir People Up ()
Exposition:
The Red Letters Stir People Up
The Red Letters Stir People Up
Why did they get so stirred up when Jesus said “before Abraham was born, I am?”
Needless to say…they didn’t like Him — they hated Him
He wasn’t finished…verse 58 pushes them over the edge
“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
-29
Why did they get so stirred up?
Jesus identified Himself using the same words that God used to identify Himself to Moses
Jesus identified Himself using the same words that God used to identify Himself to Moses
God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”
I Am - equivalent to Yaweh, the Hebrew name for God, translated in the Old Testament as Lord
I Am - equivalent to Yaweh, the Hebrew name for God, translated in the Old Testament as Lord (usually)
I Am is always present tense
not past or future
To every generation He is “I Am”
Before Abraham was, “I Am”
Jesus clearly revealed His identity - knowing what would happen.
Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
Jesus clearly revealed His identity - knowing what would happen.
Jesus clearly revealed His identity - knowing what would happen.
Jesus clearly revealed His identity - knowing what would happen.
JESUS CLAIMED TO BE THE UNIQUE SON OF GOD
JESUS CLAIMED TO BE THE UNIQUE SON OF GOD
Jesus claimed to be the unique Son of God
The first part of John chapter 5 tells the story of Jesus healing a disabled man by the pool at Bethesda. The man had been disabled for 38 years.
Jesus said “Do you want to be healed?” The man said he didn’t have anyone to help him into the water when it stirred...
Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath,
Jesus said “Do you want to be healed?”
John 5:8-
The Jewish leaders rebuked the man for picking up his mat on the Sabbath. The man told them what Jesus had done. Now they had one more reason to persecute Jesus: He healed on the Sabbath.
For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
JESUS DIDN’T CHANGE HIS STORY WHEN THE END WAS NEAR
JESUS DIDN’T CHANGE HIS STORY WHEN THE END WAS NEAR
This didn’t make him any friends among the religious leaders
In , when Jesus said “Before Abraham was, I am” there was no doubt what he was saying
I Am - equivalent to Yaweh, the Hebrew name for God, translated in the Old Testament as Lord (usually)
I Am - equivalent to Yaweh, the Hebrew name for God, translated in the Old Testament as Lord (usually)
I Am is always present tense
But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death.
not past or future
To every generation He is “I Am”
He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever
Before Abraham was, “I Am”
He used the same term in the Garden of Gethsemane
When He said “I Am” — He made Himself equal with God — God in the flesh
Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
JESUS DIDN’T CHANGE HIS STORY WHEN THE END WAS NEAR
JESUS DIDN’T CHANGE HIS STORY WHEN THE END WAS NEAR
Application
JESUS DIDN’T CHANGE HIS STORY WHEN THE END WAS NEAR
Mark
But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Application
Does the fact that Jesus clearly identifies Himself as God stir you up?
Many people claim He was just a good man, or a prophet, or a lunatic…but not God
Many people claim He is one of many gods in the universe
He is asking you today, “Who do you say that I am?”
Transitional: When He stood before the Sanhedrin, Herod, and Pilot, Jesus didn’t back down in order to save His life. He knew He would give His life for the World…like a Good Shepherd would do for His sheep
Transitional: When He stood before the Sanhedrin, Herod, and Pilot, Jesus didn’t back down in order to save His life. He knew He would give His life for the World…like a Good Shepherd would do for His sheep
The red letters stir people up and...
The Red Letters Reveal Jesus’ Love ()
The Red Letters Reveal Jesus’ Love ()
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Exposition:
In parts of the ancient world, shepherd imagery was very common, because the culture was extremely familiar with the work of Shepherds
In literature and stories, benevolent kings and gods were often likened to shepherds
History tells us that sheep were led into a walled pen…if it was a large pen, several flocks would be kept there — the door would be guarded by a doorkeeper, who would only allow the shepherds in.
History tells us that sheep were led into a walled pen…mostly open to the sky but with some shelter from weather and other dangers.
If it was a large pen, several flocks would be kept there — so the door would be guarded by a doorkeeper, who would only allow the shepherds in.
Sheep may be a little on the dumb side, but they know the voice of their own shepherd. So when he called them…they would come and follow him wherever he led.
The Sheep followed because they knew the shepherd’s voice
The sheep would never follow a stranger’s voice
The sheep could only go in and out of the pen through the gate....there was no other way
…In John 10, Jesus likened Himself to both the gate and the shepherd
THE GATE MEANS SECURITY FOR THE SHEEP
THE GATE MEANS SECURITY FOR THE SHEEP
Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
There is only one Gatekeeper — only one way into the fold — Jesus!
There are many pretenders out there
Those that lure you away from Jesus represent Satan — He is a liar and a thief
Those that distract you from Jesus are used by Satan — His plan is to steal, kill, and destroy
Jesus came to bring abundant life to those that hear His voice and follow
…Jesus mixed his metaphors in this passage…but it wasn’t by accident
THE GOOD SHEPHERD CARES FOR HIS SHEEP
THE GOOD SHEPHERD CARES FOR HIS SHEEP
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—
He’s no hired hand
When it get rights down to it, a hired hand will run if things get crazy…if he sees the wolf coming
Not so with Jesus…the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep
He’s not only the gate…he is the shepherd
He’s not only the gate…he is the shepherd
The Good Shepherd is so invested in us…He loves us so passionately, that He willingly laid down His life for all mankind
Some hear His voice and follow
Others are seemingly deaf to His voice
Others are waiting for someone to point them to the Shepherd
He did everything to make a way for anyone to be saved and protected by His great love
Application:
Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God…God in the flesh?
Do you believe that Jesus is the only way to have the true life we were born to have?
Do you realize how much Jesus loves you?
He is the Good Shepherd…he even leaves the 99 that are safe to find the one lost sheep.
CHALLENGE
CHALLENGE
CHALLENGE
CHALLENGE
Who does Jesus say He is?
How do you respond to this?
What is Jesus asking you to do today?
How do you answer those questions?
How do you answer those questions?
We know what Jesus said —
“Before Abraham was, I Am”
Lord, Yahweh, the Living god
“I am the Good Shepherd”
The Good Shepherd willingly lays down His life for His sheep — because of His boundless love
“I am the Gate”
There is no other way into His fold — it must be through Him
People try to get in other ways — but there is only one entrance — Jesus