THE “I AM” SERIES
JESUS ESTABLISHES HIS IDENTITY
JOHN 8:48-59
Introduction:
This message begins a series of sermons on the “I AM”. In this message the identity of the Lord Jesus is established beyond any doubt. If you do not know Jesus as your Savior, you would do well to listen to this message.
I. GOD IS THE FATHER OF JESUS.
A. Jesus is EQUAL with the Father, Philippians 2:6, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:”
B. He is MASTER and LORD, John 13:13, “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.”
1. Master, or Teacher, John 11:28, “And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.”
2. LORD, the word implies OWNERSHIP, John 5:23, “That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.”
C. He is the Creator, John 1:1-3, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
D. He is the CAPITAIN of the Lord’s host, Joshua 5:13-15, “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? 14And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?”
II. GOD’S POWER REST UPON JESUS.
A. If any man keep my Word, v. 51, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.”
1. He shall never see death, John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 11:26, “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
2. He is not condemned, John 5:24; 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
3. He has a home in Heaven, John 14:2-3, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
B. Jesus’ power was because He HONORED the Father, John 15:41, “I receive not honour from men. v. 50, “And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.” John 7:18, “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.”
III. GOD’S FAVOR REST UPON JESUS.
A. Abraham rejoiced in Jesus, v. 56, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.”
1. To see His day,
2. And he saw it and was glad.
B. Abraham left a heritage, Galatians 3:7-8, “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.”
1. By faith in Christ we are the children of Abraham.
2. God has blessed all nations through him.
C. Before Abraham, I AM, v. 58, “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”
Proverbs 8:22-30.
CONCLUSION:
Who are we to overrule the great “I AM”? He is our SAVIOR! He is our LIFE! Why should we take Him for granted?
He is our LORD, that is, He is our MASTER OR OWNER. He has REDEEMED us, 1 Corinthians 6:20, “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 7:23, “Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.”