BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS, I AM
JOHN 8:37-59
Introduction:
In previous messages we have dealt with the titles of the “I AM”, but here I would like to look at just who Jesus is in regard to the title “I AM.”
He was not just another “teacher” or just another “prophet,” but rather He is the eternal God of Heaven. He is the Creator and Life Giver that we know as Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind.
I. JESUS WAS IN ETERNITY WITH THE FATHER BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN.
A. Jesus was with the Father before the world was, John 17:5, “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”
B. Jesus will be with the Father again, but this time with all of His saints, John 17:24, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”
II. JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.
A. Jesus was in the beginning at the creation of the world, John 1:1-2, “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.”
B. Jesus was involved in the creation.
1. Jesus made everything, John 1:3, “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
2. He made the worlds, Hebrews 1:2, “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;”
3. By Him all things consist, (held together). Colossians 1:17, “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” 1 Corinthians 8:6, “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”
C. Jesus is the “I AM” of the Old Testament,
1. Before Abraham, John 8:56-58, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 57Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”
2. Before Moses, Exodus 3:14, “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”
D. Jacob wrestled with Jesus, the Lord, Genesis 32:22-23, 29-30, “And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25-And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 29-And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 30-And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”
E. Jesus is the First and the Last of the Old Testament, Isaiah 41:4, “Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.”
F. Jesus is the Saviour of the Old Testament, Isaiah 43:11-13, “I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. 12I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God. 13Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?”
III. JESUS IS THE GOD OF HEAVEN.
A. Jesus is equal with God.
1. In the form of God, Philippians 2:6, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:”
2. Jesus is the very essence of God, Colossians 2:9, “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”
B. The Savior’s claim to deity infuriated the Jewish leaders, John 5:17-18, “But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. 18Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.”
C. Because He claimed to be God the Jews accused Him of blasphemy, John 10:33, “The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.”
CONCLUSION:
The great “I AM” suffered humiliation and death at the hands of sinful men that He might bring salvation to man. Jesus is truly God. He is the creator and sustainer of this world. He is the Savior of this world also and without faith in Jesus Christ you will never see God or enter Heaven.
Trust Jesus Christ as your Savior now. The Bible says, “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 2 Corinthians 6:2.