5:00pm Sunday Worship Service

Sun, Aug 2, ‘26 - PM Services

'"I Am" Sayings in John' - Dr. Bobby Kelly

  Summer Bible Study 2026: Session Four

There are two series of seven "I am" sayings in John's Gospel. First, the absolute "I am" sayings where Jesus adds no image. Jesus simply says, "I am." These provide Jesus' direct assertion of his divine identity, who he is in himself. But there's also seven "1 am" sayings with an image, not simply "I am," but "I am the bread of life," or "the light of the world." These seven likewise declare who Jesus is (identity), but they also indicate who Jesus is for us (mission).

  Seven Absolute "I Am" Sayings

1. "I Am" Messiah, Sent by the Father & One with the Father (John 4:26)

2. "I Am" the One with Authority over the Waters; Do Not Be Afraid John 6:20)

3. "I Am" the One from Above: Do Not Die in Your Sin (8:24)

4. "I Am" the One Lifted Up: Do Not Fail to Recognize Him (8:28)

5. Before Abraham Was, I Am: Do Not Dismiss the Divine Identity of Jesus (8:58)

6. When Judas Betrays Me, You Will Know "I Am": Do Not Be Shaken by Chaotic Events (John 13:19)

7. The Great "I Am" Revealed through Self-Sacrifice: Do Not Fail to Worship Him (John 18:5-6)

  Seven "I Am" Sayings with an Image

1. I am the Bread of Life: Jesus Alone Nourishes Starving Souls (John 6:35)

2. I am the Light of the World: Jesus Heals Our Spiritual Blindness (John 8:12-20)

In the context of the Festival of Tabernacles, where they commemorated the water from the rock (Exod 17; Num 20) and the piliar of light that guided the Israelites, Jesus declared himself to be the light of the world. It is not that he shines the light; He is the light.

3. 1 am the Gate for the Sheep: Jesus Protects and Leads to Abundant Life (John 10:7)

This is not the claim we expect given the setup in 10:1-6. It is as if the sheep pen lacks a gate, so the shepherd lays down his own life in order to keep out robbers and predators. However, he also swings open so that sheep can find abundant green pastures and still waters.

4. I am the Good Shepherd: Jesus Leads, Feeds, and Bleeds for Sheep (n 10:11)

Shepherds were frequently "unclean" and of low social standing in Jewish culture. And yet, it is the profession God selected most often to lead his people. We have lawyers, accountants, doctors, mechanics, plumbers, etc., and they are all necessary for life in the 21st century. But more than anything, we need what only a shepherd can provide. Jesus is that shepherd.

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