“Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?” Jesus answered, “If I want glory for myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, ‘He is our God,’ but you don’t even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him. Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.” The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!” At that point they picked up stones to throw at him.” John 8:53-59 NLT
TWO LIFE CHANGING QUESTIONS TO ANSWER:
- Who do you say I am?
- Who does He say I am?
Faith is coming into agreement with Jesus about Who He is and who He says we are.
Faith is a discovery of what is reality.
Faith is confidence in God rooted in encounter with God.
TO ENCOUNTER HIS I AM-NESS:
- I need to realize who “I Am” really is
- He is the creator, redeemer, and sustainer of all things
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” Colossians 1:15-20 NASB
- I need to recognize and acknowledge my “I am nots”
- “I am nots” are clouds that block our view of reality
- “I am nots” originate from the evil one and experiences with others
- I need to rely on what the Great I Am says I am
“On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I in you.” John 14:20 NASB
This reality means:
I am accepted
I am God’s child (John 1:12)
I am a friend of Jesus (John 15:15)
I have been declared righteous (Romans 5:1)
I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit (1 Corinthians 6:18)
I have been bought with a price and I belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
I am a member of Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 12:27)
I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child (Ephesians 1:3-8)
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins (Colossians 1:13-14)
I am complete in Christ (Colossians 2:9-10)
I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16)
I am secure
I am free from condemnation (Romans 8:1-2)
I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances (Romans 8:28)
I am free from any condemnation brought against me and I cannot be separated from the love of God (Romans 8:31-39)
I have been established, anointed and sealed by God (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:1-4)
I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me (Philippians 1:6)
I am a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)
I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me (2 Timothy 1:7, 1 John 5:18)
I am significant
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:5)
I am God’s temple (1 Corinthians 3:16)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm (Ephesians 2:6)
I am God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12)
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)
- I need to remember that the best time to experience God’s “I Am-ness” is when life doesn’t make sense
“Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:32-33 NASB