Page 1. COFFEE AND CONNECT ’S 7 STATEMENTS (Continued #’s 4-7)

April 26-30, 2021

In our last study of Jesus’s, I Am statements we studied His first 3 -I Am statements: 1. I Am the Bread of LIFE / :27-40 2. I Am the / :12-20 3. I Am the Door / :1-10 This week we will study Jesus’s remaining 4-I Am statements. In my studies it was interesting to note that God made 37 -I Am statements in the Old Testament, which are actually read in Hebrew as: I Will Be, translated as I Am by the definite article ‘the’. Example: Genesis 26:3, 31:3, Exodus 3:12, 3:14

Jesus made 37- I Am statements in the , signifying that Jesus fulfills the promise that He is Lord! The ‘I will Be’ becomes the future. Jesus is the First and Last! If anyone is interested in the 37 OT Hebrew, and NT Greek I Am references, I will send them to you.

4. I AM the / John 10:11-21 Background: Jesus is contrasting Himself as the true Shepherd, to the false prophets and , to whom He was calling thieves and robbers. To make His point in John 10:11 He implicitly says: I Am the Good Shepherd, the Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep. The structure of this I AM is a common Greek word EGO but then Jesus adds another Greek word EIMI, put together is ego-eimi which is translated I AM, I AM. This is an unusual structure found in the OT, when God revealed His name to Moses in Exodus 3:14 “And God said to Moses, I AM, WHO I AM.” Jesus was calling attention to His deity and it was not missed by the Pharisees. In fact, He declares the leaders and Pharisees of Israel to be unfit shepherds, who do not care about His sheep. He owns them. He has affection and care for His sheep and will not run away in danger (like a hireling). He will defend His sheep to the death! He says His sheep know and hear His . 10:14, 10:16, 10:27

He includes: “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold (Jews) them also I will bring and they will hear My voice; and they will be one flock with One Shepherd.” Thank you, Lord! Jesus makes it clear it is a voluntary sacrifice. As the Good Shepherd, He has the power and authority to not only lay it down, but take up His life again. John 10:17

This caused much division among the Jews. Jesus still causes division today!

Page 2 People said then: “He has a demon and is mad.” While in John 10:21 “Others said, ‘These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

Jesus proved He was the Good Shepherd by ministering to the sheep. Read John 10:25-30 He remined the Jewish leaders of HIS words and works. He was the Messiah and said so. I.E. Woman at the well 4:25-26, Man born blind 9:35-37, signs of His Messiahship 20:30-31 Other scriptures of confirmation: Romans 5:6 For when the time was right, the Anointed One came and died to demonstrate His Love for sinners who were entirely helpless, weak, and powerless to save themselves. 1 Peter 5:3b -4 . . . nor as being Lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock: 4. And when the Chief Shepherd appears you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Despite our great knowledge of His word and many translations of the , we are not too different from the people of Jesus day.  What are some of the things that blind us in our society, like the Pharisees?  Jesus is so inclusive! Do you think Jesus would find our American churches inclusive?  Do you find yourself inclusive?

5. I Am the Resurrection and the Life / :25-44 Background: Jesus was beyond the Jordan, where John had called sinners to repent and be baptized. Jesus was summoned by and Mary to , to attend to their sick brother, Lazarus, whom was sick. His disciples were unsure as they had tried to stone Him there. Jesus delayed 2 days and by the time He got to Lazarus, he had been dead 4 days.