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Fundamentally, our Lord's message was Himself. He did not come merely to preach a Gospel; He himself is that Gospel. He did not come merely to give bread; He said, "I am the bread." He did not come merely to shed light; He said, "I am the light." He did not come merely to show the door; He said, "I am the door." He did not come merely to name a shepherd; He said, "I am the shepherd." He did not come merely to point the way; He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." J. Sidlow Baxter
So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up Himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her . . . When Jesus had lifted up Himself, and saw none but the woman, He said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more . . . Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin . . . If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed . . . Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. John 8:7, 10-11, 34, 36, 58 (KJV)
When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” . . . Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin.” . . . Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin . . . So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed . . . "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" John 8:7, 10-11, 34, 36, 58 (NIV)
What is God like (in a word or two)? • What is a good illustration to explain who God is? • Think back on our original discussion about logos. How would that help witness to someone else? • If God hired you as a PR agent what would be your campaign strategy? • How is the layout of chapter 8 important (think about how the chapter opens and compare it with how it ends)? • Some versions exclude 8:1-11. What are some arguments to KEEP it in the Canon?
A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act. Mahatma Gandhi
Perhaps the most potent picture of God in the gospel of John
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, before Abraham was, I AM.
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, before Abraham was, I AM.
And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? 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.
And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? 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.
And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? 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.
And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? 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.
I AM = egweimi egweimi “eggo a-me”
I AM = egweimi egweimi “eggo a-me” Literally: “I I am”
Journaling 1. Compare and contrast this story to the story of the great conflict / salvation story in the Bible. Write your own original parable story that depicts some aspect of the great conflict / salvation story as depicted in the Bible. Draw a cartoon strip (min 8 panels) that tells some aspect of the great conflict / salvation story as depicted in the Bible
I am a historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history. H.G. Wells
Review chapter 1 • Review chapter 2 • Review chapter 3 • Review chapter 4 • Review chapter 5 • Review chapter 6 • Read/listen to more of John over break!
I know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between Him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creation of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him. Napolean
Socrates taught for 40 years, Plato for 50, Aristotle for 40, and Jesus for only 3. Yet the influence of Christ's 3-year ministry infinitely transcends the impact left by the combined 130 years of teaching from these men who were among the greatest philosophers of all antiquity. Unknown