Archives For I AM

The Wonder of a Vulnerable God

May 11, 2012 — Leave a comment

Throughout the Old Testament, our Creator is described in a variety of different ways.

He has manifested himself in powerful, sometimes frightening ways (Isa 6:1-5; Eze 1). But the New Testament contains profoundly good news that should cause all human beings to stand in awe and wonder. The Son of Almighty God was willing to make himself vulnerable (Phil 2:6-8). For us. To serve as Immanuel. “God with us.”

The point? He’s looking for you to make yourself vulnerable as well.

For more sermons, visit the Sermons archive.


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We Sing "Hallelujah!" But Do We Know What It Means?

December 4, 2011 — Leave a comment

A good reminder and powerful encouragement, written by John Piper:

The English word “hallelujah” is a transliteration of two Hebrew words, hallelu and jah. The first word, hallelu, is the second person imperative of “praise.” The second word, “jah,” is the short form of Jahweh (or Yahweh).

So when we say, “Hallelujah!” we are exhorting others (people and angels) to join us in praising Yahweh.

What gives a punch to my singing, “Hallelujah,” is that Jah (=Yahweh) is not a generic word for God, but the personal name of the God of Israel.

To shout, “Hallelu Jah!” — “Praise Jah!” — is like standing in the council of the gods and boldly saying, “Not to you, Molech!” “Not to you, Baal!” “Not to you, Dagon!” “Not to you, Artemis!” “Not to you, Zeus!” But to Jah, and Jah alone, I give praise. And I call you to join me! Praise Jah!

And not only is Jah God’s personal name, but it is the one he gave himself to distinguish himself from all the gods. And it is thrilling in meaning.

When Moses asked God what name he should use to identify God in Egypt, God said, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Exo 3:14).

The name Yahweh is built on the words “I AM”. So God put his absolute, transcendent, self-sufficient being at the center of his identity. “All the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but Yahweh made the heavens” (Psa 96:5).

So, the next time you sing “Hallelujah” pause for a split second between “hallelu” and “Jah” and say it like a name. We praise you . . . Jah! You are above all gods . . . Jah! Join me, all you heavenly hosts, and praise . . . Jah! He is! He simply, eternally, absolutely, independently, gloriously IS! Hallelu . . . Jah!

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"That's Just The Way I Am"

August 30, 2011 — Leave a comment

Powerful thought from Barnabas Piper:

In the movie Hitch, there is a scene where Will Smith’s character is making suggestions to another character of how he should dress for a date. The other character says, “I’m just not sure these shoes are me.” Smith looks at him and says, “Right now, you is a very fluid concept.” The same should be true for each of us. To stick ourselves in the static status of “me” is to limit ourselves to our detriment.

“That’s just who I am.” We’ve all heard people say it and very likely have said it ourselves. It’s that ubiquitous explanation (read: excuse) for some action or attitude that doesn’t sit well with someone else. Sometimes it’s taste in clothes, like the shoes from the scene in Hitch. It could be the way we talk (loud, fast, with an accent, etc.) More often, though, it’s something opinionated, hurtful, selfish. And we hide behind “That’s just who I am.”
“That’s just the way I am.” “That’s not me.” That’s just arrogant. It smacks of faithless fatalism. Phrases like these assume a certain achievement and superiority in the status of “me” and “I am.” Only God can rightfully be described as “I AM.” The rest of us are becoming.

We ought never to be satisfied or limited with who we are. It should never remain the same for long. Yes, God did give us tendencies and unique personalities through our genetic codes and our familial and cultural upbringings. But God also gives us grace to either grow those in positive directions or overcome them. “Who I am” is much less relevant and meaningful than who I am becoming.

If you are a person who hides behind the mantle of “me,” you are choosing conflict, disappointment, and frustration. You are risking alienation from those around you as you plant your flag in one place and they move on. You will be a stationary obstacle in their way as they travel on the path to who they are becoming.

Let “you” be a fluid concept in the hands of God. Have the humility to recognize needed changes and to appreciate outside input. Yes, God gave you tendencies and a personality. But God is I AM. You are becoming.
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Just Who Does He Think He Is?

September 16, 2010 — Leave a comment

Read this slowly and determine who said these words.

“I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He.”

Clearly this could be no one but God.

This conclusion is obvious when you see what the LORD said in Isaiah.

Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it.
Let him declare and lay out before me…
Yes, let him foretell what will come. (Isa 44:7)

Only God knows the future and tells it to his people so that he demonstrates his utter incomparability.   Here he is again:

I am God, and there is none like me.
I make known the end from the beginning,
From ancient times, what is still to come. (Isa 46:9-10)

Truly amazing, this God is.

But the first quotation was from Jesus (in John 13:19).

Just who does he think he is?

- Todd Bolen

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When Jesus Said, "I AM"

August 26, 2010 — Leave a comment

Jesus of Nazareth is presented in the New Testament of the Bible as the Christ, the Lamb provided by God, the Son of God, and Himself deity.   To validate those great claims, John’s gospel documents seven key “I AM” statements of Jesus.

Each of these statements carry implications—if they are true, they naturally imply certain things about Jesus, God, and the meaning of life.

Because they carry implications, our acceptance or rejection of Jesus and his claims carry natural consequences.   “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15)   A serious question worthy of our utmost attention.   This sermon is an examination of Jesus’ claims and an encouragement to build your life on them.

For more interactive outlines and mp3 recordings, be sure to visit the Sermons archive.

NOTE: Advertisements on the above player are randomly generated by the service provider and do not necessarily imply endorsement of the material advertised. Readers are always encouraged to apply the “Berean test” (Acts 17:11) to all that they see and hear.
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All Of Self

June 24, 2008 — Leave a comment

O, the bitter pain and sorrow
That a time could ever be,
When I proudly said to Jesus
“All of self, and none of Thee.”

Are you wasting your life?   What could define the principle of wastefulness more than a being created in the image of God Himself who proudly says by his actions (or inaction), “All of self and none of Thee”?

Let’s make sure that, at the end of the day, we haven’t lived like that.   Let’s remember, it’s not about us.   It’s about the Great I AM.

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