04/04/10 - God Is I AM - Pastor Tony Ashmore

Pastor Tony Ashmore begins a new series entitled "God Is..." in this Sunday service.

God Is... I AM
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, April 4, 2010

www.churchatmirrorlake.com


Sermon Notes:

Big Idea: God identifies Himself as “I AM”. Jesus is identified as “I AM”. All the things we are not, He is. He is the “I AM” to all of our “We are not.” And the last obstacle that needed an “I AM” was death and the grave. “I am not able to conquer death” we say, and Jesus responds, “I AM.”

Genesis 3 13 But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?” 14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.” 15

John 4 25 The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
26 Then Jesus told her, “I AM the Messiah!”[a] (John 4:26 Or “The ‘I Am’ is here”)

John 11:25-26 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die…”

Revelation 1:18 “I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.”

The difference in a Sweet Potato and a Yam (I AM). Not even distantly related. Lots of posers—(Jesus said there will be lots of things and folks claiming to be I AM (lots of “ways” to have life, lots of “solutions” to our problems), but don’t be fooled. Mark 13:6 & 21 There is only one I AM—only one who is the I AM for everything we are not!)

After sin entered the human race, our cry became, “I am not…” Our focus was shifted from the greatness of our God to the weaknesses in ourselves.
Romans 8:3 “The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.”

Abraham: “I am not able to have a son and be the father of nations.” God: “I AM.”
Moses: “I am not able to speak before Pharoah.” God: “I AM.”
David: “I am not able to lead Israel to greatness as a nation.” God: “I AM.”
Peter: “I am not able to keep walking on this water.” Jesus: “I AM.”
Paul: “I am not able to handle all the obstacles and opposition.” Jesus: “I AM.”
All of us:
- “I am not able to become good enough to face God.” Jesus: “I AM.”
- “I am not able to live a consistent Godly life.” Jesus: “I AM.”
- “I am not worthy of God’s love and Heaven.” Jesus: “I AM.”
- “I am not strong enough to face the circumstances in my life.” Jesus: “I AM.”
- “I am not smart enough to be successful.” Jesus: “I AM.”
- “I am not likeable enough to make good friends.” Jesus: “I AM.”
- “I am not deserving of any of God’s blessings.” Jesus: “I AM.”
- “I am not going to live forever.” Jesus: “I AM.”

2 Corinthians 1:20 “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
(I am not is replaced by I AM)

How do we gain the benefits of “I AM”?
1. Believe He is and seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6 “Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

2. Believe the Bible is His Word to you and is relevant today.
2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

3. Begin to practice your identity in Him by faith, looking for I AM instead of I am not.
1 Corinthians 2:2 (HCSB) “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”