The Essentials of Who God is...
the study begins...
The "I Am's" of Christ
1. The Bread Of Life
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35)
2. The Light Of The World
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
3. The Gate
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. (John 10:9)
4. The Good Shepherd
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
5. The Resurrection And The Life
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26)
6. The Way, The Truth, And The Life
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
7. The Vine
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
The Fruit Of The Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Love: A self-sacrificing type of love. It is the same kind of love that was demonstrated in Jesus giving Himself for us. Love in this passage is that fruit of the Spirit that dominates all the others, a love that can only spring out of God’s love for us.
(John 3:16).
Joy: A deep abiding inner rejoicing (beyond happiness). Promised to those who abide in Christ (John 15:11)
Peace: Inner quietness and tranquility are gifts from Jesus (John 14:27). So even in the midst of adverse circumstances "surpasses all understanding." (Philippians 4:7)
Longsuffering: Patience even when provoked. We see our best example in Jesus as He was crucified. No retaliation when wrongfully treated. (1 Corinthians 13:4) An example is when you are nice to those who are mean to you.
Gentleness: Active benevolence, being nice to others. Just as God has shown to us in sending Jesus. (Romans 2:4, Ephesians 2:7) It is when we are being nice to those who are in need.
Goodness: Desire within to do good to others. It is when we are nice to others, just because.
Faith: Trustworthy and reliable. (Luke 16:10-12)
Meekness: Considerate of others (1 Cor.4:21, Col. 3:12)
Temprance: The ability to tell ourselves “NO!” When we want to do something wrong the Holy Spirit will give us the power to not give in. Only God, through His Spirit can give this power (Galatians 5:18).