‘I AM’-series on the claims of Jesus I AM the I AM John 8:30-59

starter 1 Write down what your first name means and list all the non-material needs that you have on the piece of paper we hand-out b. Strike through all lines that contain desires (no needs) What remains are real needs c. Give each line a number in the last column from most important to least important d. Share with the group - what your first name means - your most important non-material need

starter 2 Ephesians 5:21-33 teaches about marital relationships and the Christian household. It concludes in verse 33 saying However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. If this sentence holds the basic needs of men and women, what would you say? The basic need of a man is . . . . . . . The basic need of a woman is . . . . respect love

Historical context of the third claim 1300 BC Exodus 3:13-14 出 埃 及 記 3:13-14 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 摩 西 对 　 神 说 ： 我 到 以 色 列 人 那 里 ， 对 他 们 说 ： 你 们 祖 宗 的 　 神 打 发 我 到 你 们 这 里 来 。 他 们 若 问 我 说 ： 他 叫 甚 麽 名 字 ？ 我 要 对 他 们 说 甚 麽 呢 ？ 神 对 摩 西 说 ： 我 是 自 有 永 有 的 ； 又 说 ： 你 要 对 以 色 列 人 这 样 说 ： 那 自 有 的 打 发 我 到 你 们 这 里 来 。

Prophesies about Jesus in Isaiah 43:10-11 (700 BC ) 10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. 11 I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. 10 耶 和 华 说 ： 你 们 是 我 的 见 证 ， 我 所 拣 选 的 仆 人 。 既 是 这 样 ， 便 可 以 知 道 ， 且 信 服 我 ， 又 明 白 我 就 是 耶 和 华 。 在 我 以 前 没 有 真 神 （ 真 ： 原 文 是 造 作 的 ） ； 在 我 以 後 也 必 没 有 。 11 惟 有 我 是 耶 和 华 ； 除 我 以 外 没 有 救 主 。

The apostle John confirms that God and Jesus were One and the same in John 1:1-4, 14 which supports Jesus’ claim that He is also the I AM. 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the . . . . of men. 14 The Word became . . . . . and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. light flesh 1 太 初 有 道 ， 道 与 神 同 在 ， 道 就 是 神 。 2 这 道 太 初 与 神 同 在 。 3 万 物 是 藉 着 他 造 的 ； 凡 被 造 的 ， 没 有 一 样 不 是 藉 着 他 造 的 。4 生 命 在 他 里 头 ， 这 生 命 就 是 人 的 光 。. . . . 14 道 成 了 肉 身 ， 住 在 我 们 中 间 ， 充 充 满 满 的 有 恩 典 有 真 理 。 我 们 也 见 过 他 的 荣 光 ， 正 是 父 独 生 子 的 荣 光 。

The discussion in John 8:31-59 took place immediately after Jesus claimed to be the light of the world. Jesus continued to talk with some people who said that they believed in Him. The question of who Jesus was remained on the minds of those present, and Jesus wanted to further explain who He really was and what it meant to follow Him. Definition of terms Illegitimate: (vs 41) a child born outside wedlock/marriage Samaritans: (vs 48) descendants of Jewish people who intermarried with non-Jews of Palestine and surrounding areas. The Jews valued racial purity and, therefore, hated the Samaritans, who were not welcome in Jewish communities in Galilee and Judea. Demon: (vs 48) a servant of the Devil filled with evil, hatred, and opposition to God; also called an evil spirit. Sometimes, a demon can “possess” a person, entering the person’s soul and controlling his or her thoughts and actions (Mark 5:1-17; Luke 9:37-43). Glory: (vss 50, 54) greatness, high position, or honor Glorify: (vs 54) to give honor, praise, or admiration to a person

John 8:30-36 約 翰 福 音 8:30-36 30Even as he spoke, many believed in him. 31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33They answered him, “We are Abrahamʼs descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” 34Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 30耶稣说这些话的时候，就有许多人信了他。 31于是耶稣对信了他的犹太人说：“你们若持守我的道，就真是我的门徒了；32你们必定认识真理，真理必定使你们自由。”33他们说：“我们是亚伯拉罕的后裔，从来没有被谁奴役过，你怎么说‘你们必得自由’呢？” 34耶稣说：“我实实在在告诉你们，凡犯罪的都是罪的奴隶。35奴隶不能永远住在家里，唯有儿子才可以永远住在家里。36所以，　神的儿子若使你们自由，你们就真的得自由了。

Observation questions 1. According to Jesus, what is a true disciple? 31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 31于是耶稣对信了他的犹太人说：“你们若持守我的道，就真是我的门徒了； A true disciple is one who follows Jesus’ teaching, who believes what Jesus said about Himself and His Father, and obeys His commands. 2. According to this passage, what is the result of following Jesus’ teachings? 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 32你们必定认识真理，真理必定使你们自由。” A person who follows Jesus’ teachings will know the truth in a personal way and will find the spiritual freedom in Christ.

John 8:37-42 約 翰 福 音 8:37-42 37I know that you are Abrahamʼs descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. 38I am telling you what I have seen in the Fatherʼs presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.” 39“Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abrahamʼs children” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did. 40As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. 41You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.” 42Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 37我知道你们是亚伯拉罕的后裔；但你们想杀我，因为你们心里不能容纳我的道。38我所说的，是我在父那里看见的；但你们所作的，却是从你们的父那里听见的。” 39他们说：“我们的祖宗是亚伯拉罕。”耶稣说：“你们若是亚伯拉罕的子孙，就必作亚伯拉罕所作的。40现在我把从　神那里听见的真理告诉了你们，你们竟然想杀我，这不是亚伯拉罕所作的。41你们要作的，正是你们的父要作的。”他们说：“我们不是从淫乱生的；我们只有一位父，就是　神。” 42耶稣说：“如果　神是你们的父，你们就必爱我，因为我是从　神那里来的；我已经来到这里。我不是凭着自己来的，而是　神差了我来。 We’ll skip verses 43 through 47 and continue in vs 48

John 8:48-53 約 翰 福 音 8:48-53  48The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”   49“I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51I tell you the truth, if a man keeps my word, he will never see death.”  52At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. 53Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”    48 犹 太 人 回 答 说 ： 我 们 说 你 是 撒 玛 利 亚 人 ， 并 且 是 鬼 附 着 的 ， 这 话 岂 不 正 对 麽 ？  49 耶 稣 说 ： 我 不 是 鬼 附 着 的 ； 我 尊 敬 我 的 父 ，你 们 倒 轻 慢 我 。50 我 不 求 自 己 的 荣 耀 ，有 一 位 为 我 求 荣 耀 、 定 是 非 的 。51 我 实 实 在 在 的 告 诉 你 们 ， 人 若 遵 守 我 的 道 ， 就 永 远 不 见 死 。 52 犹 太 人 对 他 说 ： 现 在 我 们 知 道 你 是 鬼 附 着 的 。 亚 伯 拉 罕 死 了 ， 众 先 知 也 死 了 ， 你 还 说 ： 人 若 遵 守 我 的 道 ， 就 永 远 不 尝 死 味 。53 难 道 你 比 我 们 的 祖 宗 亚 伯 拉 罕 还 大 麽 ？ 他 死 了 ， 众 先 知 也 死 了 ， 你 将 自 己 当 作 甚 麽 人 呢 ？

3. What promise does Jesus make to those who keep and obey His words? 51 I tell you the truth, if a man keeps my word, he will never see death.” 51 我 实 实 在 在 的 告 诉 你 们 ， 人 若 遵 守 我 的 道 ， 就 永 远 不 见 。   They will never die a spiritual death. 4. Did the Jews understand this type of death? 52 At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?” The Jews did not see the difference between physical and spiritual death

John 8:54-59 約 翰 福 音 8:54-59 54Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. 56Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” 57“You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” 58“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” 59At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds. 54 耶 稣 回 答 说 ： 我 若 荣 耀 自 己 ， 我 的 荣 耀 就 算 不 得 甚 麽 ； 荣 耀 我 的 乃 是 我 的 父 ，就 是 你 们 所 说 是 你 们 的 神。 55 你 们 未 曾 认 识 他 ； 我 却 认 识 他。 我 若 说 不 认 识 他 ， 我 就 是 说 谎 的，像 你 们 一 样 ； 但 我 认 识 他 ， 也 遵 守 他 的 道 。 56 你 们 的 祖 宗 亚 伯 拉 罕 欢 欢 喜 喜 的 仰 望 我 的 日 子 ， 既 看 见 了 就 快 乐 。 57 犹 太 人 说 ： 你 还 没 有 五 十 岁 ， 岂 见 过 亚 伯 拉 罕 呢 ？ 58 耶 稣 说 ： 我 实 实 在 在 的 告 诉 你 们 ， 还 没 有 亚 伯 拉 罕 就 有 了 我 。 59 於 是 他 们 拿 石 头 要 打 他 ； 耶 稣 却 躲 藏 ， 从 殿 去 了 。 5. What bold statement did Jesus make about Himself in relation to Abraham? Before Abraham was born, Jesus already existed.

Read Philippians 2: 5-11 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 5 你 们 当 以 基 督 耶 稣 的 心 为 心 ：6 他 本 有 神 的 形 像 ， 不 以 自 己 与 神 同 等 为 强 夺 的 ；7 反 倒 虚 己 ， 取 了 奴 仆 的 形 像 ， 成 为 人 的 样 式 ；8 既 有 人 的 样 子 ， 就 自 己 卑 微 ， 存 心 顺 服 ， 以 至 於 死 ， 且 死 在 十 字 架 上 。9 所 以 ， 神 将 他 升 为 至 高 ， 又 赐 给 他 那 超 乎 万 名 之 上 的 名 ，10 叫 一 切 在 天 上 的 、 地 上 的 ， 和 地 底 下 的 ， 因 耶 稣 的 名 无 不 屈 膝 ，11 无 不 口 称 耶 稣 基 督 为 主 ， 使 荣 耀 归 与 父 神 。 6. Does this passage explain that Jesus is God?

Analysis and discussion questions on John 8:31-59 Romans 6:6-7 says: 6For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin 7because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. 7. What does it mean to be a slave to sin? A man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. Being unable to resist its power in your life. When you give in to sin (even though you know it is wrong), you are a slave to it (Romans 6). 8. What would Jesus say about those who say they follow Him and yet continue to live sinful lives? He would say that they are not truly His followers. A person who continues a lifestyle of sin should question his or her relationship with Jesus Christ. 9. Did Jesus’ listeners understand what Jesus was claiming about Himself? Relate your answer to the way they responded to Him. Yes, Jesus’ listeners understood that Jesus was claiming to be God. They thought He was blaspheming, that’s why they tried to stone Him. Leviticus 16.

10. What does it mean for the Father to glorify the Son? Vs. 54: It means that Jesus’ didn’t glorify Himself. The Father honored Him: by a voice from heaven, at his baptism and other events, declaring him to be his beloved Son, and by the works and miracles he did by him; as he afterwards also honored him by raising him from the dead. 11. Has Jesus been the only one in history to claim to be God? Are there people today who make this claim? Others have claimed to be divine: Jim Jones, David Koresh, Sun Myung Moon, Guru Maharashi, Eastern Lightning (China), etc. Read Mark 13:5-6 5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 5 耶 稣 说 ： 你 们 要 谨 慎 ， 免 得 有 人 迷 惑 你 们 。6 将 来 有 好 些 人 冒 我 的 名 来 ， 说 ： 我 是 基 督 ， 并 且 要 迷 惑 许 多 人 。 Discuss Jesus’ statement about others who make this claim.