As we begin our Advent Season, I want us to recognize not only the significance of one moment in time but also of the strategic nature of those moments. We refer to the strategic nature of time as “timing.” Our theme for this Christmas series is The Miracle of Christmas. It is so easy to get all wrapped up (pun intended) in the activity of the season that we somehow miss the miracle of Christmas. So, this Christmas season, let’s spend some time reflecting on the significance of Jesus’ birth.

Our final “I Am” statement for our sermon series is found in the book of Revelation. Within John’s vision he is introduced to the One who holds the timer. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end of all things and His name is Jesus. Within Him we discover all things for living a victorious life. But as the song says it’s, “In His time.”

In John 15, Jesus tells his disciples that he is the vine and that they are the branches. Following up with last week’s sermon on ‘the way, the truth and the life,’ we started to see that Jesus is the life. And if he is the life, then the implications of the passage are significant for you.

In our text this Sunday, we’ll discover another “I AM” statement of Jesus. Jesus begins to tell them that He is going back to His Father’s house where He will get busy preparing rooms for them to join Him. Still confused, Thomas asks Jesus how to get there since they don’t know where He’s going or the way to get there.

To call Jesus Lord and Master means more than just giving Him a title, it means falling into rank and file by walking in His footsteps and doing as He does. The question is even asked by Jesus in Luke 7:46, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” If we are going to call Him Lord and Master it’s time we stepped in line and followed Him.

Thank you for joining us for Sunday Worship, as John continues our series, "I Am, Jesus in His Own Words", with a study on John Chapter 11, the resurrection of Lazarus, and Jesus's proclamation that He is the resurrection and the life.

What we decide to do with Jesus is a test of our sanity. We can pretend that we are following him, dismiss him completely, delay the decision of accepting him, or receive him as Savior and Lord. The very first verse of the New Testament book of John opens with the claim that Jesus is God in the flesh. John the Baptizer testified that Jesus was the Son of God. The disciples who followed Christ proclaimed that he was the “Son of God”. They maintained that truth to their deaths (and then on to eternal life).

Are you pretending, denying, delaying or committing?

The life of a shepherd is not an easy one, but it is vital for the life of the sheep. Without the shepherd, the sheep have little hope for survival. They will wander aimlessly searching for water but likely will not find it. They will be harassed and killed by wild beasts. Sheep need a shepherd.

Why do we lock pour doors at night? Or during the day? Why are we guardians of our homes? We do this for two reasons: 1) to keep bad people out and 2) to allow those certain people in… family and friends. And while we are all sinners saved by grace, Jesus is the good shepherd that protects his flock.

In the John chapter 10, Jesus continues to reveal his character and nature as the God man. As the “I Am.” Today we will take a look at Jesus as the door or the gatekeeper and discover why this is crucial and important for the believer. It will help us understand God’s love for us in Christ and how we truly can live the abundant life (John 10:10).

Identity has a tremendous impact on what we do and why we do it. As we continue our series I Am, Christ in His Own Words, we will be taking a look at John 8:48-59, and perhaps the clearest and most profound statement from Christ concerning His identity and the implications it carries with it for you and I today.