Christian Living - Introduction

Today is Epiphany, which reminds us of “the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi (Matthew 2:1–12).”  We are going to explore a different kind of epiphany today, one where we glean an insight on what it means to live a Christian life.  This is an introduction to a series on Christian Living that we will explore between now and Lent.

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I Am the True Vine (Chris)

Today, we conclude our series on the “I am” statements in the Gospel of John.  We will spend our time today looking at the meaning and nature of the ultimate sacrifice – giving up your life – in both a secular and sacred context.  We will use our text from John’s Gospel to focus our conversation.

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I Am the Way and the Truth and the Life (Randy)

When Moses came down from the mountain and gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments, he told them to “Live the way the Lord your God has commanded” so that they may have life and enter the promised land.  Over the centuries, the Jews paid more attention to the law than the Lawgiver and got off track.  Jesus made the bold proclamation that he is the way and the truth and the life. We are to look to him as our path to the Father, the reality of God’s promises, and our link to eternal life.

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I Am the Resurrection and the Life (Randy)

Death has a grip on us.  We fear it in our own lives and suffer from it when those closest to us die. But, death was not part of God’s original design.  Jesus said, “I Am the resurrection and the life,” and by raising Lazarus from the dad, showed us that he is the God of resurrection and life.

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I Am the Good Shepherd (Randy)

Jesus said “I Am the Good Shepherd” in the fourth I Am statement presented to us in the book of John.  Every part of that phrase points to Christ’s divinity and gives us clues about the very nature of God.  He knows us, calls us, protects us, rescues us, and dies for us.  How do we respond to being known in every way, hearing his voice calling us by name, sensing his presence in our lives, being rescued when we are lost, and being saved through his sacrifice?  Jesus the Good Shepherd awaits our answer.

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I Am the Gate for the Sheep (Chris)

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I Am the Light of the World (Randy)

Jesus said, “I Am the Light of the World” while attending the Feast of Tabernacles, one of three national festivals the Jews celebrated and the one that celebrated the exodus wilderness journey in particular.  In that journey, God led the Israelites with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.  During the feast, the Jews lit a huge candelabra to remember God’s presence on their journey, and it was by that candelabra that Jesus made his claim.  He was revealing both himself as God and the nature of God as the Light that guides us at the same time.

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