“Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58 ESV)

Jesus said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life”

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6 ESV)

 Jesus said: “I am the vine; you are the branches.”

 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 ESV)

 Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life.”

 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live…” (John 11:25 ESV)

Jesus said: “I am the bread of life”

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.,”(John 6:35 ESV)

Jesus said: “I am the light of the world”

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12 ESV)

 Jesus said: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end”

 “And he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.’” (Rev. 21:6 ESV)

 Jesus said: “I am with you always, to the end of the age”

 “Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20 ESV)

 Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd”

 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11 ESV)

 Jesus said: “I am the door”

“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9 ESV)

Jesus said: “I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades”

“I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” (John 1:18 ESV)

Therefore…

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” (1 John 3:1 ESV)

“For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” (Eph. 5.8 ESV)

Quotes:

“Not only do we not know God except through Jesus Christ; We do not even know ourselves except through Jesus Christ.” - Blaise Pascal

“He came the first time to die; He is coming again to raise the dead. When He came the first time, they questioned whether He was King; the next time the world will know that He is King of kings and Lord of lords. The first time He wore a crown of thorns; the next time He will be wearing a crown of glory. The first time He came in poverty; the next time He is coming in power. The first time He had an escort of angels; the next time He will come with ten thousands of His saints. The first time He came in meekness; He is coming again in majesty.” - Adrian Rogers

“Jesus is not one of many ways to approach God, nor is He the best of several ways; He is the only way.”  - A. W. Tozer

“And from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.” (Rev. 1:5 ESV)

 Jesus’ blood was poured out for the forgiveness of sins

 “So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.” (Heb. 13:12 ESV)

 “For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matt. 26:28 ESV)

 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,” (Eph. 1:7 ESV)

 Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins

 “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Heb. 9:22 ESV)

 “Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” (1 Peter 1:18-19 ESV)

 We are justified by His blood

“Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” (Rom. 5:9 ESV)

 “And to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” (Heb. 12:24 ESV)

 “And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,” (Rev. 5:9 ESV)

We are reconciled by His blood 

“And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”  (Col. 1:20 ESV)

The blood of Christ purifies our conscious from dead works to serve the living God

“How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” (Heb. 9:14 ESV)

Therefore… 

“According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.” (1 Peter 1:2 ESV)

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus…” (Heb. 10:19 ESV)

“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” (Acts 29:28 ESV)

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7 ESV)

Quotes:

“Morality may keep you out of jail, but it takes the blood of Jesus Christ to keep you out of hell.” - Charles Spurgeon

“Be assured that there is no sin you have ever committed that the blood of Jesus Christ cannot cleanse.” - Billy Graham

“Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse us, yet if we withhold ourselves from that blood, we will be unclean forever.” - Aiden Wilson Tozer

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Gal. 5:13-14 ESV)

Jesus is our example 

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 ESV)

Use your gift to serve one another 

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10 ESV)

Outdo one another in genuine love

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” (Rom. 12:9-13 ESV)

Therefore…

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked l and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” (Matt. 25:35-40 ESV)

“Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.” (Prov. 22:9 ESV)

Quotes:

“…let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.” – Jesus Christ (Luke 22:26-27)

“One of the principal rules of religion is, to lose no occasion of serving God. And, since he is invisible to our eyes, we are to serve him in our neighbor; which he receives as if done to himself in person, standing visibly before us.” - John Wesley

“Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.” (1 Sam.  12:24 ESV)

Do your work heartily as for the Lord not for men

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ (Col. 3:23-24 ESV)

Do not be double minded in your service to the Lord

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matt. 6:24 ESV)

“You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him.” (Deut. 13:4 ESV)

“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” (John 12:26 ESV)

There is a distinction between those who serve God and those who do not

“Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.” (Mal. 3:18 ESV)

 Therefore…

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col. 3:17 ESV)

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Cor. 15:58 ESV)

 Quote:

“We don't serve God to gain His acceptance; we are accepted so we serve God. We don't follow Him in order to be loved; we are loved so we follow Him.” - Neil T Anderson

 “Don't let any opportunity lead you away from serving God. That's a price that's too high to pay.” - George Foreman

 “It's a weak faith that only serves God in times of blessing. The book of Job teaches us that true faith, genuine faith, great faith is revealed only when we serve and trust God in the hard times, the times of suffering, loss, and opposition. That's the kind of faith that makes the world sit up and take notice.”  - Ray Stedman

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26 NIV)

Draw near to the throne of grace

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:15-16 ESV)

When you are weak then you are strong 

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:9-10 NIV)

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isa. 40:29 NIV)

Therefore…

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13 NIV)

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Rom. 8:26 ESV)

“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isa. 40:31 NIV)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” (Eph. 6:10 ESV)

Quotes:

“No one enjoys feeling weak, whether it is emotionally, spiritually or physically. There is something within the human spirit that wants to resist the thought of weakness. Many times this is nothing more than our human pride at work. Just as weakness carries a great potential for strength, pride carries an equally great potential for defeat.” - Charles Stanley 

“Real true faith is man's weakness leaning on God's strength.” - Dwight L. Moody

“For men have no taste for (God's power) till they are convinced of their need of it and they immediately forget its value unless they are conditionally reminded by awareness of their own weakness.” - John Calvin

“Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” (Prov. 12:25 ESV)

Do not be anxious about anything

 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7 ESV)

 Cast all your anxieties on the Lord

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV)

 Therefore…

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (Matt 6:25 ESV)

 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matt. 6:34 ESV) 

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22 ESV)

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4 ESV)

 “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Tim. 1:7 ESV)

 Quotes:

“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.” - Charles Spurgeon

“I am no longer anxious about anything, as I realize the Lord is able to carry out His will, and His will is mine. It makes no matter where He places me, or how. That is rather for Him to consider than for me; for in the easiest positions He must give me His grace, and in the most difficult, His grace is sufficient.” - Hudson Taylor

“The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.” (Psalms 37:23-24 NIV)

Stand firm and let nothing move you

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Cor. 15:58 NIV)

Stand firm in your faith, stay strong, resist the devil

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” (1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV)

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (1 Cor. 16:13 ESV)

Have courage because God goes with you and will never leave you

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deut. 31:6-8 NIV)

Stand firm in the Spirit

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel…” (Phil. 

1:27 ESV)

Therefore… 

“Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.” (Phil. 4:1 ESV)

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Eph. 6:11 ESV)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Eph. 6:10 NIV)

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Gal. 5:1 ESV)

Quotes:

“Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.” - Abraham Lincoln

“There is only one secure foundation: a genuine, deep relationship with Jesus Christ, which will carry you through any and all turmoil. No matter what storms are raging all around, you'll stand firm if you stand on His love.” - Charles Stanley

“Who stands firm? Only the one for whom the final standard is not his reason, his principles, his conscience, his freedom, his virtue, but who is ready to sacrifice all these, when in faith and sole allegiance to God he is called to obedient and responsible action: the responsible person, whose life will be nothing but an answer to God's question and call.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.” (1 John 2:9 NIV) 

Followers must not bully others 

It’s interesting that the Bible gives clear and strong direction about how God’s people should treat each other rather than dealing with those who are not followers of Christ. This shouldn’t be surprising, because the ungodly (the unregenerate, the unsaved, the natural man) are controlled only by their flesh. We as born again followers are to be led by Gods Word and Spirit. Therefore, we must always treat others in a kind and Christlike manner. 

“Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.” (1 John 3:15 ESV)

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Eph. 4:29 ESV)

If you are bullied, remember that your fight is not physical but spiritual

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12 NLT)

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Tim. 1:7 NIV)

“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” (Lev. 19:18 ESV)

“…for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” (Prov. 24:16 NIV)

Therefore… 

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deut. 31:6 NIV)

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:44-45 NIV)

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.” (Psalm 138:7 ESV)

“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.” (Matt. 5:11 NLT)

Quotes:

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” – Jesus Christ (Luke 23:34)

“I would rather be a little nobody, then to be a evil somebody.” - Abraham Lincoln

“Fight the good fight of faith, and God will give you spiritual mercies. - George Whitefield

“Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” (Gen. 2:18 ESV)

God is always with you

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20 ESV)

He will not leave you or forsake you

“For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.”(Psalm 27:10 ESV)

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18 ESV)

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deut. 31:6 ESV)

He sets the lonely in families

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” (Psalm 68:5-6 NIV)

Therefore…

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 ESV)

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isa 41:10 ESV)

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Quote:

“Loneliness comes over us sometimes as a sudden tide. It is one of the terms of our humanness, and, in a sense, therefore, incurable. Yet I have found peace in my loneliest times not only through acceptance of the situation, but through making it an offering to God, who can transfigure it into something for the good of others.” – Elizabeth Elliott