Jesus: The Great I AmJohn 8:56-58

At the core of Christianity is the Person of Christ. Remove Jesus from our faith and everything else dissolves around it. This morning, we begin a new study on the identity of Jesus Christ. John’s Gospel

records a collection of self-revealing statements by Jesus that are rich in imagery and steeped inhistorical meaning. They also provide powerful insights into the identity of Christ and the heart of God. Today, we start a journey toward Easter by focusing on the meaning of the I AM statements

made by Jesus. What are the implications of Christ’s self-description?

I. Where did it come from?

“Then Moses said to God, ‘Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?’ God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM’…” Exodus 3:13-15 II. What did it mean?

1. God is __________________________________________. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

2. God is __________________________________________. “For I, the LORD, do not change…” Malachi 3:6

3. God is __________________________________________. “… I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, LORD, I did not make Myself known to them.” Exodus 6:3

4. God is __________________________________________. “… The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired…” Isaiah 40:28

III. What difference does it make?

“Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father…’” John 14:9

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

WELCOME TO FIRST BENTON

Thank you for worshiping with us this week at First Benton.If you are a first time guest, please stop by Guest Services located at the Home Pointe Center in the Worship Center lobby before you leave today. We have a gift for you and some helpful information about our church. Also, we would love to connect with you later in the week and ask that you fill out a Connection Card located in the pew rack. Simply drop the card in the offering plate during the service so that we may follow up with you and answer any questions that you may have.

Every two months, we have a First Step lunch for those who may want even more information about our church. At the lunch, you will meet several of our staff members and be given the opportunity to join the First Family. If you would like to attend the next First Step Lunch, signup online at firstbenton.org/first-step or by calling the church office at 501.778.2271.

THIS WEEK’S MESSAGE

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CONNECT WITH USfirstbenton.org

Email: office@fbcbenton.org | Phone: 501.778.2271

FEBRUARY 26, 2017

TO WATCH MESSAGES ONLINE DURING THE WEEK VISIT FIRSTBENTON.ORG/SERMONS

WORSHIP | I’LL FLY AWAY | LORD I NEED YOU | HIGHER GROUND | HOW GREAT THOU ARTOFFERTORY | ALMIGHTY | Celebration Choir & OrchestraMESSAGE | JESUS: THE GREAT I AM | PASTOR RICK GRANTRESPONSE | WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUSANNOUNCEMENTS

BAPTISMWORSHIP | THIS I BELIEVE | MIRACLES | WHAT A BEAUTIFUL NAME | GREAT I AMMESSAGE | JESUS: THE GREAT I AM | PASTOR RICK GRANTRESPONSE | LORD I NEED YOUANNOUNCEMENTS

UPCOMING EVENTSSUNDAY CELEBRATION | 8:30 AM

THE GATHERING | 11:00 AM

THIS WEEK AT FIRST BENTONSUNDAY 8:30A Blood Drive 8:30A Classic Worship 9:45A Life Groups11:00A Modern Worship 4:30P Deacons Meeting 5:00P Divorce Care Grief Share Pure Energy, Pure Praise & Pure Joy 6:00P Evening Worship

MONDAY 9:30A Grief Share12:00P Noon Bible Study, Upper Room

TUESDAY10:00A Morning Glories, AE-100

WEDNESDAY 9:15A Ladies Bible Study, AE-100 5:00P Fellowship Supper, Selph Hall 5:45P Kids Inc (Grades 1-5, Fellowship Hall) Ladies Bible Study (Hoodwinked, CO-07) Ladies Bible Study (Armor of God, C0-06) 6:00P Bible study with Pastor Rick Midweek Worship (Middle School, Verge) Preschool (Birth-K, Preschool Building) Men of the Bible, AE-100 Tilling the Soil, Hospitality Room Choir & Orchestra Rehearsal, Choir Room 7:00P IMPACT (Grades 8-12, Upper Room)

FRIDAY 6:00P Girl’s Weekend, Verge & Upper Room

NYC BOWERY MISSION TRIP

Fifteen adults from First Benton served at the Bowery Mission in New York City last weekend. The Bowery provides food, shelter and programming for the homeless.

CONNECT | GROW | SERVE

Sunday February 19

Senior AdultsBoomersOpen AgeCrossoverStudentsChildrenPreschool

Total Life GroupsAverage Attendance

10710814818710469

115

838814

NEWS & CELEBRATIONSQUARTERLY BUSINESS MEETING & LORD’S SUPPER | This SundayOur next Quarterly Business Meeting is this Sunday during the eveningworship service, followed by the Lord’s Supper.

BLOOD DRIVE | This Sunday The Red Cross Blood Drive at First Benton is this Sunday in Selph Hall. If you are donating, please make your way to Selph Hall a few minutes before your appointment to check in.

KAIROS COOKIE COLLECTION | February 1-28We are collecting prepackaged cookies throughout February for theKairos Prison Ministry. Donations may be left in the lobby collection bins.

IN HIS OWN WORDS | Easter Presentation by First Benton Worship MinistryThere is still time to be part of this worship experience. Join us at6:00 PM in the Choir Room Wednesday night if you’d like to sing with usEaster Sunday.

WOMEN ON MISSION | March 7 at 11:15A | Fellowship Hall Our service project this month is to bring individually packaged breakfast bars or snack foods for the homeless in Saline County. Our speaker will be Charity Taylor from the ABSC Missions Team. Meal is $5.

INSPIRE WOMEN’S CONFERENCE | March 11 | CABOT, ARInspire is a one day conference hosted by the Arkansas Baptist StateConvention for women of all ages. Women will be encouraged,challenged and changed to be more like Christ in all areas of their lives. Email kathleen.morris@fbcbenton.org if you would like to attend.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT UPCOMING EVENTSVISIT FIRSTBENTON.ORG/ANNOUNCEMENTS

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW & SERVE VISIT FIRSTBENTON.ORG

TO FIND THIS WEEKLY BULLETIN ONLINEVISIT FIRSTBENTON.ORG/CONNECTIONGUIDE

VIEW OUR CALENDAR ONLINE AT FIRSTBENTON.ORG/CALENDAR

SENIOR ADULT VALENTINE BANQUET

Sixty senior adults enjoyed a meal, fellowship and entertainment by the Benton High School Acapella Choir at the Senior Adult Valentine Banquet.