The Great I AM: A High School Sermon Guide

It would be my pleasure to craft both a sermon and a detailed outline exploring the profound truth of God as the "I Am" for your high school students. I look forward to helping you make this timeless revelation both relatable and inspiring for their journey of faith.

👑 The Great I AM: Your Pattern and Your Peace

🧒 A Story for the Young at Heart

There was once a young boy named William who lived in a dark room because his eyes were so sick he could not stand the lightMIRP 68.2. A man of God came to his home, placed a hand on his head, and looked up to heaven in prayerMIRP 68.2. That very moment, the boy felt a change; he pulled off his bandages, looked through the window, and saw that his eyes were perfectly healedMIRP 68.2. Just as that little boy was brought out of darkness into the light of day, the Great I AM wants to open your eyes to the beauty of His truth todayMIRP 68.2.

📖 The Presence of the Eternal One

We serve a God who is not distant, but who is the "I AM," the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6IST 17.3. He is the Majesty of heaven, yet He condescended to become a little child and work at a carpenter’s trade to show us how to build our own charactersIST 17.3+1. When you enter the house of God, remember that "God is here; this is His house"CG 541.3. He searches your heart and reads the most secret thoughts of your life, not to condemn you, but to bless youCG 541.3.

• He is your Creator: You are formed in His imageRH August 19, 1884, par. 12.

• He is your Redeemer: He laid aside His royal robe and kingly crown to save youIST 17.3+1.

• He is your Teacher: The greatest Teacher the world ever knew invites you to His schoolYI September 19, 1895, par. 1.

🎓 Your Training for Eternity

High school is often called a preparation for life, but this world is actually a training school for a higher school above6MR 358.6+1. Every day you are learning lessons in good or evil, and every thought you cherish leaves an impression on your mindRH February 2, 1886, par. 16. The Great I AM calls you to a different kind of training than the common schools of the dayPOSDAI 49.5.

He wants you to:

1. Seek Higher Wisdom: Divine knowledge must be combined with human education so the gospel is not hiddenYI September 19, 1895, par. 1.

2. Study the Living Word: The Bible is the book of all books, and through deep research, you will obtain a superior educationSpM 95.2+1.

3. Practice Self-Denial: Indulging in sweets and selfish pleasures spoils the stomach and the soul; instead, we must learn the lesson of self-denial20MR 354.3.

Jesus is our Exemplar; He did not seek the praise or honor of men, and neither should weRH May 26, 1885, par. 1. He says to each of you, "I have given them Thy Word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world" John 17:14PUR July 31, 1902, par. 9.

🛠️ Called to Active Service

The Lord is calling for volunteers right nowCT 494.3. He wants young men and women who will not be "shadows of some other man" or mere machines, but chosen vessels taught by the Holy SpiritPM 289.2+1.

You don't need to be "eminent" to be used by the I AM; He looks for the good, true, and humble who will begin at the lower rounds of the ladderLS 274.3. Whether it is through missionary volunteer work, selling books that preach silent sermons, or helping the sick, you are to be a light in the world7MR 336.2+2. Remember that the highest of all work is the gospel ministry, and no one should belittle this sacred callingEv 23.1+1.

Paul told Timothy, and he tells you: "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers" 1 Timothy 4:12KC 99.1. Even when the work is hard, the animating Spirit of God will give you the thoughts to speak when you attempt to point others to the way of life5MR 332.1+1.

⚓ The Standard of Character

How do we know if we are on the right path? The royal law is our sin detectorST April 21, 1881, par. 20. We must ask ourselves: Are we loving God supremely and our neighbors as ourselvesST April 21, 1881, par. 20? While the law shows us our sin, the cross of Calvary draws us to Jesus through the manifestation of His loveST June 21, 1905, par. 4.

The mystery of godliness is that we, though fallen, can be conformed to the image of the Son of GodLLM 378.4. This transformation of character is an everyday experience that fits us for the higher school in the heavenly courts8MR 14.1+1.

📢 A Solemn Appeal

Young men and women, your probation is brief and your work must be done speedilyPaM 188.1. The Judge standeth before the doorPaM 188.1. You cannot afford to choice your own wisdom and trifle away this day of gracious opportunityST June 21, 1905, par. 4.

What education are you receiving at this present timeRH February 2, 1886, par. 16? Are you training in the school of vice, or are you sitting at the feet of the Great I AMRH February 2, 1886, par. 16?

What are you going to doAMS March 24, 1898, page 179.8?

I entreat you to put away all selfishness and sin through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ5MR 334.3. Yield to the conviction of the Spirit todayLSMS 29.1. Come to the altar of prayer and find the life-healing balm of the crossLSMS 29.1. The I AM is calling you: "Son, go work today in My vineyard"PM 289.2. Will you answer that call and pledge yourself to unite with Jesus of NazarethCT 494.3? Turn to Him now, be complete in Him, and prepare for that home with the saints in light5MR 334.3+1.

Here is the sermon outline:

👑 The Great I AM: Your Pattern and Your Peace

I. Introduction: From Darkness to Light

• The Healing of William: A story of a young boy whose sight was restored through prayer, illustrating how God wants to move us from spiritual darkness into truth.
• The Ever-Present God: God is not distant; He is the "I AM," the Majesty of heaven who became a child and a carpenter to model character-building for us.
• A Personal Watchman: God is present in His house, searching our hearts not to condemn, but to bless.

II. The Nature of the Eternal One

• Creator: We are formed in His image.
• Redeemer: He sacrificed His royal status to save humanity.
• Teacher: The world’s greatest Educator invites us to learn from Him.

III. Training for Eternity

• The World as a School: Life on earth is a preparatory training ground for the "higher school" in heaven.
• Three Pillars of Divine Education:
  1. Seek Higher Wisdom: Combine human education with divine knowledge.
  2. Study the Living Word: Treat the Bible as the "book of all books" for a superior education.
  3. Practice Self-Denial: Overcome selfish impulses and physical indulgences to protect the soul.
• The Pattern: We must follow Christ’s example by seeking God’s approval rather than the honor of men.

IV. A Call to Active Service

• Volunteers Needed: God seeks young people who are original "chosen vessels" rather than "shadows" of others.
• The Path of Humility: Service begins at the "lower rounds of the ladder," not necessarily in eminent positions.
• Methods of Ministry: Light can be shared through missionary work, Christian literature, and helping the sick.
• Divine Empowerment: The Holy Spirit provides the thoughts and words needed to point others to the way of life.

V. The Standard of Character

• The Sin Detector: The "royal law" (Ten Commandments) reveals our spiritual condition and our love for God and neighbor.
• The Draw of the Cross: While the law identifies sin, the Cross of Calvary draws us toward transformation through love.
• Daily Transformation: Character-building is a daily process that conforms us to the image of Christ.

VI. Conclusion: A Solemn Appeal

• The Urgency of Time: Probation is brief; the "Judge standeth before the door."
• A Critical Choice: We must decide if we are training in the "school of vice" or at the feet of the "I AM."
• The Final Invitation:
  • Put away selfishness and sin.
  • Yield to the Holy Spirit’s conviction.
  • Accept the call to work in the Lord's vineyard today.