Through the Refiner’s Fire Podcast
Jesus Christ is before all things. All things were created through Him and for Him, and in Him all things hold together. To know the Great I AM is to discover the One who gives meaning, purpose, and eternal hope to our lives.
Introduction: Who Is the Great I AM?
What does it truly mean to know Jesus Christ?
Is it enough to recognize Him as a teacher, a prophet, or a historical figure? Can we understand our purpose in life apart from understanding who He is?
In Part 2 of our “I AM The Word” series on Through the Refiner’s Fire Podcast, we continue examining the identity of Jesus Christ through the Scriptures. Our conversation brings us from the opening chapters of Genesis to the Gospel of John and the writings of Paul, revealing the centrality of Jesus in God’s plan of creation, redemption, and reconciliation.
The Word of God is not merely a collection of teachings or principles. The Scriptures reveal Jesus Christ, the eternal Word who became flesh and dwelt among us.
As we explored in this episode, the more we come to understand the preeminence of Christ, the more we recognize that our lives belong to Him.
We are not simply searching for answers. We are searching for the One who is the answer.
1. The Power of God’s Word and the Light That Darkness Cannot Overcome
Our conversation began by reflecting on the power of God’s Word.
From the beginning, God spoke, and creation came into existence. His Word established the order of creation, and throughout Scripture, we see His Word accomplishing His purposes.
Despite the opposition of darkness and the efforts of mankind to resist the truth, God’s Word continues to prevail.
Why?
Because Jesus Christ is the Word of God.
In John 1, we are introduced to the Word who was with God and who was God. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.
This imagery of light is deeply meaningful to the believer. We understand darkness through experiences such as confusion, shame, fear, and the presence of evil. Yet the darkness does not have the final word.
Jesus is the Light of the World.
During the conversation, Antonio reflected on the imagery of Adam and Eve being naked and unashamed before the Fall, and the radiance of God’s glory revealed through Moses after being in His presence.
These examples point us toward the calling of the believer: to walk in the presence of God and reflect the light of Christ to the world.
Jesus tells His followers that they are the light of the world. This does not mean that we possess light independently of Him. Rather, we are called to live in His presence, abide in His Word, and allow His life to be seen through us.
The light of Christ continues to shine, and the darkness cannot overcome it.
Key Scriptures: Genesis 1–3; John 1:1–5; Matthew 5:14–16.
2. Jesus Christ Is the Preeminent One
One of the central themes of this episode was the preeminence of Jesus Christ.
In John 5:46–47, Jesus tells His listeners that Moses wrote about Him. The Scriptures were pointing toward Christ, yet many failed to recognize the One standing before them.
The Old Testament is filled with pictures, promises, and prophecies that reveal the person and work of Jesus.
As we discussed, the Tabernacle, the Passover, the bronze serpent, and the promises of redemption all point us toward the One who would accomplish God’s plan of salvation.
Jesus is not simply another religious voice. He is not merely a teacher or prophet who stands alongside other figures in history.
He is before all things.
Colossians 1:15–20 provides one of the clearest declarations of His supremacy:
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
The passage continues by declaring that all things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
This truth changes how we understand Jesus.
He is not simply part of creation. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. His authority is not limited to a particular area of our lives. Everything belongs to Him.
As we reflected during the podcast, the preeminence of Christ must affect our thoughts, relationships, decisions, desires, finances, careers, families, time, worship, and future.
If Jesus is truly Lord, then He must have authority over every part of our lives.
Our surrender is not based on an obligation to follow someone we barely know. It grows from the revelation of who He is.
The more we understand His majesty, the more we recognize that He alone is worthy of our lives.
Key Scriptures: John 5:46–47; Colossians 1:15–20.
3. God’s Plan of Redemption Was Not an Afterthought
One of the beautiful points raised during our conversation was the intentionality of God’s redemptive plan.
Even before mankind fell into sin, God knew the plan through which He would restore humanity to Himself.
When we consider the account of Noah, we see God’s judgment against evil alongside His provision for preservation. Noah was instructed to build an ark, trusting God’s Word even when the rain had not yet come.
The ark became a picture of God’s provision and salvation.
Jesus is our Ark.
In the Exodus, we see another powerful picture of redemption through the Passover. God delivered His people through the blood of the lamb.
Jesus is our Passover.
The timing of Christ’s death during Passover was not accidental. It was part of God’s redemptive purpose.
The same theme continues through the bronze serpent in Numbers 21. The Israelites were suffering because of their disobedience, yet God provided a means through which they could look and live.
The power was not in the bronze serpent itself. It was in the promise of God and the faith of those who looked to Him.
Jesus pointed to this account as a picture of His own crucifixion.
When we look to Christ in faith, we find forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life.
These examples reveal that Scripture is not a collection of disconnected stories. It is the unfolding revelation of God’s purpose, culminating in Jesus Christ.
Key Scriptures: Genesis 6–9; Exodus 12; Numbers 21:4–9; John 3:14–16.
4. The Word Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us
John 1:14 declares that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
This is one of the most powerful truths of the Christian faith.
The eternal Word did not remain distant from His creation. He came among us. He took on flesh and lived among humanity.
As we discussed during the episode, this echoes God’s desire to dwell with His people throughout Scripture.
In Exodus, God delivered Israel from Egypt and established His presence among them through the Tabernacle.
In Jesus Christ, God came to dwell among us in a unique and personal way.
He identified with humanity, experienced temptation without sin, and lived the perfect life that we could not live.
He is Emmanuel—God with us.
This truth provides comfort and hope. Jesus understands our weakness, and through Him we have access to the Father.
The conversation also connected this truth to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Through Christ, God does not simply dwell among His people; He makes His presence known within the hearts of believers.
We are called to live in close fellowship with Him.
Our relationship with God is not meant to be distant or merely intellectual. We are invited to abide in Christ, walk with Him, and be transformed through His presence.
The ultimate hope of the believer is that we will dwell with Him forever.
Key Scriptures: John 1:14–18; John 17; Hebrews 6; Revelation 21:3.
5. Christ’s Preeminence Calls Us to Surrender
The preeminence of Christ is not simply a theological concept. It is a truth that demands a response.
During the conversation, we reflected on the example of Jesus in Philippians 2. Though He was in the form of God, He humbled Himself and took on the form of a servant.
Jesus demonstrated what perfect obedience and submission to the Father look like.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed that the Father’s will would be done.
This becomes the example for the believer.
We are called to empty ourselves of pride, self-will, and the desire to establish our own authority over our lives.
The Fall began with mankind choosing its own way over the command of God. Through Christ, we are invited into restored relationship with Him.
Our lives are no longer our own.
We are stewards of the life God has given us. Our families, possessions, careers, time, and opportunities are entrusted to us for His glory.
The more we recognize Christ’s preeminence, the more we understand that surrender is not a loss. It is the proper response to the One who created us, redeemed us, and sustains us.
Key Scriptures: Philippians 2:5–11; Luke 22:42; Colossians 1:16–18.
6. Growing in the Knowledge and Awe of God
An important part of our discussion centered on what it means to grow spiritually.
Growth in Christ is not simply an accumulation of biblical knowledge. It is a deeper understanding of who God is, an increase in faith, and a growing reverence for His majesty.
We discussed the mystery of God and the importance of learning to rest in the truth that He is God and we are not.
There are things about His purposes that we may not fully understand in this life. Yet our inability to comprehend everything does not diminish His authority or faithfulness.
Instead, it should lead us into greater awe.
Consider the imagery of standing beneath the vastness of the night sky or looking across the ocean. These experiences remind us of how small we are in comparison to the greatness of creation.
How much more should our hearts be moved when we consider the One who created it all?
The fear of the Lord is not merely an emotion. It is a reverence that shapes our lives, our obedience, and our worship.
As we grow in our knowledge of God, we should also grow in our willingness to trust Him.
Psalm 23 reminds us that the Lord is our Shepherd. We can rest in His guidance even when we do not understand the path before us.
Our peace is not found in knowing every answer. It is found in knowing the One who leads us.
Key Scriptures: Psalm 23; Proverbs 9:10; Isaiah 6:1–5.
7. What Does the Great I AM Mean for Everyday Life?
Near the end of the episode, we asked an important question:
What does the identity of Jesus Christ mean for our everyday lives?
If Jesus is the Great I AM, then His identity must change how we live.
When I do not know who I am, I look to Christ.
When I walk through darkness, I look to Christ, the Light.
When I feel spiritually empty, I look to Christ, the source of life.
When I do not know which way to go, I look to Christ and His Word.
When I struggle with sin, I look to Christ for salvation and transformation.
When I am afraid, I remember who He is.
When I am tempted to build my life around myself, I remember that all things were created through Him and for Him.
This is the purpose of knowing Jesus—not simply to gain information, but to be transformed through a relationship with Him.
The world tells us to find ourselves. Jesus tells us to look to Him.
The world tells us to create our own truth. Jesus declares that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
We are not searching for something. We are searching for Someone.
And when we come to know who Jesus is, it changes how we understand who we are.
8. The Church Must Proclaim the Testimony of Jesus Christ
The final portion of our conversation brought us to the responsibility of the believer to share the good news.
If Jesus has transformed our lives, then we have a testimony to share.
We are not called to remain silent about the One who has rescued us.
Whether we are speaking to our families, our coworkers, our communities, or those who encounter us online, we are called to be witnesses of Jesus Christ.
Our testimony is not that we are good in ourselves. Our testimony is that God has shown us grace through His Son.
The finished work of Christ provides the foundation of our hope.
The cross was not an accident. Jesus came according to the Father’s purpose, accomplished the work of redemption, and made a way for us to be reconciled to God.
The Church must rise up and proclaim this good news.
There is hope for the lost. There is forgiveness for the sinner. There is life for those who are spiritually dead.
Jesus Christ is the cure for a sin-sick soul.
And He is worthy of all our worship.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
As you listen to “I AM The Word — Pt. 2,” consider these questions:
- What does it mean for Jesus Christ to be preeminent in all things?
- Have you been treating Jesus as simply a source of wisdom, or have you surrendered your life to Him as Lord?
- How does the Old Testament reveal the person and work of Jesus Christ?
- What areas of your life are you still struggling to surrender to the authority of Christ?
- How does understanding that Jesus is the Light of the World change how you respond to darkness, fear, or confusion?
- Are you growing in your knowledge of God in a way that produces greater reverence and obedience?
- What does it mean for you to abide in Christ and live in His presence?
- Who in your life needs to hear the testimony of what Jesus Christ has done for you?
Key Takeaways
- Jesus Christ is the eternal Word who became flesh and dwelt among us.
- All of Scripture points toward the person and work of Jesus Christ.
- Jesus is Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and the preeminent One over all things.
- God’s plan of redemption was established according to His purpose.
- Christ’s preeminence must affect every area of our lives.
- True spiritual growth includes growing in faith, understanding, and awe of God.
- We are called to surrender our will and live as stewards of the life God has given us.
- Our identity is found in knowing Jesus Christ.
- The Church is called to proclaim the testimony of Jesus and the good news of salvation.
Closing Reflection: Know the Great I AM
The greatest pursuit of our lives is not to discover ourselves apart from God. It is to know the One who created us, redeemed us, and calls us into relationship with Him.
Jesus Christ is the Great I AM.
He is before all things. He holds all things together. He is the Light that darkness cannot overcome. He is our Ark, our Passover, our salvation, and our hope.
And because He is who He is, He alone is worthy of our surrender.
May we continue to seek Him, abide in His Word, and allow His life to be seen through us.
May our lives become a testimony of His grace and glory.
Through the Refiner’s Fire, may we be transformed through our Lord Jesus Christ and become His epistles for all the world to see.
Listen to the Episode
Watch or listen to “I AM The Word — Pt. 2” on Through the Refiner’s Fire Podcast.
Visit Christ Epistle for more biblical teaching, testimonies, and resources designed to edify believers and proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ.
Where faith is sharpened, truth is professed, and believers are transformed.
Download Podcast – https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-fy2aw-1ba6e11
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