Introduction:
A. God reveals Himself as the ever present and never changing I AM. Man’s self-image, on the other hand, is the very opposite.
B. Paul’s statement is both honest and challenging. It relates to every child of God. It is the work of God’s grace rather than self-effort. His self-evaluation affords a valuable tool for any person to make an honest self-evaluation.

I. God’s Grace Gives A Unique Salvation
    A. I am not what I was
        1. Paul before - Acts 9:1
        2. Paul after - 1 Tim 1:12-13
    B. I am not what I am striving to be
        1. Paul admitted lack of perfection - Phil 3:12
        2. Paul claimed extreme effort - Phil 3:13-17
    C. I am not what I am going to be
        1. Paul proclaimed the Spirit’s work - 2 Cor 3:18
        2. Paul rejoiced in change - 1 Cor 15:51-57
        3. John gloried in change - 1 Jn 3:2
    D. I am what I am because of God’s grace - Gal 2:16-21
        1. Forgiven & cleansed sinner - 1 Jn 1:9
        2. A child of God - Jn 1:12
        3. A temple of God - 1 Cor 3:16

II. God’s Grace Gives A Unique Service
    A. I am not doing what I did
        1. The old Paul - Acts 8:1-3
        2. The old Corinthians - 1 Cor 6:9-11
    B. I am not doing what others do
        1. Peter’s ethic - 1 Pet 4:3-4
        2. Paul’s admonition - Rom 13:11-14
    C. I am not where I want to be
        1. Peter’s glimpse of glory - 1 Pet 4:13; 5:4
        2. John’s vision - Rev 21-22
    D. I am doing only what faith enables me to do
        1. Paul’s vision of service - 1 Cor 9:19-27
        2. Peter’s vision of service - 1 Pet 2:9-25

Conclusion:
A. What God gives us the power to be and to do is our highest privilege and potential.