Closer to Christ
The Names of God • Sermon • Submitted
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The Names Of God
The Names Of God
Father, may Your Name be kept Holy.
So he said, “When you pray, say,
Father,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right.
jkol
Has it ever happened to you that you wake up in the morning knowing that Jesus is your Lord and Saviour as you have know for many years. You say a cursory “morning Lord”. While getting ready for your day, certain things go wrong, you run out of milk, then someone has lost a sock or jacket or homework. You didn’t sleep well and you’re starting to feel a bit irritable. The day goes on, some things go really well and others not so much. You show your frustrations and even become impatient with some people. At one point in the day you even exclaim Gods name in an attitude of anger. By the time you get into bed, you are worn out and ready for sleep. Just as you are about to drift off, a gentle voice whispers to you, “I missed you today”. You realise that you haven’t talked to God all day. You realise you have put God in a box, a box that says “use only in case of emergencies!”
Putting God in a box is like putting Jesus back in the tomb and rolling the stone over the opening. This is what we do when we think our way is better than His. We think we know more than God or we simply forget about God. Sometimes we only let Jesus out when we believe His will, will line up with ours.
Most of the time we don’t really understand how awesome our God is. There are no real words in our language to express His grandeur. So how do we start to grasp Gods greatness? How do we let God out of the box. How can we get out of the way to let God be God. It’s all about trust.
When we first meet someone and don’t know them very well, we may not trust them greatly. As we get to know them and the way they react and behave in certain situations, we start to know their strengths and weaknesses. We start to know if we can trust them.
Our relationship with God can be similar. Sometimes we only get to know God from a distance. Sometimes our relationship is much closer. The question is, how do we get to know God so well that we can trust Him totally? Here are some ideas.
1 Listen to me, you islands;
hear this, you distant nations:
Before I was born the Lord called me;
from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.
Isaiah 49;
Names are important. My name, Kelly, means warrior spirit. Without me knowing what Maddison meant when i named her, Maddison means daughter of the warrior. Names in the bible are very important. Names tell us about the person and the bible often explains what a name means.
Names are important. My name, Kelly, means warrior spirit. When I named Maddison I had no idea that her name meant daughter of the warrior.
Van Groningen, G. (1988). God, Names Of. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, p. 880). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
The Biblical Idea of a Name
In the Baker encyclopedia of the Bible there is a whole chapter on The Names of God. It states:
“In the Scriptures, the name and person of God are inseparably related. This is in keeping with the biblical conception of what a name signifies.
In the Hebrew language, the term for “name” most probably meant “sign” or “distinctive mark.” In the Greek language, “name” (onoma) is derived from a verb which means “to know”; a name then indicates how a person or object is to be known. “Name” in biblical usage correctly describes the person, place, or object and indicates the essential character of that to which the name is given. Adam names the animals according to their nature (, ); “Noah” means “one who brings relief and comfort” (); “Jesus” means “savior” (). When a person was given a new position or a radical change took place in his life, a new name was given to indicate that new aspect, for example, Abram became Abraham (“father of many,” ); and Jacob became Israel (“one who strives with God” or “God strives,” ).
Van Groningen, G. (1988). God, Names Of. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, p. 880). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
No one name God employs, states all that can be said by God about himself; in fact, all the names taken together do not reveal all that God is. God is infinite; he cannot be fully known. But he has revealed much concerning himself, so much that if one studies the names of God one is struck by the greatness, holiness, majesty, glory, indescribable goodness, and justice of God. God’s name is wonderful” (Jugs 13:18). Why ask about it? The answer is that by his name(s) God has chosen to reveal himself. But, the better we know God, the more we know and feel that His Mystery is unfathomable” (Christian Doctrine of God, p. 117).
Van Groningen, G. (1988). God, Names Of. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, p. 880). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
When men and women call on the name of God, God himself is worshiped (); when they forget the name of God, they depart from God himself (); when they take the name of God in vain, God himself is personally profaned and affronted ().
Van Groningen, G. (1988). God, Names Of. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, p. 880). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
So, names are important. God’s name is vital and has great significants. Debbie McDaniel has written a great article on the names of God which I have drawn from and which I suggest as good reading.
For me, the first name that moves me closer to God has to be Adonai.
1. Adonai: Lord and Master
Imagine two children are playing a game. One of the children, the older of the two, begins telling the younger child what he is supposed to be doing. After listening for a bit, the younger child looks up at the older and said, "You are not the boss of me."
When the title Lord and Master came up on the screen just now, it is quite possible that there may have been a similar reaction from many of us. We don’t like to have anyone be the boss of us. This has to do with control and pride. I challenge myself and you to think about this differently.
Adonai is the name which correctly describes personal communication between us and God. In such communication we acknowledged God’s intense majesty and greatness and also the sense of belonging to God. Adonai, coming from human lips, expresses honour for God and humble submission on our part as the believing person. Adonai, is the name that expresses faith, assurance, security, ready service, and thanksgiving. This is the only name I will talk about today that speaks of how we behave toward God.
ace herself in submission to anyone and her attitude toward the word ‘boss’ made that very evident.
It is a name by which people addressed God, and when so used, it was in combination with Elohim. Adonai is correctly described as the name of personal communication between the believer and God. In such communication the worshiper acknowledged God’s intense majesty and greatness and also the sense of belonging to this God. Adonai, coming from human lips, expressed honor for God and humble submission on the part of the believing person. Adonai, thus, is the name that expresses faith, assurance, security, ready service, and thanksgiving
I say to the Lord, You are my Lord; I have no good beside or beyond You.
Today I want us to ponder the question, “Who is the boss of you?” Each of us has someone or something that is the boss of us, and a master to whom we bow in submission. If we are wise, that boss is God. For some, though, the boss of their life could be another person, or perhaps a habit or stronghold.
Psalm 16:2
Adonai, means Lord and Master. If God is Adonai to you, He is the one to whom you submit or bow down; He is the Boss of your life. Adonai is the ultimate authority figure in your life and the One to whom you owe your complete allegiance.
This is an extremely important name. It shows us that
2. Elohim: God of power and might
This name means Strength or Power. He is the One and only God. When the world offers so much sham and drudgery, Elohim is the true God, one on whom we can totally depend. He is Supreme. He is Sovereign. He is the one we can completely trust. Go for a walk in nature and meditate on the name Elohim. He is the Mighty One over all of nature, in this world, and the heavens above, our creative God who has worked wonders by His hands. As we sang this morning “You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name”. God reminds us that He is Elohim every single day. His amazing power is at work in every sunrise, every sunset and carries His people through difficult times. You can be assured, you are held by an Almighty God, you never have to fear, God’s hands are strong and secure.
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by God reminds that He is Elohim every single day. His amazing power is at work in every sunrise, every sunset, in the way He holds the stars in the sky, and carries His people through difficult times. You can be assured, you are held by an Almighty God, you never have to fear, God’s hands are strong and secure.
IN THE beginning God (prepared, formed, fashioned, and) created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Psalm
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.”
3. Yahweh: The Lord, I AM
The name of the independent, self-complete being. Yahweh is derived from the Hebrew word for “I AM,” it is the proper name of the divine person, coming from the verb which means to “exist” or “be.” When God told Moses to go to Pharaoh and to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses was scared.
And Moses said to God, Behold, when I come to the Israelites and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they say to me, What is His name? What shall I say to them?
And God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM and WHAT I AM, and I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE; and He said, You shall say this to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you!
And Moses said to God, Behold, when I come to the Israelites and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they say to me, What is His name? What shall I say to them?
And God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM and WHAT I AM, and I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE; and He said, You shall say this to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you!
Exodus
God’s name, Yahweh, is one of authority. It is one that holds great power, and says to all who hear, “I AM the One, true God. Follow me!” God is still the “Great I AM,” for He never changes. We can trust His loving leadership in our lives, just as Moses did. He calls us for His specific purposes, reminding us that He knows our way and He has a plan.
4. Abba: Daddy, Father
Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father” , and the spirit of God taught us to cry, “Abba, Father.” Abba means “Daddy, Father” – Abba is the most intimate form of God’s name, showing us His character as our loving daddy. He is the One who can be fully trusted, the One we can lean on, the One who cares about all that concerns us. The Creator of the universe cares fo reach one of us as if we were the only child He has. He provides the way for us to call out to Him and the assurance, beyond a doubt, that He hears and will answer. In our most difficult or painful times in life, we can crawl up into the lap of our heavenly Father, and know that He is for us, and His arms will hold us secure.
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Romans 15:
5. El Elyon: God Most High
You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, “Papa! Father!”
Galations 4:6
“Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."
El Elyon is a name used through the Old Testament revealing God is above all gods, that nothing in life is more sacred. He is indeed the Lord Most High, the One who reigns supreme. He is greater than any force of darkness in this world. He is bigger than any problem we might come up against in this life. In daily life struggles and battles, we sometimes just need to be reminded that God is still in control. He will never lose His power and might. Though the world feels dark many days, He has conquered death and sin. He is Mighty. He is Lord. He is exalted over all.
5. El Elyon: God Most High
Means “God Most High” – El Elyon is a name used through the Old Testament revealing God is above all gods, that nothing in life is more sacred. He is indeed the Lord Most High, the One who reigns supreme. He is greater than any force of darkness in this world, He is bigger than any problem we might come up against in this life. In daily life struggles and battles, we sometimes just need to be reminded that God is still in control. He never will lose His power and might, though the world feels dark many days, He has conquered death and sin. He is Mighty. He is Lord. He is exalted over all.
I will give to the Lord the thanks due to His rightness and justice, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.
Psamlm
6. El Roi: God Who Sees
El Roi is only used once to describe God as the seeing One. Hagar described the Lord this way when she was found in the wilderness. God is the all seeing One from whose eye nothing is hidden. This could make us fearful but I love the kindness and care that this name holds as it points to God’s character. He is one who chases after us, who follows us with goodness. He is the one who sees us when we feel lonely, all on our own, or when we just need the reminder that God is close. The name El Roi says to us that God is watching over all, that He sees the affairs of people, and knows when we feel lost and unloved.
When Hagar had run away to a desert place far from those she felt hurt and betrayed by, we see God surround her in so much grace and care. He didn’t leave her alone in her troubles. Nor will He leave us to fend for ourselves through difficult times. This story of God’s name reminds us that He is always close, that He sees us when we feel that no one else does, and that He cares.
She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”
Genesis 16:13
“She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me."
7. El Shaddai: God Almighty
God is all-sufficient, all-bountiful and the source of all blessings. El Shaddai, reminds us that He is the Mighty One. We can find refuge and rest in His shadow. This is comforting in a world where we face many battles day by day. Meditating on the name El Shaddai can remind us that our God is God Almighty. Nothing else around us can offer the the real security and assurance that El Shaddai can give. He is the God who sees all, knows all, and has the power to go before us. He walks with us daily, and covers us from behind. Dwelling in God’s presence gives us shelter and rest.
HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].
Psalm 91:1
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
8. Yahweh Yireh: The Lord Will Provide
Just as He provided yesterday, He will also provide today and tomorrow. He grants deliverance from sin, the oil of joy for the ashes of sorrow. God will provide for our needs. Every one of them, He is faithful, He is able, nothing is too difficult for Him. Sometimes His timing is different than ours, maybe we feel that He has forgotten and hasn’t heard our prayers. Sometimes we get our “needs” and “wants” mixed up, and other times He knows what is better for us than we even know ourselves. We can trust Him, that His timing is perfect, and that all things are possible for Him even when we can’t see a way out. Abraham found this to be true. Alone with his son Isaac in the wilderness, He knew and trusted that God would provide a sacrifice in place of his only child. He believed in God’s character, and knew Him to be faithful, loving, and the God who will provide. Often it seems, that God tests our hearts like He did Abraham’s that day. He wants to know what we are willing to lay down before Him, before He opens the doors of provision and blessing. May we be found faithful.
So Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide. And it is said to this day, On the mount of the Lord it will be provided.
Genesis 22:
“So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
9. Yahweh Nissi: The Lord is my Banner
Yahweh Nissi means “The Lord Is My Banner” – This is the name of God that proclaims His protection, leadership, and deliverance for His people. Just as God brought divine protection for the Israelites against their enemy, the Amalekites, He offers us protection and deliverance today from the enemies we may face in this life. While Joshua and the people fought against their enemy, Moses stood on top of a hill with God’s staff in his hands. The Bible tells the story that even though Moses grew weary, when his hands were lifted by those who supported him, the Israelites were winning, and when his hands lowered the Amalekites were winning. It was clear to all, who gave them victory that day. Sometimes we spin our wheels trying to battle through our hard days in our own strength. We get weary, we get upset, we get angry, and we end up losing it. God reminders us all that He is our banner, our protector, that One who is able to lead us and give us supernatural victory against forces and obstacles that come against us. If we allow Him to be in control, He will do more on our behalf, than would ever be possible on our own.
15 Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner.
“Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner.”
10. Jehovah Rophe: Healer, the Lord who heals you
God alone provides the remedy for mankind’s brokenness through His son, Jesus Christ. It reminds us that God knows we’re in need of help. He understands we’re in need of healing, and He promises to redeem every broken place in our lives. He never leaves us on our own to fend for ourselves. Without Him we couldn’t have hope for true freedom and healing. Sometimes the healing doesn’t come in the timetable or way that we would choose, and that can be hard. But as believers we still have this hope and assurance: we will live forever free in heaven, far away from the burdens we’ve carried here in this life. Jesus promises to make all things new, and God will wipe away every tear.
He said, "If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you." -
26 Saying, If you will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord your God and will do what is right in His sight, and will listen to and obey His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon you which I brought upon the Egyptians, for I am the Lord Who heals you.
Exo
11. Yahweh Shalom: The Lord Is Peace
We are to know the fullness of God’s perfect peace, or His “shalom”. God’s peace surpasses understanding and sustains us even through difficult times. It is the produce of fully being what we were created to be. The peace of God often doesn’t make sense to a world that would tell us to hurry and worry. A world that seems hard some days, and often so full of struggles. In the midst of it all, He reminds us that He is our true peace, so we never need to fear. No matter what we face.
For He is [Himself] our peace (our bond of unity and harmony). He has made us both [Jew and Gentile] one [body], and has broken down (destroyed, abolished) the hostile dividing wall between us,
Eph 2:14
Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord is Peace. To this day it still stands in Ophrah, which belongs to the Abiezrites.
Judges 6:
Remember our story from the start of today? How much more helpful would it have been if we had studied and meditated on the names of God? How much more would we know Christ? How different would that day have been if we had a constant understanding that God is Lord and Master, God of power and might, that God is the great I AM, while also being loving daddy and father. He is God Most High who sees us in all our circumstances. He is God almighty who protects us and faithfully provides for us. God shows me the way, he is my banner and my healer and in all of this, God is my peace.
16 The Lord said to him, Surely I will be with you, and you shall smite the Midianites as one man.
This understanding can totally change the way I see God. It can change the perspective of my greatness compared to Gods. Compared to El Shaddai, Adonai and Yahwah, I am on my knees. The image of my God box is totally transformed and seem quite ridiculous. I can’t afford in any way shape or form to keep God in the tomb. I desperately need to know Him more. I need for God to be the very centre of my whole life.
22 And when Gideon perceived that He was the Angel of the Lord, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face!
23 The Lord said to him, Peace be to you, do not fear; you shall not die.
24 Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord is Peace. To this day it still stands in Ophrah, which belongs to the Abiezrites.
Judges
Remember our story from the start of today? How much more helpful would it have been if we had studied and meditated on the names of God? How much more would we know Christ? How different would that day have been if we had a constant understanding that God is Lord and Master, God of power and might, that God is the great I AM while also being loving daddy and father. He is God Most High who sees us in all our circumstances. He is God almighty who protects us and faithfully provides for us. God shows me the way, he is my banner and my healer and in all of this, God is my peace.
16 The Lord said to him, Surely I will be with you, and you shall smite the Midianites as one man.
17 Gideon said to Him, If now I have found favor in Your sight, then show me a sign that it is You Who talks with me.
18 Do not leave here, I pray You, until I return to You and bring my offering and set it before You. And He said, I will wait until you return.
19 Then Gideon went in and prepared a kid and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour. The meat he put in a basket and the broth in a pot, and brought them to Him under the oak and presented them.
20 And the Angel of God said to him, Take the meat and unleavened cakes and lay them on this rock and pour the broth over them. And he did so.
21 Then the Angel of the Lord reached out the tip of the staff that was in His hand, and touched the meat and the unleavened cakes, and there flared up fire from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened cakes. Then the Angel of the Lord vanished from his sight.
22 And when Gideon perceived that He was the Angel of the Lord, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face!
23 The Lord said to him, Peace be to you, do not fear; you shall not die.
24 Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord is Peace. To this day it still stands in Ophrah, which belongs to the Abiezrites.
Judges 6:16-24
Meditating on the Names of God can teach us so much. We have only looked at a few names today, there are many more. I have a challenge for you. Choose one of Gods names, find it’s meaning, write it down and put it up on a wall where you will see it. Spend some time getting to know the name and the meaning and how it relates to your life and your understanding of God. Change it over on a regular basis. Pray using the name. Find songs, scripture, poems using the Name. Get to know God better.
If you don’t know God and would like to, or if you want to know more about how to become closer to Christ, reach out to God and ask Him for help. If you are being challenged and would like prayer, speak to someone, if you are being prompted to find out more, please don’t ignore it. Abba Father is waiting for you.