Names of God # 4

     Today we’re going to continue on the subject of the Names of God. So far we have looked at the name Jehovah, we also looked at the Hebrew name “El” and “Elohim.” And for the last 2 weeks we took up the name “El Shaddai.”

     I. Jehovah is the name for God in the OT that refers quite often to the work that Jesus did in the NT.

              A. For instance, (Isaiah 49:26) Says, “I the LORD (Jehovah) am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer.” KJV

                        1. In the NT we know that Jesus is the Saviour and the redeemer.

                        2. In (Joel 2:32) It says, that “Whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD (Jehovah) shall be delivered.”

                                  a. The word “Delivered” that means “Delivered and Saved.”

                                           i. In other words, it says, “Whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD (Jehovah) shall be saved and delivered.”

                                  b. But the NT says in (Romans 10:13) “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” KJV

                                  c. You have to come to the conclusion that Jesus is Jehovah.

                        3. Also the name Jehovah means “The Ever Existing One” and it also refers to His Holiness and Righteousness.

              B. The Hebrew word “EL” is another name that is used for God, and it refers to the God of POWER and MIGHT.

                        1. “Elohim” comes from the word “El” but it is the plural of “El,” meaning God the Father, God the Son and God the HS.

                                  a. It also carries the meaning of the God of Power and might, but it also refers to the God of Covenant.

                                           i. Abraham entered it to a covenant with Elohim, and that covenant was good for Abraham and all his seed.

                                           ii. The NT tells us that if we are in Christ then we are Abraham’s seed and heirs to that promise.

                                           iii. The blessings of God belong to us.

                        2. We also looked “El Shaddai” which is another name for God, which means “The all mighty God who supplies with more than enough.”

                                  a. (Ephesians 3:20) Says, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” KJV

                                  b. (Psalm 91:1) Says, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” (Shaddai or El Shaddai) the God who supplies with more than enough.

                                           i. If we want God to supply us with more than enough, than we have to be walking with Him and putting Him 1st place in our lives.

     II. The next name for God that I want to cover is the name “ADONAI.”

              A. In your KJV when you see the word “Lord” written most of the time it is either the Hebrew word “Jehovah or ADONAI”

                        1. The word “ADONAI” appears well over 400 times in just the OT.

                        2. But the word ADONAI is a somewhat different name for God, it has to do more with our responsibility.

                                  a. Knowing God as ADONAI will help us make a deeper commitment to God.

                        3. The word “ADONAI” literally means “Master,” “Owner,” or “Lord.”

                                  a. It means “Ownership,” and it also reveals to us our responsibilities as the 1 being owned by God.

                                  b. Now the word “ADONAI” is also in the plural just like “Elohim.”

                                           i. ADONAI also refers to God the Father, God the Son, and God the HS.

              B. As God is our ADONAI, He is in the position of being our Master, and we are His purchased position.

                        1. We have an illustration in the Word of God that gives us a picture of this relationship. (Between ADONAI and us)

                                  a. EXO 21:1-6

                        2. With the Jewish people if someone was so poor that they could not support themselves and they were in danger of poverty or starvation, he could approach another Israelite and say, “Could I be your slave for 6 years.

                                  a. As a slave it was his responsible to obey every order, and his master had to provide his food, lodging, direction, and protection for those 6 years.

                                           i. After serving the master for 6 years, the slave was allowed to go free.

                                           ii. If for some reason (usually love) the slave did not want to leave his master and decided to stay with his master, he could do so and his ear would be pierced.

                                           iii. The slave was now saying, “I am a slave by my own choice.

                                           iv. He is choosing to be a slave for life, and the master is totally responsible for him. They usually call this person a bondslave.

                        3. ADONAI is a God Who totally owns His people.

                                  a. He protects them, provides for them, and directs them.

                                  b. ADONAI is the Master Whose servants have chosen to serve Him because of their love for Him.

              C. Jesus came to this earth to be a servant and the serve.

                        1. Turn to MARK 10:44-45 (The Greek words are “Served and Serve.”)

                                  a. Turn with me to JOHN 4:34 He was sent to do the will of the Master.

                                  b. Look at JOHN 6:38

                        2. Jesus was the greatest servant of all.

                                  a. Turn with me to LUKE 22:42

                                           i. This was the time when Jesus was praying in the Garden Gethsemane.

                                           ii. Jesus knew that the cross was coming, but He said, “Father, not my will, but thine, be done.”

                                  b. Jesus could have willingly walked away from the crucifixion, but Jesus made himself a Bondslave to do the will of the Father.

                                           i. It’s interesting that when someone chose to be a bondslave they were pierced to show that they were a slave to do the Masters will.

                                           ii. Jesus went to the cross and was pierce in His hands and feet, and in His side.

                        3. Jesus gave Himself to be a bondslave, to serve the Master at any cost.

                                  a. (Philippians 2:5-7) “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” KJV

     III. Paul says, “Let this mind be in you.” We are also called to serve ADONAI.

              A. Some people cringe at the thought of God having complete ownership over them.

                        1. Some people have the thinking, “I’m going to do what I want to do.” “I have to be my own person,” or “I’m just a free spirit, I’ll do what I feel like doing.”

                                  a. Well for the Christian to say that, it’s rebellion against God.

                                           i. (1 Samuel 15:23) Says, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.” KJV

                        2. You’re not a free spirit. You have been purchased for a very costly price, the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

                                  a. (1 Corinthians 7:22) Says, “For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman.” KJV

                                  b. There is only 1 freeing Spirit and the is the HS.

                                           i. It is becoming a Bondslave to ADONAI that you make you free IN HIM.

                        3. (2 Corinthians 3:17) Says, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” KJV

                                  a. When the Spirit of God comes in you life, then there is true freedom.

                                           i. Before you ever knew Jesus as Lord, you were a servant to another, and that was Satan, and he was a hard Taskmaster.

                                           ii. Driving you to do things that were not good. Cruel and evil.

                                  b. Turn to GAL 5:1

                                           i. Satan put us into a yoke of bandage through sin.

                                           ii. Don’t go back to that old taskmaster, stay a bondslave to the Lord and you will have freedom.

              B. Turn to JOB 28:28

                        1. “The fear of the Lord (ADONAI), that is wisdom.” KJV

                                  a. The word “FEAR” means “RESPECT and REVERENCE.”

                                  b. Having a respect and reverence of God as Master is the wisest thing you can ever do.

                                           i. He wants to totally provide for you, protect and direct you, but you 1st have to use wisdom and make him you ADONAI, your master.

                                           ii. If you’re not walking in victory, you have to ask yourself, “Is God in control of my life, is He my Master?”

                        2. Look at GEN 15:2

                                  a. In this chapter, God and Abram begin to make a covenant together.

                                           i. This covenant meant many promises and blessings to Abraham.

                                  b. But God did not enter into the covenant or give the promises until Abram 1st said, “LORD GOD…ADONAI ELOHIM.”

                                           ii. Abram was saying, “Yes, you are the God of power and might, And you are my Master.”

              C. We also have the story of GIDEON. (JUDGES 6)

                        1. Israel fell into IDOLATRY and because of that the Midianites came against them in battle and the Israelites lost.

                                  a. Well, they cried out to the Lord. They repented.

                                           i. Then God called Gideon to set the people free.

                                           ii. After the Lord performed a miracle for Gideon, Gideon finally called God ADONAI. (Master) (Judges 6:22)

                                  b. Gideon gathered men together to fight against the Midianites, but God said, “Let every one that is afraid go home.”

                                           i. From the 32,000 men only 10,000 were left.

                                           ii. Then God told Gideon, “Tell everyone to take a drink from a lake, and send everyone home that puts their face into the water to drink.

                                           iii. Only 300 men were left.

                                  c. Gideon and his 300 men defeated the Midianites.

                        2. Why did God defeat the entire Midianite army.

                                  a. Because a man called God ADONAI, Master.

                                  b. When you make God your master, it’s His responsibility to direct you, to protect you, and to provide for you.

                                           i. If you want to have greater victory in your life Make Jesus your MASTER

WOLCC Sun AM 8/4/96