Name Dropper
El Shaddai
The name of God was so powerful to the ancient Hebrews that they wouldn’t even say it. But through Jesus we’re told, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) God’s name brings salvation and strength. A name dropper is someone who uses another person’s name to get access to something they wouldn’t otherwise be able to get. As Christians, we’re invited to use God’s names in our time of need. God is so powerful that He goes by many names: El Shaddai (Almighty), Jehovah Shalom (peace), Jehovah Rapha (Our healer) In this series, we’ll look at the power of calling on God’s many names and attributes to face the challenges of life.
Links
Series
Speakers
Marcus Avalos
Lead Pastor
EL SHADDAI – God, the All Sufficient One • The God who is more than Enough
Genesis 15:4-5 – The Original Promise 4 And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir." 5 Then He brought him outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be."
• 25 YEARS LATER the Promise is fulfilled.
Genesis 17:1 – The Fulfillment of His Promise When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. 2 And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly." 3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him
ABRAHAMS PLAN Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
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ELIEZER OF DAMASCUS - Genesis 15:2 But Abram said, "Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?"
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ISHMAEL - A Son from Hagar – Gen 16 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not been able to bear children for him. But she had an Egyptian servant named Hagar. 2 So Sarai said to Abram, “The LORD has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal.
MANS SUFFICIENCY vs GOD’S
2 Corinthians 3:5 - Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,
Phil 3:3 - We are those who boast in what Jesus Christ has done, and not in what we can accomplish in our own strength.
ABRAHAM’S RESPONSE WHEN HE FACES GOD Gen 17:3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him.
PROMISES FROM EL SHADDAI
Psalms 91 1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (El Shaddai) 2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."
PROMISES: 14 "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore
- I will deliver him;
- I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and
- I will answer him;
- I will be with him in trouble;
- I will deliver and honor him.
- I will satisfy him, with long life and
- I will show him My salvation."
SALVATION = To save, deliver, protect, to heal, preserve, do well, be (make) whole
TAKE HOME: • With JEHOVAH NISSI, we RAISE OUR VOICE • With El SHADDAI, we BOW OUR HEARTS
- DITCH YOUR STRATEGY
- DWELL UNDER HIS SHADOW
Name Dropper
Sermon Notes. March 10, 2024
SUMMARY
In the Old Testament times, a name was not only identification, but an identity as well. Throughout Scripture God reveals Himself to us through His names. When we study these names that He reveals to us in the Bible, we will better understand who God really is. The meanings behind God's names reveal the central personality and nature of the One who bears them.
Q1: Who is God to you? Is He your Most High God, All sufficient One, Master, Lord of Peace, the Lord Who Will Provide? Is He your Father? We must be careful not to make God into an "it" or a "thing" to which we pray. God knows us by our name, shouldn't we know Him by His?
MEANING AND DERIVATION
El is another name that is translated as "God" and can be used in conjunction with other words to designate various aspects of God's character. Another word much like Shaddai, and from which many believe it derived, is shad meaning "breast" in Hebrew. This refers to God completely nourishing, satisfying, and supplying His people with all their needs as a mother would her child. Connected with the word for God, El, this denotes a God who freely gives nourishment and blessing, He is our sustainer.
FOCUS VERSE
Read Gen 17:1 aloud
1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. 2 And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly." 3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him.
Q2: Why did God reveal Himself in this manner to Abraham? Can you recall the context that leads up to this verse?
Q3: Read Psalms 91 – the word “Almighty” is El Shaddai.
• What are some of the promises made to those who abide under the shadow of “El Shaddai”? What does it mean to abide under His shadow?
Q4: Read 2 Cor 12:9 and Hebrews 10:23 which refer to the All sufficient One.
• How can we better trust in His provision, lean on His sufficiency, and hold fast to His promises this week?
OVERVIEW
Ditch Your Self Sufficiency and Trust Him to be your All Sufficiency
APPLICATION
Every time the word El Shaddai is used in Genesis, it is tied to God keeping His promise to make men fruitful. He overcomes our inadequacy and brings fruitfulness out of the different trials we face.
Close the group in prayer, asking God to reveal Himself as El Shaddai to you and your family this week.
ADDITIONAL READING AND THOUGHTS
2 Cor 9:8; 2 Cor. 3:5; Heb 10:23; Phil 4:13; 2 Cor. 4:7
FINAL THOUGHTS
It does not matter how dark or difficult your life gets. God is light and His power overcomes anything you will ever face. There will be opposition and it is imperative that you develop a tenacity regarding your faith. 1 Cor.2:5 says that our faith should not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God, The All Sufficient One.