God: Lesson 4 - Yahweh

YAHWEH

The position or rank that God gave Himself when forming the nation of Israel was "Yahweh". The Great "I AM" revealed to mankind that He was in perpetual existence without boundaries of time, space, mass, force or energy. These are the 5 basics of physical science. Our God, the "I AM" is beyond the physical boundaries in which we live.

To be in tune with Him, we must learn, as Moses did, to seek His Presence. Moses sought God and found His glory, His Shekinah, the glorious, brilliant, shining manifestation of the divine presence which allows man to visualize a messanger from God without being destroyed (Acts 7).

As members of the Lord's (Adonai) Body, the church we should be a company of believers with one purpose – to practice presence by opening our hearts to the will of God step by step and moment by moment. As one of the Christian disciplines, practicing presence helps us to see the big picture in the scheme of God Almighty’s Plan.

PRACTICING PRESENCE

(1) Practice being more conscious of God every minutes of the day. Be able to say as Cornelius, “We are now here in the presence of God”.

(2) Practice confident expectation. Be able to say with the prophet and psalmist, “My Lord will hear.”

(3) Practice praising His every day work in our lives. Be able to declare as Isaiah, “Lo, this is our God…this is the Lord.” (this is NOT luck or good fortune)

(4) Practice humbling ourselves to walk in His will. Be able to say as James commanded, “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that’”

SHARE with the group what you discovered this week as you "practiced presence".

RESOURCES:

(1) The Names of Jesus from  http://www.tentmaker.org/lists/
(2) Names of Jesus: http://vimeo.com/1591680

·         Advocate - 1 John 2:1

·         Almighty - Revelation 1:8

·         Alpha - Revelation 1:8

·         Amen - Revelation 3:14

·         Angel of the Lord - Genesis 16:7

·         Anointed One - Psalm 2:2

·         Apostle - Hebrews 3:1

• Author and Perfecter of our Faith - Hebrews 12:2
• Beginning - Revelation 21:6
• Bishop of Souls - 1 Peter 2:25
• Branch - Zechariah 3:8
• Bread of Life - John 6:35,48
• Bridegroom - Matthew 9:15
• Carpenter - Mark 6:3
• Chief Shepherd - 1 Peter 5:4
• The Christ - Matthew 1:16

·         Comforter - Jeremiah 8:18

·         Consolation of Israel - Luke 2:25

·         Cornerstone - Ephesians 2:20

·         Dayspring - Luke 1:78

·         Day Star - 2 Peter 1:19

·         Deliverer - Romans 11:26

·         Desire of Nations - Haggai 2:7

·         Emmanuel - Matthew 1:23

·         End - Revelation 21:6

·         Everlasting Father - Isaiah 9:6

·         Faithful and True Witness - Revelation 3:14

·         First Fruits - 1 Corinthians 15:23

·         Foundation - Isaiah 28:16

·         Fountain - Zechariah 13:1

·         Friend of Sinners - Matthew 11:19

·         Gate for the Sheep - John 10:7

·         Gift of God - 2 Corinthians 9:15

·         God - John 1:1

·         Glory of God - Isaiah 60:1

·         Good Shepherd - John 10:11

·         Governor - Matthew 2:6

·         Great Shepherd - Hebrews 13:20

·         Guide - Psalm 48:14

·         Head of the Church - Colossians 1:18

·         High Priest - Hebrews 3:1

·         Holy One of Israel - Isaiah 41:14

·         Horn of Salvation - Luke 1:69

·         I Am - Exodus 3:14

·         Jehovah - Psalm 83:18

·         Jesus - Matthew 1:21

·         King of Israel - Matthew 27:42

·         King of Kings - 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 19:16

·         Lamb of God - John 1:29

·         Last Adam - 1 Corinthians 15:45

·         Life - John 11:25

·         Light of the World - John 8:12; John 9:5

·         Lion of the Tribe of Judah - Revelation 5:5

·         Lord of Lords - 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 19:16

·         Master - Matthew 23:8

·         Mediator - 1 Timothy 2:5

·         Messiah - John 1:41

·         Mighty God - Isaiah 9:6

·         Morning Star - Revelation 22:16

·         Nazarene - Matthew 2:23

·         Omega - Revelation 1:8

·         Passover Lamb - 1 Corinthians 5:7

·         Physician - Matthew 9:12

·         Potentate - 1 Timothy 6:15

·         Priest - Hebrews 4:15

·         Prince of Peace - Isaiah 9:6

·         Prophet - Acts 3:22

·         Propitiation - I John 2:2

·         Purifier - Malachi 3:3

·         Rabbi - John 1:49

·         Ransom - 1 Timothy 2:6

·         Redeemer - Isaiah 41:14

·         Refiner - Malachi 3:2

·         Refuge - Isaiah 25:4

·         Resurrection - John 11:25

·         Righteousness - Jeremiah 23:6

·         Rock - Deuteronomy 32:4

·         Root of David - Revelation 22:16

·         Rose of Sharon - Song of Solomon 2:1

·         Ruler of God's Creation - Revelation 3:14

·         Sacrifice - Ephesians 5:2

·         Savior - 2 Samuel 22:47; Luke 1:47

·         Second Adam - 1 Corinthians 15:47

·         Seed of Abraham - Galatians 3:16

·         Seed of David - 2 Timothy 2:8

·         Seed of the Woman - Genesis 3:15

·         Servant - Isaiah 42:1

·         Shepherd - 1 Peter 2:25

·         Shiloh - Genesis 49:10

·         Son of David - Matthew 15:22

·         Son of God - Luke 1:35

·         Son of Man - Matthew 18:11

·         Son of Mary - Mark 6:3

·         Son of the Most High - Luke 1:32

·         Stone - Isaiah 28:16

·         Sun of Righteousness - Malachi 4:2

·         Teacher - Matthew 26:18

·         Truth - John 14:6

·         Way - John 14:6

·         Wonderful Counselor - Isaiah 9:6

·         Word - John 1:1

·         Vine - John 15:1

God: Lesson 3 - El Shaddai

Covenant Maker & Keeper

This week we will be studying the Highest Almighty Covenant God. We learn to trust Him to much more than we can ever even imagine. We will learn that He is predictable in His faithfulness, goodness, loving kindness and as a promise and covenant keeper.  He acts on perfect values and never disappoints His followers.

The Old Testament is full of stories that exhibit God's supernatural ability to keep His promises to men. In Genesis 17 we see a promise made to Abraham to become the father of nations. God identifies Himself as El Shaddai (The Almighty). Abraham was weak and God was Almighty. This is how the glory of God is revealed to man, in our weaknesses.

With Covenants Come Blessings:

When God makes a covenant with His people, He gives them a new name, (Abram to Abraham; Children of Darkeness to Children of Light), a new spirit, inheritance, mission, purpose, home, and new hope. God's covenant relationship with Christians empowers us to live a new life, with enlightened eyes, strengthened by His Spirit (Eph 1 chapter), and given new hope, wisdom, righteousness, new Kingdom and new body, the church.

With Covenant Comes Responsibilities:

When God calls us through His son, He changes our descriptions of ourselves. Eph 5:8 tells us that we were once in darkness but now are children of light. Galatians 4:7 says we were once servants of sin and now sons and heirs of the Father. 1 Peter 2:10 explains that we are now a nation of God's own people.  But God requires something from us in order for us to participate in the covenant. Colossians 2:11-12 says that we must die to self and be buried as Christ as buried with faith in the working of God in that baptism (burial). We have the responsibility to BELIEVE in God's operation on our eternal being during our death, burial and resurrection to a new life in Christ Jesus.

What work does God do in baptism? God provides everything in baptism. Just as in the baptism of His son, He claims us as His child, imparts His Holy Spirit (Luke 3:21-22), and gives us a ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18).

Moses, Abraham, Noah, Adam, and Christians all have had covenants with God. In a covenant relationship man does not have to be perfect. Thanks be to God that we have been given grace and it abundantly! However, our responsibilites are to stay in a close, loving, trusting relationship with our convenant maker. We accomplish this by trusting and relying daily on Him to provide. He is the Almighty God and He is able.

REFLECTION: How do we demonstrate a convenant relationship with the Almighty God?

This week our lesson is about El Shaddai….the Highest Almighty Sovereign who is known to Abraham as the Covenant Maker and Keeper. If we believe in the power of the Almighty God then we should be able to overcome all fear of rejection and know that God works through our weaknesses for His glory.

ASSIGNMENT

Your assignment is to take one of the following challenges and be ready to share it next Wednesday evening.

Choose to share with someone one of the following:

(1) The deeper meaning of being in a covenant relationship with the Almighty

(2) Help someone understand the meaning of submitting to the washing of regeneration through faith in the Covenant God

(3) The spiritual blessings (Eph 1) we receive through faith in the power of God working in our baptism into Christ (Col 2:12)

If we are in covenant relationship, just as in a marriage, we don’t keep that relationship a secret. In fact, we might want to meditate and re-read – 1 Timothy 6:12 (click here)

RESOURCES:
(1) Join this Community and download FREE inspirational books from great Christian Authors. http://www.ccel.org/  Example: Search for Andrew Murray and download his books in PDF format for free.
(2) Read Ephesians Chapter 1 and describe the spiritual blessings we recieve as we walk in convenant relationship with God through Christ.

God: Lesson2 - Adonai

ADONAI


"Adonai" is the pleural form of Master or Lord. When we use the term "Adonai" we invariably indicate a relational position to the Master. He is Lord and we are slaves. If our culture has taught us to use the attribute of "Lord" for the Most High Being, that same culture should have taught us to surrender ourselves and to be His humble servant in every aspect of our existence.

Unfortunately, “Lord” is often the noun we use in prayer when we beg for things we want to go our way. This is diametrically opposed to the correct use of the term. When we use the word, “Lord” it should be to seek His will, His path, or His permission in all things as admonished in James 4:15:

            “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.’”

INALIENABLE RIGHTS

Culturally, we have been taught that we rights and no one should infringe on our rights. We believe a famous document that declares we all have the right to the “pursuit of happiness”, “freedom of speech”, and many other “inalienable and God given” rights. These phrases do not reflect the exact truth.
 
GOD GIVEN RIGHT

God has given us only one right. This right is alluded to throughout the Biblical text, but is best expressed in Joshua 24:15:

            “If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

We have only one God given right and that is to choose to serve God or “mammon” – earthly pursuits of happiness (Mattew 6:24; Luke 16:13). If we choose God, then all other decisions are subservient to His will. If we choose “mammon”, wealth, popularity, status, career, then we have chosen to follow the Prince of Darkness.

Many will call on the Lord Matthew 7:21-23, but it is useless to do so, if you have not become a servant of the Most High Master:

            ²¹ “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. ²² Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, “

RELATIONSHIP of Master/Slave

We learn many things from this verse, but let’s concentrate on two important points. (1) Just calling Adonai, “Lord” does not insure you are in favor with Him. (2) Even if we give Him glory for great things that we accomplish for Him, does not secure our place in His Kingdom.

How could people call on God, know His name, and practice many great and mighty works in His name, giving Him the glory….and still be told, “Depart from me, I NEER KNEW YOU”?

God did not call these folks liars as if they had never called Him “Lord” or never given Him the glory for mighty works in His name. He did not say, “You were once mine, but you fell away”.  Instead the sad truth is, He had never known them as His personal slaves, servants, children, members of His flock, church, or body. He had never been INTRODUCED to them.

Our questions should lead to ask, “How do I become known by God?” How are we introduced to Him so that on the last day when we call Him “Lord”, He will acknowledge us as “good and faithful servants” (Matthew 25:21, 23)?

We gain our introduction to God through Christ according to Romans 5:1-2, 8- 9:

            “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.”

            “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. ¹⁰ For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. ¹¹ And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”

We become children of God through the death of Christ, through His blood. How do we access this door, this introduction, this reconciliation? Romans 6:3-14 tells us how we become slave to Christ and known by God.

            Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? ⁴ Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. ⁵ For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, ⁶ knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; ⁷ for he who has died is freed from sin.

⁸ Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, ⁹ knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. ¹⁰ For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. ¹¹ Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

¹² Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, ¹³ and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. ¹⁴ For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”

What attributes should we encourage in our children? What characteristics? Demanding their rights or serving Adonai?

JESUS EXAMPLE

Jesus emptied Himself and took on the form of a servant to the point of death to become our example of how serving God looks like, taste like, and feels like on this earth. (Philippians 2:5-11) In fact, His entire ministry was just that “ministry” – a servant’s livestyle.

OUR PROMISE

If God opens a door of opportunity for us to serve Him, then He also offers His power and might in our inner man to carry out any task for His purpose (Ephesians 3:16). When we call Him, “Lord”, we acknowledge our faith in the Almighty and All Powerful Master of the Universe. Therefore, all the glory should be reflected towards God when we accomplish anything in this world. For it is through God that we live and move and have our very being (Acts 17:28).

ASSIGNMENT

Consider thinking about answering this question...just takes a few moments of meditation.

 

--If Adonai means Master and using it puts us into a bond servant or slave relationship with God, then we might need to meditate on that relationship.

 

As an educator, I am extremely sensitive as to how we nurture children in this society. It should also be a concern in the church on how we help our children become mature servants, slaves of Christ.

 

Can we open our communication as Paul did, "Paul, a bond servant, slave of Jesus Christ." Many young people today are headed towards futures of being spoiled, selfish, depressed, aimless, mean-spirited, and materialistic. They have gained their identities from their pursuits, talents, and participation in clubs, sports, clicks, and clubs. How would it be possible to help them mature as a humble servant of the true Almighty God?

 

An alternative assignment for discussion Wednesday evening

As members of the Lord's (Adonai) Body, the church we should be a company of believers with one purpose – to practice presence by opening our hearts to the will of God step by step and moment by moment. As one of the Christian disciplines, practicing presence helps us to see the big picture in the scheme of God Almighty’s Plan.

PRACTICING PRESENCE

(1)   Practice being more conscious of God every minutes of the day. Be able to say as Cornelius, “We are now here in the presence of God”.

(2)   Practice confident expectation. Be able to say with the prophet and psalmist, “My Lord will hear.”

(3)   Practice praising His every day work in our lives. Be able to declare as Isaiah, “Lo, this is our God…this is the Lord.”  (this is NOT luck or good fortune)

(4)   Practice humbling ourselves to walk in His will. Be able to say as James commanded, “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that’”

SHARE with the group what you discovered this week as you "practice presence".