God's Name Breathes Life
Words That Breathe • Sermon • Submitted
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· 15 viewsGod's name and what it means for His people
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INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”
God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”
God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’
“This is my name forever,
the name you shall call me
from generation to generation.
Exodus 3:13-15
How significant is a person’s name?
How significant is a person’s name?
Does anyone here have an interesting story about how you were named? Historically people try to give their children meaningful names. Many of the names in the Bible are full of significant meaning.
When we named our girls, we tried to find ones with meaning. Erin is from the Greek word “ereine” which means “peaceful one.” When our second girl came along, our strategy changed because we couldn’t find a Greek name that we liked. Then we realized Erin’s name is a traditional Irish name, so we figured “why not give our new baby girl an Irish name?” Thus, “Megan” — which has a nice meaning: “beautiful girl”. When Adam came along, we had a list of potential names. We couldn’t decide, so we put them all in a basket and had my mom pull a name out. She prayed first…she was so excited. Then she pulled out “Adam” — “first man.” A strong name
Many people like the tradition of family names. Some folks name their kids after movie stars or singers: Elvis, Brenda Lee, Brad, Miley, etc. Others try to combine names together or come up with unique spelling. I heard of one person that named their daughter after the husband’s ex-girlfriend. Some name their babies after the month or day they were born. Many simply search until they find the name that strikes a chord between both dad and mom.
Here’s something to think about. We were all named by someone (I was named by my sister). Some wish we could have name ourselves. Who named God? What is God’s official name? What does it mean? In Exodus God named Himself
Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”
God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”
God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’
“This is my name forever,
the name you shall call me
from generation to generation.
Exodus
Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”
God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”
God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’
“This is my name forever,
the name you shall call me
from generation to generation.
Prayer
Say what you will about how we name our kids…but here’s what we need to remember about God’s name: It is more than a name — His name points to life itself. He is the everlasting God…the name above all names…the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
Big Idea
Big Idea
God’s name breathes life into all who put their trust in Him
I recently read a sermon by John Piper entitled “I Am Who I Am”. He points out some vital things about the Great I Am (). Clearly, when God names Himself, we can be confident that the name is packed with the truth about who He is and what He intends to do.
Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”
God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”
God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’
“This is my name forever,
the name you shall call me
from generation to generation.
Exodus 3:13-15
In , God gives 3 answers to the question, “What shall I tell them your name is?” In 14, “I AM WHO I AM,” “I AM has sent me to you,” and in 15, “Yahweh (the LORD)…has sent me to you…this is my name forever.”
The name Yahweh is used interchangeably with “I Am”.
John Piper: 7 Implications of the Divine name, “I AM WHO I AM”
1. God Exists
“God is there” — Francis Schaeffer
What if the President invited you to the White House for a reception - but you never even look at him or acknowledge His existence. A reporter might ask you if you believe in the existence of the president and and you could say “yes.” But your actions show something different. GOD EXISTS
2. No reality exists behind God
He has always existed — He is the source of all life
If you ask “How did God get to be the way He is?” there would be no answer because He didn’t — He says “I AM WHO I AM”
3. God does not change ( “I do not change”)
With Him there is no shadow due to change
“His absolute name is the granite foundation of our confidence in his ongoing faithfulness” — Piper
4. God is an inexhaustible source of energy
…Yahweh is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary
5. Objectivity is crucial
We must come to an understanding of the fact that God is who He is — it is our goal to strive to know Him for who he is.
5.
6. We must conform to Him…not He to us
7. This God has drawn near to us in Jesus Christ
The Gospel of John clearly points to the identity of Christ as Creator, Living Word, Savior and so more. We could explore the names of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit for many Sundays…but for today, let’s zero in on this truth:
God’s name breathes life into all who trust in Him
Transitional: Jesus left no doubt regarding His true identity. He not only named Himself, but He defined Himself — in clear and powerful terms
I AM
I AM
:
Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”
“You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”
“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
The Jewish religious leaders wanted to stone Jesus for this blasphemous claim
They were blind to the truth
In Jesus all of God’s promises find fulfillment
In Jesus all of God’s promises find fulfillment
In Jesus we find the Savior: fully man and fully God
In Jesus we find the Savior: fully man and fully God
Application:
How do you view Jesus?
Application:
It is important to understand that He is the Living Word…He is fully God, 100%
If you don’t realize who Jesus truly is, you cannot life in the true life He has purchased for you.
Transitional: Jesus clearly defined Himself in John’s Gospel. He was and is “I AM” — he then broke that down into the details that breathe life into all who trust Him as Lord
I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE
I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
In the first part of , we find Jesus feeding 5,000 on the far shore of the Sea of Galilee - with 5 barley loaves and 2 small fish.
summarize story - with Bible open
When the people started
Jesus slipped away from the crowd - the Disciples crossed over to the other side in a boat — during the night Jesus came to them walking on the water. “It is I, do not be afraid”.
The next day…the crowds found Him and Jesus read their mail. “You just want me because of the miracle of the bread”
Desire food that doesn’t spoil
Desire food that doesn’t spoil
Desire food that brings eternal life
Desire food that brings eternal life
Desire food that brings eternal life
Desire food that brings eternal life
“The bread of God is He who comes down from Heaven and gives life to the world” (v. 41)
Transitional: Jesus defined Himself as...
I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Spiritual Blindness Keeps People From the True Light
Spiritual Blindness Keeps People From the True Light
John
The religious leaders…though very spiritual, were groping around in the darkness.
“If you knew my Father you would know me!”
Know Jesus and Live in the Light
Know Jesus and Live in the Light
When we live in His light…we will be drawn to the work of His kingdom…spreading that light to a lost and dying world
The night is coming, when no man can work
Transitional: Jesus defined Himself as...
I AM THE DOOR OF THE SHEEP
I AM THE DOOR OF THE SHEEP
Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.
He is the only way to the place of safety all humans need
Our refuge…our pathway to freedom, life, and the covering of His presence and love
Transitional: Jesus defined Himself as...
Transitional: Jesus defined Himself as...
I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD
I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
He loves us with an everlasting, self-sacrificial love…a reckless love
“I didn’t earn it, I don’t deserve it, still He gives Himself away! The everlasting, never ending, reckless love of God”
Leaves the 99 to find the 1
John 10:
Transitional: Jesus defined Himself as...
Transitional: Jesus defined Himself as...
I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE
I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;
J
Summarize story of Lazarus with open Bible
Transitional: Jesus defined Himself as...
I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE
I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Summarize with open Bible
I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE
I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE
Transitional: Jesus defined Himself as...
I AM THE TRUE VINE
I AM THE TRUE VINE
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
,
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
What’s in a name? Life itself when it comes to Yahweh - when it comes to Father, Son, and Spirit -
God’s name breathes life into all who place their trust in Him
God’s name breathes life into all who place their trust in Him
Friends — if we want true life — the life that God has promised, we must learn to know Him for who He is… We must learn to let go of our pride, self-sufficiency, and stubborn self-will
We either trust Him or we don’t — We either place our faith in Him or we flounder around trying to figure things out on our own - a recipe for disaster.
CHALLENGE
CHALLENGE
Since God’s Word makes it clear that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all that God is — The Great I AM — Jehovah — Yahweh — LORD --- let us make every effort to follow Jesus and take advantage of all that He is
Bread of Life
What pursuits and priorities do you pursue in order to find fulfillment?
He is our sustenance…nothing else can satisfy
Light for our Path
How do you make decisions in life?
His Word is a light to our path and a lamp to our feet
He is the Living Word
Good Shepherd
Good Shepherd
Do you think a sheep will last long away from the safety of the shepherd and the flock?
He will pursue you…but are you willing to let Him pick you up and carry you back to the fold?
Resurrected Lord
How do you feel about life after death? ]
We were dead in our sins and trespasses before we stepped into the light of His amazing love — brought to life by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
The Way, The Truth, The Life
The Way, The Truth, The Life
Since Jesus leaves no doubt about who He is and what He gives to those that follow Him....can you think of any legitimate reason not to surrender yourself completely to Him?
The True Vine
A branch without the Vine is a dead stick…kindling. Are you connected to Him?
prayer, repentance, meditation on the Word of God and His love for you, fellowship, a willing attitude