Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Tonight’s Study: The Names of God Series Introduction
Introduction – Parents, can you remember the agonizing struggle to name your first child? You wanted to choose a name that wouldn’t cause your child to question your early sanity. Today, with some of the names out there, many children may just very well be doing that. But in all seriousness, why all the hassle in choosing a name? Why do we struggle so intensely in the naming of a child? What’s in a name anyway? Johnny Cash surely “cashed” in on that question with his song, “A Boy Named Sue.” In that song, an absentee father named his son “Sue” so that he would have to learn to defend himself.
Names are important because they are a method of self-revelation. When we meet people, our first question is usually, “what’s your name?” Most of us may have several names to which we will respond: “Daddy”, “honey”, “Sweetheart”, “Pastor”, etc. Many of us wear many names; each one denoting a meaning different from the rest. God has many names by which He is called in the Scriptures and each one has a special meaning. We are going to spend the next few months looking at the names of God and their meanings. This will help us get to know Him better and love Him more.
Three Reasons to study the names of God:
- The Commandment to honor His name
– God commanded us to honor His name with the 3rd commandment.
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. (Exodus 20:7)
– Isn’t it interesting that God gave us only 10 commandments and one of them focused on His name?
– This commandment means more than avoiding using God’s name in a profane way.
A few examples of slang words used that could be used (even innocently or ignorantly) that could be considered taking God’s name in vain: Gosh and Golly are expressions that are euphemisms for God. Gee and Geez are euphemisms for Jesus. Christians, especially, should be even more careful how they use God’s name.
– It means that those who are in relationship with Him must honor His name in their lives.
– The name of God has to do with His character. When we live in covenant relationship with Him, we become accountable for reflecting His character.
– Think about the family name you wear and how you can bring honor or shame to it.
– Do you realize that as believers in Christ, we bear His name? Our behavior reflects upon Him.
- The Praise factor
-Another reason to study the names of God is simply because of the inherent greatness of His name.
O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens! (Psalm 8:1)
According to Your name, O God, So is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness. (Psalm 48:10)
– The psalmist Asaph frequently begins his praise of God with a reference to His name.
– Psalm 75:1 – We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.
– Asaph begins Psalm 76 saying, In Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel. (Psalm 76:1)
– Understanding the names of God will help us to understand how to praise Him and give Him His due glory.
– For this reason alone, believers should hunger to understand the significance of the name of God.
– His name is great and He is worthy of our praise!!
– Like an earthly father, our Heavenly Father rejoices when He hears His children praise Him with the proper use of His name.
- The Protection of the name
– The 3rd reason for us to know the names of God is found in Proverbs 18:10 which says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
– Through our next few months together, we will come to understand names like Jehovah Rophe, the God who heals; Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides, or Jehovah Nissi, our banner of protection that gives us spiritual victory.
– As we grow to understand the very name and character of God, we will find ourselves running to His name to find safety and strength. His name is like a strong tower!
– It is essential to know God’s name because we bear that name and we are commanded to live in such a way that will bring it honor. As in the same way that the title that a believer has is “Christian” which means “little Christ,” and therefore should be represented accordingly.
– Three foundational principles to remember as we study the names of God:
- The names of God are a gift from a loving Heavenly Father. God revealed these names to us in the Scriptures.
– They are not the creation of men who were trying to define and describe God.
- God’s names are the key to a growing relationship.
– By giving His name, God demonstrates His desire to know us and be known by us.
– He is a God who reveals Himself so that we can know Him personally.
God revealed His name to Moses after Moses asked God what His name was and what the children of Israel should call Him.
Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel 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 He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:13-14)
God did this so that Moses and the Israelites, in fact, all people could have the opportunity to know Him personally.
– The progressive revelation of God’s names will lead us on a spiritual pilgrimage to discover a growing relationship with the God of the universe.
- The character of God is displayed.
– Each one of God’s names reveals another aspect of His multi-faceted character and puts it on display for the entire world to see.
Conclusion: As we study each name, you will learn something more about the lovely character of our God. You will discover that He is our Provider, Sustainer, Healer, Shepherd, and more. You will find yourself intimately drawn to Him and passionately committed to Him. You will find that surrender to His Lordship is sheer joy, for you will know His character and trust Him to act in your life according to His character.
Next Week, January 22nd: Elohim, God, Mighty Creator