My Father’s Name Written by Elmer Towns (1991) Adapted by Ron Williams 3 of 12 (1-hr) classes Ridgecrest Baptist Church © 2007 Ron Williams

The 3 Primary Names of God

The Law of First Reference tells us that the first time a name is introduced in the Bible, we have an almost immediate knowledge about the full meaning of that reference.

EL SHADDAI The God who supplies all my needs. The Almighty God. The One strong enough to help. The One sensitive enough to care.

Who supplies your needs? Have you ever known somebody who could help but would not? (Why wouldn’t they help)? Have you ever known somebody who just did not care about you? (How did this make you feel)? Have you ever known somebody who wanted to help but it was not within their power or control? (What limitations do people have)?

El Shaddai El Shaddai first recorded in Gen 17:1. Represents the compound name of El (Elohim) and Shaddai (Almighty). Name indicates that he is All- sufficient. Being both tender and strong to meet all our needs.

El Shaddai El Shaddai promises Abraham that based upon Jehovah’s power, he would bless Abraham and Sarah (Gen 17:2). He makes the same promise to us. What type of blessings do we often expect? What type of blessings should be expect?

El Shaddai (Almighty God) is listed 48 times in the Old Testament (31 of these occur in the book of Job. Also listed in the NT (Revelation 1:8). The Alpha and the Omega.....which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty Background on El Shaddai

Why El Shaddai? What type of trials did Job face (Job 1:12-22)? –sickness, loss of possessions, loss of friends, death of family Why do you think Job, who faced so many trials chose to call God by this name ? (Job 22:21-30).

Why El Shaddai? Out of our pressure. We become fruitful. Why do you think this is the case? What type of fruit do you think occurs when we walk through difficult times? –increased faith for each situation we face in the future –greater spiritual, emotional and physical strength –persistence in living a Christian life

El Shaddai El Shaddai is faithful to: Reward the believer. (Job 42:10-17) Pour out judgement on the unbeliever. (Hebrews 9:27)

Why is El Shaddai needed? I cannot run from problems (Jonah) I cannot stop them from happening (Job, David, Esther) I cannot always solve them by myself (Moses, Sampson, Daniel & others) While I might not recognize it, some have been placed before me for my own spiritual good (Ruth, Joseph)

El Shaddai-Why is he needed? We will fall into trials (James 1:2) Our trials will of many different types (Job 5:7) We do not have to let problems defeat us, but should meet them with Christian joy (Ps. 43:4) Sometime the Elephant asks us to dance and sometimes we ask the Elephant to dance; either way we end up having to waltz with a big problem (Prov 22:8)

Guidelines for El Shaddai’s Provision Separate yourself from sin as El Shaddai expects you to be holy. Run from sin. Seek his presence. He still expects us to pursue a righteous lifestyle as a positive attribute of our Christian life (Gen 17:1). Rest in his presence. Ps 91:1. We remain protected when we remain close to him. He may have to discipline us to keep us close.

Guidelines related to El Shaddai Follow HIS directions. Gen 17:1. Evaluate your spiritual health. Hebrews 12:5-6. Lack of chastisement may reflect a lack of relationship. Claim the provision of El Shaddai. He will always remain faithful to us (1 Thess 5:24)

Chastisement How do you chastise your children (Ps. 94:12)? What do you expect to occur? When you chastise, how do your children respond (Pr 5:12; Heb 12:11)? Is the end result worth the effort (Pr 10:17)?

El Shaddai We need faith (Matt 17:20) to carry us (Deut 1:31) from His Promise to (Acts 13:32) His Supply. (Ps 111:9)

Group Discussion Name an experience that you went through when you felt you needed El Shaddai. What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about El Shaddai?