Got a problem? Claim authority with Adonai: There's power in the name! (part 2)
Feeling alone? Are you in a difficult situation or feeling stuck in a “desert”? You are not alone. God knows where you are, and he will answer you when you cry out for him.
Understanding His names is a means to understand who God is—and, in turn, how important you are to Him.
Last week we looked at the names Elohim and Jehovah: the strong creator and the self-existent one. This week we concentrate on Adonai: owner, master, and supreme authority.
The names of God convey the truth of His power, love, sovereignty and authority. He created you, loves you and His desire is to be intimately involved in your life. Submit to Him fully today and you’ll be blessed.
Feeling alone, stuck, or hurt? You are not alone; call out to God who loves you.
God’s Name Brings Power, Authority, and Safety
We should always remember the majesty, love, presence, power and authority that is associated with God’s name.
I say this because the truth of who God is, is exactly what the enemy of God would like for you to ignore and forget. The enemy of God wants you to fear and doubt God’s word, his promises, his power and authority.
Knowing God’s name, authority and power that comes with His name is one part. Believing and trusting in God and His promises is the most important part and only comes with faith.
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10, NIV).
Let this verse remind you that no matter what happens the Lord is someone you can run to and be safe. You can be sure you are safe knowing who the Lord is, His love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, deliverance, and knowing He is for you and for all those who run to him and call out to him in faith.
Remember: you do not need to clean up or get your life straight before you answer “here I am God.”
Always keep in mind:
God is all powerful and he needs nothing, no one to exist.
God is before creation and spoke creation into existence.
God is everywhere present, and He knows where you are, and He is focused on you and all mankind.
What’s In a Name: Adonai
The name Adonai is translated Lord in scripture. It is written a capital “L” and the lower case letters “o r d”. Adonai means ruler, master, and it conveys a sense of ownership.
Adonai is the owner, master, and supreme authority over each member of the human family, and asks for our obedience.
God is not only Elohim, the creator as we noted last week; He is not only Jehovah, the self-existent one; He is also Adonai, the owner, master, sovereign God over all creation.
The first reference to Adonai is in Genesis:
“And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?” (Genesis 15:2, KJV).
Abram is saying “Adonai (Jehovah - master and self-existent one), what will you give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”
Remember, God as Jehovah called Abram in Genesis 12 to leave his country and go to the land God will show him. God tells Abram in a vision:
“Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your very great reward” (Genesis 15:1, NIV).
Abram soon recognizes and submits to God’s authority as Adonai: master, Lord, being in a covenant relationship with Jehovah. Abram reminds God that he still has no children and we find that God reaffirms his promise and goes even further in telling Abram that if he could count the stars, so his offspring would be.
Submit to God as Lord Over Your Life and You’ll Be Blessed
I want to encourage you to pray and talk to God each day. As you do He will reveal Himself to you in a more powerful way and you will be blessed.
Both Abraham and Moses became obedient and faithful servants of God. They both learn to be submissive to God and God was able to use them for His glory.
When we chose to submit to God as Lord and master, God will provide all we need.
He will deliver us and prove himself to be worthy of praise.
Jesus is called a servant of God. As a servant of god, Jesus was submissive and obedient; as believers we are to do the same.
Jesus confronted those who cried out Lord, Lord but refused to believe or submit to God.
“Why do you call me,’Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46)
Jesus was called Lord—as in master, supreme authority and Lord of the heart—and yet this person did not submit to Him.
As a servant of God, Jesus was submissive and obedient; as believers we are to do the same. Jesus spoke about people who said they would follow him but did not do so by the way they lived and obeyed in their hearts.
“by their fruit you will recognize them. 21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:20-21).
If we are going to call Jesus Lord, we must understand what that means. It means that Jesus is Adonai, that He is Lord and we are to obey him with all our hearts. Our lives are to reflect Jesus as Lord at all times.
What do you believe? How are you living?
You may know God as Elohim (strong creator)? You may know God as Jehovah (self-existent one)? But, do you know God as Adonai (master, supreme authority)? Are you living as if he is Adonai in your heart?
Take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any area in your life that you may not have submitted to the Lord Jesus. Ask yourself: is Jesus truly the Adonai of my life? Can you say in good conscience that Jesus is 100% Lord of my heart?
The truth is, none of us are perfect. We are all either growing into the person God desires us to be or moving further apart from God. Which way are you growing?
As we find ourselves sheltering in place during this virus pandemic, remember you are not alone. God is Elohim; God is Jehovah; let Him be your Adonai.
He created you, loves you and His desire is to be intimately involved in your life.
This and other sermons brought to you by Faith Chapel, an Assemblies of God church in Pleasanton, CA.
Genesis 37:2-4, 50:18-21: Learn how to live with integrity and see past your circumstances. God will use you if you let Him. Like a spiritual marathon runner, keep the faith and see the hand of God in your life.