Hello I Love You
El Shaddai – Gen. 17
Intro: This weekend 40+ men from WHFBC went to PK. Upon arriving, our men set out to find seats and I stayed at the entrance for the drivers. While waiting, I suddenly noticed a blur moving rapidly and uncomfortably toward me. Un-nerved this guy yelled in my face – longtime no see… how are you doing? Before I got my bearings I said great and you? Unaware of his name – his face was familiar. It was a friend I had lost contact w/ prior to moving to WH.
Trans: I have a confession. When it comes to names, I have a mind like a steel trap. Problem is… I have a difficult time getting the trap open once it has shut. I struggle to remember the names of people who once were acquaintances but are no longer apart of my every day life. I recognize faces, but names often escape me. But for those I have known well, I never forget their names.
Insert: This problem was never more on display than the time Steve Escue he pulled a joke on me. Back when Steve had his barbecue restaurant, I went in for a bite. I had told Steve I was coming in and he had one of his buddies, who I didn’t know, act like he knew me from Jackson, MS. Talk about on the spot and befuddled – I didn’t know his name or his face – it didn’t ring a bell.
Trans: As I thought about these incidences and this series, I thought about how we at times respond when God suddenly shows up into our lives. We’re stunned, uncomfortable, grasping for the name of the One who has invaded our space. Who is this God crowding my life in an attempt to re-connect w/ me?
Trans: In this series God has suddenly burst thru the gates and in a blur has invaded my space, yelling – Remember me? I’m the God you’ve been looking for!
Trans: We’ve been introduced to Elohim, Adonai, and El Elyon – today El Shaddai.
Trans: The name El Shaddai is familiar to most Christian made popular by the song that we just heard. But what does it mean and how is relevant to us?
Insert: God introduces Himself as El Shaddai 48 (x) in the O.T. The first time is in Gen. 17 w/ Abe, but the most predominant use of the name is found in Job.
Name: El – (God) – mighty and powerful and shad – (breast) – the nurturing relationship a mother has w/ her infant child that she nourishes and satisfies. El Shaddai means the One mighty to nourish and satisfy.
Insert: What will it take to make you truly happy? What will it take to alleviate the anxiety you feel? Who or what will bring contentment to your life?
Note: I ask this question for two reasons. First, b/c it is amazing to what lengths a person will go to find adventure and satisfaction – only to sip it and then crave even more. 2nd, it is amazing to what lengths a person will sink in desperation once they reach the summit and realize that it is not enough nor ever will be.
Story: Just last week while in L.A. a crowd gathered and a street was shut down as a young lady threatened to jump to her death b/c of the void she had in her soul that couldn’t be quenched by the things of this world.
Note: Neither pride, prestige, power, possession, passion, or pain killers can fill the void in the heart and soul of every man – it will never be enough!
Story: This week as the NFL kicked off, but many of the players are holding out for more money and greater respect. T.O wants more respect yet he disrespects his teammates. In Nashville, Pacman a.k.a. “the boy who ought to be in jail” Jones – an unproven rookie – holds out for more money and respect. Hello, why don’t you try earning some respect instead of demanding something you obviously don’t deserve? When will enough be enough?
Truth: For many of us the answer to this question often lies in our financial state. For others it is thought to be in the status we reach or the power we harness. Yet, the truth is, no one really seems to know how much is enough.
Story: When in Jackson I watched single adult after single adult settle for far less than God’s best b/c they wanted so desperately to be married. I’ve seen people accept jobs b/c of the status it was going to give them or for the wealth it was going to put in their pockets – but it was never enough?
Insert: Do you think if I gave my wife a credit card w/ no limit and released her to buy anything she wanted it would be enough – We will never know.
Trans: How much is enough? Can’t be answered by power, prestige, possessions, or passion (they’re insatiable), It can only be answered when we come to realize that God is enough – that he is all we need! This is the question God had in mind for Abe to learn in Gen. 17, and it is the lesson we need to learn today.
Text: In Gen. 17 we find God teaching Abe that El Shaddai is all that we need.
I GOD HELPS THOSE WHO ARE HELPLESS TO HELP THEMSELVES
Note: This statement is contrary to the claim some people have espoused. You’ve likely heard that God helps those who help themselves – that’s wrong.
Note: Before God can move in our lives we must reach the point of impotence.
Note: It’s important to remember that God initiated His covenant w/ Abe in Gen. 12 when Abe was 75, but had to wait 24 years before God would fulfill His promise of a son. 24 fatherless father’s day had passed and nothing.
A Sometimes God has to work in us before He can work through us
Story: God sheltered Moses during a time when boys were being killed by Pharaoh. His mom set him afloat on the Nile to be rescued by the Pharaoh’s daughter – who turns to Moses’ mom for help. He grows up in Pharaoh’s home w/ all the rights and privileges of Egypt. He feels compassion for God’s people and attempted to set them free by initiating the “kill an Egyptian a day” plan. So God takes Moses away for 40 yrs to prepare Moses, Pharaoh, and the Israel for the Exodus.
Note: The time spent in the wilderness is proportionate to the size of the task God has for you. Moses (40 yrs) – Paul (17 yrs) to prepare him to establish the church.
Story: This weekend I received a neat blessing. When I arrive at the PK event I received a message that a friend from Jackson was there and wanted to see me. When we caught up, I discovered that this man whom I hired to be my assistant handling the recreation ministry was now the southeast regional coordinator for PK. He was responsible for organizing and hosting the PK event here in Nashville. While in Jackson, his primary job was to organize and direct the PGA Tour stop in MS. He said, little did I know that God gave me the job at CHBC and w/ the PGA to prepare me to do this for His kingdom and for impacting men for Christ.
B All the time God can do nothing through us until He is in us
Note: God had to wait until Abe was impotent so that Abe couldn’t take any credit.
Note: This is never more important than in the context of salvation.
Insert: We’ve talked about this before. No man can come into a relationship w/ God unless he comes by the way of the Cross. Why?
a We are Totally Depraved
Note: We’re sinners antagonistic toward the God. We’re helpless and hopeless.
Verse: There is none righteous, no not even one. There is none who seek after God. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Rm. 3:10-11, 23
Verse: All we like sheep have gone astray and each has turned to his own way. Is. 53:6
Trans: And we can do nothing to satisfy God’s wrath and hatred for sin.
Verse: All our righteous deeds are filthy garments. Is
Note: The best we have to offer to God is rubbish (trash) and God will not be pleased.
b We are Utterly Dependent
Verse: For by grace we are saved through faith and that not of your self… Eph. 2:8-9
Note: And that not of yourself – it has nothing to do w/ you and everything to do w/ God. It has everything to do w/ grace. The all-powerful God gently nurtures and guides us to the only thing that will be enough – His Son. Grace wrapped in flesh shredded on a cross – poured out as an offering – for one purpose – to rescue you and me.
Note: Until we come to the realization that we’re desperately impotent and lost – incapable of helping ourselves – we’ll never see a need for a Savior. Even then, we can’t be saved and have our sins forgiven unless we respond in faith when the H.S. beckons and convicts us. (Jn. 8:44) We’re utterly dependent upon Him for life and eternity. Thus, if he calls, you had better say yes it might be the last time He knocks.
Note: God can only help those who understand that they are helpless to help themselves.
II GOD HAS PERFECT TIMING ALWAYS FINISHING WHAT HE STARTS
Note: He is never early or late, but on time. He knows how to deliver a punch line.
Note: God shows up when Abe is 99 unable to humanly achieve the feat to show Abe who is in charge. God exposes Abe’s insufficiency to reveal His sufficiency.
Note: He is not just all you need, but all you need when you need it!
Note: God will be faithful to His promises & affirm His Purpose in his people in His time.
III GOD’S WAY IS THE ONLY WAY THAT WORKS
A It is always the best way
B It seldom makes sense to man
IV GOD’S WAY ALWAYS REQUIRES A RESPONSE FROM MAN
A It requires REVERENCE
Note: He requires we bring our lives under His complete authority willing to believe that He knows what He is doing even though we do not like it or understand it.
Note: Note Abe response when God shows up – he falls facedown down before God.
Insert: When God shows up He demands a response – and He isn’t looking for arrogance or a stubborn carnal spirit – He is looking for a broken and contrite heart – for a life that is empty of self and responsive to His leading.
Insert: That is what is so amazing about Job. In Job you have a rich, righteous, and religious man who honored God – and when everything was taken away – he still honored God – in fact, he praised God.
Verse: Then Job fell to the ground in worship… The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised. And in all this, Job did not sin by charging God w/ wrong-doing. Job 20-22
B It requires RELIANCE
Note: It requires faith. It requires we place every area under the God’s care. In vs. 9-14 God requires Abe to affirm his faith by circumcision – but not just him, but everything born of him and bought by him. Nothing was to be left out. We must trust Him in everything and in every way. (see Proverbs 3:5-10)
Verse: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High (El Elyon) will rest in the shadow of the Almighty (El Shaddai). Ps. 91:1
Quote: Anything God has done, He can do for you. Anything God has ever done anywhere, He can do here. Anything God has ever done for anyone, He can do for you. Tozar
C It requires RESPONSE
Note: Do you remember how Abe responded when God told him the news that God was going to give him a son – he fell down laughing. Now I find that odd. I think there is a better chance that Meg could have a baby at 90 then that God could put me under the knife at 99 for circumcision. If I’d been Abe, I would have laughed at God about the circumcision thing over the baby deal.
Point: You can believe God or you can laugh at him – but you can’t ignore him.
Note: Don’t miss the significance of the name El Shaddai. For when it is we have come to the end of ourselves that we can discover that he is more than enough.
Quote: When you have nothing left but God, then you become aware that God is enough!
