I Am God Almighty - El Shaddai
John begins by expressing gratitude for God's unmeasured love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and Spirit, acknowledging dependence on Him. He emphasizes the importance of God's Word entering hearts to produce fruit and transformation, recognizing human inability and God's presence in worship and prayer. Turning to Scripture, John highlights God's self-revelation as El Shaddai (God Almighty) to Abraham at age 99, marking a profound moment of divine encounter and humility, with Abraham falling face down. He contrasts this with God's later revelation as Jehovah, emphasizing God's eternal nature and His purpose for a corporate people. John shares his burden for the older saints, urging spiritual maturity—seeking to know Christ as Head, desiring the work of the cross, and desperation for Jesus to be our life. He reflects on the long history of the Lord building His church over decades, cautioning against complacency and wind-down of spiritual fervor, urging continual growth and individual maturity. Using Abraham's life as an example, John illustrates God's progressive revelation, calling believers to deeper dependence, obedience, and submission to the Almighty. He stresses that personal fullness and corporate glory depend on individuals fully surrendering to God's sovereignty, becoming bond slaves and friends of God, and seeking ongoing revelation of His greatness. Ultimately, John prays for the Lord to deepen our vision of His sovereignty, fill us with His glory, and bring us into full maturity and unity in Christ.
Outline of Main Points
- Gratitude for God's love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and Spirit; dependence on Him.
- Desire for God's Word to transform hearts and produce fruit; acknowledgment of human inability.
- Scriptural focus on God's self-revelation as El Shaddai and Jehovah; significance of divine names.
- Historical and personal reflection on Abraham's life, divine encounters, and spiritual growth over decades.
- Burden for spiritual maturity among older saints—seeking Christ as Head, work of the cross, and Jesus as life.
- Warning against complacency and wind-down in spiritual life; call for continual growth and fullness.
- Illustration of God's progressive revelation through Abraham; call for deeper dependence and obedience.
- Emphasis on individual maturity as essential for corporate glory; becoming bond slaves and friends of God.
- Prayers for increased vision of God's sovereignty, fullness of His glory, and unity in Christ.
1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. 2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
2 And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD: 3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
