The Importance of a Name

Names are important and have meanings. Today’s sermon focuses on the most important name: El-Shaddai. Let’s examine what God’s name means.

The Hebrew name for the Almighty is El-Shaddai. “Shad” is the Hebrew name for breast. One of the pictures of this title is that God loves us with the same tenderness that a mother shows when nursing her baby. It also pictures strength like a mountain. The Almighty is powerful.

1. El- Shaddai crushes in love.
- A loving mother chastens her child. She breaks his will so that he will turn from the sin that will harm him.
- God chastens us so that we will turn to Him. (Hebrews 12:11)
- We cannot succeed without Him or do His will.
2. El- Shaddai multiplies.
(Genesis 35:9-13)
- Jacob’s name was changed to Israel at Bethel. He would have many children to populate a nation.
- Trust God, and He will multiply.
- It is only the grace of God that multiplies spiritually.
- One person’s life is transformed by Christ. That person shares what God has done with another and then that person responds to Christ. God’s kingdom is multiplied!
3. El- Shaddai leads. (Genesis 35:1)
- He directs in the way we should go.
- He is providential. He sees down the road to provide for what He knows we will face. (2 Corinthians 1:1)
4. El-Shaddai brings life out of death. (Genesis 17:1; Hebrews 11:11; Romans 4:19)
- God gave a son to barren Sarai and Abram. Sarai's dead womb gave life.
- We are born dead in our sins and will face eternal death.
- God provides eternal life to mankind through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:1)