THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP - EL SHADDAI - THE ALMIGHTY GOD

October 15, 2013 The Discipline of Getting to Know God – El Shaddai – The Almighty God He Who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty (Whose power no foe can withstand). (Psalm 1:1 Amp.) The Lord God described Himself for the first time to Abraham in Genesis 17:1, as El Shaddai – the Almighty God. Not only was He Abraham’s “Almighty God,” but He is our Almighty God – El Shaddai. Our Almighty God is mighty in all things. He is “King of kings, and Lord of lords!” He is all Sufficiency. There was an ancient idol which was supposed to portray an all sufficient God. It had many arms, which signified its ability to be powerful and far-reaching. It appeared to be a many breasted woman, which signified its sufficiency for all needs, but just made of stone and wood and of course could neither supply power nor sufficiency, it could do nothing but stand as a silent idol for those who would cry out to it. El Shaddai is the “strongest strong one,” so may your faith not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God (I Cor.2:5). He is able to overcome any enemy that may come against us, either physical or spiritual. “Because of His power that works within us He is able to do superabundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think, infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams. To that God be glory, honor and praise forever and ever” (Eph.3:20-21, Amp.)! He is the most high – above all earthly gods; He is alive and strong; He is the King of kings; He is the Sovereign God. He is the great “I Am”! In Psalm 18:1-2, David proclaims to the Lord, “You are my Strength and my God in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield and my Salvation, my Rock, my Fortress and my Deliverer.” David trusted explicitly in El Shaddai, the Almighty God. And so can all of us. “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding. He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength (causing it to multiply and making it to abound) (see II Cor. 12:9). Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord (who expect, look for and hope in Him) shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up close to God as eagles mount up to the sun; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired” (Isa.40:28-31; Heb.12:1-3). If you know Him, you will find all that you need in Jesus, because He is your El Shaddai; your Almighty God; your all Sufficiency; your great I Am! Do you know Him? If you do, you have to love Him! If you love Him you have to trust Him! “That’s My King” The late Dr. S. M. Lockeridge, a pastor from San Diego, California said these words in a sermon in Detroit in 1976: My King was born King. The Bible says He’s a Seven Way King. He’s the King of the Jews – that’s an Ethnic King. He’s the king of Israel – that’s a National King. He’s the King of righteousness. He’s the King of the ages. He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of glory. He’s the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that’s my King! Well, I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don’t try to mislead me. Do you know my King? David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is the only one of whom there are no means of measure that can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of the shore of His supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out his blessing. He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. That’s my King. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s Savior. He’s the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s honest. He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s pre-eminent. He’s the grandest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the supreme problem in higher criticism. He’s the fundamental doctrine of historic theology. He’s the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That’s my King! He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He’s the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He’s the Almighty God who guides and keeps all His people. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. That’s my King ! Do you know Him? Well, my King is a King of knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory. He’s the master of the mighty. He’s the captain of the conquerors. He’s the head of the Heroes. He’s the leader of the legislatures. He’s the overseer of the overcomers. He’s the governor of governors. He’s the prince of princes. He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King! His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you…but He’s indescribable. That’s my King. He’s incomprehensible. He’s invincible, and He is irresistible. I‘m coming to tell you this, that the heavens of heavens can’t contain Him, let alone some man explain Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him. The Pharisees couldn’t stand him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him…the witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree about Him. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t hand Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my King! Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory! Well, all the power belongs to my King. We’re around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but in the end all that matter is God’s power. Thine is the power. Yeah, and the glory. We try to get prestige and honor and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? Forever and ever and ever and ever……And when you get through with all of the ever’s, then….Amen! LET US BOW AND WORSHIP EL SHADDAI – THE ALMIGHTY GOD!! THAT’S MY KING!!