God is Elohim by Pastor Chad
The Bible begins in Genesis with the words, "In the beginning, God..." The word used here is Elohim. This name designation is used of God 32 times in Genesis alone. Later in the book he is also referred to as Jehovah. In other passages he is referred to by the combined Jehovah-Elohim. Elohim is derived from the root El which means "mighty, strong, and prominent". El is referred to over 250 times throughout the Old Testament as a reference to God himself. Generally, it is said that Elohim expresses the idea of "greatness and glory". Elohim carries the idea of creative and governing power as well as omnipotence and sovereignty. It is by his great and glorious power that this Elohim created the vastness of the universe including the earth with all its beauty and the inhabitants thereof.
Interestingly, Elohim carries the beautiful idea of covenant as well which should inform and inspire our worship. We see in Jeremiah 31 and 32 where the name Elohim is used to describe a new covenant whereby the laws and fear of God will one day be written upon the hearts of men through faith in Christ. So, God is not only creator of heaven and earth, but the creator of all things new including the new covenant and us as new creations in Christ. The church or body of Christ therefore gathers to offer adoration and praise to the One Creator God and Lord who has the supernatural "power and might" to make all things new through Christ of which we are the recipients of every good and perfect gift.
Therefore, in worship, we gather to rejoice and celebrate in the God of our salvation because we have been set free from the old and have been made new created in Christ Jesus for good works which he predestined for us to do. We are "new creations or creatures" in Christ Jesus -- the old and former things have passed away; behold all things are new (or behold, He makes all things new!)
As the Creator-Redeemer, Elohim has been at work in our lives from 'the beginning' by the power of the Holy Spirit brooding over the hearts of man waiting for the opportune moment to shed his light abroad in our hearts. Elohim, through the Holy Spirit, (remember, the name Elohim has a plural meaning which speaks to the Triune nature of God) spoke into our darkness declaring to us the truth and light in Christ the Son. He emphatically pierce our darkness declaring, "Let there be light and there was light!" -- and the creative power of God through the Holy Spirit was released into our hearts as we were drawn to the Son as a flower is to the sun by a responsive faith and the creative and regenerating process of redemption began in our lives and continues to this day until its culmination when we are changed again to be like Him and we see Him face to face!
So, let us come to know and understand our God as Elohim and offer up songs and shouts of praise to Elohim who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light so that we might show forth his praises! Let us do so every time we gather together -- and every day we live for HE is our Creator and Redeemer God...our Jehovah-Elohim! He is almighty God who created and has fashioned us as new creations in Christ Jesus and no one can pluck us out of his hand or separate us from his love in Christ Jesus our Lord! (Romans 8) Give Him glory and honor!!! Amen.
Therefore, in worship, we gather to rejoice and celebrate in the God of our salvation because we have been set free from the old and have been made new created in Christ Jesus for good works which he predestined for us to do. We are "new creations or creatures" in Christ Jesus -- the old and former things have passed away; behold all things are new (or behold, He makes all things new!)
As the Creator-Redeemer, Elohim has been at work in our lives from 'the beginning' by the power of the Holy Spirit brooding over the hearts of man waiting for the opportune moment to shed his light abroad in our hearts. Elohim, through the Holy Spirit, (remember, the name Elohim has a plural meaning which speaks to the Triune nature of God) spoke into our darkness declaring to us the truth and light in Christ the Son. He emphatically pierce our darkness declaring, "Let there be light and there was light!" -- and the creative power of God through the Holy Spirit was released into our hearts as we were drawn to the Son as a flower is to the sun by a responsive faith and the creative and regenerating process of redemption began in our lives and continues to this day until its culmination when we are changed again to be like Him and we see Him face to face!
So, let us come to know and understand our God as Elohim and offer up songs and shouts of praise to Elohim who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light so that we might show forth his praises! Let us do so every time we gather together -- and every day we live for HE is our Creator and Redeemer God...our Jehovah-Elohim! He is almighty God who created and has fashioned us as new creations in Christ Jesus and no one can pluck us out of his hand or separate us from his love in Christ Jesus our Lord! (Romans 8) Give Him glory and honor!!! Amen.
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