Jehovah and Adonai | Dr Tony Evans | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Jehovah and Adonai

Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship • Oct 1, 2016 • 29 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this message, Dr. Tony Evans explores two core names of God: Jehovah (Yahweh) and Adonai. While Elohim reveals God's power, Jehovah reveals His desire for an intimate, self-disclosing relationship, and Adonai reveals His authority as Master and Ruler over our lives. When we draw near to Jehovah in relationship and submit to Adonai as Master, we unlock the divine power of Elohim in our daily walk.

Themes

Names of GodIntimacy with GodLordship and SubmissionGod's Self-SufficiencySpiritual Power

Pastor's Points

1.

Concept 1: Self-Sufficiency — God contains everything within Himself and has no need to go outside of Himself.

2.

Concept 2: Self-Existence — God is purely because He is, unlike created beings who depend on external factors.

3.

Concept 3: Eternality — God lives in the perpetual present tense, existing beyond past and future limits.

4.

Concept 4: Personal Relationship — God discloses His core personal name so His people can walk closely with Him.

5.

Concept 5: Self-Defined — God defines Himself according to His own nature rather than letting human beings dictate who He is.

Key Points

1.
God’s names are best understood not through mere recitation, but through personal experience at the intersections of daily life.
2.
Jehovah (Yahweh) is God’s sacred, self-given name that reveals His desire to be in an intimate, personal relationship with us.
3.
As 'I AM THAT I AM,' God is completely self-sufficient and self-existent, needing nothing outside of Himself to exist or operate.
4.
God exists in the perpetual present tense with no past or future, guaranteeing that He has already gone before us into every situation.
5.
Satan attempts to disconnect God's power (Elohim) from relationship (Jehovah) because religion without relationship lacks spiritual power.
6.
Adonai means Master, Ruler, or Owner, indicating that God requires final authority and total submission in a believer's life.
7.
We cannot judge God's ruling before deciding to obey; submission means accepting His authority upfront.
8.
God does not want part-time or partial commitment like a chicken giving an egg; He wants full surrender of our entire lives.

Sermon Moments

“{'text': 'God would not allow man to make a graven image of Him... because any picture you come up with on your own is going to be a bad photograph.', 'type': 'illustration'}”

“{'text': "When God says 'I am that I am,' He is saying He is self-sufficient... the sun doesn't have to find fire to stay hot because it's self-sufficient with flame inside of it.", 'type': 'metaphor'}”

“{'text': 'God has no past and He has no future; He lives in the perpetuity of the present tense.', 'type': 'quote'}”

“{'text': "Satan doesn't mind religion as long as there's no relationship, because he knows if there's no relationship, there'll be no power.", 'type': 'quote'}”

“{'text': "You don't get His ruling and then make your decision. You call Him Lord, let Him render His decision, and submit.", 'type': 'illustration'}”

“{'text': 'For the chicken, an egg is a contribution; for the pig, bacon is the whole thing. God wants the whole thing.', 'type': 'illustration'}”

“{'text': "As a kid growing up, I stuttered when I spoke and couldn't finish a sentence. But when I committed my life to Jesus Christ, He joined my stammering tongue and gave me the privilege of being here.", 'type': 'story'}”

This Week

Reflect on areas in your life where you treat God as Elohim (power) without pursuing Jehovah (intimate relationship).

Identify any decisions this week where you are holding back submission and surrender them to Adonai as your Master.

Stop trying to define God based on your preferences and submit to how He defines Himself in Scripture.

When faced with confusing or contradictory circumstances, ask God what He wants to reveal to you about His name and character.

Replace anxiety about the future with confidence, remembering that the eternal 'I AM' is already present in your tomorrow.

Evaluate whether your commitment to God is partial or total, choosing full surrender over convenient contributions.

Pray for God to transform your limitations and weaknesses into testimonies of His power as you yield your gifts to Him.

Remember This

When you draw near to Jehovah in personal relationship and yield to Adonai as Master, you unlock the transformational power of Elohim in your life.

A Challenge for You

If you want to see Elohim, draw near to Jehovah, submit to Adonai, and watch Him blow your mind.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.