Messages from Malachi

SERMON NOTES

Sunday, October 24, 2004

The LORD is my ...!
Name Above All Names, 5 of an 8-Part Series

Rev. Jimmy Painter

Cresthill Baptist Church

“The LORD is my …” “The LORD is my …” “The LORD is my … WHAT?” WHAT is the LORD to you? Who is the LORD to you? Today in Part 5 of this series entitled “NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES,” I invite you to join me on a Biblical journey as we discover WHAT and WHO the Lord Jesus Christ is TO US.

The Bible says that “The LORD is my …”

The Bible tells us in 2nd Samuel Chapter 22 that David sang to God a song of praise. David sang to the LORD this praise chorus when God delivered him from harm. David praised God, worshipping Him in song, when God stepped in and caused King Saul and David’s enemies to step back and step out. 2nd Samuel Chapter 22 verse 2 records the opening lyrics of David’s praise. David worships God in song saying, “The LORD is my Rock, my Fortress and my Deliverer;” (NIV)

Psalm 18, verse 2 picks up where David leaves off in 2nd Samuel 22:2. In Psalm 18:2 David declares, 2 The LORD is my Rock, my Fortress and my Deliverer; my God is my Rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my Shield and the horn of my Salvation, my Stronghold.” (NIV) (Horn, here, symbolizes strength.)

David is not just saying that the LORD God is “A” Rock and “A” Fortress in whom “one” can find protection, salvation, and deliverance from “one’s” enemies. Oh no! David is saying the LORD God is “HIS” Rock, and “HIS” Fortress and “HIS” Protection, and “HIS” Salvation, and “HIS” Deliverer from “HIS” enemies! When you know, you know, you know, you know that God is YOUR God, and the LORD is YOUR LORD, you, too, can sing a song of praise even if you can’t carry a tune in a bucket! You can sing, “Praise the name of Jesus! Praise the name of Jesus! He’s my Rock! He’s my Fortress! He’s my Deliverer! In Him will I trust! Praise the name of Jesus!”

If you know Him, and He knows you, then say this with me: “The LORD is my Rock and my Fortress.”

David, a man, the Bible says, was a “man after God’s own heart”. (1st Samuel 13:14), shouts out in Psalm 27, verse one. 1THE LORD is my Light and my Salvation--whom shall I fear or dread? The LORD is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? (AMP) Light brightens the way. Light illuminates night as day. Physical light enlightens the eyes. Intellectual light enlightens the mind, and spiritual light enlightens the Son!

Recently I received some light via the internet in the form of an email dated Tuesday, October 5, 2004, 10:30 a.m. That email read as follows:

In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth and then he populated the Earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow and red vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.

Then using God’s great gifts, “Satan” created Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream and Krispy Crème Donuts. And Satan said, “You want chocolate sauce with that?” And Man said, “Yes!”, and Woman said, “and as long as you’re at it, add some sprinkles.” And they gained 10 pounds. And Satan smiled.

And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair. And Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat, and sugar from the cane and combined them. And Woman went from size 6 to size 14.

So God said, “Try my fresh green salad.” And Satan presented Thousand-Island Dressing, buttery croutons and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.

God then said, “I have sent you heart-healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them”. And Satan brought forth deep fried fish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And Man gained more weight and his cholesterol went through the roof.

God then created a light, fluffy white cake, named it Angel Food Cake, and said, “It is good.” Satan then created chocolate cake and named it Devil’s food.

God then brought forth running shoes so that His children might lose those extra pounds. And Satan gave cable TV with a remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering blue light and gained pounds.

Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition.

And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fried them. And Man gained pounds.

God then gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonald’s and its 99-cent double cheeseburger. Then said, “You want fries with that?” And Man replied, “Yes! And super-size them!” And Satan said, “It is good.” And Man went into cardiac arrest.

“Light!” “Light!” In the pitch black darkness of this fallen world, how good it is to know that you and I don’t have to stumble through life. No, when Christ, THE light of the world, enters your heart, enters your soul, enters your spirit, you can, with great confidence, shout at the night and say, “Darkness dissipate. Darkness retreat. Darkness, in Christ’s name you have to flee, for the LORD is my LIGHT!”

In Christ, you and I can say that the LORD is my Rock, my Fortress, my Light, AND my …

The Bible tells us that David was not the only singer of songs. When we think of Moses, we think of a barefoot Bedouin before a burning bush. When we think of Moses, we think of his face-to-face with Pharaoh, demanding of Egypt’s king, “Let my people go.” When we think of Moses, we think of him parting the sea, coming down from Mount Sinai, Ten Commandments in hand, when we think of Moses, these are the things we think of. But Moses, the singer of songs? Moses, belting out a blessing unto the LORD? Exodus 15:1 says that “Moses and the Israelites (they must have been his back-up singers and his band!) – Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD:” (NIV) Well, what did they sing? Exodus Chapter 15 verse 2 records their song. Listen to it in the Contemporary English Version: 2The LORD is my strength, the reason for my song, because he has saved me. I praise and honor the LORD-- he is my God and the God of my ancestors. (CEV)

The Psalmist knew this song, too, for in Psalm 118:14, he sings “The LORD is my strength and my song. He is the one who saves me.” (NLV) Moses sang from his heart. Moses sang from his life’s experiences. Moses, a stick in his hand, a stutter on his tongue, knowing full well his failures that marked his life like mile stones, Moses sang from a transformed heart, having experienced the person and the presence and the power of Almighty God – Moses sang, “The LORD is my STRENGTH.” Genuine Believer in Jesus: You can sing that song, TOO!

4. SHIELD (Psalm 28:7) Hear the word of the LORD recorded in Psalm 28, verse 7, translated in the beauty of the King James Version of God’s word: The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him. (KJV)

David knew God to be his “shield”. Now what does a shield do? It protects. Ancient warriors carried a shield that protected them from swords, from spears, and from arrows with their names written on them. David knew God to be his “shield”.

Psalm 91 tells us that: 1He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my Fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. 5Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 9Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 13Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 14Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. (KJV, selected verses)

Is there anyone here who knows Him that way? Is there anyone here who can testify that He’s been there? Is there anybody here who can stand up and give Him some praise for protecting you from the harm others intended for you, the mistakes that should have done you in, and all that Hell assailed you with? Is there anybody who can say “God is my shield?”

The LORD is not only my Rock, my Fortress, my Light, my Strength, and my Shield, He is also my ….

5. SONG (Exodus 15:2; Psalm 118:14) In Exodus 15:3, Moses and the Israelites lifted their voices in song and sang, “The LORD is my strength and my SONG.” (NIV) Psalm 118:14 echoes this refrain, saying, “The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.” (NIV)

When you come to Christ, even he who only mumbled, grumbled, and stumbled through life moaning, “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen” – When God sets up residence in their heart, He gives them a song. When God comes into your heart, He gives you joy, He gives you happiness, He gives you a song to sing. Psalm 8, verse 2 declares, “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise.” (NIV) Children of the LORD, sing your song of praise! He put it in you – now let it out! The LORD is my song!!

6. HELPER (Hebrews 13:6) So we say with confidence, “The LORD is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (NIV)

A tale is told about a small town that had historically been “dry,” but then a local businessman decided to build a tavern. A group of Christians from a local church were concerned and planned an all-night prayer meting to ask God to intervene. It happened that shortly thereafter lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground. The owner of the bar sued the church, claiming that the prayers of the congregation were responsible, but the church hired a lawyer to argue in court that they were certainly not responsible. The presiding judge, a man wiser than most, after his initial review of the case, stated that “no matter how this case comes out, one thing is obvious.” When asked what that was, the judge said, “It is evident that the tavern owner believes in prayer and the Christians do not.” (email dated October 16, 2004)

Christian, when you ask for God’s help, why are you surprised when He does? God wants to help you! God wants to help me! God wants to help all who claim His name. The LORD is MY HELPER!

Last, but certainly not least, if you know Jesus, you can say, “The LORD is my …”

7. SALVATION (Psalm 27:1) Psalm 27, verse 1 declares, 1 The LORD is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? (NIV)

The Message translates Psalm 27 this way: 1Light, space, zest--that's GOD! So, with him on my side I'm fearless, afraid of no one and nothing. (MSG)

Only those who know the LORD Jesus Christ as their Salvation can say, “The LORD is my Light, and my Salvation, whom shall I fear?” Only those who know the LORD Jesus as Savior can say, “The LORD is my helper.” Only the saved can say, “The LORD is my Song … the LORD’s my Shield … the LORD’s my Strength … the LORD’s my Light…” Only the saved can say, “The LORD is my Rock and my Fortress.” Only the saved know, experientially know Him, and know that His Name is Above All Names. If you’re saved – praise His name. If you’re not – call on His Name, and then, and only then, you, too, will be able to say, “The LORD is my …”