Names of God Part 2

Title: Elohim and Yahweh: The God Who Is and Reigns

Introduction:
(Exodus 3:14–15) God reveals His personal name—“I AM.” Tonight we study the two most common names of God in Scripture, Elohim and Yahweh, to know His nature and proclaim His name.

The Weight of a Name in Scripture
Hebrew names convey character, role, and purpose. God’s names follow this pattern. Each name He revealed teaches us who He is and how He works. To know His names is to know His nature and to declare His glory among the nations (Exodus 9:16).

Elohim: The Majestic Creator and King
The first verse of the Bible introduces God as Elohim—plural in form, majestic in meaning: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Elohim reigns over all creation (Psalm 47:7–8), judges in righteousness (Psalm 50:6), is confessed as Lord in worship (Psalm 86:12), and is proclaimed as Savior (Hosea 13:4). Scripture presents the divine nature as one, yet spoken of in plural terms: “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness” (Genesis 1:26; cf. 5:1). Isaiah 63 illuminates the Godhead at work—the Father’s steadfast love, the Angel of His Presence who saves (a title associated with the Son), and the Holy Spirit who is grieved by rebellion (Isaiah 63:7–10). At Jesus’ baptism the Godhead is manifest: the Father speaks, the Spirit descends, and the Son stands in the water (Matthew 3:16–17).

Yahweh (Jehovah): The Self-Existent “I AM”
God’s covenant name—represented by the four letters YHWH and often rendered “LORD” or “Jehovah”—means “He is,” the One who simply exists, uncreated, unchanging, ever present (Exodus 3:13–15). The New Testament echoes this glory: Jesus declares, “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:56–59). Heaven worships the Lord “who was and is and is to come” (Revelation 1:4; 4:8). As Yahweh, God binds Himself to His people by covenant and promise (Genesis 12:1–3). He is our strength and Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).

Proclaiming and Praising His Name
Because His name reveals His nature and His works, we declare it in all the earth (Exodus 9:16). We boast in God and praise His name continually (Psalm 44:8). Knowing His names deepens reverence, strengthens faith, and shapes worship and life.

Elohim and Yahweh: One God Known by His Works and Word
Elohim emphasizes majesty, power, and the fullness of the divine nature active in creation, rule, judgment, and salvation. Yahweh emphasizes God’s self-existence, covenant faithfulness, and eternal presence with His people. Together these names lead us to trust, submit, worship, and obey.

Elohim and Yahweh Sermon Outline:

• Introduction: Exodus 3:14–15—God reveals “I AM.”

• I. Why Names Matter in Scripture

  • Hebrew names disclose character and mission (Exodus 9:16).

   

• II. Elohim in the Beginning and Throughout Scripture

  • Creator: Genesis 1:1

  • King: Psalm 47:7–8

  • Judge: Psalm 50:6

  • Lord confessed in worship: Psalm 86:12

  • Savior: Hosea 13:4

   

• III. The Plural Expressions of the One Divine Nature

  • “Let Us…Our image”: Genesis 1:26; 5:1

  • Father, Angel of His Presence (Son), Holy Spirit: Isaiah 63:7–10

  • Manifest at Jesus’ baptism: Matthew 3:16–17

   

• IV. Yahweh—The Self-Existent, Covenant-Keeping God

  • “I AM WHO I AM”: Exodus 3:13–15

  • The Ever-Living One: Revelation 1:4; 4:8

  • Covenant Promises: Genesis 12:1–3

  • Redeemer and Strength: Psalm 19:14

   

• V. Our Response to His Name

  • Declare His name in all the earth: Exodus 9:16

  • Boast in and praise His name: Psalm 44:8

  • Live in trust, holiness, and grateful worship.

   

Call to Action:
Draw near to the God who is—Elohim and Yahweh. Reverence His name, trust His covenant promises, and submit to His reign. If you need to obey the gospel or seek the prayers of the church, come while we sing.

Key Takeaways:

• God’s names reveal His nature and works (Exodus 9:16).

• Elohim: Creator, King, Judge, Lord, Savior (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 47:7–8; 50:6; 86:12; Hosea 13:4).

• Scripture presents the one divine nature using plural language (Genesis 1:26; Isaiah 63:7–10; Matthew 3:16–17).

• Yahweh is the self-existent “I AM,” faithful in covenant (Exodus 3:14–15; Genesis 12:1–3).

• God is eternal: “who was and is and is to come” (Revelation 1:4; 4:8).

• He is our strength and Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).

Scripture Reference List:

• Exodus 9:16 — God’s name declared in all the earth.

• Genesis 1:1 — Elohim creates heaven and earth.

• Psalm 47:7–8 — Elohim reigns as King over all the earth.

• Psalm 50:6 — Elohim is Judge of all.

• Psalm 86:12 — Worship of the Lord, my Elohim.

• Hosea 13:4 — “There is no Savior besides Me.”

• Genesis 1:26; 5:1 — “Let Us…Our image”; created in God’s likeness.

• Isaiah 63:7–10 — Father’s love, Angel of His Presence, Holy Spirit grieved.

• Matthew 3:16–17 — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit at Jesus’ baptism.

• Exodus 3:13–15 — Yahweh: “I AM WHO I AM.”

• Genesis 12:1–3 — Covenant with Abram.

• Revelation 1:4; 4:8 — “Who was and is and is to come.”

• Psalm 19:14 — “O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.”

• Psalm 44:8 — Boast in God and praise His name continually.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO