Sermon Title: Call on the Name of the Lord
“17 Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch.
Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch.
18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and Methushael was the father of Lamech.
19 Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah.
20 Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock.
21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes.
22 Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron.
Tubal-Cain’s sister was Naamah.
23 Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, listen to me; wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me.
24 If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.”
25 Adam made love to his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.”
26 Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh.
At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord. (Genesis 4:17-26)
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
After his rejection of God, leading to his anger and murder of Abel, evil prevails and proliferates in Genesis 4:17–24 through Cain's family line.
Though brief, Scripture reveals the terrible wickedness that blisters early human society.
Cain’s city was an unattainable attempt at replicating Eden; doomed from the start to the depravity that mirrored the darkness of the human heart.
Every city since is built on the rubbles of the Cain’s city; damned to the exact, same fate.
The mere mention of advances in culture and technology speaks to a civilisation with a regressing code of civility and morality.
Lamech, Cain's direct descendent, not only took two wives - forever fracturing the structure of marriage and family; he also bragged wickedly about murdering a man for hurting him.
His mere ego demanded the death of another; a relative no less.
Like all in the bondage of sin, Lamech’s arrogance blinded him to the existence of the God of Righteousness.
Needless to say, ever since consuming the forbidden fruit, the bud of darkness has come into full bloom.
And yet, on the same stage of humanity’s unrestrained defiance that would result in God's judgment of the flood in Genesis 6 upon an entirely depraved world, this passage also describes Adam and Eve's son Seth, born after Abel’s murder, who would become Noah’s ancestor. (Genesis 4:25)
God is faithful.
In spite of the prodigious evil; He sets apart a people for Himself.
A people who – from that time – began to call on His Name.
But what is the Name of God?
Has He revealed His Name to them?
Has He even revealed Himself to them?
After the Fall, the Lord sets Mankind on a divine program of revelation specifically to personally re-introduce Himself.
He begins by revealing His Name progressively – at times by direct revelation, and others, by His actions.
The Names of God reveal the Character and Nature of God.
They reveal who He is, what He does for us, how He relates to us, in our lives and circumstances.
Most significantly, the Names of God reveal to us our deepest need; and consequently, who we need Him to be – our Present Saviour.
YHWH/Jehovah
This Name first appears after the creation of man in Genesis 2:4, and later, as “Jehovah” (Exodus 3:14) represents His “faithful presence” marked by the eternal covenant of redemption and personal revelation with those who profess to be His Children.
We can derive the meaning of “Jehovah” from Exodus 3:14 where God reveals Himself to Moses as “I AM.” – which means, “I AM who you truly need Me to be”; not a frivolous need that is perceived or felt by the sinful human heart, but a need that is existential and eternal – meant to save the human soul from “the wages of sin”, which is death.(Ref: Romans 6:23)
To the nation of Israel enslaved by the Egyptians, “Jehovah” implies that He is near to them and that He has the power to save them from Egypt.
Throughout the Bible, it is sometimes shortened to “Jah”; as is so familiar with us in the expression – “Hallelujah”; which means, praise the LORD!
Elohim
This Name underscores that He is the God – Creator and Sustainer - over all Creation (Genesis 1); while “YHWH”or “Jehovah” emphasizes God’s personal relationship and love for Mankind.
The striking thing about Elohim - is that it is in the plural form, and yet, it is followed by a singular verb – a peculiar, but very precise dissonance in Hebrew syntax.
“In the beginning God (“E-lo-him”, plural) created (“ba-ra”, singular) the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
In this, is found the ancient belief that the Triune Nature of God – later revealed as, “Father, Son and Holy Spirit”(Ref: Matthew 28:19) - is implied in this plural name: Elohim.
Adonai
Moses used this Name to address God at the Burning Bush, which denotes – “Lord” or “Master”. (Ref: Exodus 4:10, 4:13) – which speaks to His supremacy, and yet, intimacy with Mankind.
Compound Old Testament Names of God
The gradual, divine revelation of His compound Names in the Old Testament reveals that He is the unchanging, ever-living and ever-loving God, who is personally concerned for His children, ready and willing to act on their behalf and meet every of their needs.
El Elyon – “the most high God” (Genesis 14:18)
El Olam – “the Everlasting God” (Genesis 21:33);
El Shaddai – “the Almighty God” (Genesis 17:1);
Jehovah Jireh – “the LORD will provide” (Genesis 22:14);
Jehovah Nissi – “the LORD our banner”, Victorious, Invincible, Deliverer, Salvation, Standard (Exodus 17:8-15);
Jehovah Shalom – “the LORD our peace” (Judges 6:23-24);
Jehovah Sabbaoth – “the LORD of hosts” (I Samuel 1:3);
Jehovah Maccaddeshcem – “the LORD your sanctifier” (Exodus 31:13);
Jehovah Roi – “the LORD is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1);
Jehovah Tsid kenu – “the LORD our righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:6);
Jehovah Shamma – “the LORD is there” (Ezekiel 48:35);
Jehovah Elohim Israel – “the LORD God of Israel” (Judges 5:3);
Jehovah Rapha – “the LORD that heals you” (Exodus 15:26);
Qadash Israel – “the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 1:14).
There are also human compound names that remind us of His attributes:
Joshua - "God saves and delivers”;
Ezra – “God is helper”;
Joel – “The Lord is God”;
Zechariah – “The Lord recalled, or remembered”;
Samuel – “The Lord has heard”;
Daniel – “The Lord my judge”;
Elijah – “The Lord is GOD”.
Jesus Christ
“I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30)
“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)
Each of the Old Testament Names of God are fully demonstrated and embodied in our Lord Jesus Christ.
‘Jehovah’, ‘Elohim’, and ‘Adonai’ of the Old Testament is the Lord Jesus Christ of the New Testament.
Whatever our needs are, our LORD Jesus Christ is able and willing to come to the soul that trusts in Him.
Every form of divine help that we seek must result in our realisation that our ultimate need is to be delivered and saved from the bondage and wages of sin.
God’s miracles must move us closer to Him and into becoming Children of His Kingdom.
As the “I AM”, Jesus “is the image of the invisible”, all-sufficient God - who meets our every and ultimate need. (Ref: Colossians 1:15, 2 Corinthians 9:8)
All through the Old Testament, the LORD became whatever His people needed.
Finally, “the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14); and this “Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:1-3)
Do you know God, who is, the Lord Jesus Christ?
Have you “seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth”? (John 1:14)
The LORD Jesus Christ is the great “I AM,” the God who saves.
Do you know the Name of Jesus?
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalm 9:10)
To be saved, you must!
For there is great assurance, blessing and comfort in the Name of Christ Jesus, our Lord and God (Ref: John 20:28); who is the infinitely great and exalted “I AM”, who is the Creator of the the heavens and the earth; who alone preserves and governs every creature; and who alone saves that who seek and trust Him.
Honor the Name of God: by categorically knowing, and living in the power of Christ’s Name to save you from the wages of sin, which is, death.
To doubt or forget that the Lord Jesus Christ is Lord, Saviour and God, and thus, fail to reflect His character and reputation in our words and deeds is to “take the name of the LORD your God in vain” (Exodus 20:7); and will certainly lead to the fiery lake (Ref: Revelation 21:8).
Daily meditate on the Names of God.
Learn the deeper meanings of His Names; and discover who He truly is.
Seek and ask Him to manifest His Power in your life according to His Names and Divine Attributes - and experience your reality change from one that is earth bound, to one that is destined for His Eternal, Glorious Kingdom.
Today, “if you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for,
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:9-13)
Undoubtably, though none of Cain’s descendants survived the flood, the world has certainly degenerated back to that age of depravity.
However, even in the age of Cain, God remains Mighty to Save.
Call on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ; and you will be saved.
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, You Will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.
Thank You, Lord, for setting apart a people for Yourself – for opening my heart to believe that Christ is my Saviour, and appointing me to eternal life. (Ref: Acts 16:14, 13:48, Romans 8:29-30, Ephesians 1:4-5, 1:11, 2:8, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Timothy 1:9)
As I call on Your Name throughout my life, may Your Name – Lord Jesus – be glorified.
Lord, Your Name reveals my deepest need – and I acknowledge that You are my Saviour from the bondages and wages of my sin, having died on the Cross in my place and rising again from the grave that I may indeed receive the gift of Eternal Life.
Help me grow deeper in the divine revelation that You are truly all that I need.
As I daily meditate upon Your Name, help me to discover, know and love You more.
As I seek You, may I trust wholly in You; and see Your Glory, Lord Jesus – full of grace and truth.
As I follow You, may I truly know the Salvific Power of Your Name, Lord Jesus!
As I live each day for You, may I honor Your Name by daily preaching Your Gospel in the Power of Your Name – and experience my reality, and the realities of others, become destined for Your Eternal Kingdom.
Yes, Lord Jesus, in every situation, I will call upon Your Name!
Thank You for saving me!
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our King, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
“17 Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch.
Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch.
18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and Methushael was the father of Lamech.
19 Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah.
20 Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock.
21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes.
22 Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron.
Tubal-Cain’s sister was Naamah.
23 Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, listen to me; wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me.
24 If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.”
25 Adam made love to his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.”
26 Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh.
At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord. (Genesis 4:17-26)
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
After his rejection of God, leading to his anger and murder of Abel, evil prevails and proliferates in Genesis 4:17–24 through Cain's family line.
Though brief, Scripture reveals the terrible wickedness that blisters early human society.
Cain’s city was an unattainable attempt at replicating Eden; doomed from the start to the depravity that mirrored the darkness of the human heart.
Every city since is built on the rubbles of the Cain’s city; damned to the exact, same fate.
The mere mention of advances in culture and technology speaks to a civilisation with a regressing code of civility and morality.
Lamech, Cain's direct descendent, not only took two wives - forever fracturing the structure of marriage and family; he also bragged wickedly about murdering a man for hurting him.
His mere ego demanded the death of another; a relative no less.
Like all in the bondage of sin, Lamech’s arrogance blinded him to the existence of the God of Righteousness.
Needless to say, ever since consuming the forbidden fruit, the bud of darkness has come into full bloom.
And yet, on the same stage of humanity’s unrestrained defiance that would result in God's judgment of the flood in Genesis 6 upon an entirely depraved world, this passage also describes Adam and Eve's son Seth, born after Abel’s murder, who would become Noah’s ancestor. (Genesis 4:25)
God is faithful.
In spite of the prodigious evil; He sets apart a people for Himself.
A people who – from that time – began to call on His Name.
But what is the Name of God?
Has He revealed His Name to them?
Has He even revealed Himself to them?
After the Fall, the Lord sets Mankind on a divine program of revelation specifically to personally re-introduce Himself.
He begins by revealing His Name progressively – at times by direct revelation, and others, by His actions.
The Names of God reveal the Character and Nature of God.
They reveal who He is, what He does for us, how He relates to us, in our lives and circumstances.
Most significantly, the Names of God reveal to us our deepest need; and consequently, who we need Him to be – our Present Saviour.
YHWH/Jehovah
This Name first appears after the creation of man in Genesis 2:4, and later, as “Jehovah” (Exodus 3:14) represents His “faithful presence” marked by the eternal covenant of redemption and personal revelation with those who profess to be His Children.
We can derive the meaning of “Jehovah” from Exodus 3:14 where God reveals Himself to Moses as “I AM.” – which means, “I AM who you truly need Me to be”; not a frivolous need that is perceived or felt by the sinful human heart, but a need that is existential and eternal – meant to save the human soul from “the wages of sin”, which is death.(Ref: Romans 6:23)
To the nation of Israel enslaved by the Egyptians, “Jehovah” implies that He is near to them and that He has the power to save them from Egypt.
Throughout the Bible, it is sometimes shortened to “Jah”; as is so familiar with us in the expression – “Hallelujah”; which means, praise the LORD!
Elohim
This Name underscores that He is the God – Creator and Sustainer - over all Creation (Genesis 1); while “YHWH”or “Jehovah” emphasizes God’s personal relationship and love for Mankind.
The striking thing about Elohim - is that it is in the plural form, and yet, it is followed by a singular verb – a peculiar, but very precise dissonance in Hebrew syntax.
“In the beginning God (“E-lo-him”, plural) created (“ba-ra”, singular) the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
In this, is found the ancient belief that the Triune Nature of God – later revealed as, “Father, Son and Holy Spirit”(Ref: Matthew 28:19) - is implied in this plural name: Elohim.
Adonai
Moses used this Name to address God at the Burning Bush, which denotes – “Lord” or “Master”. (Ref: Exodus 4:10, 4:13) – which speaks to His supremacy, and yet, intimacy with Mankind.
Compound Old Testament Names of God
The gradual, divine revelation of His compound Names in the Old Testament reveals that He is the unchanging, ever-living and ever-loving God, who is personally concerned for His children, ready and willing to act on their behalf and meet every of their needs.
El Elyon – “the most high God” (Genesis 14:18)
El Olam – “the Everlasting God” (Genesis 21:33);
El Shaddai – “the Almighty God” (Genesis 17:1);
Jehovah Jireh – “the LORD will provide” (Genesis 22:14);
Jehovah Nissi – “the LORD our banner”, Victorious, Invincible, Deliverer, Salvation, Standard (Exodus 17:8-15);
Jehovah Shalom – “the LORD our peace” (Judges 6:23-24);
Jehovah Sabbaoth – “the LORD of hosts” (I Samuel 1:3);
Jehovah Maccaddeshcem – “the LORD your sanctifier” (Exodus 31:13);
Jehovah Roi – “the LORD is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1);
Jehovah Tsid kenu – “the LORD our righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:6);
Jehovah Shamma – “the LORD is there” (Ezekiel 48:35);
Jehovah Elohim Israel – “the LORD God of Israel” (Judges 5:3);
Jehovah Rapha – “the LORD that heals you” (Exodus 15:26);
Qadash Israel – “the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 1:14).
There are also human compound names that remind us of His attributes:
Joshua - "God saves and delivers”;
Ezra – “God is helper”;
Joel – “The Lord is God”;
Zechariah – “The Lord recalled, or remembered”;
Samuel – “The Lord has heard”;
Daniel – “The Lord my judge”;
Elijah – “The Lord is GOD”.
Jesus Christ
“I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30)
“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)
Each of the Old Testament Names of God are fully demonstrated and embodied in our Lord Jesus Christ.
‘Jehovah’, ‘Elohim’, and ‘Adonai’ of the Old Testament is the Lord Jesus Christ of the New Testament.
Whatever our needs are, our LORD Jesus Christ is able and willing to come to the soul that trusts in Him.
Every form of divine help that we seek must result in our realisation that our ultimate need is to be delivered and saved from the bondage and wages of sin.
God’s miracles must move us closer to Him and into becoming Children of His Kingdom.
As the “I AM”, Jesus “is the image of the invisible”, all-sufficient God - who meets our every and ultimate need. (Ref: Colossians 1:15, 2 Corinthians 9:8)
All through the Old Testament, the LORD became whatever His people needed.
Finally, “the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14); and this “Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:1-3)
Do you know God, who is, the Lord Jesus Christ?
Have you “seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth”? (John 1:14)
The LORD Jesus Christ is the great “I AM,” the God who saves.
Do you know the Name of Jesus?
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalm 9:10)
To be saved, you must!
For there is great assurance, blessing and comfort in the Name of Christ Jesus, our Lord and God (Ref: John 20:28); who is the infinitely great and exalted “I AM”, who is the Creator of the the heavens and the earth; who alone preserves and governs every creature; and who alone saves that who seek and trust Him.
Honor the Name of God: by categorically knowing, and living in the power of Christ’s Name to save you from the wages of sin, which is, death.
To doubt or forget that the Lord Jesus Christ is Lord, Saviour and God, and thus, fail to reflect His character and reputation in our words and deeds is to “take the name of the LORD your God in vain” (Exodus 20:7); and will certainly lead to the fiery lake (Ref: Revelation 21:8).
Daily meditate on the Names of God.
Learn the deeper meanings of His Names; and discover who He truly is.
Seek and ask Him to manifest His Power in your life according to His Names and Divine Attributes - and experience your reality change from one that is earth bound, to one that is destined for His Eternal, Glorious Kingdom.
Today, “if you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for,
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:9-13)
Undoubtably, though none of Cain’s descendants survived the flood, the world has certainly degenerated back to that age of depravity.
However, even in the age of Cain, God remains Mighty to Save.
Call on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ; and you will be saved.
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, You Will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.
Thank You, Lord, for setting apart a people for Yourself – for opening my heart to believe that Christ is my Saviour, and appointing me to eternal life. (Ref: Acts 16:14, 13:48, Romans 8:29-30, Ephesians 1:4-5, 1:11, 2:8, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Timothy 1:9)
As I call on Your Name throughout my life, may Your Name – Lord Jesus – be glorified.
Lord, Your Name reveals my deepest need – and I acknowledge that You are my Saviour from the bondages and wages of my sin, having died on the Cross in my place and rising again from the grave that I may indeed receive the gift of Eternal Life.
Help me grow deeper in the divine revelation that You are truly all that I need.
As I daily meditate upon Your Name, help me to discover, know and love You more.
As I seek You, may I trust wholly in You; and see Your Glory, Lord Jesus – full of grace and truth.
As I follow You, may I truly know the Salvific Power of Your Name, Lord Jesus!
As I live each day for You, may I honor Your Name by daily preaching Your Gospel in the Power of Your Name – and experience my reality, and the realities of others, become destined for Your Eternal Kingdom.
Yes, Lord Jesus, in every situation, I will call upon Your Name!
Thank You for saving me!
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our King, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.