El Elyon: The Supremacy of God Most High

Throughout history and in every culture, people have used the language of height and elevation to describe what they value most—what they see as the highest good, the loftiest goal, the thing or person at the very top. But when we ask, “What’s at the very top? Who is truly above all?” the answer is found in the name of God: El Elyon, God Most High. El Elyon is not just a title; it is a declaration that God is the highest reality, the ultimate authority, the possessor and creator of all things.

In Genesis 14, we meet Melchizedek, the priest-king of Salem, who blesses Abram in the name of El Elyon. Here, four profound truths about God Most High are revealed: He created and possesses all creation, He rules and blesses His people, He conquers their enemies, and He deserves and receives their worship. These truths are not just ancient history; they are the foundation for understanding who God is and how we relate to Him.

But the story doesn’t end in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, Paul’s letter to the Colossians reveals that Jesus Christ is the visible image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, the one by whom and for whom all things were made. Jesus is not only the creator and sustainer of the universe, but He is also the head of the church, the conqueror of death, and the one who reconciles us to God. The same four truths about El Elyon are fulfilled and magnified in Jesus: He created and upholds all things, He rules and blesses His people, He has conquered our greatest enemy—death—and He alone is worthy of our worship.

Yet, as we stand before Jesus, God Most High, we realize our own unworthiness. Our sin separates us from Him, and we cannot offer Him the worship He deserves on our own. But Jesus, in His love, did what was necessary to reconcile us to Himself. Through His death and resurrection, He presents us holy and blameless before God. Now, our response must be to give Him our all—not just in moments of worship, but in every aspect of our lives. Jesus is the Most High, and He deserves nothing less than our total devotion.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God Most High is the true possessor and creator of all things, not just a distant deity but the One who holds all of creation together. Even when the world is marred by sin and brokenness, He has not relinquished His claim or His care. This means that no matter how far we fall, God’s authority and ownership remain, and He has not given up on us. Our security is rooted in His unchanging sovereignty. [10:47]
• 2. Every culture and every heart is tempted to enthrone something as “most high”—whether it’s success, authenticity, love, or power. But only the God revealed in Scripture is truly worthy of that place. When we examine our lives, we must ask: what have we placed at the top? True peace and fulfillment come only when God Most High is our highest value and greatest pursuit. [09:27]
• 3. Jesus Christ is not only the creator but also the sustainer of the universe; He upholds all things by His power. This truth is not just theological—it is practical, grounding our faith in every moment. The very laws of nature, the breath in our lungs, and the order of the cosmos depend on Him. Science itself is possible because Jesus is faithful to hold all things together. [25:17]
• 4. The victory of Jesus over death is the ultimate triumph, making Him the firstborn from the dead and the rightful ruler of all. Death, which no human can conquer, has been defeated by Christ, and in Him, we share in that victory. This changes how we face every trial, knowing that our greatest enemy has already been overcome. Our hope is anchored in the resurrection of Jesus, who leads us into new life. [29:45]
• 5. Worship is not something we can offer God from a place of worthiness; our sin disqualifies us. Yet, Jesus did what was necessary to make us worthy—He reconciled us to God by His death, presenting us holy and blameless. Our worship, then, is a response to grace, not an attempt to earn favor. The only fitting response to the Most High is to give Him our all, every day, in gratitude and awe. [34:55]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:28] - Introducing El Elyon: God Most High
• [03:29] - Jesus as the Most High
• [04:24] - Genesis 14: Abram and Melchizedek
• [06:28] - The First Use of El Elyon
• [07:23] - Competing “Most Highs” in Culture
• [09:27] - The One True God Most High
• [10:47] - God’s Ownership Despite the Fall
• [11:47] - God’s Rule and Blessing in Abram’s Life
• [12:56] - Bread and Wine: Blessing and Significance
• [13:51] - God’s Victory Over Abram’s Enemies
• [15:41] - Worshiping God Most High
• [18:54] - Jesus Fulfills El Elyon in the New Testament
• [19:34] - Colossians 1: The Supremacy of Christ
• [25:17] - Jesus Upholds All Things
• [29:45] - Jesus Conquers Death
• [32:52] - Jesus Makes Us Worthy to Worship
• [35:54] - Responding to the Most High
• [37:16] - Living for Jesus Every Day
• [38:25] - Assurance in Christ’s Perfection

Bible Reading

Genesis 14:18-20 (ESV) — > And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said,
> “Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
> Possessor of heaven and earth;
> and blessed be God Most High,
> who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”
> And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Colossians 1:15-22 (ESV) — > He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.

Observation Questions

1. In Genesis 14, what does Melchizedek call God, and what does that title mean about God’s position and authority? ([06:28])
2. According to Colossians 1, what are some specific things that Jesus does or is described as? (List at least three.) ([19:34])
3. What did Abram do in response to being blessed by Melchizedek, and what does this action represent? ([17:59])
4. In Colossians 1, what does Paul say Jesus accomplished for us through his death? ([21:01])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the Bible uses the language of height and elevation to describe God? What does it communicate about who God is? ([02:28])
2. The sermon mentioned that every culture has its own “most high”—something or someone at the top. What are some examples from our culture, and why do people put these things at the top? ([08:15])
3. How does understanding Jesus as both the creator and sustainer of all things affect the way we see our daily lives and the world around us? ([25:17])
4. The sermon says that Jesus did what was necessary to make us worthy to worship God. Why is it important to recognize our unworthiness, and how does that change our approach to worship? ([34:55])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to ask, “What have we placed at the top?” Take a moment to honestly reflect: What is currently “most high” in your life? Is it God, or something else? How can you tell? ([09:27])
2. When you face fear, uncertainty, or feel like things are falling apart, how can remembering that Jesus upholds all things help you respond differently? Can you share a recent example? ([25:17])
3. The sermon described how Jesus conquered our greatest enemy—death. How does this truth change the way you face trials, loss, or even your own fears about the future? ([29:45])
4. Worship is described as a response to grace, not something we do to earn God’s favor. How does this understanding impact the way you approach worship—both on Sundays and in your everyday life? ([34:55])
5. Abram responded to God Most High with a tithe and worship. What would it look like for you to give God your “all” this week—not just in church, but in your work, relationships, or decisions? ([37:16])
6. The sermon said, “However high Jesus is in your life, it’s not high enough.” What is one practical step you can take this week to put Jesus higher in your priorities? ([37:16])
7. The message reminded us that we don’t have to be perfect because Jesus was perfect for us. How does this truth free you from guilt or striving, and how can you rest in Christ’s perfection this week? ([38:25])