The Power Of The Name - Part 1 Series

The Power of the Name – Part 1

Acts 3:1-20

In the Name of Jesus there is the Power

to Give and Gifts to use (Acts 3:1-10)

to Speak Boldly and Truthfully (Acts 3:11-16)

of Forgiveness and Refreshment (Acts 3:17-20)

What’s in a name?

In our culture today, we may not think that names carry much meaning or are that important.

I would disagree. I think names are important and I think most people agree, even if they say otherwise.

Expecting Parents

Consider expecting parents.

When expecting parents are considering names for their children, what do they do?

They buy books of names to see what names mean.

They get input from relatives.

They think of people they know and don’t want to give their baby a name of someone they did not like very much.

They write out the name to see how it goes with their last name.

Women

Women often do the same thing with potential last names.

They write out their first name along with the potential husbands last name to see how it sounds.

We care about what our name is.

Reputation

As we grow up, it is

not so much how our name sounds,

but how our name gets affected by our actions, or our reputation that is evoked by our name.

When people are looking for a job, it is more helpful to use as a reference someone that has a good reputation with the prospective employer than a bad reputation.

“Hi, Joe So and So sent me and told me you might need someone.”

If Joe So and so is known to be a good worker and a person of integrity, then his name would carry some weight.

If Joe so and so was a thief who stole from the company, then using his name would say something negative to the prospective employer about you.

Commander in Chief

As Commander in Chief, the name of the President of the U.S carries with it power and authority and responsibility.

If the President gives a command to the military, that command is carried out.

if Scott Kircher gave a command to our military, do you know what would happen?

Nothing!

So, like it or not names matter.

The name we have can have power or authority or it may speak something to those who know us or know about us because of our name.

Names matter.

The Name of Christ

The same is true for us as a Christian. As a Christian we carry around with us the name of Jesus. And with the name of Jesus means something and carries with it power.

What is that power?

Transition

Today we are continuing our series in Acts called “The Church Unleashed”

Slide

and we are going to take a look at Acts 3:1-20 today to see what Power is available in the name of Jesus!

Acts 3:1-10

1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer-at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Pray

Ok, well, in this story in Acts, we find that there is certainly power in the name of Jesus that enables this man to walk.

Now does this mean that we can just go around if we are Christians and heal people by saying “Be healed in Jesus’ name?”

I do not believe so. I believe that the Apostles were given special gifts that they used by the power of Jesus Christ that included miraculous healings.

We see in multiple places that it was the Apostles who were given this ability, not just anyone.

Slide

Acts 2:43 - Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.