A Name Above all Names
What’s in a name?
1. A name does more than simply identify one among many. Often a name evokes the image of a person, as well as events, hopes, and joys tied to that person.
2. In Biblical times, people placed great importance on a name; it defined their character and nature.
Topic: Jesus’ name defines our relationship to him, and his relationship to us.
Application: He wants to guide you through your daily life.
William Barclay, the great theologian who has studied the life and work of Jesus in keen detail, says in Jesus As They Saw Him (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdman, 1978):
"It is no accident that our Lord was called by the name Jesus. That name sums up the things which He came into the world to do and which only He can do. He came to be the divine Rescuer who alone can deliver men from the consequences and from the grip of sin; He came to be the divine Physician who alone can bring healing to the bodies and souls of men."
1. It is the name above all other names
Philippians 2:9-11 ...God ... gave him the name that is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.
2. The name of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, has power over sin, sickness, demons, death, and more.
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe
3. We find salvation by calling on Jesus’ Name.
Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
4. It is a name all nations can place their hope
Matt 12:21 NIV
21 In his name the nations will put their hope."
5. Evan Demons fear his name
Luke 10:17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
What does Jesus Name imply?
That name tells us of Jesus’ purpose in God’s plan-that it is through Him that God saves humanity.
In Matthew 1 we find that Mary was discovered to be pregnant during her engagement to Joseph. Joseph, not wanting to embarrass this young woman he loved, was considering how to best handle the difficult situation.
"But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ’Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins’" (Matthew 1 verses 20, 21).
The New Testament was written in Greek, and the name "Jesus" here means the same in Greek as the Hebrew name "Joshua." "Joshua" means literally God is salvation. So the angel’s message to Joseph was "You shall call His name ’God is salvation,’ for He will save His people from their sins."
His Name tells us:
1. Jesus Name tells of what he does
Isa 9:6 And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
2. Jesus Name tells of his power
Isa 9:6 And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
3. Jesus Name tells of who he is
Isa 9:6 And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
4. Jesus Name tells of why he came
Isa 9:6 And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
There are two hundred and fifty-six names given in the Bible for the Lord Jesus Christ, and I suppose this was because He was infinitely beyond all that any one name could express.
Let’s look at what can be done when one has faith in Jesus name.
Acts 3:1-8 NIV
3:1 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.
Acts 3:16 NIV
16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.
THE POWER OF HIS NAME
The emphasis in Acts 3 and 4 is on the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 3:6,16; 4:7,10,12,17-18,30).
A name, of course, implies much more than identification; it carries with it authority, reputation, and power.
Illustration:
When somebody says, "You can use my name!" you sincerely hope the name is worth using. If an order is given in the name of the President of the United States, those who receive the order know that they are obligated to obey. If I were to issue orders at the White House, nobody would pay much attention because my name has no official authority behind it.
But the name of the Lord Jesus has all authority behind it, for He is the Son of God (Matt 28:18).
1. Because His name is "above every name" (Phil 2:9-11), He deserves our worship and obedience.
2. The great concern of the first Christians was that the name of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, be glorified; and believers today should have that same concern.
The name of Jesus Christ still has power!
• While we may not perform the same apostolic miracles today that were seen in the early church, we can still claim the authority of Jesus Christ as He has instructed us in the Word.
1. We can preach the "remission of sins" in His name (Luke 24:47) so that people might believe and have "life through His name" (John 20:31).
2. We can give someone a cup of cold water in His name (Mark 9:41).
3. We can receive a child in His name (Matt 18:5). These ministries may not seem as spectacular as healing a cripple, but they are still important to the work of God.
4. We can ask in His name as we pray (John 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:23-26). When we ask the Father for something "in the name of Jesus Christ," it is as though Jesus Himself were asking it.
A. Yes, the name of Jesus Christ still has authority and power. Let’s go forth in His name and conquer!
One of Satan plans is that we would never use Jesus name on our lives
Acts 4:17-18 “But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” [18] Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
His Name is so powerful that the devil and his people will try to stop you from using it.
1. People curse and swear in the Lord’s Name.
2. You never hear people cuss using the name of Buddha or Allah.
When we use Jesus name:
A. The phase "IN JESUS’ NAME" is not a rabbits foot, magic formula, postage stamp for prayers, or any other such thing.
B. In the Bible, names often reflect a person’s character. So to do something in Jesus’ name means to do it in a way consistent with his character – to do it in the way Jesus himself would.
C. To use pray in Jesus’ Name is more than a declaration, it is a disposition
D. When we respond to the command to pray in Jesus’ name, we are admitting the utter bankruptcy of our own name
1. Using Jesus Name Gives him Glory
2. Using Jesus Name is a statement of our Faith
3. Using Jesus Name speaks of the authority given us
4. Using Jesus Name speaks of his comfort he provides
5. Using Jesus Name bring Salvation to all that call upon his name
John 1:12 NIV
12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name , he gave the right to become children of God—
6. Using Jesus Name brings healing to ones soul and body
The crippled beggar, who was healed, was given more than he was expecting.
Healing to his spirit: Jumping, praising, testifying.
7. Using Jesus name should humbles us before him
Our Response to Jesus’ name
Heb 13:15 NIV
15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that confess his name
