Introduction
• This morning I want to position you to use the name that is above every name…the Name of Jesus.
• In ancient Hebrew culture, names carried great significance.
• They might refer to an individual’s personality, relate to an event surrounding a person’s birth, or indicate a way that God would use the child’s life.
• A name conveyed the very character and nature of a person.
• This morning I want to discuss the name of Jesus. As the Son of God, Jesus was the most exalted person to ever walk the earth; therefore, His name is above every other name.
• Let’s see what the Bible has to say about the Name of Jesus.
(NKJV) Philippians 2 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
1) The Significance of Jesus’ Name
a) Shout… The Name of Jesus has significance.
b) The world views Jesus as a religious leader who lived and preached around 30 A.D.
i) His followers claim that He had the power to heal people and that He rose from the dead after His crucifixion.
ii) Those who believe in Him are called Christians.”
c) The name Jesus is the Greek version of the Hebrew name Yeshua, which means “salvation.”
i) This name indicates that Christ’s primary role was as the world’s Savior, not just a moral teacher.
ii) The Bible gives over 100 different names for Jesus, including the Son of Man, the Son of God, Prophet, Teacher, King of Kings, Immanuel, the Good Shepherd, the Light of the World, the Bread of Life, the Lamb of God, our High Priest, and Lord.
2) The Position of Jesus’ Name
a) Shout…I must position Jesus to be 1st in my life.
b) The Bible says all will not be saved; the entire world will bow in submission to Jesus. Every tongue will confess the name of Jesus.
c) There are consequences when a person profanes the Name of Jesus.
(NKJV) Exodus 20 7 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
3) The Power of Jesus’ Name
a) Shout… There is power in the Name of Jesus.
b) The Name of Jesus is demonstrated in salvation.
i) There is no salvation or hope of eternal life apart from the name of Jesus.
(NKJV) Acts 4 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
c) Many religions teach that people can earn divine favor through good deeds. The truth is, you and I might be able to clean up parts of our lives, but we are powerless to change our sin nature. We need the Savior.
d) Name of Jesus is demonstrated in prayer.
(NKJV) John 1413 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
e) When we ask in Jesus name….
i) We come to Him on the basis of our association with Him—we are His children.
ii) Our relationship with Jesus gives us access to Him.
iii) Through Jesus, we have authority to make requests of the Father.
(NKJV) Matthew 7 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
iv) We must ask according to His will. In prayer, we should seek His purpose instead of our own, and trust that if He says “no,” it is for our ultimate good.
f) Shout…There is power in the Name of Jesus.
4) The Persecution of Jesus’ Name
a) Shout…Persecution will come against the Name of Jesus.
b) Look today at the Christians that are being persecuted for the Name of Jesus. (Iraq, Iran, China, India, America, etc.)
c) From the days of the early church, those in the world have hated the Name of Jesus.
(NKJV) Acts 5 26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” 29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
d) Today, many people who are okay with talking about the idea of God take offense at the name of our Savior. I believe His name convicts them of their need for salvation.
e) American culture is increasingly opposed to Christianity. Years ago, prayer and Bible teaching were removed from schools. Today, shoppers are usually greeted with “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.” Ten Commandment displays and nativity scenes are under attack in the public arena. I believe the assault on Christian values was systematically planned by those who want to make America an atheistic nation. Let me warn you that no nation has ever been able to deny the Lord without experiencing His judgment.
5) The Proclamation of Jesus’ Name
a) Shout…I will proclaim the Name of Jesus!
(NKJV) Luke 24 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
b) If we don’t share the gospel with people, we are ignoring the most important need—forgiveness of sins so people can experience eternal life.
Conclusion
• One day, every person will bow before Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
• What will they say? Was it you that shared the good news gospel to them that gave them eternal life.
• Today more than ever, we must lift up the Name of Jesus. We need to be proclaiming His name.
• We must position the Name of Jesus to be 1st in all we do, think and speak!
• We must understand the power in the Name of Jesus.
• The Name of Jesus has the power for salvation, deliverance, hope, change, peace, redemption and resurrection!
• We must pray in the Name of Jesus. There is no other name!
• Today, call on that Name of Jesus. Put your faith in that Name of Jesus. Know that He is with you and will never forsake you!
• Let us pray.
