ILL>> The name McNair means different things to different people... Steve McNair = football player
... McNair County... McNair Brothers...
But Jesus has a name above all names ...
Phi 2:9 Therefore God has highly exalted Him, and has given Him a name which is above every name,
Phi 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of heavenly ones, and of earthly ones, and of ones under the earth;
Phi 2:11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Isaiah 9:6; "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, (and he tells them why) because he will save his people from their sins"(MATTHEW 1:21). Jesus is the name above every name, because He has saved us from our sins. Amen.
Acts 3:
I. There is power in the NAME of JESUS 1-16
tell the story
A. HELPING POWER v1-3 (asked for...) ----People still ask for HELP!
Thus, if we would attempt to good purpose the healing of men’s souls, we must go forth in the name and power of Jesus Christ, calling on helpless sinners to arise and walk in the way of holiness, by faith in Him. How sweet the thought to our souls, that in respect to all the crippled faculties of our fallen nature, the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth can make us whole! With what holy joy and rapture shall we tread the holy courts, when God the Spirit causes us to enter therein by his strength! -- Matthew Henry
B. HEALING POWER v4-6 ----People still look to us for the HEALING power of God!
C. HOLDING POWER v7 “took him by the hand” People still need a hand to hold on to
D. HALLELUJAH POWER v8-9
Questions from the crowd...
What is this AMAZING power? V 11-12 ?????? - Now everyone was staring v12 so intently
1. The power is Not in our own Name - quickly point the attention to Jesus!!!
Where did the power come from???
2. The Power is in the NAME OF JESUS 13-16
How did you get this power ???
A. Faith in the name of Jesus - through faith v16
1. Never by our own power 12
2. Always giving the gospel
B. Faith from the name of Jesus through Him v16
ILLs>>> of works in the name of Jesus
More Questions from the crowd...-- How does this affect me???
II. There is PROMISE in the NAME of JESUS 17-
A. If you REPENT because of the Cross v18-19 be converted (changed) sins blotted out
"(EPHESIANS 1:7,8). So we are saved by God’s grace according to God’s wisdom, not the wisdom of the world, not the wisdom of our human nature, which says we have to try hard to get into heaven. It is the wisdom of God that says by grace you are saved; by faith in the name of Jesus which is the name above every name.
B. There will be times of REFRESHING
C. You will be a part of the RAPTURE v20
D. Then the earth will be RESTORED - like in the garden of Eden-- spiritually now - physically later
Peter & John preached Jesus unto them. 22-26 “turning away everyone from his iniquities (sins)
They were arrested but not before revival broke out! That’s the plan, the agenda of God
progress for God. We must have the same plan! --
First they helped the needy. Second they shared the name of Jesus, and are arrested! Evangelism will always cause problems - the devil hates to see people come to Jesus.
Then they are preaching to crowds and REVIVAL BREAKS OUT- as a direct result of the ruckus caused at church! 4:1-4 - - THAT’S MINISTRY - EVANGELISM is progress in the plan of God!
II. There is PROGRESS in the NAME of JESUS
A. PROGRESS is when PEOPLE ASK about what’s going on v7
B. PROGRESS is any opportunity to PREACH 8-10
C. PROGRESS is PRESENTING the NAME OF JESUS 11-12
V17 They were told not to speak in His NAME again! -
What’s in a name? In the name of Jesus there is
POWER
PROMISE
PROGRESS
DO YOU HAVE THIS IN YOUR LIFE? TAKE THE NAME OF JESUS!
