POWER IN HIS NAME
(Divorce Series Part 5)
Scripture Reference: Matthew 14:22-33 (KJV)
Matthew 14:22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
There is certainly great value to be obtained from a good name. A smart man would rather have a good name than great riches
(Proverbs 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.)
In today’s society one of the greatest names that I can think of is Donald Trump. If he were to give me permission to use his name I would immediately become worth more money
For instance; what if one day Mr. Trump wanted to see me in reference to something that I had and he wanted. He told me over the phone that all that I had to do was go to the front desk and tell them his name and the clerk would immediately give me a room. I would easily believe that I would be able to walk into his hotel and be given a room just by mentioning his name. What if the clerk was not aware that Mr. Trump told me this and gave me a problem as I attempted to check in. All it would take is one call and one word from Mr. Trump to rectify that situation immediately. There is definitely power in Mr. Trump’s name when you are in his hotel.
As I write this illustration it is easy for me to believe the fact that many people who hear or read this will believe that this is true. It is easy to believe that Mr. Trump can give you a room at an hotel that he is in charge of.
However when it comes to Jesus, if I were to give a similar illustration I am not so sure that people will receive it as easily as they will the one about Mr. Trump.
Is it that:
1. We don’t believe that Jesus is in charge of anything
2. That there is no power in his name
3. Both
Saints I came by to assure you on today that there is certainly power in the name of Jesus and the book of John tells us that he will do what we ask in his name
(John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. )
Not only is there power in his name but he invites us to use his name as we go through life. So why aren’t we using it?
I mean if Mr. Trump called me tomorrow and said I could use his name I would do whatever I could to arrange my schedule to get there and use his name as soon as possible
What if the President invited me to visit him at the White House I would make it my business to get there as soon as possible and would never worry about what security may say to stop me because all I would have to do is use the President’s name
Listen carefully brother as I explain that although you can feel completely comfortable using the name of the Lord we have to be extremely careful to never ever use His name in vain (Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.)
I could spend the next ten years giving examples and situations on how not to use his name but the Holy Ghost provides the small print so you know better
We should always be aware that we have a savior who has the power and desire to deliver us immediately from the snares of the devil
This is what I would like to talk about in today’s scripture
Here we see Peter wanting to walk on water just as he saw Jesus doing (Verse 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.)
Jesus gave him permission thus granting him the power (Verse 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.). So what made him fall?
It was his momentary lack of faith
This is exactly what Satan is doing to marriages all over the world right now
Though God has given us the power over our situations Satan has whispered a lie in your ear and you are believing that over what God is telling you
We are having momentary lapses in faith and it is causing us to lose everything as we know it
I am here today to let you know that Jesus has given you permission to take back your marriage from the hand of Satan
If we were to use his name he could immediately stretch forth his hand and save us just as he did for Peter in our scripture for today (Verse 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?)
Peter probably felt just like you do right now if you think your marriage is all but over
He wasn’t just calling on Jesus because of who he was but he was calling Jesus because he was literally the closest person to him and that was his only chance on ever being delivered or saved from this situation that he walked into
This is right where God wants many of us today. He wants us in a situation where there is no way out but Him. The problem is that there are too many marriages breaking apart without ever calling his name. Marriages are dissolving without ever giving God a chance to fix them
CONCLUSION
I would like to take a moment and invite each man to call on Jesus in reference to their marriage right now. Even if your marriage is in perfect condition right now I still want you to say this with me. (This way the people who’s marriages are breaking apart can say this without anyone knowing who they are.)
Repeat after me:
Lord
Save my marriage
(Let’s try this again. This time like we really need him)
Lord
Save my marriage
(One more time and expect God to stretch forth his hand immediately)
Lord
Save my marriage
Brothers this concludes my five part series on divorce. I would like to assure you that there are times when marriages are broken for no good reason at all but there is never a time when God fails. It is impossible for God to fail.
Keep your hand in God’s hand
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, I am truly sorry for ever doing anything that even made it look like I ever doubted you. I know that you have not gained or lost any power since the beginning of time. In fact, I realize that you are power and I believe that it is your power that gives me the liberty to make it through each day. I realize that without you I can do nothing. Lord you said in your word that whatever we bind on earth will be bound in heaven and right now we bind anything that is not like you. Lord you said in your word that whatever we loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven and right now Lord we loose your Spirit on everything in our lives
Thank You. May God continue to bless you and keep you. Amen
Your Friend
Minister Juan D. Lane Sr.
