Sermon # 34 - The Powerful Name Of Jesus Series

We read in Exodus 20:7,"Never use the name of the LORD your God carelessly. The LORD will make sure that anyone who carelessly uses his name will be punished.” (GW)

We have been studying in details as to how the moral laws of God as given in the Old Testament, are still applicable to believers of the new covenant, though some have been wrongly led to believe that these are of no relevance for them today. This we realize is a misunderstanding because the moral laws of God are enduring for all generations, and do not get invalidated with time. It is only when we live in obedience to God’s moral laws do we become beneficiaries of His divine blessings, and when we refuse to do so we become susceptible to the curses of sin and disobedience. Though the grace of God is what has saved us, it does not therefore nullify the moral laws of God, and man’s responsibility to obey them. God cannot ignore sin as He is a just, and faithful God.

When one opts to disobey these moral laws of God knowingly or unknowingly, they will surely have to face the consequences of the same. For instance, if there is a person who is unschooled and has no idea about electricity, and in his ignorance, places his fingers in an electric socket, he would most certainly receive an electric shock. His ignorance or lack of knowledge, does not exempt him from bearing the effects of his action.

For example, the command of God in Exodus 20:7, to not take the name of the Lord carelessly or in vain, and that one who does so is in danger of punishment, still stands. These moral laws were not abolished by Jesus, but were explained in further detail so people could comprehend the law as it was truly meant to be understood.

Let us observe how this law in Exodus 20:7 was rephrased by Jesus when he taught his disciples to pray in Matthew 6:9, “You should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, help us to honor your name.” (CEV) He was teaching them to pray that the name of God the Father, be revered or honored instead of it being used carelessly. By so explaining this law, Jesus emphasized that it is not only crucial that God’s name should not be used in vain, but equally important that His name be honored through our lives in every way.

The eminence of God’s name

We will study in detail to understand about the significance of God’s name, and also about the power that is manifested in His name.

The meaning of the name Jesus

We read in Matthew 1:21, “She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus [He Saves], because he will save his people from their sins." (GW)

The above verse was the message that Joseph received from the angel in a dream, that Mary would give birth to a son, and he would give him the name ‘Jesus’ for He would save His people from their sins. This name was not chosen for Jesus by Joseph or Mary, but by God the Father Himself.

As parents we realize that when our children are born, we are endowed with the privilege to name them as we desire, and we take pride in it. But for Jesus, His name was decided by God the Father, which clearly endorsed the fact that Jesus was first the Son of God, before He became the Son of man. The name of Jesus as given by God the Father had a meaning and purpose.

It is a good thought for parents to remember that when naming children, we too should do so with prayer, and give them names that are meaningful.

We read in Acts 4:12, “Only Jesus has the power to save! His name is the only one in all the world that can save anyone.”(CEV)

There are three significant words we take note of in Matthew 1:21 and Acts 4:12, which as we study in depth, we will understand the significance of who Jesus really is to us. These three words are:

1. Sin

2. Salvation

3. The name of Jesus

1. Sin

• Sin is crossing the boundary set by God

The word ‘Sin’ as translated from the Hebrew and Greek languages has two explanations. Firstly sin is defined as crossing the boundary that God has set for us.

To understand this let us take an example from the game of cricket. When the bowler comes to bowl to the batsman, there is a line drawn on the ground, which specifies the limit to which he can proceed, before he bowls. However, if for some reason he oversteps that line, it is considered a ‘no ball’.