The Name of Jesus

                                           

                               

                                  

                                             THE WONDERFUL NAME OF JESUS

"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches."(Proverbs 22:1)

A person's name is their identity. Protecting and defending a good name, or living up to one's name are still meaningful concepts in today's world. A person's name represents their reputation, their family, their business, their legacy. In some cultures, a name is the most valuable thing they own, and it is dishonorable when their name is tarnished.

Since the days of antiquity, people could speak or act 'in the name of' someone because the name represents authority and power. Decrees could be issued and oral messages delivered in the name of a king, for example. For Christians, the name of Jesus Christ is the most wonderful and most powerful name in existence. In Psalm 72, although King David was writing about his son, Solomon, he also speaks prophetically of Jesus Christ. Verse 17 says, "His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; All nations shall call Him blessed."

Jesus Christ has given Christians the right and authority to use his name. This means that Christians have been given the power of attorney. Legally, power of attorney is the authority to act in another person's behalf, at their request. It is authorization given by one person (Jesus) permitting another (Christians) to take action on his (Jesus Christ's) behalf.

"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." (John 14:13,14)

"Whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." (John 16:23, 24)

The name of Jesus Christ is not a magic word. The power is not even in saying words, but in understanding and believing all that the name of Jesus Christ signifies. His name represents all of His finished work on the cross, fulfilling God's plan of redemption and salvation, victory over sin, death, and over the devil's entire realm. When the name of Jesus Christ is invoked, it carries all of the power and distinction God gave to it. God raised Jesus from the dead, elevated Him to His right hand, and gave Jesus a name above "every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come." (Ephesians 1:21).

Philippians declares, "God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 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." (Philippians 2:9, 10) Hebrews states, regarding Jesus, "when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." (Hebrews 1:3, 4)

On the day of Pentecost, the people were deeply moved after Peter's powerful sermon, and asked, "What do we do?" Peter answered, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38).

One day Peter and John were going into the temple, when a lame man asked for a donation. Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." Later, when interrogated about this healing miracle, Peter was bold in defending the name of Jesus and all it stands for. "Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 3:6, 4:10, 12)

It is by faith in this name above all names, the name of Jesus Christ, that people are saved, set free from bondage, healed of sicknesses and diseases, and made whole. There is no other name under heaven more powerful or more significant, and this is a dynamic reality that Christians can believe in and have complete confidence in.

"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." (1 John 5:13)

Jesus name reveal three main things about Him to us:

1. His presence – Mat18:20 Jesus guaranteed us his presence whenever we gather in his name.

2. His authority – Mat28:18-19, Phil2:9-11. The authority and power that a name carries depends on the bearer.

3. His achievement – Jesus is the saviour Acts 4:12, He is the Christ Mat16:13-16, Rom1:3-4.

In what area of life can we use the name of Jesus?

Jesus name can be used in :

1. Salvation – Mat1:21, Acts4:12, 10:42-43.

2. Prayer – Jn14:13-14, 16:23-24

3. Preaching – Acts4:17-18, 5:28, 9:29.

4. Instruction of command – 2Thess3:6

5. Healing and miracles – Acts3:6, 16, 4:10

6. Deliverance – Acts16:18, 19:13-17, Lk10:1, 17

7. Suffer persecution – Acts5:41-42, 9:14-16, 15:25-26

8.. Justified, Washed and Sanctified – 1Cor6:11

9. Thanksgiving – Eph5:20, Col3:17

10. Unity – 1Cor1:10, 5:4

11. Reward – Heb6:10

12. Doing all – Col3:17, Acts26:8-10

- By the authority of this Wonderful Name we get breakthrough for ourselves and for others.

- We do it because ’This Name’ has authority and we can share in it!

- We cannot afford to fear but to live in Faith. For fear is the opposite of Faith. Faith in the word and the efficacy of the blood and the Name of Jesus is the key.

Jesus has given us the legal right to use his name for victorious Christian living.....