THERE IS POWER IN HIS NAME
Acts 9:32-35
My brothers and my sisters while riding along on the Beltway, you cannot help but notice the signs on the cab of some semi’ that read “Cat Power”. It was referencing to the engine that power many of the big rigs we see on our nation’s interstate system. It is this engine that is formally called a Caterpillar, which claims that nothing pulls like a Big Cat. These powerful engines are in most of the construction equipment made and is known for its reliability and power. So in the trucking and construction industry Caterpillar have the right to say that nothing pulls, push, grade, nor tear down like a Big Cat. A trucker or a heavy equipment operator can appreciate that analogy. But there is a name that has more power than Caterpillar, Detroit, Mack, Mercedes and all the others combined. That name is Jesus Christ. His name is also known for it’s reliability and power. While all the engines named can push, pull and even grade. Jesus can build, draw, and be the great equalizer in our lives.
Last week we talked about Barnabas, the much needed friend. We saw how Barnabas had heard Saul’s story and the Holy Spirit bore witness that he was sincere in his conversion. It was also this Barnabas that put his neck on the line for Saul. The reason was because the others did not believe him and would not receive him as a brother. So, Barnabas took him to the apostles and convinced them that Saul was indeed converted in Damascus.
This week we observe as the cast changes from Barnabas and Saul, to the leader of the apostles in Peter. The last time we heard from Peter before this chapter, was in chapter 5. In that episode there was a great work being done by the hands of the apostles. Through them the Spirit was healing the afflicted, and many signs and wonders were evident on Solomon’s porch. In fact the move of the Spirit was so great that the people gathered the sick and afflicted from everywhere and lined the streets with them on beds and couches that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might over-shadow some of them for their healing. So, this 9th chapter brings back this prominent leader of the twelve. He is making his rounds throughout all the places where the brethren had been scattered. In the text we find him with the saints that dwelled in Lydda. It is in this city that Peter would once again use the most powerful name known to man and that name is Jesus who is the Christ.
Come with me as we unload this passage.
First of all verse 33 allows us to know that...
1. HIS NAME IS POWERFUL ENOUGH TO HEAL US IN THE TOUGHEST OF TIMES. (V.33)
“And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.”
As we read this lesson, we should take note of this man name Aeneas. The text allows us to know that he had been bed-ridden for eight long years with the palsy or in today’s term he was paralyzed. This paralytic man needed people to help him anyway they could. You must understand that he was no a beggar like we found in chapter 3, but he just could not help himself. He needed someone to wash him and he needed someone to take him from place to place. He was unable to dress himself, feed himself, nor take care of any of his own personal needs. His condition was a lot like the condition of the paralytic that Jesus had confronted and healed in Luke chapter 5. Without saying we should see that his condition was about as critical as it could get. Even his relatives and caretakers suffered along with him because they had to care for him both day and night. They too probably thought that he would never be able to take care of himself again. But that was before Peter came to town.
It was Peter who had the cure for his condition. But most importantly we should note that it was not Peter the man, but it was the name of the Man found in Peter’s heart. I tell you it is something about the name of Jesus that can cure our afflictions.
Secondly, verse 34 let’s us know that...
2. HIS NAME IS POWERFUL ENOUGH TO TEAR DOWN THE WORST OF ANY SITUATION. (V.34)
“And Peter said unto him, Aeneas,, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole; arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.”
We should note and piggy back on something I said before closing the last point. I said and I quote “It was Peter who had the cure for his condition and we should note that it was not Peter the man, but it was the name of the Man found in Peter’s heart.” The name of Jesus is the only name that can breakup even the worst situation. Notice Peter’s actions. His focus was on Jesus Christ and His power, not on what Peter can do. The beneficiary of this healing would be Aeneas and the source of his healing will be Jesus, Peter is just the middle man. In the text he did not say “I make you whole.” or “By the power invested in me through the Lord Jesus, be healed.” Neither did he say by my faith, and power, be healed.” But what Peter simply said took him out of the equation all together, he said “Jesus Christ maketh thee whole.” You see Peter was so focused on what Jesus could do that he simply took himself out of the picture altogether. It is Jesus only that have all of the power to breakup the worst situation in our lives. Notice the words maketh whole, it means to be healed immediately, here and right now. Aeneas was healed as soon as he heard the words coming from Peter’s mouth. And not only was he healed of the palsy, but he was healed from everything that could have caused his sickness and it also healed his sin sick soul. The words meant exactly what it said “Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole.” Peter did not have to say anything else, because what he said was enough.
Finally verse 35 shows us how...
3. HIS NAME IS POWERFUL ENOUGH TO CHANGE THE LIVES OF TWO ENTIRE CITIES. (V.35)
“And all that dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and turned to the Lord.”
The results of Peter using the powerful name of Jesus caused not one but two entire cities to turn to Jesus. Often we are floored by three or four people turning to the Lord, but here we find two cities turning from their old ways and discovering a life in Christ. This is what can happen when we take ourselves out of the equation and allow the Lord to have His way. I know we were taught in Philippians 4:13 that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, but sometime we need to call on that marvelous name alone. You see we sometime call on His name doubting or wondering if it is in His will to do what we ask. But when we put our focus wholly on Jesus and extract the human factor out of it, wonderful things happens. That is why I always say that if the Church ever got serious about praying, the Lord can remove the human element out of the picture and people can be healed by the shadow of the building. Can I get a witness? So because Peter put Jesus’ name first and foremost and left himself out of the picture. The results was breathe taking, two cities turned to the Lord.
CONCLUSION
In closing I truly want you to know that there is awesome power in the name of Jesus. The bible is full of His awesome power. Jesus said “Whatsoever you ask in my name, I will do it” and Paul reminds us that ’Wherefore, God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him, and given Him a name above every name, That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of the things in heaven, and things in earth, and under the earth, And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God, the Father.”
Then our worship will get involved we’ll sing [All Hail the Power in Jesus Name! Let angels prostrate fall. Bring forth the royal diadem, And crown Him Lord of all.
