Note: Some notes taken from Marcel Odimgbe's sermon on the Wonderful Name of Jesus found on Sermon Central
Title: At the Name of Jesus
Theme: Message about the importance of the name of Jesus. Continued messages on Laying Foundations for the Christian.
Offering: Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (10) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Philippians 2:5-11 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (6) who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, (7) but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. (8) And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (9) Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, (10) 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, (11) and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Introduction
As I read this passage over and over again I keep hear that phrase resonate in my spirit “at the name of Jesus”. When I read it I hear that God took that name Jesus and made it into a powerful name.
The name Jesus at one time was an ordinary name. It is translated in Hebrew as Joshua or Yeshua. It means Jehovah is Salvation but this was only attached to a name. It became the name in Jesus Christ.
Names are given for three main reasons: 1. Identification 2. Office 3. Description
1. Identification: A Name in Bible times is given to identify a person. Jesus name uniquely identify Him. He was given a name that is above every other name – Acts 4:12, Philippians 2:9-11, .
2. Office: When a person is appointed to a position or an office, He is given a name to signify that position or office – Lk1:31-33.
3. Description: Names not only identify a person but also tell us of their character as well – Is9:6.
There were three ways a person gets their name:
Names are obtained through three means: 1. Birth. 2. Inheritance 3. Achievement
Jesus obtained His name through these means:
by birth – Luke 1:31, Isiah 9:6,
this prophesied who he was and was to become:
Matthew 1:21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."
Jesus is from the Hebrew word Yeshua – which means the Lord saves
by inheritance – Heb1:4
Heb 1:4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
As being the son of God he inherited this name from His father
and by achievement – Philippians 2:9-11
Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, (10) 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, (11) and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Here we find that Jesus achieved this name. People are saved by
The Uniqueness of that Name
Jesus is what makes this name unique. Not just a name any more. This is no longer a common name. It is no longer a name that everybody has. It is a world renown and recognized name. For the remainder of this message I want to tell you how this name is so unique.
Jesus name reveal three main things about Him to us:
1. His presence – Matthew 18:20 Jesus guaranteed us his presence whenever we gather in his name.
2. His authority – Matthew 28:18-19, Phil2:9-11. The authority and power that a name carries depends on the bearer.
3. His achievement – Jesus is the savior Acts 4:12, He is the Christ Matthew 16:13-16, Romans 1:3-4
There is Salvation in the name of Jesus
There is no other name that will save you but the name of Jesus.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name.
Listen to Peter's words before the council
Act 4:7-13 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, "By what power or by what name have you done this?" (8) Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: (9) If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, (10) 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. (11) This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' [18] (12) Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (13) Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
Justified, Washed and Sanctified
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
There is Life in the Name of Jesus
John says at the end of his Gospel 20:31 “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name”.
How can this name bring life? Revelation 1:18 explains that Jesus holds the keys to hell and death, Wow!-“I am he that lives and was dead; and, behold I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death”.
The name of Jesus brings answered prayer
John 14:13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
Being mindful of God's interests is the key to answered prayer.
Presence of the Lord at His name
Jesus takes it a step further when he talks about people gathering in His name.
Matthew 18:19-20 Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. (20) For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
This could be any where or any place. You get two or three people gathered in Jesus name and you put hell on notice. I am tired of Christians worried about, talking about, and as some would say, “going through” hell. Maybe it is time we put hell on notice. Maybe it is time that we quit talking about hell and Satan and they start talking about us, in the name of Jesus.
There is Authority in the Name of Jesus
Luke 10:17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." (18) And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. (19) Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (20) Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
Let me just stop and tell you right here that when you start speaking that Name things happen:
Demons Flee at the name of Jesus
Mark 9:38 – 39 tells us that this is what the disciples saw.
Mark 9:38 39 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone who doesn’t follow us casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow us.” But Jesus said “Don’t forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me.
Then in Acts 16:18 we see it happen when Paul turned to the you girl , spoke the the demon and said,” I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” It came out that very hour.
Healing s begin to happen at of Jesus
Ask the lame man who sat outside the temple
Act 3:6 Then 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."
Peter said to those who gathered after the crippled man was healed, Chap 3 v 16 “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.”
Signs and wonders were done through the name of Jesus
Acts 4:30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.
Now remember: "in the name of Jesus" isn't a formula.
Verse 30 is the end of a sentence that began in verse 29.
Acts 4:29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,
What were they doing? Representing His interests by preaching the Word of God.
And with that in mind, they could continue to represent His interests by asking for signs and wonders.
They weren't just asking for miracles so they could go home feeling all fuzzy inside - "Ooh, I heard the angels singing in the worship today."
That's nice, and I'm not knocking that - but if supernatural manifestations don't somehow work to the advantage of the Kingdom of God, it doesn't really matter if we never have them again.
The purpose of signs and wonders is to advance the Kingdom.
Let's look at what else Jesus' name can do.
The Power of that Name
John 14:13-14 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it
Conclusion
Challenge
Protect the Name of Jesus
“Whatever you do … do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17).
Believe in the Name of Jesus
Acts 10:43 All the prophets testify about him that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.
1Corinthians 6:11 Such were some of you, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God.
Speak the Name of Jesus
Gather in the Name of Jesus
Matthew 18:19-20 Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. (20) For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
