God is …
The Powerful Name of Jesus
Colossians 3:15-17 NIV
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Names are powerful.
The names we give our children forever mark their lives.
Chris P. Bacon
Kash Register
Crystal Metheny
Jed I. Knight
Ima Hogg
Tahra Dactyl
Names attach us to family, to communities, and to nations.
After the resurrection, the disciples baptized in Jesus’ name, prayed for the sick in Jesus’ name, and addressed evil spirits in Jesus’ name.
Because Jesus is alive, his name is powerful to those who are following him.
In the ancient world, a person’s name was synonymous with their character or reputation.
Exodus 20:7 NIV (3rd commandment)
"You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
The people of God should not carry the name—the character and reputation of the LORD—in a manner that falsely represents him.
In Acts, there were Jewish exorcists who would wander from town to town casting out demons through magical formulas.
Acts 19:13-16 NIV
“Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 [One day] the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.
To act in Jesus’ name is to act in accordance with Jesus’ reign and authority.
Maybe your name has been slandered. Maybe you feel forgotten or powerless. Maybe you feel no one knows you or sees you. I have good news.
If we want the power from the name of Jesus, we must know Jesus personally.
All of us want to belong. We want to connect with others, to belong to a family.
Jesus not only forgives us, but he also accepts us and gives us his name.
Philippians 2:9-11 NIV
“Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”