POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS
Study Text: Mark 16: 17 - 18
Introduction:
- Every child of God is born to be a wonder to the world. According to John 3:8, everyone born of the spirit is born a living wonder.
- Mark 16:17-18 says” And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” By divine ordination, every child of God is born a sign and wonder.
- Isaiah 8: 18 says “Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion”.
- It is clear that to be a sign and wonder you need to carry Jesus everywhere you go. The name of Jesus is so full of wonders and engaging that name ‘Jesus’ is one way to evoke signs and wonders to flow in our life.
- In Acts 3: 6 Peter had no money to give the lame man but with the name of Jesus he was able to do wonders and the lame man got up and began to walk. The name of Jesus can bring anybody out from issues of life.
- You need to know how to engage the name of Jesus to see wonders in your life. There is healing, protection, blessing in the name of Jesus.
- The name of Jesus is key to answered prayers, when you pray to God in the name of Jesus, you grab God’s attention.
- The name of Jesus opens the doors of heaven (John 14:12). The name of Jesus is anointed, the name of Jesus destroys yokes, demons are subjected to the name.
- When you engage that name against the operation of the enemy, the anointing goes forth to fight on your behalf.
- The name of Jesus guarantees peace in troubled times. There is counsel in that name so when your soul is troubled, call upon the name of Jesus. The bible calls Him the Prince of peace.
- With the name of Jesus in your hand, a new day dawns on your life. With faith in the name of Jesus, there is a change of story for you!
- The bible says in that the signs will follow those that believe, the name puts you in command of every situation in your life. When we engage the name of Jesus in faith, miracles, signs and wonders will follow.
- The depth of understanding you have in the name of Jesus will determine the result you get when you make use of the name.
- Your spiritual understanding of the name of Jesus is key to experiencing your signs and wonders, the name of Jesus is full of wonders.
- We shall discuss the topic under three sub-headings:
1. The Peculiarity of the Name of Jesus
2. The Power of the Name of Jesus
3. The Possessions through the Name of Jesus
1. The Peculiarity of the Name of Jesus Phil 2: 9 - 11
- Each of us possesses a name given to us by our parents. Whatever the reason and however you came by your name, there is probably no great significance behind your name.
- In our text, we are told of a name that does have great significance. The name of Jesus stands out as a name above all other names.
- Why is it a name above every other name?
1. It is a Special Name
- It is special because:
i. It Is A Name Picked By The Father
- The name Jesus was not given to our Lord by Mary and Joseph. It was a name handpicked by God, Matt. 1:21.
- This alone makes it a name that stands out as special. A name that is worthy of further investigation.
ii. It Is A Name That Points Back To The Father
- The name Jesus means, "Jehovah Is Salvation." This precious, sweet name reveals a side of Jesus that many fail to grasp. While God is a God of wrath and judgment, He is purely and wholly love, 1 John 4:8; 16.
- God is love and everything He does is an outgrowth and an expression of His love. Therefore, when the Father sent Jesus to come into the world, He was sending a message to humanity. It was a message that said, "I have not forgotten, nor forsaken you. I love you and I give you my Son who will reveal me to you." (John 14:9)
iii. It Is A Name That Reveals God's Purpose
- The name Jesus at once reveals the Son's mission, (Luke 19:10), and the Father's heart, (2 Pet. 3:9).
- God is in the saving business! He wants no one to go to Hell. In fact, He tells us that hell was not made for the lost, it was made for the devil and his angels, Matt. 25:41.
When the Father chose the name Jesus as the one His Son would bear, He was telling everyone that His goal was the redemption and salvation of mankind. This is what He wanted and this is what He accomplished through the Name of Jesus!
2. It is a Stainless Name:
- To every other name could be attached a list of the good and evils done by that person. To the name of Jesus, however, can only be attached praise, honour and worship. The Bible tells us that when this name is heard, it is to be reverenced through praise and worship.
This worship is to involve:
a. Humility - The bowing of the knee is a clear sign of humility and reverence. Christ is, and will be honoured on three vastly different levels.
i. In Heaven
- There the precious name of Jesus is honoured as it is nowhere else. When the name of Jesus is heard in the heavenly realm, it is the catalyst for rejoicing and praise. In Heaven the name of Jesus is a constant source of praise, Rev. 4:7-11; Rev. 7:9-11; Rev. 19:1-3.
ii. In Earth
- For most, the name of Jesus is nothing more than a by word. Yet, there are some who truly reverence the name of Jesus.
- When the sweet melody of this name is heard, the mind of the saint goes back to the hour when Jesus came in and lifted the weight of sin.
- While there are a few who love and worship that name, there is coming a day when the name of Jesus will be exalted throughout the entire earth. The day will come when the earth will bow at the sweet name of Jesus!
iii. In Hell
- While Jesus was here on earth, the demons gave Him deep respect and reverence, Mark 5:6; Luke 4:41; James 2:19. However, they still work against Him and try to overthrow His kingdom.
- They do this by promoting false systems of worship, but the day will come when all the demons of Hell, all the agents of Satan and even the devil himself will bow at the feet of Jesus and will confess Him to be Lord, Rev. 20:10.
b. Honour - Not only will there be a bowing of knees before Jesus, but the name of Jesus will also be confessed by the lips of every creature.
- Men, angels and devils alike will join their voices in one mighty chorus and will together exalt the blessed name of Jesus Christ!
iii. It is a Saving Name
a. The Meaning Of The Name
- By its very definition, the name of Jesus speaks about salvation. The name means, "Jehovah Is Salvation." This is an appropriate name for the Lord because it is in His name and His name alone that salvation is to be found.
- There is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved, Acts 4:12. (Also John 3:36; John 14:6) (Ill. 1 Cor. 3:11; Luke 6:48-49)
b. The Ministry Of The Name
- According to verse 5-8, this man named Jesus climbed Calvary and died for all men. He humbled Himself and He died in the sinner's place.
- If that glorious name is spoken out of a heart of faith by a sinner, then that same sinner can experience first-hand the salvation that is contained in that name.
c. The Majesty Of The Name
- God has exalted this holy name. Jesus and Jesus alone entered this sin cursed world, stepped boldly into the grave and overpowered death.
- Jesus and Jesus alone conquered death, Hell, the grave and sin for all men for all time. He is worthy of exaltation!
2. The Power of the Name of Jesus. Mathew 28: 18.
- This is one of the most exciting statements in the Bible, where Jesus gave a personal testimony about the dimension, magnitude, and extent of his power.
- One of the arguments that support the assertion that Jesus is Lord is that Jesus Christ is the only person in living memory that has ever claimed to be the holder of all the powers in earth and also claimed equality with the Father God.
- No other man or power has ever dared to claim or pretended either falsely or rightly that He is Lord of Heaven and Earth.
- Before we can realise and understand the import of this proclamation, we need to look at the concept of power much deeper.
1. Power is the ability to authoritatively influence a decision.
2. Power is the Capacity to bring about change.
3. Power is the capacity to control ones environment, including the behavior of other entities?
4. The ability or capacity to perform or act effectively.
5. It is the ability to do or act; capability of doing or accomplishing something.
6. It is the possession of controlling influence.
7. It is the ability to do, act, or produce results
- In this world we are familiar we various kinds of power
i. Political power held by Presidents of Nations and other public officers,
ii. Traditional power held by Kings of Nations and other Chiefs, Prince and Princess;
iii. Spiritual power held by religious leaders of various faiths;
iv. Financial power held by Owners of Industries, the Rich and Mighty; and
v. Military power held by Commander in Chiefs and other officers of the Armies of nations and states.
vi. Satanic power held by the occultic people and satanic agents.
- We often believe our human problems can be solved if we can encounter any of the powers mentioned above.
- But the truth is that most of the people holding the various human powers above also have problems that their human powers cannot solve, So it’s better to look unto him that have all powers in heaven and earth.
- In this passage, Jesus Christ is saying that He is more powerful that all the political powers in the earth, He is more powerful than all the Presidents of nations; He is more powerful than all the Traditional powers on earth, as a matter of fact He is the Kings of Kings; He is more powerful than all the Spiritual powers on earth…He is the only genuine source of all divine solutions to human problems; He is more powerful than all the Billionaires on earth. He is richer than all the rich men of the earth; and lastly He has Armies that are more powerful than all the armies of the nations of the earth. He is Commander In Chief of the Hosts of Heaven and Earth.
- Jesus is an All-powerful God that has power to solve all problems. He can overcome and destroy all power that has been oppressing your life, stagnating your finances, and wasting your opportunities, or that has been confronting your marriage, your business, your academics, your family, and your destiny.
- He is an all Powerful God that has the ultimate power, and upon the mentioning of His name, every other power must bow.
- But the All-powerful God cannot intervene in your life unless you have admitted that you cannot help yourself and surrendered your life to Him.
3. The Possessions through the Name of Jesus
1. We have healing in His name
( John 21:25; Luke 11:14; Mark 16:18)
- The Gospels mentions at least 17 unique healing miracles Jesus performed. A large number are not even recorded.
- His miracles weren’t limited to physical healing. Certain healing miracles involved deliverance from demonic oppression.
- His power is capable of penetrating our body mind and spirit. Not only you have the same healing He has given you the same power to heal others through His name.
2. We have authority in His name
Luke 4:41; Acts 7:55; 16:16-18
- Jesus cast out many demons while he was on earth. Demons fled because they recognized his authority.
- He was ascended to heaven and seated at God’s right hand side now. It means Jesus has the same authority as God in heaven and earth.
- He has given you the same authority today. You must exercise that authority in Jesus’ name.
3. We have victory in his name
Romans 10:13; 1 Corinthians 15:55; Romans 8:37
- The Bible says that Jesus raised many people from the dead. Finally He defeated His own death.
- His resurrection makes us more than conquerors. In His name we can conquer the problems of life. Problems will not conquer us.
4. We have life in His name
John 10:10
- We have new life to walk in righteousness here on earth and eternal life to live with Him forever in heaven.
Conclusion:
- Over and over again in Scripture we read, "In my name," "In Jesus' name," or "In his name."
- The devils were powerless because of his name (Luke 10:17).
- The demons were cast out in his name (Mark 16:17-18).
- Healing occurred in his name (Acts 3:6, 3:16, 4:10).
- Salvation comes in his name (Acts 4:12, Rom. 10:13).
- We are to baptize in his name (Matt. 28:19).
- We are justified in his name (1 Cor. 6:11).
- Everything we do and say is done in his name (Col. 3:17).
- Jesus has given every believer unlimited and general power of attorney in all matters and with the right to use his name in every situation.
- Jesus' authority rested with his submission to the Father, so our authority rests with our submission to him at all times and in all matters.
