SPEAK THE NAME OF JESUS

For the Love of God, Volume Two November 14

As J. A. Motyer has put it: “Special privileges, special obligations; special grace, special holiness; special revelation, special scrutiny; special love, special responsiveness … the church of God cannot ever escape the perils of its uniqueness.”

Matthew 1:21 (NKJV) — 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

“for He will save His people from their sins.”

Since the name was common in His lifetime, He was usually referred to in a more specific way, such as “Jesus of Nazareth”

The name ‘Jesus’ is derived from a Hebrew word that means ‘saviour’

The title ‘Christ’ (Heb., ‘messiah’) means ‘anointed,’ and refers to one commissioned by God for a special task.

“ ‘Jesus Christ’ occurs only in Matt. 1:1, 18; 16:21, Mark 1:1; John 1:17; 17:3.

In Acts, chapter 2, Peter was preaching on the Day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit had been poured out just like the prophet Joel had prophesied and like Jesus had revealed to His disciples. As they began to speak with other tongues, people wondered what it meant. Peter stood up and began to preach the word of the Lord. At the end of his message, Peter told the people about salvation through the name of Jesus: "And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:21).

To be saved, you must call on the name of the Lord. It is true that Christ's death, burial, and resurrection paid for salvation for every person in the world, but no one receives salvation until they call on the name of Jesus in faith.

Each individual must believe. This is why Jesus commanded the disciples to go preach.

Paul talked about salvation in Romans, chapter 10:

Romans 10:14–15 (NKJV) — 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

The Name Above All Names

In Philippians, chapter 2, Paul tells us that because Jesus was obedient to the Father, even to the point of death, the Father gave Him a name which is above all names

Philippians 2:5–11 (NKJV) — 5 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.

In light of Jesus humbling Himself, of being obedient and dying on the cross, and of being raised from the dead, verses 9-11 say

It pleased the Father to give Jesus the name that is above every name and that in Jesus and in Him alone is salvation.

The Weymouth Translation says that God conferred on Jesus "the Name which is supreme to every other name." In eternity, every knee will bow and every tongue will acknowledge that Jesus is Lord.

We have the choice to accept Jesus, and if we do, we will declare who He is now as well as in the world to come.

"And blessed be His glorious name forever!"

Psalm 72:19 “And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.”

The name of Jesus has caused division, even in some churches.

There are people who embrace religion, but not the name of Jesus. They like the singing, the prayers, the reading of scriptures, and being around people who have a morality base. But they don't want to claim the name of Jesus and lift it up in public. This division will separate the sheep and the goats. It is a heaven or hell decision.

Until you come to the point where you are not afraid to die for the name of Jesus, you will always be ashamed of it in one way or another. Peter settled it. He very pointedly said to the people, "You crucified Jesus, but God raised Him from the dead. If you will call on His name, He will save you because He is a God of mercy and forgiveness" (Acts 2:36-39 paraphrased).

When you embrace the name of Jesus, that name will release the power of heaven into your life and through your life, not only for you but also for your family members, loved ones, and those for whom you are praying. This happened with Peter and John.

There Is Power in Jesus' Name

Acts 3:6–8 (NKJV) — 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.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.

What happened? The name of Jesus had power when spoken from Peter's lips because Peter had identified with that name. When you don't identify with Jesus' name and you face a challenge such as cancer, it won't work for you.

When you need that name to drive out the devil, it won't work for you. Why? You have no relationship to Jesus or to His name. Jesus' name has power and is released in power to those who have committed their lives to Him.

It is very important that you grasp this.

Do not neglect to use the Name of Jesus

The people had watched the crippled man at the temple gate begging alms for years. When he stood up and walked, the people looked at Peter as someone great or holy. Acts 3:11-16 says:

Acts 3:11–16 (NKJV) — 11 Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed. 12 So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. 14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. 16 And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all..

Revelation 1:5 (NKJV) — 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,