Parkland Lodge Service May 9/24

Philippians 2:9-11

Last time that I was here, I spoke about Jesus dying on the cross to pay for our sins. Even though He had done nothing wrong, He died on the cross.

This afternoon, I’d like to look at three verses that come after

Philippians 2:6–8 NIV

6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Because Jesus did this, this is what Paul wrote to this church.

Philippians 2:9–11 NIV

9 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 acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

As Christians, we believe that Jesus came to earth as a baby in a manger, lived for 33 years, ministered for 3 years and died on a cross.

We also believe that is was in the tomb for 3 days and that God raised Him from the dead.

When Jesus ascended into heaven, which is today on our calendar, 10 days before Pentecost Sunday.

Philippians 2:9 NKJV

9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,

God the Father has given Jesus the name which is above every name.

Acts 4:11–12 NIV

11 Jesus is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

There is only one way to be given authority, and that is from someone who has authority.

Police are given authority from the government to enforce the laws of the land. They are called to serve and protect.

God, who has all authority, has given Jesus authority.

Ephesians 1:19–23 NLT

19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

Since Jesus was willing to humble Himself, and suffer brutal punishment for our sins, but also for our healing, God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name above every name.

Hebrews 4:14–16 NIV

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Because Jesus suffered, He understands the trials and temptations that we go through. He empathizes with us in our weakness...

But since God has exalted Him, we can come into God’s presence with confidence to receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.

Jesus has all authority, which is great, but if He had no compassion, it wouldn’t help.

Lamentations 3:22–23 NKJV

22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, this is what He told His disciples.

Matthew 28:18 NIV

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

We can have confidence when we call on His name.

1 John 5:14–15 NIV

14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

As we close today, I’d like to share something that Gloria Gaither wrote about Jesus.

Jesus, the mere mention of His name can calm the storm, heal the broken hearted, and raise the dead. At the name of Jesus, I've seen sin-hardened men melted, derelicts transformed, the lights of hope put back into the eyes of a hopeless child...

At the name of Jesus, hatred and bitterness has turned to love, forgiveness and arguments cease.

I've heard a mother softly breathe His name at the bedside of a child delirious with fever, and I've watched that little body grow quiet and the fevered brow cool.

I've sat beside a dying saint, her body racked with pain, who in those final fleeting seconds summoned her last ounce of ebbing strength to whisper earth's sweetest name--Jesus, Jesus...

Emperors have tried to destroy it; philosophies have tried to stamp it out. Tyrants have tried to wash it from the face of the earth with the very blood of those who claimed it. Yet still it stands.

And there shall be that final day when every voice that has ever uttered a sound--every voice of Adam's race shall raise in one great mighty chorus to proclaim the name of Jesus--for in that day "every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!!!"

Ah--so you see--it was not mere chance that caused the angel one night long ago to say to a virgin maiden, "His name shall be called Jesus." Jesus--Jesus--Jesus. You know, there is something about that name...

- GLORIA GAITHER

Let’s pray!