Sermon Tone Analysis

Names: we all have one.

Acts 4:1-12

Why are names important?

Who here knows what their name means?

(allow time) Mine Means “Who is like God?”

We don’t think about it today the same way that they did in biblical times.

In Biblical times a name was something inseparable from the person to whom it belonged.

It represented something of their essence, who they were, or the circumstance into which they were born.

We see a clear description of this in Genesis 29:32-35

We see here that four people, Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah, were named after their circumstances.

God’s proper name is YAHWEH, and this name comes from the verb “to be”.

Meaning that He has existed, Exists and will always exist, ETERNAL.

Exodus 3:14

Other names God goes by in the OT is Lord of Hosts: Jehovah-Jireh(the Lord will provide); Jehova-Tsidkenu(the Lord our righteousness); Jehovah-Nissi(the Lord my banner); Jehovah-Shalom(the Lord is Peace); Jehovah-Rapha(the Lord heals) and the List Goes on!

So when we look at our Key verse Acts 4:12 What is the Name Peter is talking about?

(give time) JESUS

Have we stopped to consider what His name means?

In Isaiah 7:14 He is called Immanuel

This means what?

GOD WITH US

This was not only a declaration of trust, it was promise from God.

Since in Isaiah the coming Christ is called Immanuel, why is it that Jesus is named Jesus?

Matthew 1:20-21

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

Because of what Christ has done, that work has saved His people.

More than just that, Christ’s amazing work on the cross has reconciled us to God, and because of that reconciliation, God not only Dwells with us, His people, but by His Spirit indwells us.

See, prior to Jesus incarnation, God set up a system of animal sacrifice with His covenant people of Israel, where once a year they would offer up an unblemished lamb for the forgiveness of sin.

This unblemished lamb would die and people of Israel would be atoned for for another year…

But when we look at that , was it sufficient, or just temporary?

It was temporary.

Hebrews 10:1

IT WAS NOT ENOUGH

It was only a foreshadowing of things to come, the One to come.

Isaiah 53:7

We read here the Christ will be like a lamb led to slaughter

In John 1:36 The Holy Spirit reveals to John the Baptist that Jesus is the lamb of God, the final sacrifice offered up for all, for the forgiveness of sins.

After Jesus’ death on the cross, there was no other sacrifice necessary for the forgiveness of sins.

What does this mean for our text today?

Peter and John are arrested for teaching the people the Gospel, proclaiming the Gospel.

Just before preaching, Peter healed a man who for his entire life could not walk.

He healed him in the name of Jesus.

Acts 3:6

The man walked!

Peter continued to preach and explain to them from who the power to heal came from, in who’s name it was, Jesus.

Acts 3:16

v.8-12 again.

“Just as the name of Jesus was the only hope for physical healing of the man crippled from birth, so also the name of Jesus is the only hope for the spiritual healing of mankind.

This exclusive and total reliance upon Christ for salvation is the clear teaching of both Jesus and the apostles (John 14:6; 1 Tim.

2:5).

See theological note “Salvation” on p. 2058.”

Why is this important?

Why are the different names of God and Christ so important.

Why is there power in the name of Jesus?

It’s not simply the name, but who stands behind the name, who gives that name meaning.

It is by the sacrifice of Christ that there is power in His name.

It is because God is faithful to fulfill His promises that we are here today.

It the Sacrifice of the PERFECT LAMB OF GOD that forgives us.

It is Jesus perfect life that afford us righteousness before God, His death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, and His resurrection that afforded us eternal life.

Brothers and sisters, we are to think about this everytime we hear the name of Jesus, every time we here the name God.

All these amazing things that were done for our reconciliation and for God’s glory.

If you are here today and have not believed in the name of Jesus and his death on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, cease the day, you’re never too old, you’re never too young.

Repent of your sins and pray to God who reaches down to pull you out of spiritual death.

The God who by His son has reconciled those who believe to Himself through His son Jesus Christ!