What's in a Name? (Part II)
September/01/2008 01:03 PM
Phil 2:9 says, “Therefore God also highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on the earth, and those under the earth.”
The Father has given Jesus the highest name of all. He has been given all power and authority, and then He has passed His name (that holds all power and authority) on to us that believe in that name!
In Acts chapter three, we see Peter and John on their way to the temple at prayer time. There was a man who was crippled from birth, carried and set at the temple gate to beg of those who passed. This is something he had done for years. Peter and John most likely had passed him many times before, but this day was different. This day the crippled man’s life would be changed forever.
As Peter and John walked by the crippled man that day, he asked the disciples for money. Peter replied, “Look at us.” He went on to say, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
The Bible says that instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and walked. He continued following Peter and John to the temple courts walking, jumping and praising God!
All the people around were filled with wonder and amazement because they recognized this was the man they had seen day after day, and year after year, begging at the gate.
With all these people gathered around, Peter took the opportunity to preach Jesus. And preach he did! Notice, though, what he said in verse sixteen…
“By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.”
Peter knew the power of the name of Jesus. He knew that name had been given to him and because he possessed it, he was able to use the name to bring healing power to another.
We have the name Jesus just as Peter and John did. Because we are believers in that name, we possess healing power through His name. We do have something to give! We can speak to sickness and disease and tell it to go. We can lay hands on the sick and God heals them.
We have the power to command devils to flee and render them powerless to work. This is what Jesus said to His disciples in Luke 10:19,
“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”
What’s in a name? Everything when it’s the name of Jesus!
Mark 16:17-18 “And these signs shall follow those who believe: In my name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues, they will take up serpents, and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
kimconnor@whwc.org
|