Today we are going to talk about HIS name, the name of JESUS CHRIST.
The bible has a lot to say about HIS name, as we will see.
There is NOT a more important name in all of the history of mankind than the name of Jesus Christ.
A Name with Meaning
There are a few known names given by God in the bible.
God changed Jacob’s name which means “deceiver” to Israel which means a “prince with God”.
God changed Abrams name which means “exalted father” to Abraham “father of a multitude”.
When God names someone HE names them for a specific purpose.
When Jesus was named, it was from God and it has a meaning, that means something.
What does the name Jesus mean?
Matthew 1:21 (KJV)
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
The bible tells us that an angel met with Joseph (the adopted father of the Christ child) and the angel told Joseph to name the child Jesus.
Why Jesus, the bible tells us “for he shall save his people from their sins".
His name’s meaning was fulfilled in what HE did, dyeing on the cross for my sins and your sins.
A Name of Power
As we will see this name is a name of great power.
Acts 3:1-7 (KJV)
1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: 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.
1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: 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.
The bible teaches that the apostles were given signs and that the Jews required a sign.
Here the Lord gives this great amount of Jews a sign, done by the apostles.
2 Corinthians 12:12 (KJV)
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
Peter was an apostle, the bible is very clear we do not have apostles today.
There was a power in the name of Jesus to bring this man to his feet, but as we will see there is a power in the name of Jesus to bring people to salvation.
A Name to Be Preached
This event took place amid a very large crowd.
Acts 3:9-10 (KJV)
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God: 10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God: 10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
This man was known for being lame, the people were amazed, this did not happen every day, God was giving a Peter a great opportunity here, and the people wanted an answer for this.
What does Peter do with this opportunity?
Peter is now going to answer for this miracle.
Acts 3:11-16 (KJV)
11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering. 12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? 13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. 14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. 16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering. 12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? 13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. 14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. 16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
What an amazing message, he is looking at the very crowd that crucified Jesus, the same crowd that cried for his blood, the same crowd that let a murderer go instead of the innocent Christ.
It is that same man, The Son of God Jesus Christ, it was in HIS name that this man stands before the crowd whole and complete.
Peter took the attention away from him and turned the people’s attention to Christ.
It is Jesus Christ that is to be preached, not myself, and not this church.
This is what we try do when we knock on doors, we introduce ourselves, and then we try turning the attention to Jesus Christ.
We as Christians are responsible to preach Christ; once we have preached Christ then the hearers have a responsibility.
Acts 3:18-19 (KJV)
18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. 19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. 19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Peter gives 2 great evidences of Jesus Christ, 2 great evidences to believe on Jesus Christ.
The first one is the man standing before them whole, and the other one was the Jewish scriptures, the Jewish bible, that spoke of a coming Christ, one that would suffer death for the sins of the people.
Peter preached Christ, now the responsibility is on the hearers to repent, to turn to Jesus Christ for salvation.
Today all of those under the sound of my voice are responsible, my responsibility ends when I preached Christ.
You are now responsible to repent, to turn to Jesus Christ for salvation.
What happens to those who do not repent?
Acts 3:22-23 (KJV)
22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. 23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. 23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
That prophet Moses was talking about is Jesus Christ, those who reject Jesus Christ will be destroyed, this is talking about the eternal fires of HELL!!!
You must believe in Jesus Christ!!!
What was the result of the preaching of Jesus Christ?
Acts 4:4 (KJV)
4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
Jesus Christ is a name to believe in.
A Name to Believe In
Peter and John are going to be detained and tried for this horrible thing of healing this man and preaching Jesus Christ.
What is there defense to such a horrible thing?
Acts 4:12 (KJV)
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
According to the bible, what other name can somebody be saved?
What about OPBC, can a person be saved by joining OPBC?
What about Jason LaPat, can Jason LaPat lay his hands on you and pray for you that you would be saved?
What about being a Lutheran, Presbyterian, Catholic, Muslim, Buddhist or a Baptist.
Can any of those names save you?
Only the name of Jesus Christ.
John 20:31 (KJV)
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
A Name that Offends
Is there a more offensive name, than the name of Jesus Christ?
Thank about it, Christmas time, is there anything more offensive in our politically correct culture, than to say “Merry Christmas”.
What name above all others gets cursed more than any other?
When somebody stubs there toe do they say Adolf Hitler, Michigan Wolverines, Judas Iscariot and/or Lucifer.
No, they say the name of the one took the judgment of every sin that has ever been committed.
The name of the one who took the judgment for your sins.
The name of Jesus Christ is a hated name.
What does the name of Jesus Christ say that is soo offensive?
The name of Jesus Christ says you are a sinner and you need saved.
That is why it is sooo offensive.
The offense of Jesus’ name is nothing new.
Acts 4:1-2 (KJV)
1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
Why were they grieved, why were the “priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees grieved?
They were grieved because they had this religious system set up and the apostles were turning people away from this religious system.
We have a lot of religious systems in our day too; systems made by man to give people an idea that they are right with God.
The leaders of these religious systems hate the preaching of Christ, because it turns people away from religious works to a Jesus Christ, who suffered and died in their place for their sins.
We do not preach a religious system; we preach Christ and him crucified.
We just read in verse 4, that these religious leaders lost 5,000 adherers to their religious system, because of Peter and John preaching Christ.
Who are Peter and John, in verse 13, it calls them “unlearned and ignorant men.”
Not only are they losing followers but they are also being told that there religious system does NOT work for them either.
Do you realize the personal sacrifice involved in becoming a religious leader in this religious system.
How do you think these religious leaders are going to respond?
Acts 4:3 (KJV)
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
The next day they question the Peter and John, and Peter preaches again, Christ.
As we read earlier.
Acts 4:12-13 (KJV)
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
I like that; they saw the boldness of Peter and John, what was bold about the message?
The boldness of Peter and John is the preaching that Jesus is the only way.
That is the most offensive thing to say in our politically correct culture today.
Peter and John who were “unlearned and ignorant men” were telling these highly regarded, highly trained religious leaders that there religion is not going to work.
To be bold is to offend.
Let us look at how this counsel concludes.
Acts 4:18-20 (KJV)
18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Notice that they did not tell them to stop the miracles but to stop speaking in the name of Jesus Christ.
Did they stop, NO.
In fact, we read that this same thing happens all over again.
Acts 5:28-29 (KJV)
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Acts 5:40 (KJV)
40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
HIS name is an offensive name, a name that means Savior, a name that condemns us sinners, the only name by which anybody can be saved, the name of Jesus Christ.
A Name We Will Be Judged By
We have a choice, a choice as to what to do with the name of Jesus Christ.
I have already chosen, have you?
Every soul in existence upon the face of this earth will bow a knee before Jesus Christ.
I do not care how big somebody thinks themselves to be, they will bow a knee before Jesus Christ.
This is what the bible teaches; the question is, when will you bow a knee to the Lord Jesus Christ?
Philippians 2:9-11 (KJV)
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Every knee means every knee, you can bow a knee now in recognition of your sinful condition and your need of salvation, or you could wait til you get to the other side of eternity and it will be to late, and then be cast into the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.
Get saved today.
Christian you have a responsibility to take that name to the lost, would you tell somebody about Jesus?
Pastor Jason LaPat
4/8/2011
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