6 Who, being in very nature[a] 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[b] 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!
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." Philippians 2:5-11
Of course there are things we shouldn't say in public, but political correctness has been a great destroyer. The name of Jesus is beeped out of shows like The View.
Why are we afraid to say "Jesus?"
The name of Jesus has Power behind it. Stifling the name of Jesus is nothing new.
"40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name." Acts 5:40-41
For the Name, in the Name....here is the power.
What is the big deal about saying the name of Jesus? Are we as a church afraid to say Jesus?
Every miracle in the New Testament was done by Jesus or in His Name.
"4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong." Acts 3:4-7
The Name of Jesus is the only way to Salvation.
"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.” Acts 4:12
"38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38
You have have the ability to change someone's eternal destination if you speak the name of Jesus to them!
Jesus is present with us when we gather in His name.
"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20
"36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” Mark 9:36-37
Persecution will come because of His Name.
12 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name." Luke 21:12
His name was outlawed (and very likely one day it will be in America...).
"20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’[a] If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me." John 15:20-21
We are called to preach in the name of Jesus.
"45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Luke 24:45-47
If we aren't using His name, we are powerless.
We are called to heal in the name of Jesus.
"17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”" Mark 16:17-18
Worried what others will think, political correctness and nonbelief keep us from seeing people healed.
Why is there power in the name of Jesus?
It represents all Jesus is and all He stands for.
43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts 10:43
If Christ is in us, we can speak His name and we are not alone!
34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up." Acts 9:34
The power of the name of Jesus over hell.
17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” Luke 10:17
Only if we believe...
"13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding." Acts 19:13-16
Jesus is not a magic word. You must believe.
We have been given Power of Attorney in the name of Jesus.
Use the name of Jesus to light the fire!
The church is supposed to be a place and people of power!
Abraham and Isaac and the wood and the fire. They needed the lamb.
Today's church has the lamb and the wood. We don't always have the fire.
SPEAK HIS NAME -- JESUS!