CENTRAL THOUGHT
The name of Jesus is the believer’s weapon for all purposes.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1A) HOW DID JESUS OBTAIN THIS GREAT NAME? HEB. 1:1-4, EPH. 1:20-23, MATT. 28:18-20, PHIL. 2:5-11
The Lord Jesus obtained this name:
(1) By Inheritance: God the Father bequitted the name to Him as the Son of God and Heir of all things. As a Son, the name Jesus is one of the things He inherited from His Father (Luke 1:31).
(2) By conquest: After Jesus rose from the dead, God made Him to sit at the right-hand side of His Majesty in Heaven, far above principalities, powers, dominion and every name in this world and in the world to come. He put all things under Him and made Him the head of the church.
(3) By God’s authority: At the commissioning of His disciples to go and preach the gospel to all the nations, Jesus told them that all authority has been given to Him, (by the Father) so they should baptize those who believe in Him, in the name of the Father, the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit.
(4) By Humility and Obedience: Although Jesus had the freedom as God’s Son, to affirm the fulness of God, which His Father placed in Him, He humbled Himself and took the form of a bond servant. “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name (Jesus), which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in Heaven, and of things on earth and of things under the earth….”.
QUESTION 1B) FROM THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES, MENTION OTHER NAMES OF JESUS: ISAIAH 7:14, 9:6.
The Lord Jesus is also called “Immanuel”, which is interpreted “God with us” affirming His continuous presence in the midst of His people. “Wonderful” as seen in the marvelous works done by Him. “Counselor”, leading His people by the Holy Spirit and His word. “Mighty God”, stating the truth of His being. “Everlasting Father”, depicting His eternal existence. “Prince of Peace”. He is the author of peace.
QUESTION 2A) WHO SHOULD EXERCISE AUTHORITY IN THE NAME OF JESUS? MATT. 28:18-19, MARK 16:15-18, JOHN 3:21, PSALMS 66:16-20.
The exercise of authority in the name of Jesus is not an all comer’s affair. Only those whom He has authorized, can do so- Those who are sent on His mission, those who believe in His name, those who have confidence in God and do what pleases Him, all who fear and obey His word, those who know Him and are known by Him, those who do not have any condemnation in their heart, those who are recognized by God as His children. However, the name is not to be used as a magic wand, for merchandise or other selfish end, but for the praise and glory of God. Are you one of those authorized to use the name of Jesus? Are you really using it? Why not avail yourself of this rare privilege given you by God and free yourself from the embarrassment of the enemy of your soul.
QUESTION 2B) WHY DO SOME BELIEVERS FAIL TO EXERCISE THE AUTHORITY IN THE NAME OF JESUS? Hosea 4:6.
To be given authority is one thing, and to exercise the authority is another. Not all that have authority truly acknowledge what they have and how they can make use of it to benefit themselves and others. God has given the believers the powerful name of Jesus and authorized them to utilize it for their wellbeing, but some are not exercising the authority. This can be attributed to many reasons. Some are ignorant of the authority as it relates to them, so they fail to exercise it. Some are afraid of failure some do not believe in the workability of the authority. Yet some others see themselves as inferior and not worthy, no confidence in themselves, so they are unable to exercise the authority. No matter what anyone thinks about it, the word of God is true and does not change. If you, as a believer, can encourage yourself and exercise faith in God, He will do whatsoever you ask of Him. He is the one who will do it and not you. As we use the name of Jesus, we must believe in His faithfulness, keep rejoicing, praising Him for whom He is and for what He will do.
QUESTION 3.) EXPLAIN THE FOLLOWING OCCASIONS THAT WE CAN USE THE NAME OF JESUS.
i) In Approaching the father in prayer: John 16:23-24, Matt. 18:19Before our Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven after His resurrection, He promised His followers that the Father would give to them whatsoever they would ask in His Name. He then encouraged them to always ask the Father, in His name, anything they needed. God answers because of what Jesus has done. Jesus is the beloved of the Father, so God regards the request as though Jesus is the one asking of Him, when we ask in the name of Jesus.
ii) In combating and resisting the enemy. Mark 16:17-18, 2 Cor. 10:4-5The enemy knows and acknowledges the power and authority in the name of Jesus. He cannot resist that name. It is also decreed by God that the enemy must bow to the name of Jesus. Jesus had earlier defeated and made a public show of him (Col. 2:15).
iii) Supernatural protection. Proverbs 18:10This name is described in Scripture as “Strong tower”, “Shield”, and “Fortress”, and as being above all other Names. Whoever that is under the name of Jesus, is divinely protected from the onslaught of the unseen forces of spiritual wickedness.
iv).In confronting the challenges of life. Phil. 2:9-10, Psalms 9:10All elements or circumstances that constitute challenges of life have been made subject to the name of Jesus. God does not abandon His people who make use of the name of Jesus. He fights the unseen battles for them. Whenever the name of Jesus is mentioned against any challenge, the host of Heaven is summoned for war.
QUESTION 4A) IDENTIFY HOW SOME PEOPLE ABUSE AND MISUSE THE NAME OF THE LORD TODAY. ACTS 19:13-16, EXOD. 20:7, LEV. 19:12
Many people do not understand how sacred the name of Jesus is. As a result, some people today abuse and misuse the name in so many ways. Comedians use the name to present jokes to their audience. Some use the name of Jesus to swear. People must beware of the commandment of God. “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain”.
QUESTION 4B) WHAT DO WE RECEIVE THROUGH THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST? ACTS 4:12, LUKE 10:19, MARK 16:17-18
We receive so many benefits through the name of Jesus. Through the name of Jesus Christ, we receive salvation from sin. The name of Jesus is the only name approved of God through which man can be set free from the bondage of sin. “For there is no other name given among men whereby we must be saved”. We also receive immunity from all harms of the enemy through the name of Jesus. Another thing we receive through the name of Jesus is victory over the enemy and all his forces. Jesus conquered the enemy and delivered the victory unto us. We receive healing in our body through the name of Jesus. We also receive answers to our prayers, because He already promised us that whatever we ask the Father in His name, He will give it to us.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
Oh, that our hearts would receive and understand what God the Father has invested in the name of Jesus, so that we can live up to our high privilege in the name. God expects the believers to use this name regularly, reverently and in faith as it can unlock every closed door.
MEMORY VERSE
PHIL. 2:10 “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
MON: AUTHORITY IN THE NAME OF JESUS.Acts 16:16-18, Acts 3:1-8
TUES: SALVATION IN THE NAME OF JESUS. Acts 4:9-12, 10:42-43, John 3:17-18, 1 Tim. 2:3-5
WED: RECEIVING THROUGH THE NAME OF JESUS. John 16:23-26
THUR: PEACE IN THE NAME OF JESUS. Mark 16:17-18, Luke 10:17-19
FRI: FREEDOM THROUGH THE NAME OF JESUS. John 8:36, Rom. 8:1-2, Gal. 5:1
SAT: JESUS, THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES. Phil. 2:8-11, Heb. 1:1-4
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