The Power and Presence of Jesus in Our Lives

 

Summary

Names hold significant power, and none more so than the name of Jesus. The Bible emphasizes that at His name, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, bringing glory to the Father. Jesus' presence in our lives doesn't eliminate pain, but His "I Am" nature means He is relevant to our current reality, joining us in our struggles. Embracing Christ as your Savior is crucial because He is your Priest, covering you, and your Lamb, sacrificed for you. His name, Immanuel, signifies that God is with us, and by keeping faith in Him, you acknowledge that God is with you personally.

We are called to wear, bear, and share His name, taking full advantage of the power and authority it holds. Jesus Christ is not just a name; it represents His role as Lord. For Jesus to truly be Lord in our lives, He must be preeminent, not just prominent. This means that our faith is not just about what we say but how we live. Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, and if we start our journey with Him and continue to walk with Him, He will lead us to a conclusion that glorifies God, benefits us, and conforms us to His image.

By embracing Jesus as your Savior, God offers forgiveness for all your sins—past, present, and future—and grants you eternal life. Moreover, He promises a better life here and now. Jesus is the ultimate rescuer, and His name is a powerful testament to His role in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. The name of Jesus holds unparalleled power and significance, as it is the name at which every knee will bow and every tongue will confess His Lordship. This acknowledgment brings glory to God the Father and emphasizes the importance of recognizing Jesus' authority in our lives. [00:28]

2. Jesus' "I Am" nature means He is ever-present in our current reality, joining us in our struggles and pain. His presence doesn't remove our challenges but assures us that we are not alone, as He is relevant to every moment of our lives. [00:28]

3. Embracing Christ as Savior is essential because He acts as our Priest and Lamb, covering and sacrificing for us. His name, Immanuel, reminds us that God is with us, and maintaining faith in Him ensures that God is personally with each of us. [00:59]

4. For Jesus to be Lord, He must be preeminent in our lives, not just prominent. This means our faith should be reflected in our actions and decisions, not just in our words. Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, guiding us from beginning to end. [01:34]

5. Accepting Jesus as Savior brings forgiveness for all sins and the promise of eternal life. Additionally, it offers a better life in the present, as Jesus is the ultimate rescuer who transforms our lives for God's glory and our good. [01:34]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:28] - The Power of Jesus' Name
[00:59] - Embracing Christ as Savior
[01:34] - Jesus as Alpha and Omega
[01:34] - The Promise of Forgiveness and Eternal Life

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 2:9-11 - "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
2. John 8:58 - "Very truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"
3. Matthew 1:23 - "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us").

Observation Questions:
1. According to Philippians 2:9-11, what is the significance of the name of Jesus, and what response does it evoke from all creation?
2. In John 8:58, Jesus refers to Himself as "I Am." How does this statement connect to His divine nature and presence in our lives? [00:28]
3. What does the name "Immanuel" signify in Matthew 1:23, and how does it relate to the message of the sermon about God's presence with us? [00:59]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the acknowledgment of Jesus' Lordship in Philippians 2:9-11 bring glory to God the Father, and why is this important for believers? [00:28]
2. What does it mean for Jesus to be preeminent in our lives rather than just prominent, and how can this be reflected in our daily actions and decisions? [00:59]
3. How does the concept of Jesus as both our Priest and Lamb, as mentioned in the sermon, deepen our understanding of His role in our salvation? [00:59]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt alone in your struggles. How can the understanding that Jesus is "I Am" and always present change your perspective in similar situations? [00:28]
2. In what ways can you actively "wear, bear, and share" the name of Jesus in your community this week? Consider specific actions you can take. [00:59]
3. How can you ensure that Jesus is preeminent in your life, not just prominent? Identify one area where you can make a change to reflect this priority. [00:59]
4. The sermon mentions that Jesus offers a better life here and now. What is one practical step you can take to experience this promise in your daily life? [01:34]
5. Consider the power and authority of Jesus' name. How can you incorporate this understanding into your prayer life and spiritual practices? [00:28]
6. How does the promise of forgiveness for all sins impact your relationship with God and others? Share a personal experience where this promise has been significant for you. [01:34]
7. Identify a specific challenge you are currently facing. How can the assurance of God's presence, as signified by the name Immanuel, provide comfort and guidance in this situation? [00:59]

Devotional

Day 1: The Unmatched Authority of Jesus' Name
The name of Jesus holds unparalleled power and significance, as it is the name at which every knee will bow and every tongue will confess His Lordship. This acknowledgment brings glory to God the Father and emphasizes the importance of recognizing Jesus' authority in our lives. The Bible teaches that the name of Jesus is not just a label but a declaration of His divine authority and role as Lord. When we acknowledge His name, we are not merely speaking words; we are recognizing the profound truth of His sovereignty and the ultimate submission of all creation to Him. This understanding should transform how we live, as we align our lives with His will and purpose. [00:28]

Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV): "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to more fully acknowledge the authority of Jesus' name? How can you actively submit these areas to His Lordship today?


Day 2: The Ever-Present "I Am"
Jesus' "I Am" nature means He is ever-present in our current reality, joining us in our struggles and pain. His presence doesn't remove our challenges but assures us that we are not alone, as He is relevant to every moment of our lives. This truth is a source of comfort and strength, reminding us that Jesus is not distant or detached from our experiences. Instead, He is intimately involved, offering His presence and support as we navigate life's difficulties. By recognizing His "I Am" nature, we can find peace in knowing that He is with us, no matter what we face. [00:28]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: How can you invite Jesus into a specific struggle or challenge you are currently facing, trusting in His presence and support?


Day 3: Embracing Christ as Priest and Lamb
Embracing Christ as Savior is essential because He acts as our Priest and Lamb, covering and sacrificing for us. His name, Immanuel, reminds us that God is with us, and maintaining faith in Him ensures that God is personally with each of us. This dual role of Jesus as both Priest and Lamb highlights the completeness of His work on our behalf. As our Priest, He intercedes for us, and as the Lamb, He has made the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. By embracing Him, we accept the fullness of His love and grace, experiencing the profound reality of God with us. [00:59]

Hebrews 4:14-16 (ESV): "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Reflection: Reflect on how Jesus being both your Priest and Lamb impacts your understanding of His role in your life. How can you live out this truth in your daily walk with Him?


Day 4: Preeminence of Jesus in Our Lives
For Jesus to be Lord, He must be preeminent in our lives, not just prominent. This means our faith should be reflected in our actions and decisions, not just in our words. Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, guiding us from beginning to end. To truly honor Him as Lord, we must allow Him to take the central place in our lives, influencing every aspect of who we are and what we do. This requires intentionality and commitment, as we seek to align our lives with His will and purpose, allowing His guidance to shape our journey. [01:34]

Colossians 1:17-18 (ESV): "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where Jesus is prominent but not preeminent? What steps can you take to make Him the central focus in that area?


Day 5: The Promise of Forgiveness and Eternal Life
Accepting Jesus as Savior brings forgiveness for all sins and the promise of eternal life. Additionally, it offers a better life in the present, as Jesus is the ultimate rescuer who transforms our lives for God's glory and our good. This promise is not just about the future but also about experiencing the abundant life He offers now. By accepting His forgiveness and embracing His transformative power, we can live with hope and purpose, knowing that our lives are being shaped for His glory and our ultimate good. [01:34]

John 10:10 (ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Reflection: How can you embrace the abundant life Jesus offers today, allowing His forgiveness and transformation to impact your daily living?

Quotes

Names matter. There is absolutely no name that matters more than the name of Jesus. The Bible makes it clear that at His name, every knee will bow. That at his name every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father. Jesus didn't keep him from the pain but his I Am-ness joined them in the pain. That's why throughout the book of John- Him declaring himself that I Am means that he's relevant to the present tense of your reality. So it's absolutely critical that you embrace Christ as your Savior because He's your Priest who covers you. He's your Lamb who was sacrificed for you. He's everything you need. You see, his name is Immanuel. Oh yeah, God is with us. But you keep your faith in him because it also means God is with you. So wear His name. Bare His name and share His name. So take advantage of this great name of Jesus. This great name of Jesus Christ, That's not his last name, that's his role. For Jesus to be Lord he must not simply be prominent he must be preeminent. It's not just how you move your lips, it's how you run your life. Jesus doesn't alpha what he doesn't omega, and if you will get started with Him and keep walking with Him, He will bring you to a conclusion for His glory, you're good and you'll conform to his image. But if you will embrace Jesus as your Savior, God will forgive your sin- past, present and future, give you eternal life and give you a better life in history. That is the rescuer and His name is Jesus. [00:07:49]

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Transcript
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