The Transformative Power of Jesus' Name and Faith

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we focused on the profound and transformative power of the name of Jesus. In times of overwhelming challenges, whether they be personal struggles or global crises like the California fires, calling upon the name of Jesus brings comfort and salvation. Jesus is not only our Savior but also our Healer, and His name holds the power to bring peace and healing into our lives. We are reminded of the importance of lifting up Jesus and keeping His presence alive in our hearts and communities, especially as we look forward to the year 2025.

We engaged in a responsive reading from the Gospel of John, reflecting on the eternal nature of Jesus as the Word of God. This passage reminds us that Jesus was with God from the beginning and that all things were made through Him. Despite the darkness in the world, Jesus is the true light that shines and cannot be overcome. This truth calls us to believe in Jesus even amidst widespread unbelief, just as many did not recognize Him during His time on earth.

The sermon also touched on the reality of life's challenges, such as the cold weather and the fires in Los Angeles, reminding us that this world is not our permanent home. We are encouraged to find warmth and safety in the church community, both physically and spiritually. The message emphasized the importance of faith and belief in Jesus, as unbelief can prevent us from experiencing the fullness of God's blessings.

We were reminded of the story of Sister Margie Short, who prepared for her journey home to be with the Lord, illustrating the peace and assurance that comes from a life rooted in faith. The sermon concluded with a call to action, encouraging us to continue lifting up Jesus, believing in His promises, and sharing His love with others. As we navigate the uncertainties of life, we are assured that God is in control and that His love will prevail.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Jesus' Name: In moments of distress and uncertainty, calling upon the name of Jesus brings peace and salvation. His name is a source of strength and healing, reminding us that He is our Savior and Healer. This truth encourages us to rely on Jesus in all circumstances. [00:00]

2. Belief Amidst Unbelief: The world is filled with unbelief, yet we are called to believe in Jesus and His promises. Just as many did not recognize Jesus during His time on earth, we too face challenges in maintaining our faith. However, belief in Jesus opens the door to experiencing God's blessings. [19:59]

3. The Assurance of Eternal Life: Life's challenges, such as cold weather or personal struggles, remind us that this world is temporary. Our true home is with the Lord, and faith in Jesus assures us of eternal life. This perspective brings peace and hope amidst life's trials. [21:09]

4. The Importance of Community: The church community provides warmth and support, both physically and spiritually. In times of need, we are encouraged to find refuge in the church, where we can experience God's love and the support of fellow believers. [18:16]

5. God's Control and Promises: Despite the chaos and uncertainty in the world, God is in control. His promises are sure, and He works all things for good. We are encouraged to trust in His plan and continue lifting up Jesus, knowing that His love will prevail. [24:03]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - The Power of Jesus' Name
- [13:01] - Responsive Reading
- [14:07] - The Word and the Light
- [16:46] - Jesus' Teachings
- [18:16] - Community Support in Cold Times
- [19:59] - Life's Temporary Nature
- [21:09] - Assurance of Eternal Life
- [22:47] - The Cost of Unbelief
- [24:03] - God's Control and Promises
- [28:26] - Believing in Jesus
- [36:25] - The Power of Tithing
- [42:58] - The World’s Hatred
- [43:51] - Love and Non-Violence
- [48:20] - Trusting in God's Control
- [49:46] - Encouragement to Believe

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. John 1:1-5 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
2. John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
3. Matthew 1:21 - "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does the sermon suggest about the power of Jesus' name in times of distress and uncertainty? [00:30]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of the church community during challenging times, such as cold weather or personal struggles? [18:16]
3. According to the sermon, what are some reasons people might struggle with unbelief, even when presented with the truth of Jesus? [22:47]
4. How does the story of Sister Margie Short illustrate the peace and assurance that comes from a life rooted in faith? [21:09]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that calling upon the name of Jesus can bring peace and healing into our lives? [00:30]
2. How does the sermon connect the eternal nature of Jesus as the Word of God to our belief in Him amidst widespread unbelief? [14:07]
3. What does the sermon imply about the importance of community support in maintaining faith during life's challenges? [18:16]
4. How does the sermon use the story of Sister Margie Short to convey the assurance of eternal life through faith in Jesus? [21:09]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent time when you faced overwhelming challenges. How did you respond, and how might calling upon the name of Jesus have changed your experience? [00:30]
2. Consider the role of your church community in your life. How can you actively contribute to making it a place of warmth and support for others during difficult times? [18:16]
3. Identify an area in your life where unbelief might be preventing you from experiencing the fullness of God's blessings. What steps can you take to strengthen your faith in that area? [22:47]
4. Think about the story of Sister Margie Short. How does her preparation for her journey home to be with the Lord inspire you to live a life rooted in faith? [21:09]
5. In what ways can you lift up Jesus and keep His presence alive in your heart and community as you look forward to the year 2025? [00:30]
6. How can you remind yourself of God's control and promises when faced with chaos and uncertainty in the world? [24:03]
7. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's love and support through your church community. How can you extend that same love and support to others in need? [18:16]

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Power of Jesus' Name
In moments of distress and uncertainty, the name of Jesus serves as a beacon of hope and strength. Whether facing personal struggles or witnessing global crises like the California fires, calling upon His name brings comfort and salvation. Jesus is not only our Savior but also our Healer, and His name holds the power to bring peace and healing into our lives. This truth encourages us to rely on Jesus in all circumstances, lifting Him up in our hearts and communities as we look forward to the future. [00:00]

"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." (Philippians 2:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific situation today can you call upon the name of Jesus to bring peace and healing?


Day 2: Belief Amidst Unbelief
The world is filled with unbelief, yet we are called to believe in Jesus and His promises. Just as many did not recognize Jesus during His time on earth, we too face challenges in maintaining our faith. However, belief in Jesus opens the door to experiencing God's blessings. Despite the darkness in the world, Jesus is the true light that shines and cannot be overcome. This truth calls us to hold firm in our faith, even amidst widespread unbelief. [19:59]

"Jesus said to her, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?'" (John 11:40, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle with unbelief? How can you actively choose to trust Jesus in that area today?


Day 3: The Assurance of Eternal Life
Life's challenges, such as cold weather or personal struggles, remind us that this world is temporary. Our true home is with the Lord, and faith in Jesus assures us of eternal life. This perspective brings peace and hope amidst life's trials, as we are reminded of the story of Sister Margie Short, who prepared for her journey home to be with the Lord. Her life rooted in faith illustrates the peace and assurance that comes from trusting in Jesus. [21:09]

"For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come." (Hebrews 13:14, ESV)

Reflection: How does the assurance of eternal life change the way you view your current struggles? What steps can you take to focus on your eternal home today?


Day 4: The Importance of Community
The church community provides warmth and support, both physically and spiritually. In times of need, we are encouraged to find refuge in the church, where we can experience God's love and the support of fellow believers. This community is a source of strength, helping us navigate life's challenges and reminding us that we are not alone. The church is a place where we can grow in faith and share the love of Jesus with others. [18:16]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to your church community this week, offering support and encouragement to others?


Day 5: God's Control and Promises
Despite the chaos and uncertainty in the world, God is in control. His promises are sure, and He works all things for good. We are encouraged to trust in His plan and continue lifting up Jesus, knowing that His love will prevail. As we navigate the uncertainties of life, we are assured that God is in control and that His love will prevail. This assurance allows us to face the future with confidence and hope. [24:03]

"The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations." (Psalm 33:11, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God's control more fully? How can you remind yourself of His promises today?

Quotes

"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is his name. California fires, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is his name. Why do you call him? Because he's a savior. Savior, Savior, Savior. Savior, Savior, Savior. Savior, Savior, Savior. Jesus. If you need healing, healer, healer, healer. Anybody know he's a healer? Healer, healer, healer. Healer, healer, healer. Jesus is his name. I'll tell you, it'll work. Jesus is his name. What's his name? Jesus is his name. Jesus is his name. Jesus is his name. Jesus is his name. Jesus is his name. The church say amen. Jesus is his name. Amen, amen. Amen, amen, amen, amen. Jesus is his name." [00:11:09]

"The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men, and the light shined in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. The same came for a witness to bear witness of the light, and that all men through him might believe. He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light, that was the true light which lighted every man that cometh into the world." [00:14:13]

"Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am, and I am not come of myself. But he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. But I know him, for I am from him, and he hath sent me. Then they sought to take him, but no man laid hands on him, because of his doctrine. His hour was not yet come. And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these, which this man doeth?" [00:17:12]

"This world is not your home. We're just passing through. Regardless of how you see it, you know the truth of it is that all of us will die except the Lord will come back and receive us unto himself. Death will come knocking at everybody's door. But this Bible says that he that believeth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. This Bible says that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him will be saved. He who believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life." [00:20:04]

"And then we moved on and to the fact where I started to deal with you about what the Bible says about our Lord and this world that we live in. This turn of this season, this century, this new, turn of this new year, I began to preach to you about believing, about unbelief. The Bible says, and so we see they could not enter in because of unbelief. The Jews missed out on the promised land, those that the Lord brought out of Egypt. They didn't make it all the way in because of unbelief." [00:22:13]

"Forty years they spent all because they didn't believe in what the Lord had said. And I want you to know today that people are still missing out on the great blessings of God because of unbelief. The Bible talked about those who were the Sunday school lesson for the day and that's the blessing about Sunday school is that there's a regular diet of the word of God. And the day it was from Psalm 103, it said, bless the Lord, oh my soul. And the Bible said, and forget not his benefits." [00:22:51]

"One of my members said it yesterday, and I don't know if that will remind me who they were later. But they were talking about reading through the Bible, or reading through the Bible, and said in reading through the Bible that now they had gotten to the place to where they were at the book of Joshua. And the last words that Joshua records was that they took the bones of Joseph, and buried them in the promised land. But those bones, Joseph said to them about those bones, some 400 or 500 years earlier, Joseph said, God is going to come and deliver you from Egypt. And when you go out, take my bones with you." [00:25:12]

"Mark Twain said, it's not what I don't understand about the Bible that bothers me, but what I do understand. Just read it. Just read it. Why rob yourself? Why rob yourself of a great opportunity? But I want you to know, just like Jesus lived in a time of unbelief, we also live in a time of unbelief right now. Right now. How do we believe, believing in Jesus in time? In the midst of unbelief. It's all over around us. Our president that's going to take tomorrow, will take the oath, he's already told him, he says he's not a Christian. I don't know what he is, but he said he's not a Christian. A Christian are those who believe in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." [00:27:36]

"33 A .D., 33 A .D., Jesus went to the cross and died. They died on the cross. They buried him. But early Sunday morning, he rose with all power. Amen. Amen. He rose with all power in his hands. And the Bible said, and historians said, Josephus said, it was rumored that he rose from the grave. And there is a sect, he says, a group of people that are going about saying that he lived. And that was almost 2 ,000 years ago. And that group of people has grown to what the church is today. Over and over and over, the church multiplies. And it multiplies because somebody is believing in Jesus in the midst of unbelief." [00:28:26]

"Because he rose and was seen by more than 500 believers at one time. And those that he selected, the 11 that who have been charged to carry his word, they moved with, they moved, they moved with the assurance that Jesus was alive. And that's what's going on right now. That's why we woke up this morning in this cold weather, got on and came on out, and we're here today. One of the men said to me, he said he heard me on the radio this morning at 730. He said, Pastor can get up and get out of the cold. I can get up also." [00:29:30]

"Jews did not believe him. The Bible said he came unto his own, and his own received him not. Those Jews that he came to did not receive him. It says over in Matthew 121, and she shall bring forth a child, told Joseph, you shall call his name Jesus, but he shall save his people from their sins. And I want you to know, the prophecy has already been out, but even Jesus operated in the midst of unbelief. But not only did the Jews not believe him, his own brothers did not. His own family did not believe him. The Bible talks about the Jews and his brethren. And John writes with emphasis that even his brothers did not believe in him." [00:36:25]

"Reverend Martin Luther King was a Christian preacher. He grew up in a Christian family, raised the Christian way, and he took the path of non -violence. Oh, he did civil disobedience, but he was willing to be arrested. He didn't fight with the policemen. You said, I can't march, but we're going to march. You're going to beat me. I go ahead and do it. Put the dogs on me. Turn the water on me. We're not going to fight. We're just going to trust the Lord. We will see what love can do. We're not going to fight. We're not going to fight. We're not do. And after a while, love wins out." [00:43:51]

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Transcript
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