The Transformative Power of Knowing Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Power of Jesus' Name

The name of Jesus is not merely a label; it is a declaration of His mission to save and heal. This name holds power over sickness, demons, and even death, offering comfort and authority to believers. When we speak His name over our situations, we are trusting in its transformative power to bring about change. The early church understood this, as seen in Acts 4:12, where it is declared that there is no other name by which we must be saved. This understanding invites us to call upon His name in faith, believing in its ability to transform our lives and circumstances. [55:16]

Acts 4:12 (ESV): "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you need transformation. How can you intentionally speak the name of Jesus over this situation today, trusting in His power to bring change?

Day 2: The Conditional Promises of God

Scripture often presents us with conditional promises, where God's blessings are contingent upon our actions. For example, in 2 Chronicles 7:14, God promises healing for the land if His people humble themselves and pray. This "If Then" logic encourages us to align our lives with God's will to experience His favor. Our obedience and humility are prerequisites for receiving His blessings, reminding us that our relationship with God is dynamic and requires active participation. By understanding and embracing these conditions, we position ourselves to receive the fullness of His promises. [57:47]

2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV): "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you need to align more closely with God's will. What specific steps can you take today to humble yourself and seek His face?

Day 3: Moving from Acquaintance to Intimacy with Jesus

Knowing about Jesus is different from having a personal relationship with Him. This relationship requires more than intellectual understanding; it demands a heart connection that transforms our lives. We are invited to move beyond mere acquaintance to intimacy with our Savior. This involves spending time in His presence, listening to His voice, and allowing His love to shape our identity and actions. As we deepen our relationship with Jesus, we experience the transformative power of His love and grace in our daily lives. [01:01:09]

1 John 2:3-5 (ESV): "And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says 'I know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected."

Reflection: Reflect on your current relationship with Jesus. What is one practical way you can deepen your intimacy with Him this week?

Day 4: Understanding the Character of Jesus

Jesus embodies the character of God, reflecting mercy, grace, and truth. His life and ministry reveal the heart of the Father, inviting us to experience His compassion and love. By understanding His character, we learn to trust in His goodness and faithfulness. The Gospels provide a comprehensive view of Jesus, each highlighting different aspects of His nature. This multifaceted portrayal helps us understand the fullness of who Jesus is and how He relates to us, enriching our faith and relationship with Him. [01:35:08]

John 1:14 (ESV): "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Reflection: Consider how Jesus' character of mercy, grace, and truth is reflected in your own life. How can you better embody these attributes in your interactions with others today?

Day 5: Embracing the Fourfold Gospel Perspective

The four Gospels provide a comprehensive view of Jesus, each highlighting different aspects of His nature: Matthew presents Him as the King, Mark as the Servant, Luke as the Son of Man, and John as the Son of God. This multifaceted portrayal helps us understand the fullness of who Jesus is and how He relates to us. By embracing these perspectives, we enrich our faith and deepen our relationship with Him, allowing us to see the diverse ways He impacts our lives and the world around us. [01:50:41]

Luke 19:10 (ESV): "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

Reflection: Reflect on the different aspects of Jesus' nature as presented in the Gospels. Which aspect resonates most with you today, and how can it influence your walk with Him?

Sermon Summary

In the name of Jesus, we find power, healing, and life. Today, we call upon His name for those who are sick, anxious, or facing any form of distress. The name of Jesus is above every other name, as the scripture tells us, and it is through this name that we find healing and restoration. We are reminded of the importance of truly knowing Jesus, not just as an acquaintance but as a personal Savior. This relationship is not just about knowing facts about Him but having a deep, personal connection that transforms our lives.

The "If Then" series explores the conditional promises found in scripture, where God sets conditions for His blessings. For instance, in 2 Chronicles 7:14, God promises healing for the land if His people humble themselves and pray. Similarly, Jesus uses this logic to teach us about obedience and love. Knowing Jesus begins with understanding His name, which signifies salvation. The name Jesus, derived from the Hebrew Yeshua, means "Jehovah is my salvation." This name is not just a label but a declaration of His mission to save humanity from sin.

The power of Jesus' name extends beyond salvation; it encompasses authority over sickness, demons, and even death. The early church understood this, as seen in Acts 4:12, where it is declared that there is no other name by which we must be saved. The name of Jesus is a source of comfort and authority, enabling us to speak life into situations and bring about change.

Understanding Jesus also involves recognizing His character, which reflects the heart of God. Jesus embodies mercy, grace, and truth, as seen in His interactions with people during His ministry. The four Gospels provide a comprehensive view of Jesus, each highlighting different aspects of His nature: Matthew presents Him as the King, Mark as the Servant, Luke as the Son of Man, and John as the Son of God. These perspectives help us understand the fullness of who Jesus is and how He relates to us.

Ultimately, knowing Jesus is about more than theological understanding; it's about living in obedience to His commandments. As 1 John 2:3-5 tells us, we know we are in Him if we keep His word. This is the true test of our relationship with Jesus, and it is through this relationship that our lives are transformed.

Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Jesus' Name: The name of Jesus is not just a label but a declaration of His mission to save and heal. It holds power over sickness, demons, and death, offering comfort and authority to believers. We are called to speak His name over our situations, trusting in its transformative power. [55:16]
2. Conditional Promises in Scripture: The "If Then" logic in scripture highlights the conditional nature of God's promises. Our obedience and humility are prerequisites for receiving His blessings, as seen in 2 Chronicles 7:14. This principle encourages us to align our lives with God's will to experience His favor. [57:47]
3. Knowing Jesus Personally: Knowing about Jesus is different from having a personal relationship with Him. This relationship requires more than intellectual understanding; it demands a heart connection that transforms our lives. We are invited to move beyond acquaintance to intimacy with our Savior. [61:09]
4. The Character of Jesus: Jesus embodies the character of God, reflecting mercy, grace, and truth. His life and ministry reveal the heart of the Father, inviting us to experience His compassion and love. Understanding His character helps us trust in His goodness and faithfulness. [95:08]
5. The Fourfold Gospel Perspective: The four Gospels provide a comprehensive view of Jesus, each highlighting different aspects of His nature. This multifaceted portrayal helps us understand the fullness of who Jesus is and how He relates to us, enriching our faith and relationship with Him. [01:50:41]
** [110:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[55:16] - The Power of Jesus' Name
[56:38] - Acknowledging Visitors
[57:47] - The "If Then" Series
[58:49] - Life Group Invitation
[59:57] - Biblical Worldview
[61:09] - Knowing Jesus Personally
[62:14] - The Impact of Knowing Jesus
[63:28] - Importance of Names in the Bible
[64:44] - The Significance of Jesus' Name
[66:06] - Authority in Jesus' Name
[67:22] - Speaking Jesus' Name
[68:44] - Salvation in Jesus' Name
[71:25] - The Exclusivity of Jesus' Name
[72:39] - Baptism and Commitment
[75:10] - The Power of Jesus' Name in Prayer
[76:34] - Demons Recognize Jesus' Authority
[79:06] - Healing in Jesus' Name
[80:26] - Jesus' Character Reflects God
[95:08] - Jesus' Compassion and Forgiveness
[110:41] - The Fourfold Gospel Perspective

Sermon Clips

1. "The thing is, a large percentage of the church, I believe, we have an acquaintance with Jesus. We know about Jesus. But the question is, do we really know him? Do we have a personal relationship with him? It is important for us to make that distinction and to understand that in our lives. Because I can know about some people, but I may know a lot about them. As a matter of fact, some of you have celebrities that you love and you care about and you listen to their music and you listen to them speak and so on. And you might say, I know all about this person. You watch all the documentaries about their lives and so on. And you say, I know everything about them. But do you really know them? See, do you really know them?" [01:01:09] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "If you really get to know Jesus, your life will change. If you really get to know Jesus, your life will change. Your life will change in ways that has never changed before. Not just here on earth, but for eternity as well. I can guarantee that right now. So get to know Jesus. So today we are using the if-then logic of Jesus Christ. And I want to just continue today. I'm doing a sort of part two in knowing Jesus. And I said that sometimes we can have an acquaintance with people and we can know them. But one of the first ways in which you start getting to know people is by knowing their name. That's where it starts. You must know their name." [01:02:14] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The name of Jesus means everything. The Bible tells us in Philippians 2, verses 9 to 10, it says, therefore, God also has highly exalted him and given him a name. And he says, this name is above every other name. Now I know that you may know somebody from the Hispanic community whose name is Jesus. But the name itself that God has given to John, the Bible tells us that this name is above every other name. So that is the greatest name that you can think about here today. You know, I like my name, Dave. I like my name. I love my name. And the reason why I love my name is because Dave comes to the root David, Hebrew name, and it means beloved of God. So I've always felt that I'm loved of God. So I like my name. But you know what? My name, beloved of God, pales in comparison to the name of Jesus. The name of Jesus is powerful." [01:04:44] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Today we sang this beautiful song, I speak the name of Jesus. And you know, that is essentially the language that we speak as a church. We speak Jesus. What do you speak? Spanish? Whatever language? Portuguese? Whatever language do you speak? But you know, we speak the name of Jesus. That is the language that we speak. As a matter of fact, if you're a believer in Jesus, you should speak Jesus. Speak Jesus over your situation, over your friends and your family. Somebody comes to you and say they're having a hard time with something. Maybe they're going through a sickness in their body. Speak the name of Jesus into their language. Because that has the power to change circumstances." [01:07:22] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The name Jesus, as we know it, really comes from the Greek, and it's pronounced Iesus. Iesus. That's the Greek for Jesus. And the English transliteration is Jesus as we know it. But the Greek transliteration of that word comes from the word Yeshua or Joshua. And do you know what it means, the Hebrew word? It comes from the Hebrew, Yeshua or Joshua. And it means Jehovah is my salvation. So when we think about the name of Jesus in itself, by simply saying Jesus, we're proclaiming salvation, which is what God really wants. The Bible tells us, and in the book of 1 Peter it says that God is not willing that anyone should perish." [01:08:44] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "The name of Jesus has power. And sometimes when demons in our, they, they're free, At one time, Jesus came, and there was this man who had the demons upon him. And they come, and they recognize Jesus. What have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? And they cried out to him, because they recognize who Jesus is. Amen? So sometimes in your home, when people are behaving badly, you call upon the name of Jesus in the house. You might chase the demons out of that place as well. So the name of Jesus itself is powerful. It also has power over sickness and disease. How many of you know that? Sickness and disease." [01:19:06] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "The name of Jesus is the name that we should major on. Amen? Praise God. Now, Jesus is also known by other names, of course, and the names, again, are very, very important. Scripture tells us his name shall be called Emmanuel, which means God with us. Twice in Scripture, in the book of Isaiah and in the book of Matthew chapter 1, we see that they shall call his name Emmanuel, meaning God with us. So whenever you're going through a situation, understand that through Jesus, we know that God is with us. He's not some pie in the sky, somewhere out there, aloof and separate from his people. We know that this God is right here with us. And he walks with me, and he talks with me, and he tells me I am his own." [01:23:26] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "So we ought to know the Name of Jesus. Be familiar with the name of Jesus and what it means to us and what it means to you. your own particular context. What does the name of Jesus mean to me? I may be going through something right now. I may be sick in my body. Somebody might be sick. But what does the name of Jesus mean in that context? I may need peace. There might be war all around me. What does it mean in that context? And so when we look at the name of Jesus, you realize that it could be applied in every situation." [01:28:47] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Now you might say to me, Pastor Dave, I'm not a theologian. You know, I'm hearing what you say, but I can't go and dig deeply into the Scriptures to find out some of these things that you've been studying for your whole life and you're a founder, right? But you know what, the truth is, you can, you can see Jesus. And the thing is, you need to get to know him. Because I can give you the information, and I can give you a theological foundation for some of the things that we have in the Scriptures, but it's up to you to get to know him for yourself. And you see, the thing is, he has made himself available to us to know him. And that's really what it is about." [01:53:02] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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