The Transformative Power of the Name of Jesus
Summary
In a reflective message, Matthew Bradham shares insights on the significance of names, particularly focusing on the name of Jesus and its transformative power in the lives of believers. He begins by recounting the tradition of His Holy Name Day, which is celebrated on January 1st, eight days after Christmas, in line with the Jewish custom of naming a child on the eighth day after birth. This day commemorates the naming of Jesus, a moment of profound importance because of the meaning and mission encapsulated in His name.
The name Jesus, or Yeshua in Greek, is the equivalent of the Hebrew name Joshua. This connection is significant as it draws parallels between the biblical figure Joshua, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land, and Jesus, who ushers believers into a spiritual promised land. Joshua's role was to bring the people to a place of rest, peace, and blessing, and Jesus fulfills this in a greater sense by bringing believers into the presence of God, where they find their true belonging, rest, and peace.
The name Jesus means "God saves" or "The Lord is salvation." This is not just a title but a representation of Jesus' mission on earth—to save humanity from sin. The name was common during the time of Jesus, often chosen by parents in hope of God's salvation. However, Jesus was the only one who could truly embody and fulfill the meaning of the name, as He was the Messiah who came to save.
Matthew Bradham emphasizes that the name of Jesus is not just a historical artifact but a present reality with the power to transform lives. He encourages the practice of invoking the name of Jesus in prayer and daily life, not as a magical incantation but as a recognition of His authority and mission. Praying in Jesus' name is an acknowledgment of belonging to Him and aligning with His will. It is also a powerful tool in spiritual warfare, as it invokes the authority and power of Jesus over any demonic forces.
The message concludes with a call to live in the power of Jesus' name, to pray with His authority, and to fight spiritual battles in His strength. The name of Jesus is a reminder that salvation is not just a future hope but a present reality that believers can experience now. It is through His name that believers live, pray, and fight spiritual battles, not in their own strength but in the power of Jesus Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- The name Jesus, meaning "God saves," is not just a label but encapsulates the mission of Christ to save humanity from sin. This understanding deepens the significance of invoking His name in prayer and worship, as it is a declaration of faith in His saving work and a reminder of the ongoing mission to bring salvation to the world. [50:01]
- Jesus, as the New Covenant Joshua, leads believers into a spiritual promised land, offering a place of belonging, rest, and peace in the presence of God. This parallel invites reflection on the comprehensive nature of salvation, which includes not only forgiveness of sins but also empowerment to live a life of victory over sin and darkness. [54:33]
- Invoking the name of Jesus in prayer is not about claiming entitlements but about approaching God with the confidence that comes from being associated with Christ. It is a recognition of one's identity in Him and an alignment with His will and mission, which shapes the content and expectation of our prayers. [01:02:14]
- The practice of speaking the name of Jesus in various circumstances serves as a constant reminder that life is lived under His authority and for His glory. It shifts the focus from self-reliance to dependence on His power, reinforcing the truth that it is His name, not ours, that carries weight in the spiritual realm. [01:07:20]
- The name of Jesus is not only a reflection of past accomplishments or future promises but also a guide for living out salvation in the present. It challenges believers to experience the abundant life Jesus offers here and now, free from the power of sin, and to actively engage in spiritual warfare with the authority of His name. [01:01:19]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 1:20-21 - "But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 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.'"
2. Luke 1:30-33 - "But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.'"
3. 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."
#### Observation Questions
1. What instructions did the angel give to Joseph regarding the name of the child Mary would bear? (Matthew 1:20-21)
2. How did the angel Gabriel describe the future of the child to Mary? (Luke 1:30-33)
3. According to Philippians 2:9-11, what is the significance of the name of Jesus?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the name "Jesus" significant in the context of His mission to save humanity from sin? (Matthew 1:20-21)
2. How does the name "Jesus" connect to the Old Testament figure Joshua, and what does this imply about Jesus' role? [52:56]
3. What does it mean for believers to live, pray, and fight spiritual battles in the name of Jesus? [01:01:19]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the meaning of the name "Jesus" as "God saves." How does this understanding impact the way you approach prayer and worship? [49:33]
2. Jesus is described as the New Covenant Joshua who leads believers into a spiritual promised land. How can you experience and live out this sense of belonging, rest, and peace in your daily life? [54:33]
3. When you pray in the name of Jesus, do you feel a sense of confidence and alignment with His will? How can you cultivate this mindset more consistently? [01:02:14]
4. The sermon emphasized the power of Jesus' name in spiritual warfare. Can you identify a specific area in your life where you need to invoke His authority and strength? [01:05:50]
5. How can you make a habit of speaking the name of Jesus in various circumstances as a reminder of His authority and your dependence on Him? [01:07:20]
6. The name of Jesus is a guide for living out salvation in the present. What steps can you take this week to experience the abundant life Jesus offers, free from the power of sin? [01:01:19]
7. Consider the ways you might be relying on your own strength rather than the power of Jesus. What practical changes can you make to shift your focus from self-reliance to dependence on His power? [01:06:17]
Devotional
Day 1: The Mission of Christ's Name
The name Jesus, meaning "God saves," is a declaration of His mission to rescue humanity from sin. It is a name that carries the weight of hope and the promise of salvation, a reminder that in every utterance, one is calling upon the divine work of redemption. It is not merely a label but a profound truth that shapes the identity and purpose of all who believe. [50:01]
Acts 4:11-12 - "This Jesus is 'the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.' There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved."
Reflection: How does understanding the meaning behind Jesus' name change the way you think about His role in your life?
Day 2: Jesus, Our Spiritual Guide to Rest
As the New Covenant Joshua, Jesus leads His followers into a spiritual promised land, a place of eternal rest and peace in God's presence. This journey is not just about reaching a destination but also about the transformation and rest that come with walking in His footsteps. Believers are invited to reflect on the comprehensive nature of salvation, which encompasses a life of victory over sin and darkness. [54:33]
Hebrews 4:8-9 - "For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God."
Reflection: In what ways can you more fully embrace the rest and peace that Jesus offers in your daily life?
Day 3: Confidence in Our Identity with Christ
Invoking the name of Jesus in prayer is an act of confidence, rooted in the believer's identity with Christ. It is not about claiming entitlements but about approaching God with the assurance that comes from being united with Jesus. This alignment with His will and mission shapes the content and expectation of prayers, fostering a deeper relationship with the divine. [01:02:14]
Ephesians 3:12 - "In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence."
Reflection: How does your identity in Christ influence the way you pray and the expectations you have from your prayers?
Day 4: Living Under Jesus' Authority
Speaking the name of Jesus in various circumstances is a constant reminder that life is lived under His authority and for His glory. It is a shift from self-reliance to dependence on His power, reinforcing the truth that in the spiritual realm, it is His name that carries weight and authority, not ours. This practice helps believers to remain focused on the source of their strength and victory. [01:07:20]
Colossians 3:17 - "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: What are some situations where you need to remind yourself to rely on Jesus' authority rather than your own strength?
Day 5: Experiencing Salvation in the Present
The name of Jesus is not just a reflection of past accomplishments or future promises but a guide for living out salvation in the present. It challenges believers to experience the abundant life Jesus offers here and now, free from the power of sin, and to actively engage in spiritual warfare with the authority of His name. This present reality calls for a life lived in His strength and for His glory. [01:01:19]
1 John 5:4-5 - "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"
Reflection: How can you actively live out the victory that Jesus has won for you in your everyday life?
Quotes
"To pray in the name of Jesus is to pray with his name tag according to his agenda, to call on his strength and his power and not your own." [01:06:48] (Download)
"The more you say his name, the more it reminds you that it's not about you and it's about him. To continually speak the name of Jesus is to say I need his approval, and it's his will that matters, not mine." [01:07:48] (Download)
"Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of Jesus, meaning for his glory and not mine, giving thanks to God the Father through him." [01:08:19] (Download)
"Spiritual warfare cannot be fought in your own strength so therefore it must be fought in his name... the only reason the demons submitted to these that were sent out was because of the name of Jesus." [01:05:18] (Download)
"If you feel like you're losing it's because you're using your name and not Jesus's... to fight in Jesus's name is to fight in his power and his authority." [01:05:50] (Download)
"There should be something in us that when we hear the name [of Jesus], we pause; that when we hear the name, everything stops. There should be something about it to where it almost should draw us at times to our knees." [01:00:25] (Download)
"One of the greatest tricks of the enemy is he's okay with you thinking you're saved if as long as you think saved means one day I get to go to heaven. What he doesn't like is people that work out their salvation with fear and trembling." [01:01:19] (Download)
"Jesus's name reminds us of who he is but it also reminds us of what he's done. It doesn't just remind us of what he did in the past; it also reminds us of how to live out our Salvation now." [01:00:55] (Download)
"To pray in the name of Jesus is to recognize that you come in His name, and the only reason you belong there is because where there once was a veil that separated us because of sin, now where the veil was, Jesus is, and the veil is no longer separating." [01:02:48] (Download)
"Praying in the name of Jesus means to pray things that match up with His agenda and with His mission and with His will. Those are the things He grants, and sometimes we should be thankful that God didn't answer the prayers we prayed." [01:03:51] (Download)
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