Thursday, January 31 2013
Introduction: Last week we continued in our study by looking at the authority in the name of Jesus, the meaning of authority, the connection between the name of Jesus and authority and the fact that authority in His name commands the supernatural. We concluded that Jesus confers His authority to us because He knows we will have need of it for a victorious Christian living. We cannot afford to be ignorant of the use of our delegated authority as satan thrives on ignorance.
His name our Surname In Rev. 3:8 Jesus commends the church for keeping both his word and his name." It is apparent that God wants us to know him by name for his name represents to us who He is and in Rev. 2:13 He commended the Church in Pergamum: "I know your works and where you dwell, even where Satan's throne is: and you hold fast my name, and have not denied my faith, even in those days when Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells" A Christian must know his status, his authority and his rights IN CHRIST. Satan always yields to the commands of a child of God who knows his position and God always confirms His Word with signs and wonders following that believer "that the eyes of our hearts may be opened, that we may know the exceeding greatness of His ability on our behalf..." (Eph. 1:17-23). To pray in the name of Jesus, is to take ownership of that which he has given to us as His bride and representatives on earth and as such we are united with Him and His purpose.
Jesus gave His authority to those who believe in him. It gives us God's power to fight spiritual warfare and do God's work on earth Amen," (Mk. 16:17-20). Jesus is the only name in which salvation is found (Acts 4:12) and gave the Church the power of attorney to use His Name. The disciples are commissioned to go and bear fruit; and they are given a legal right to use the Name of Jesus and to have the same authority that Jesus exercised in His earthly walk: John 16:23-24,26.
In Acts 5:27-28 - The high priest, all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees knew they were combating a "force" that they had never met before. Jesus, they had crucified, but His Name was more powerful! His name was working wonders and none could arrest His name or wrest it from his disciples. When you know how to take full possession of His name you will be a wonder in your world, you will be strong and do exploits. Acts 4:18,19 "And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered and said to them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, judge you"
What does it mean when Jesus gives us power in His Name--the free use of it--with assurance that whatever we ask in His Name will be given to us? (John 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:23-24, 26). Jesus solemnly gives to all who are His, a general and unlimited power to use His Name at all times. He could trust us with His interests and that His honour would be safe in our hands. Do not take His name in vain.
The free use of someone else's name is always a token of great confidence and close union. Someone who gives his name to another stands aside to let that person act for him. Someone who takes the name of another gives up his own as of no value. When I go in the name of another, I deny myself. I take not only the name of another, but himself and what he is, instead of myself and what I am.
Peter at the beautiful gate despite having no silver or gold he knew he had the name of Jesus which is more valuable than silver and gold.
Do you know you have his name as your possession? Do you fully understand what Jesus has accomplished on the cross? Colossians 2:10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. Colossians 2:15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. As a believer you must understand the mystery of Christ, His name, person, office, and grace.
According to Kenneth Hagin "Charles Spurgeon (1834-92), noted English Baptist preacher, told this personal experience. He was called to the home of an elderly woman who was bedfast. Malnutrition was about to take her physical life. During his visit, Spurgeon noticed a framed document on the wall. He asked the woman, "Is this yours?" She said it was, and explained that she had worked as a maid in the household of some of the English nobility. "Before Lady So-and-so died," the woman said, "she gave that to me. I served her for nearly half a century. I've been so proud of it because she gave it to me. I had it framed. It's been hanging on the wall ever since she died 10 years ago." Mr. Spurgeon asked, "Would you allow me to take it and have it examined more closely?" "Oh, yes," said the woman, who never learned to read, "just be sure to see I get it back." Spurgeon took it to the authorities. They had been looking for it. It was a bequest. The English noblewoman had left her maid a home and money. She lived in a little one-room house built out of wooden boxes and was starving to death?yet she had hanging on the wall a document that authorized her to be well cared for and to live in a fine house. The money was gathering interest. It belonged to her. Spurgeon helped her get it, but it didn't do her as much good as it could have earlier. I think that is indicative of what has happened to much of the church world. We live in a little run-down shanty? spiritually speaking?while lying on a table somewhere is the New Covenant. We're proud of it. But we've never taken the time to find out what it says belongs to us"
The devil has deceived the majority of Christians and kept them ignorant of the power in the name and the right to use it. To effectively use His name you must know what it entails and how to use it by studying the word, obeying and living by the word. The name is not a magic wand.
CONCLUSION When the Lord Jesus went to heaven, He left His work--the management of His Kingdom on earth--in the hands of His servants. He also gave them His Name to draw all the supplies they need for advancing the kingdom. We have the spiritual power to use the Name of Jesus only as far as we yield ourselves to live only for the interests and the work of the Master. The use of the Name always supposes the surrender of our interests to Him Whom we represent. All the authority and all the power that is in Jesus is in His Name and He has given the name to the Church. He said "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Matt. 16:18-19 The name of Jesus belongs to you when you marry Him, it will not work for people dating God. Christ is the bridegroom and you as His bride automatically possess His name, can represent Him and co-owns all that belongs to Him. His name has been freely given to you.
Contributor: Esther Alajiki |