IN THE NAME OF JESUS

If I call a name, most of you know who I am taking about. Today a name is just a handle or a way to identify a person.

Some of you may have been involved in the C.B. fad or may still be. When you speak on the C.B., you use a handle. Mine was the "Lunney Cooney". This handle immediately identified the person you were talking to an if you had experiences with him, you would know his character.

I have heard people say "He looks like a Jim". These people associate certain characteristics with certain names. I had a gentlemen ask my dog's name. When I told him that it was Pete, he said that he looked like a Pete.

(Genesis 2:20 NASB) "And the man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him."

Genesis 2:20: The name "Adam" is a transliteration from the Hebrew. It is related to the word for "ground" (^adamah, Heb.). The term is applied to mankind in general (1:26), or to an individual person (2:7), and is the personal name of the first created man.

Adam named all of the animals, but it had to be God who named Adam. God was the only one who knew his personality. God is the only one who understood him. This is why it is so important that we receive revelations about man from God. God knows more about man than man does. Psychology is doomed to failure unless it takes into account what the scriptures say about man.

Beginning in Genesis 5:4 - 30, is the first genealogy in scripture. It begins with Adam and goes through Noah. If you look at the meaning of the names, depending on whose teaching you listen to, you have an interesting statement.

Beginning with Seth, which means "Appointed", Enosh, his son which means "Mortal", his son, Kenan, means "Sorrow", his son Mahalalel,which means "The Blessed God", his son Jared, which means "Came Down", and his son, Enoch, which means, "Teaching", his son Methuselah, which means "His death shall bring", his son Lamech, which means "Strength", and his son Noah, which means "Comfort".

If you put it all together, you get: God has Appointed that Mortal man shall Sorrow, but The Blessed God, Came Down, Teaching that, His Death Shall Bring, Strength and Comfort.

In Matthew 16:13-20, Jesus asked His disciples who the people said He was. Simon Peter answered that He (Jesus) was the Christ. In verse 17, Jesus said "Blessed are you Simon Barjonah (Simon son of Jonah), because flesh and blood (men) did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter (Petros, masculine, a large piece of rock), and upon this rock (Petra, feminine, a huge rock like Gibraltar - Which is revelation from the father), I will build My Church: and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.

The name of a person in the bible was not just a handle, it said something of the character of that person. Peter's name was Simon, but after his personal encounter with God, Jesus changed it to Peter. Simon means shifting or going back and forth, but Peter means rock. He was changed from one who shifts to a rock through his encounter with the Christ.

The name Adam means "the ground". Eve means "the giver of life".

The name - Moses in Egyptian means " a child or a son", in Hebrew, it means "drawn out".

Jacob means swindler. After his encounter with the Christ, his name was changed to Israel which means Prince with God or Called of God.

Abram means father of height or high father. After his covenant with God, his name was changed to Abraham which means Father of Multitudes. Saria's name was changed to Sarah which means Princess. After going into covenant with Jehovah, the "H" from His name was added to their names and He became known as the God of Abraham.

God's name was so wonderful and the Jews revered it so much that they didn't say it. After a while it was lost. In Exodus 33:19, the Lord tells Moses that he will proclaim His Name to Moses. He will show Moses what He is like, but only from the back side.

The Jews many times referred to God as THE NAME. This summed His character.

In Exodus 20:7, The law was given that man should not take The Name of God in vain. Most people take this to mean that one should not curse using the Name of God. To take The Name of God in vain means much more than that. When a child of God does not live in the fullness or at least strive to live in as much of the fullness as he can, he is taking the name of the Lord in vain. Vain means empty or worthless. When one does not use what God has provided, he makes it on non effect or worthless. Do not take the name of the Lord in vain.

Israel went out among the nations and profaned The Name of the Lord. In Ezekiel 36:20-23, The lord tells how Israel profaned His Name and how He was about to act, not for their sake, but to vindicate the holiness of His great Name.

In the Bible, we find many names for God. The Hebrew name - Elelyon is translated in most bibles as "Most High". It means, "The Exalted One" or "One who is Majesty". This name described one aspect of God's character.

Another name you find is Elshaddai. It is translated "Almighty" which is a poor translation. It does not speak of power as of a man. El means almighty power God or almighty love. Shaddai means the breasts of pictures a nursing mother. This speaks of power from motherly love.

Elohim is usually translated God. This was the name which was usually used when speaking of God to the Gentiles.

Yahweh is the personal name of God as close as we know. It means "He causes to be" or He creates" or "The self-existent One Who reveals Himself". It is sometimes translated Jehovah or Lord. Lord is a poor translation because we associate it with a British lord or a title. It is really the personal name of God or I Am that I Am. The Jews sometimes substituted Adoni. It was usually used when speaking of God to the Jews.

Abba is more familiar to most of us and means Father or Daddy.

Even the names of the Prophets through which God speaks have significant meanings. Elisha means "God is Salvation". Elijah means "My God is Jehovah". Hosea means "Deliverer". Hosea was ordered by God to marry Gomer and their first son was named Jezreel which means "God scatters". His next child was a daughter who was named Lo-Ruhmah which means "not loved". His second son was named Lo-Ammi which means "not my people". These names were given to Hosea by God. In the names of Hosea's children, God was speaking to Israel. Hosea 1:4-9.

In 1 Samuel 10:1, Samuel anointed Saul with oil showing that he was chosen to be king. The people had asked for a king to be ruled like the heathen around them. This was a rejection of the rule of God, but He gave them the king they asked for. Saul means - the one asked for. Saul, the will of the people clashed with David, the chosen of God. This is always true.

Here are some names of Jehovah that reveal aspects of the redemption:

Jehovah-Jireh (The Lord Provides). God provides all that man needs - including salvation. We sometimes lose sight of the fact that we have nothing that He did not give us including life. When you realize this, you experience this attribute of God. In Genesis 22:14, Abraham named the place where God provided a lamb to substitute for Isaac in the burnt offering, He experienced Jehovah-Jireh.

Jehovah-Rophe (The Lord Heals). He heals our spirits as well our physical bodies. Some of you may have experienced this healing which you know could only come from God. In Exodus 15:22-26, The Lord turned bitter water sweet for Moses when Moses threw a piece of wood into the water. This speaks of how death was overcame by life in the flesh of Jesus. Water turn into life by the piece of wood which speaks of the humanity of Christ.

Jehovah-Niss (The Lord Our Banner). In Exodus 15:8-15, it is seen that as long as Moses held his hands lifted up before the Lord, Israel was successful in battle over the Amelakites. This was a sign of surrender to the Lord. As long as we are surrendered to the Lord, we will be victorious over Satan.

Jehovah-Rhi (The Lord My Shepherd). Psalm 23 talks about The Lord My-Shepherd. If we allow the Lord to lead us, we will find green pastures and still waters. If we go our own ways, we find a life without rest of fulfillment.

Jehovah-Shalom (The Lord Our Peace). In Judges 6:24, Gideon built an alter and called it The Lord Is Peace, after he was given a sign from the Lord to prove that the Lord would be with him in battle. Peace that surpasses all understanding is the peace that we experience when the Lord speaks to our spirit concerning something which is troubling us. When you experience this peace, you have experienced Jehovah-Shalom.

Jehovah-tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness) In Jeremiah 23:6 & 33:16, the prophecy about Jesus says that He will be called The Lord Our Righteousness. This righteousness is unattainable by obedience to any law, or by any merit of man's own. Righteousness is not said to be imputed -reckoned is a better word. When Abraham believed God, it was reckoned to him as righteousness. A person becomes in Christ all that God requires a man to be. All that he could never be in himself.

Jehovah-Shammah (The Lord is Present). In Ezekiel 48:35, the Lord had Ezekiel describe the new Israel and temple. The description ends with the statement - "The Lord is There". God is a spirit and wants to be worshipped in spirit and truth. The new Israel is a spiritual kingdom which Christians are born-again into. The last line of the description tells us that The Lord is There.

Jehovah-M'Kaddesh (The Lord Who Sanctifies). In Leviticus 21:23, speaking of the Levitical priesthood, the Lord says, "I Am the Lord Who Sanctifies Them. He was giving the requirements for the priesthood. He was telling them that they could not make themselves clean and that He would do it for them. Today, in the new Covenant, we are the Priests and the same is true. We cannot sanctify ourselves. Anything we do in the flesh is not recognized by God. He changes us as we are ready to receive change. He does it - we cannot. He will go as far as we allow Him.

Jesus - A transliteration of the Hebrew "Joshua", (Jehovah is Salvation). The fulfillment of the Old Testament Height Priest. He is before God making intercession for us. He is the only way to the Father. "No man comes to the Father but by Me. Since Jehovah is perfect, He cannot receive that which is not perfect. If you are not in Jesus, you cannot enter into His presence because He would have to judge your sin for which the penalty is death.

This is very similar to a man who is a father, husband, pastor, boss, friend, etc. To his children, he is a father. They depend on him for all their needs. To his spouse, he is husband. She depends on him for different things from the children and has a different relationship with him. To the congregation, he is pastor. They have a different relationship with him from the wife and the children. And so on. You can see how one person can be looked at differently and experienced differently by different people.

To many people, God is abstract. They believe He exists, but do not know Him - kind of like the President. Some know Him only as Savior. Their relationship has not grown from that point. The Jews had a special name for each relationship.

You may have called on the Holy Spirit, without ever experiencing Him. After you experience Him, it will be different. You will know His character.

And thou shalt call His name Jesus (Mt. 1:21): Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6); Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6); Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6); Holy One (Matt. 1:24); Lamb of God (John 1:29); Prince of Life (Acts 3:15); Lord God Almighty (Rev. 15:3); Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5); Root of David (Rev. 22:16); Word of Life (1 John 1:1); Author and Finisher of Our Faith (Heb. 12:2); Advocate (1 John 2:1); The Way (John 14:6); Saviour (1 Peter 2:20); Dayspring (Luke 1:78); Lord of all (Acts 10:36); I AM (John8:58); Son of God (John 1:34); Shepherd and Bishop of Souls (1 Peter 2:25); Messiah (John 1:41); The Truth (John 14:6); Chief Cornerstone (Eph. 2:20); King of Kings (Rev. 19:16); Righteous Judge (2 Tim. 4:8); Light of The World (John 8:12); Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22); Morning Star (Rev. 22:16); Jesus Christ (Acts 15:11); Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4); Resurrection and Life (John 11:25); Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69); Governor (Matt. 2:6); The Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8); Son of God; Son of Man; Son of Mary: Son of Joseph; Nazarene; Everlasting Father; Emmanuel; Rabbi; Rabboni; Lily of the Valley; Rose of Sharon; Friend; The Vine; Anointed; Jesus of Nazareth; Man of Sorrows; My Beloved; Son; King of Glory; Lord of Lords; Lord; Light; The Door; The Life; Master; Teacher;

These are some of the names of Jesus. We can see that many aspects of His character are expressed in these names.

John 14: 13&14, tells us "And whatever you ask in My Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it." John 16:24 "Until now you have asked for nothing in My Name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full."

Ask in His Name. What does this mean? When a youngster was asked what "In the Name of Jesus" meant, he replied - "Roger, over and out". He probably said this because we usually end our prayers with this phrase.

There is nothing wrong with ending your prayers with "In the Name of Jesus", but asking "In the Name of Jesus" means more than just saying in the Name at the end of a prayer. It means asking in the character and authority of Jesus.

When a policeman says "Stop in the name of the law", He is saying, stop in the name of what he is representing. He was given authority to do this. If you do not respond, he has the backing of many more policemen, judges, etc, to accomplish what he is stating.

Matthew 18:20 tells us "For where two or three have gathered together in My Name, there I am in their midst." How do you gather in a name? If you gather to praise and worship God, you are gathering in His Name. When you gather in love to help, you are gathered in His Name.

Matthew 19:29 Jesus tells us, "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children of farms for My Name's sake, shall receive many times as much, and shall inherit eternal life. If it means leaving your home and being alienated from you family to follow the leading of the Lord, you have done it for His Name's sake.

In Matthew 21:9 The multitudes are following Jesus and saying blessed is He who comes in The Name of the Lord. Jesus came to die in the Name of the Lord. When you do something in obedience to and love for the Lord, you are doing it in his name.

Matthew 28:18,19 "Go (going in Greek) Therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in (into in Greek) The Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit," (Move them from the realm of the world into the realm of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.).

James 4:3 says "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures." We are not to ask to fulfill our will, but His.

1 John 5:14 "And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." HIS WILL.

In Isaiah 6:1-7, Isaiah saw Seraphim above the Lord calling out "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts. The whole earth is full of His glory." When Isaiah saw the holiness of the Lord, he realized that he was a man of unclean lips. A Seraphim touched Isaiah's lips with a burning coal and told him that his iniquity was taken away and his sin taken away.

The very essence of sin is not putting The Name first. When God reveals his holiness to you, you see just how unclean you really are.

After you have had fellowship with a person for a long time you know how they will respond. You know what their tastes are. You know how they think. This is especially true of a spouse. With Christ it is no different. The longer you have fellowship with Him, the easier it is to know His will for each decision. It becomes easier to ask in His Name and when you ask in His Name, if you are a Christian, you have authority.

I have heard some people who have been Christians for twenty years get up in front of a prayer meeting and ask for what they already had. They didn't know that they had it. That's as bad as not having it.

Find out who you are in Christ and start asking in His Name so that God's will - will be done on earth.

"In Jesus's Name." AMEN.