What's in The Name?

They brought in the two disciples and demanded, "By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?" Acts 4:7

Peter and John had just brought healing through the name of Jesus to a lame man.  They weren't being questioned for just any name they used, but because the miracle was done through the name of Jesus.

This was more than a healing.  It was yet another direct blow to the core of the religious system that was entangling people rather than releasing them.

Some of those questioning Peter and John were Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead.  Matthew 27:52 tells us when Jesus released his spirit (when he died) the earth and tombs opened for many godly men and women who had died and were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus resurrection, went into Jerusalem and appeared to many people!

How could they continue to deny the resurrection when faced with a live 'dead person'?

Peter and John were put in prison for preaching and healing in the name of Jesus, a dead man.  Did the religious leaders really think this would stop the power and spread of the Name they were so afraid of?  Even in prison the power of the Name transcended confinement.

Children in Biblical times were named with great significance and meaning, names weren't just given because they sounded good. 

The Greek word for name in Acts 4:7 literally means everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing or remembering the name including one's rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds etc.

So what does Jesus name represent?

• He was given this specific name by God Jo17:12
• Jesus protected the disciples by the power of the name God gave him Jo 17:12
• God will grant our requests because of Jesus name Jo16:23-24
• We can go directly to Father God with our requests, no intermediary is necessary Jo16:23-24
• Salvation is only in his name Acts 2:21; 4:12
• Boldness and power come in his name Acts 4:29-30
• All will submit to and confess his name, even evil Phil 2:10-11
• His name is above every other name recognized by God and evil Phil 2:9
• All the fullness of God exists in his name Col 1:19
• The world, seen and unseen, exists and is held together through his name Col 1:15-17
• He has always existed, no beginning and no end to his name Col1:17
• His followers have his Authority over all power of the enemy through his name Luke 10:19; Acts 16:16-18
• Forgiveness of sins Luke 24:47; Acts 13:38; Galatians 1:4
• Healing comes through his name Acts 4:10
• Eternal life comes through his name 1John 5:13
• Peace in the midst of hardship John 16:33
• Deliverance from addictions Romans 6; 8:12-13

This list is not all inclusive; to be so would take volumes of books.  Rather an encouragement to realize we don't need to live a powerless and mundane life as a Jesus follower. 

In order to follow someone we need to understand who and what that person stands for. Take the responsibility and search the scriptures for yourself, look for and understand the one whose name you take (Christian).  Discover the rich and abundant life only available through the Name of Jesus Christ.  

He is either the embodiment of Truth or the best con artist the world and history has ever known.

What does his name mean to you?

           

Sack race

I loved the games we played when I was a kid, especially the sack race game.  Two people are put together; one leg from each person is put into a sack and then the bag is tied shut.  Object of the game is to work together to get to the finish line first.  To make it even more difficult two people of different sizes were often put together.  Bruises, grass stains from falling down, and sometimes even being drug along by your partner become the survival-mode of getting to the finish line!
   

Don’t know if the prophet Isaiah ever play the sack game, but he certainly describes the process in Isaiah 5:18.  What sorrow for those who drag their sins behind them with ropes made of lies, who drag wickedness behind them like a cart.

  

Amazing how some of these same games seem to weave their way into our lives as adults.  Only the game is no longer fun but instead becomes a destructive way of life. 

The ropes of deception can bind us so tightly that only when they are broken do we realize how much of a stronghold they actually were.  These ropes don’t appear overnight nor would we think we could be controlled by them.  They build with one compromise upon another usually starting with something small, something seemingly innocent.   

Ø  A “small white lie” becomes a foundation for others to build upon.

Ø  A clerk’s mistake on our bill could be seen as our “advantage”…do we say something or consider it a “blessing”? 

Ø  An innocent look that becomes easier to linger the next time (a pornographic website that pops on our computer screen or TV channel when searching).

Ø  An innocent touch that turns into a longing for someone other than our spouse. 

Ø  “If one pill helps with the pain, two will be even better”, prescription medicine turning into a habit.

Ø  A comment or action made toward us that we allow to fester in our hearts turning into hatred and/or gossip. 

Ropes of destruction become weights that hold us down and keep us back from living a life of freedom, hope and peace.  They become the binding force behind not extending mercy and grace (i.e. forgiveness) to others.  Freeing ourselves of these ropes become the avenue through which God can work in and through us to show the world who He is.   

The book of Isaiah is filled with the Israelites getting caught in these ropes of bondage and God’s responses.

Isaiah 30:1, 12-13, 15,18 (NLT) “What sorrow awaits my rebellious children,”
says the Lord…“Because you despise what I tell you and trust instead in oppression and lies, calamity will come upon you suddenly—like a bulging wall that bursts and falls. In an instant it will collapse and come crashing down…”

“Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength…”

So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion.
For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help. 

How then do we get out of this cycle?  We cannot do this on our own. 

     First: Admit, stop hiding and recognize what your rope of destruction is.  People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.  (Proverbs 28:13)

     Second:  Repent.  Simply put, do a complete 180◦ about face turn.  But don’t just turn, RUN from those ropes.  Ask for forgiveness from God and possibly those you have wronged.  So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. (Isaiah 30:18)  God pursues us and longs to show us His love and compassion even when others won’t.

     Third:  Find a Christ follower who will hold you accountable.  Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. (2 Timothy 2:22)

     Finally:  Wait on the Lord.  Let God’s Word (the Bible) be the foundation you build upon. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 

Games don’t have to stop when we “grow-up.”  We just need to remember to keep the ropes where they belong.