St. Paul’s Sermon 2004

The Fifth Sunday of Pentecost - July 4, 2004

Lessons: Isaiah 66:10-14; Galatians 6:1-16; Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

“In the Same Name”

Introduction:

5,000 years ago, a document was proved to be real because it carried the name of the King on a special seal. The name made the difference.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

A credit card has to have the right signature- or it won’t work. The clerk checks; if the name is right, it works.

It’s the name.

I) The Name- Biblical background

A) In the Old Testament, the Hebrew concept of name is very clear. The name gives access; covenant.

-Moses- burning bush- asks God- Name? I AM!

-LORD says ‘YAHWEH’- why? Because it meant he could be called upon.

-Eg: Today we use email addresses- one person on

the globe owns that address- hard to get ahold of- when you give it to someone- gives them access. YAHWEH gives Moses his name- Like giving somebody your email address- it gave Moses direct access.

- Sign of the covenant- in a covenant- either party

could call upon the name of the other for help.

B) Name YHWH

-84 times OT says “Name of the LORD”

Battles are won, altars are built, worship is led, people are blessed; prophets speak- all these actions are places where YHWH interacts with his people- he meets them as they call on his name.

-NT- Jesus makes clear that he has been given that same name-

-Joel 2:32 : And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; To call upon the NAME is to come and trust in YHWH

Jesus’ name in Hebrew: Yehoshua- “YHWH is salvation.” Jesus is YHWH, working to bring us salvation. So Jesus’ name is a longer version, a fuller revelation of the God of the OT. He tells us that it’s the same name:

John 17:12

While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled.

-The Gospel of John teaches us the most about the Name of Jesus- twenty times*

-Rest of the NT - Just about everything that happens is “in the Name of Jesus” - 33 more times!**

OK Pastor, so what? You can count or play on your computer- why are you telling us all this?

II) The Name - The Power of Promises

The stuff that happens always happens because of the NAME. It’s the NAME that does the work. It gives the access. It’s the name on the blank check.

When the disciples come back from seeing the power of God- they say it all happened in the NAME of Jesus. It’s the NAME:

John 14:13-14 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.

John 15:16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.

III) The Name- The Practical Outcome

- So we pray in the name of Jesus- only In the NAME of Jesus

- It’s not the act of praying that makes it happen

- It’s the NAME- that is literally the key- it’s because of Jesus

- It’s prayer that becomes his prayer to the Father.

- His full authority

- Most powerful force in the universe-

- ALL AUTHORITY- 18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Several times lately I’ve been in prayer situations with our members, and heard them pray all the way through, without ever saying it in the name of Jesus. Jesus says very clearly that we are to ask these things only “In his Name.” So, as we pray, we clearly ask these things of the Father in the Name of Jesus. That’s the only authority we have for prayer, and nothing in the NT is clearer than that.

We don’t pray in the name of ourselves; we don’t pray to God in God’s name; we don’t pray in our parent’s name- the password, the key, the signature is only the NAME of Jesus.

Why?

1) That’s what he told us.

2) He has the authority

3) So when the prayer is answered we and all the

world sees what Name works! - to glorify the Name of Jesus!

In the Name of Jesus and that Name only we have-

-Salvation Acts 4:12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved."

-Authority over the demons, the Devil and all evil.

-Authority over sickness

-Access to the Father to have our prayers answered-

All and only in Jesus’ Name.

Philip. 2:9-11

Therefore God also highly exalted him

and gave him the name

that is above every name,

[10] so that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bend,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

[11] and every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

That NAME is “JESUS.” Bearing that NAME is a precious gift. It’s your access to the Father. It’s the key to answered prayer. It’s all we need. Amen.

*John 1:12; 2:23; 3:18; 5:43; 10:25; 12:13,28; 14:13-14, 26; 15:16, 21; 16:23-24, 26; 17:6, 11-12, 26; 20:31

**Matthew 21:9; 23:39; Mark 11:9; Luke 13:35; 19:38; 12:13; Acts 2:21, 38; 3:6, 3:16; 4:10, 18; 5:40; 8:12, 16; 9:27-28; 10:48; 16:18; 19:5, 13, 17; 21:13; 26:9 ; Romans 10:13; 1 Cor. 5:4; 6:11; Philip. 2:10; Col. 3:17; 2 Thes. 3:6; 2 Tim. 2:19; James 5:10, 14

July 4, 2004 –5 Pentecost

Isaiah 66:10-14

"Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her,

all you who mourn over her. For you will nurse and be satisfied her comforting breasts;

you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance." For this is what the LORD says: "I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream;

you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem." When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of the LORD will be made known to his servants, but his fury will be shown to his foes.

Galatians 6:1-16

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

"When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

"When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God is near you.' But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 'Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.'

"He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me."

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."