Post by Zac Loh on Dec 2, 2008 7:03:44 GMT -5
THE NAME OF JESUS
Acts 3:1 - 4:13
Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." (Acts 3:6)
Peter ministered in the name of Jesus, and a miracle happened. We also bear the name of Jesus. But we rarely experience such a magnitude of a miracle as Peter had. What made the difference with Peter?
It appears to me, Peter’s only asset was the name of Jesus, as he went out to minister. Silver and gold, he had none. Peter’s only reliance was the name of Jesus. His total dependence was on the name of Jesus. The name of Jesus was His ministry asset.
Often, our reliance is scattered all over the place: we have too many ministry tools and practical back-ups.
We have other securities, other than the name of Jesus.
And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. (Acts 3:16)
Many know of the name of Jesus. Well, the problem is that there is a myriad of people who verbalize His name while very few knew His name intimately.
The power lies in knowing His name intimately …by knowing Him intimately.
There were many who were named Jesus in history past. There still is many today whose name is Jesus (especially in Mexico).
But there was only one person Jesus of Nazareth who is Messiah and God.
Who can bear His name and exhibit real divine authority? Who can speak His name and see the power of God? The answer: those who know Him intimately because His name represents His person, His nature, His position, His authority, His power.
Being with Him means His attributes …that is His person, His nature, His power, His position, His authority …WILL RUB-OFF ON US.
To be legally endowed with His authority and power …is one thing.
But being ourselves in the presence of the King of Kings Himself …means we will be convinced and motivated.
Study the military or police, and you will know that there are effective if they are convinced of their cause and motivated to do their job. Otherwise, you will have mutiny, rebellion, coup and corruption.
Peter did not merely know the name of Jesus, he knew Jesus intimately. Peter walked, talked, ate, slept and ministered with Jesus for about 3 years. They had more than casual friendship. They had intimate relationship.
So, faith doesn't come by just knowing about the name of Jesus. When faith is imparted by God, the name of Jesus is spirit and life.
Faith is spirit (2 Corinthians 4:13). Therefore, the faith inherent in the divine name of Jesus is imparted into us by the Holy Spirit.
We will speak the name of Jesus by the breath of God (John 20:22).
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, "By what power or by what name have you done this?" (Acts 4:7)
Peter and John did not have written authorization from Jesus. More than that, Jesus Himself did not have endorsement from the religious authority of the day i.e. from the Jewish rulers, elders and scribes themselves.
On the contrary, Jesus was an objectionable figure. The name of Jesus would have been repulsive to these lame duck religious powers.
Peter and John weren’t ashamed of the name of Jesus. They weren’t concerned with officialdom. They weren’t afraid to proclaim and bear witness to the name of Jesus …right there in the temple, right in front before these powers that be.
We want the divine power that comes with the name of Jesus? Are we bold enough? Peter and John staked it all in the name of Jesus. They put their very lives on that name.
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)
To the assessment of the religious authority of the day, the only credentials Peter and John had, was that they had been with Jesus.
Let us then minister from the presence of Jesus. Let us spend time in the presence of Jesus. Power is entrusted when we are willing to devote ourselves to Him.
The disciples had left someone precious, something of value, to be with Jesus.
Not for mere moments in time, but over 3 years for about 120 of them who lingered when the power came.
Acts 3:1 - 4:13
Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." (Acts 3:6)
Peter ministered in the name of Jesus, and a miracle happened. We also bear the name of Jesus. But we rarely experience such a magnitude of a miracle as Peter had. What made the difference with Peter?
It appears to me, Peter’s only asset was the name of Jesus, as he went out to minister. Silver and gold, he had none. Peter’s only reliance was the name of Jesus. His total dependence was on the name of Jesus. The name of Jesus was His ministry asset.
Often, our reliance is scattered all over the place: we have too many ministry tools and practical back-ups.
We have other securities, other than the name of Jesus.
And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. (Acts 3:16)
Many know of the name of Jesus. Well, the problem is that there is a myriad of people who verbalize His name while very few knew His name intimately.
The power lies in knowing His name intimately …by knowing Him intimately.
There were many who were named Jesus in history past. There still is many today whose name is Jesus (especially in Mexico).
But there was only one person Jesus of Nazareth who is Messiah and God.
Who can bear His name and exhibit real divine authority? Who can speak His name and see the power of God? The answer: those who know Him intimately because His name represents His person, His nature, His position, His authority, His power.
Being with Him means His attributes …that is His person, His nature, His power, His position, His authority …WILL RUB-OFF ON US.
To be legally endowed with His authority and power …is one thing.
But being ourselves in the presence of the King of Kings Himself …means we will be convinced and motivated.
Study the military or police, and you will know that there are effective if they are convinced of their cause and motivated to do their job. Otherwise, you will have mutiny, rebellion, coup and corruption.
Peter did not merely know the name of Jesus, he knew Jesus intimately. Peter walked, talked, ate, slept and ministered with Jesus for about 3 years. They had more than casual friendship. They had intimate relationship.
So, faith doesn't come by just knowing about the name of Jesus. When faith is imparted by God, the name of Jesus is spirit and life.
Faith is spirit (2 Corinthians 4:13). Therefore, the faith inherent in the divine name of Jesus is imparted into us by the Holy Spirit.
We will speak the name of Jesus by the breath of God (John 20:22).
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, "By what power or by what name have you done this?" (Acts 4:7)
Peter and John did not have written authorization from Jesus. More than that, Jesus Himself did not have endorsement from the religious authority of the day i.e. from the Jewish rulers, elders and scribes themselves.
On the contrary, Jesus was an objectionable figure. The name of Jesus would have been repulsive to these lame duck religious powers.
Peter and John weren’t ashamed of the name of Jesus. They weren’t concerned with officialdom. They weren’t afraid to proclaim and bear witness to the name of Jesus …right there in the temple, right in front before these powers that be.
We want the divine power that comes with the name of Jesus? Are we bold enough? Peter and John staked it all in the name of Jesus. They put their very lives on that name.
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)
To the assessment of the religious authority of the day, the only credentials Peter and John had, was that they had been with Jesus.
Let us then minister from the presence of Jesus. Let us spend time in the presence of Jesus. Power is entrusted when we are willing to devote ourselves to Him.
The disciples had left someone precious, something of value, to be with Jesus.
Not for mere moments in time, but over 3 years for about 120 of them who lingered when the power came.