<<THROWBACK SERMON: December 13, 2007 (Rockport, IN)>>
God wants you to receive your miracle tonight (Word of the Lord to me on 12-9-07):
They came from distant lands and around the block. They traveled by foot, land, and sea. They spent money they didn’t have to get to a place where they could worship and sacrifice to God. They did it every year, but this year was different. God was pouring out His Spirit in Jerusalem on Pentecost. Many heard the noise and received, but the majority didn’t. Don’t come all this way and receive nothing. Don’t allow ritual to get in the way of your Holy Ghost appointed miracle.
“The devil may be out to defeat you, but God is out to defeat the devil.”[1]
In fact, He has already done more than that: “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 Jn. 3:8).
Jesus Christ has all power (Mt. 28:18, “…All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”) and we have access to that power through the Name of Jesus.
Acts 3:4-7
4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
“Look on us” – – you’ve got to be focused to receive your miracle. This is the way to deal with people in pain and in need of the touch of God. Get their attention. You have what they need. You have JESUS!
Give your total attention to Jesus and look Him in the eyes with eyes of faith and expectation. Get so close to Him that you don’t see anybody else, hear anyone else, or are aware of anyone but Him. Strive to only hear and see Jesus.
Peter and John had everything they needed to minister to the man. They had a Name: It was stronger than the devil’s name – It’s stronger than your problem – Greater than your need – More intoxicating than your pain
That name is Jesus!
That Name is higher than any other name and it “is holy, harmless, undefiled…and made higher than the heavens” (Heb.7:26).
Philippians 2:9-11, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Only the Name of Jesus can heal you and make whole that lameness in your spirit, soul, or body.
Why is there so much power in the Name of Jesus? T.W. Barnes believed that this was so because:
- His Word is in it – John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word…”
- His Blood is in it – Jesus is a blood name that redeems all people from sin and the effects of sin (sickness, disease, mental disorders).
- His Spirit is in it – The Holy Ghost that you received when you spoke in tongues the first time was that Spirit of Christ in you.
- The authority of heaven is in it – All power in Heaven and earth belongs to Jesus Christ.
- His faith is in it – He made every by the power of His own Word. He spoke it and it happened.[2]
When we speak the name of Jesus the devil sees all these things coming at him and he runs. Satan cannot stand against the Name of JESUS.
Aren’t you tired of shouting and nothing happens? Do you ever “Amen” the preacher but no change happens in your life? Are you aware of the people all around you every day in need of this Name and not experiencing the power of Jesus, His Blood, mercy, the Holy Ghost?
Put the name into Action!
According to T.W. Barnes, many people pronounce the name of Jesus without really knowing how to say it. He specified four ways to say the name of Jesus:
- Say it with love; the early church had great success, because they loved not their lives, they loved that Name. Love is powerful. Their love gave them reverence for the Name
- Say it with vision. Say it seeing the invisible. A woman said, “I resist the devil and he doesn’t leave.” Bro. Barnes asked her, “What do you look for? The Bible doesn’t say resist him and see him sitting on your shoulder; when you resist him you should see him running. The devil no doubt left you when you said in Jesus Name, but since you did not expect him to go, your thinking made you as miserable as if he stayed with you.”
- Say His name with faith. Religious leaders in Israel asked the disciples, “How did you heal the man crippled from his mother’s womb?” Peter answered, “…by the name of Jesus Christ…”
- Say it while living a life of sacrifice. The disciples sacrificed everything for that name. We need to love it enough that no sacrifice is too great to make for Jesus.[3]
We’ve go to learn to put that name in action. All that man needed once the Name was spoken into his life was for somebody to put it into action and help him get to his feet so he could stand, walk, and leap.
There are people in the church and in the world who need you to speak the right name into their life.
That name is JESUS!
Reach out your hand in faith, call upon that Name, and place your confidence on Jesus, not the person praying for you.
Place your trust in Jesus and He will heal your sickness/lameness, He’ll strengthen you in your areas of weakness and give you boldness.
[1] Jakes, T.D. (1997). So You Call Yourself A Man? Bethany House Publishers: Bloomington, MN. p. 40. (**Much of this is taken from pages 56-58 as well**)
[2] Freeman, Nona. (2007). A Prophet in our Time.
[3] Ibid.
The Pillar and Ground of Truth 