JESUS—WHAT DOES THAT NAME MEAN TO YOU?
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Jesus - the Name above all names - the Name that evokes very different
responses in different people. Some people love to hear that Name; some
hate it and use it as a curse word. Demons fear and tremble at that
Name. What does that Name mean to you? How do you respond to the Name
and person of Jesus Christ?
John the Baptist and Elizabeth:
As
a baby, in his mother's womb, John recognized the presence of Jesus and
responded by moving in his mother's belly. The anointing of the Holy
Spirit came on Elizabeth and she rejoiced with Mary at what God had
done in her, because she, herself, had experienced a great miracle –
she was pregnant after many years of barrenness. Elizabeth recognized
the Baby in Mary's womb as the fulfillment of God's promise to save His
people.
And at that time Mary arose and went with haste into the
hill country to a town of Judah, 40 And she went to the house of
Zachariah and, entering it, saluted Elizabeth. 41 And it occurred that
when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and
Elizabeth was filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit. 42 And she
cried out with a loud cry, and then exclaimed, Blessed (favored of God)
above all other women are you! And blessed (favored of God) is the
Fruit of your womb! Luke 1:39-42 AMP
The shepherds:
The
shepherds in the field were minding their own business when they had a
visitation from angels, which initially scared them out of their wits,
but after the angel told them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring
you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people. For to
you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the
Messiah) the Lord!" they went to see Mary and Joseph and the baby,
Jesus. From there, they went out and told everyone what they had seen.
They testified about the angels and the baby - born a Savior, the
promised Messiah - and people were astounded and they marveled at what
the shepherds told them. (Luke 2:8-20)
Simeon and Anna:
Now
there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was
righteous and devout [cautiously and carefully observing the divine
Law], and looking for the Consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit
was upon him. 26 And it had been divinely revealed (communicated) to
him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen
the Lord's Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed one). 27 And prompted by
the [Holy] Spirit, he came into the temple [enclosure]; and when the
parents brought in the little child Jesus to do for Him what was
customary according to the Law, 28[Simeon] took Him up in his arms and
praised and thanked God and said, 29 And now, Lord, You are releasing
Your servant to depart (leave this world) in peace, according to Your
word. 30 For with my [own] eyes I have seen Your Salvation, 31 Which
You have ordained and prepared before (in the presence of) all peoples,
32 A Light for revelation to the Gentiles [to disclose what was before
unknown] and [to bring] praise and honor and glory to Your people
Israel. Luke 2:25-32 AMP
Simeon recognized the Messiah because
he was looking for Him. When he saw Him, the anointing of the Holy
Spirit came on him and he knew this was the Savior of the world! He
prophesied to Jesus' parents what the future would bring and then he
told God that he was ready to depart this world in peace, because God's
promise had been fulfilled. Anna, a very old widow woman, who never
went out from the temple enclosure, because she worshiped God night and
day with fasting and prayer, also saw the baby Jesus and rejoiced with
Simeon and gave thanks to God. She told everyone, who was looking for
the redemption of Israel, about Jesus. (Luke 2:25-38)
The wise men from the east:
Wise
men, from the east, followed a star to find the One born King of the
Jews. They obviously knew of God's promise and sought its fulfillment,
unlike the religious leaders of the day, who despised Jesus and sought
to destroy Him. When they found the place Jesus was, they rejoiced with
exceeding great joy; they were thrilled with ecstatic joy! They fell
down and worshipped Him. They gave Him, and His parents, very expensive
gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:1-12) It does not
matter who you are, or what family or what denomination you were born
into. It only matters that you have a heart after God and that you
recognizes Him when you see Him and that you honor Him for Who He is.
Herod and the religious leaders:
Herod
tried to kill Him once; the religious leaders tried a few times - all
unsuccessfully – until He laid down His own life. They all saw Him as a
threat to their power and their leadership. Because they were arrogant
and power-hungry, they missed their own opportunity to receive
salvation.
The people:
The people mostly came around Jesus
to receive things for themselves, but they let Him go to the cross
alone. They acted selfishly. What has Jesus done for you? Think about
it and then ask yourself this: How much do you love, honor and
appreciate Jesus? What does He mean to you and what are you doing for
Him?
Recent:
Righteous Now
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP
“Therefore if any man be in Christ…” What does it mean to be “in Christ”? Galatians 3:27 says, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” You are baptized into Christ when you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9-10 says, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” And Romans 10:13 says, “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” The moment
Defeating Strife
These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19 AMP
Faith Facts
Faith is persistent
Luke 11:9-10 AMP
So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.
John 16:24 AMP
Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name [as presenting all that I AM]; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.
Faith is single-minded
James 1:5-8 AMP
If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. 6 Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the