Jesus (Matthew 1:21)

 

-People in your field pursue philosophy, science, religions, money, success, and others in order to resolve their emptiness, anxiety, and dread. More they concentrate upon these method, worse they have a spiritual thirsty and agony. Why are nonbelievers wandering in the world? It is because they do not know what true problems is and what true solution for them is.

Matthew 12:43-45 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44 Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”

-Because they do not know the fundamental problems (sin, separation from God, slaves of Satan), people have fallen into religions that cannot resolve the original sin and have more severe spiritual afflictions. Eventually, they cannot know the gospel of Jesus Christ to save them from fundamental problems.

 

 

-Furthermore, we can see the wandering Christians in our field. Why are they wandering? It is because they lost their spiritual identity, blessing, authority in the gospel. They ignore the importance of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Also, they naturally do not receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit through the Word. They live in the world without the Word of God.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

-In the dark world, we need the lamp and the light of the Word.

-From today passage, let us know deeply and believe correctly who Jesus is.

 

1.Who is Jesus?

1)Jesus is a name. 

-A name has a specific meaning. Most parents spend many time to compose a name for their child. In the Bible, a name represents a being. Especially, God’s name shows us who He is. Therefore, to know the meaning of Jesus is very significant to understand who He is.

-The meaning of Jesus can be connected to the “Savior.”

Matthew 1:21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. 
-The name of Jesus testifies that He became the flesh to save His people.

 

①Jesus saved us from the past problem 

Ephesians 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,

-Jesus resolved the problem of sins (original sin and actual sin) on the cross. He took our all sins on the cross (Isa.53:6).

 

②Jesus saved us from the present problem 

Ephesians 2:2  in which (trespasses and sins) you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,

-Because of sin, people became the slaves of Satan in this world (John 8:44; John16:11). They are under the power of Satan in the world. However, Jesus Christ destroyed the works of Satan through His death and resurrection (Heb.2:14-15; 1John 3:8).

 

③Jesus saved us from the future problem

Ephesians 2:6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

-Because of sin and their spiritual identity, children of the devil, they will go to hell where is prepared for the devil and evil spirits (Matt.25:41).

 

 

2)We will receive salvation in Jesus’ name

①If anyone calls on the name of Jesus Christ, he will receive salvation 

Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass That  whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.

-In the midst of his sermon, Peter proclaimed this biblical passage to the Jewish people who listened to the message. After someone listened to the correct Gospel, he/she can call on Jesus’ name as their confession. 

Romans 10:9-10 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. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

②In Jesus Christ, we are free from the law of death and sin

Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

-Everyone is under the power of sin and death because he/she is a sinner (Rom.3:10,23). They cannot overcome the power of death because they have only one life on earth. They cannot resolve their sin problem because they have only one life. In order to remit sin, the Bible tells that the life must be taken (Lev.17:11; Heb.9:22)

 

③If anyone is in Jesus Christ, the old things passed away

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

-In Jesus Christ, everyone becomes a child of God who restores the image of God. To believe in and confess Jesus’ name lead Christians into tremendous blessings of God.

 

2.Let us use the authority of Jesus’ name

1)Pray in Jesus’ name

①Jesus’ name is the key of heaven to open all the closed door

Matthew 16:19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

-Jesus gives the keys of the kingdom of heaven to those who confess that Jesus is the Christ.

 

②Jesus’ name is the name to receive answers to prayer 

John 14:14  If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

-If we ask according to God’s will, we will absolutely receive answers from God (1 John 5:14).

 

 

2)Command in Jesus’ name

①All problems and creation kneel down before Jesus’ name

-Why do all creation kneel down before Jesus Christ? It is because He is the Creator and the Almighty God the Son. Therefore, the name of Jesus has the power to overcome all creations.

Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

②Evil spirits surrender before Jesus’ name

Luke 10:17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”

-Evil spirits are afraid of Jesus’ name. Use the name of Jesus Christ to break down the force of darkness in your field.

 

 

3)Save others through Jesus’ name

①By Jesus’ name, we will save the sick

Acts 3:6 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.”

-Peter healed the crippled man through the proclamation of Jesus’ name. Pray in Jesus’ name for the sick (James 5:15).

 

②By Jesus’ name we will share the Gospel and save others

Romans 10:14-15 How then shall they call on Him (Jesus) in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? ¹⁵ And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

 

Conclusion

1)Be the person who believes in Jesus Christ!

-In our field, there are many people who have a portion of knowledge about Jesus. However, most of them misunderstand who Jesus is and do not believe in Him whom the Bible explains.

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name

-Become the person who really believes in Jesus and uses the name of Jesus!