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Matthew 16:13-19
Message No. 0691 | Twitter @GodandUs | www.wisdom-speaks.ca
I've observed many of the names given to children in our societies today and I see a gradual departure from the past when names had meanings. Sometimes I see people name their children Python, Cricket, Hellzel, and even Lucifer. Ultimately, these names have meanings, too, but when you look at some meanings, it is easy for someone who hears them to say, wait a minute, what did you say the name is? While some names may sound weird, it is a challenge to figure out why someone would name his or her child Lucifer.
The names given in the Bible all have meanings. When you dig into the meanings, you are likely to see after the name, ‘because...’ which means these names are given because of what the parents expect the children to do or become or portray. For example, when the birth of John was foretold, the angel said, “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord…many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.”
When the birth of Jesus was foretold, His names were clearly spelled out, and each of them has meanings depicting what He would be or do. Jesus means ‘Savior’ because He was coming to the world to save us from our sins and to turn us back to the original reason why God created us. Emmanuel means ‘God with us’ because Jesus is God and He only came in the flesh to look like us so He could communicate at our level and live in our midst. When he was departing this earth after His resurrection, He still reiterated the fact that He is with us always (Matthew 28:20).
Throughout His time on earth, Jesus was going about doing good, setting people free from their sicknesses and delivering them from oppression and breaking the chains with which the enemy had bound them for decades. He was nothing but what His names said He would be. He was the Messiah and the Christ (the anointed One). He gave His life that we all may live. It is no wonder than when Jesus asked His disciples whom they thought He was, Peter answered in Matthew 16:16, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Because Jesus lived up to the expectation of His names, and much more, God elevated His name as seen in Philippians 2:9-11:
Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 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, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Not only did God elevate the name of Jesus in this manner, He also ensured that everyone who would come to Him (God), would have to pass through that name (Jesus). Because in Acts chapter 4 verse 12, the Bible says:
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Jesus Christ is the Messiah (Luke 2:11), the Savior (Matthew 1:21), the Deliverer (Psalm 34:17), the Healer (Matthew 9:35), the anointed One (Isaiah 61:1-3), the only Way to God (John 14:6). He is the Provider (Philippians 4:19), the Helper (Psalm28:7) and the Defender (Psalm 18:1-2), and much more. Do you depend on something else? Have you not noticed how disappointing those other sources are? Jesus is your only sure Savior and Deliverer. Him alone will all other names bow down to. If you are yet to know Him, please surrender your life to Him today. He is the only source of peace, every other source is a huge waste of time.
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PLEASE ACT NOW:
If you are yet to give your life to Christ, you do not have a covenant with God and His promises do not apply to you. To come under these promises, please surrender your life to Christ today, by praying this prayer:
Lord I know that I am a sinner and I am unable to save myself. I am sorry for my sins and I pray that you please forgive me. I am aware that Your Son Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my Lord and savior. I surrender my life unto you from this moment. Please take control of my entire being and help me to be obedient to your Word, going forward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing me. I have prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed the foregoing prayer, you have just been born again. Please find a Bible believing church in your area and ask to see the pastor. Let him or her know that you have just given your life to Christ and s/he will guide you on next steps in your journey as a child of God. The Lord bless you!
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