The Power of a Name

Jesus Gives Us Access to Everything

Text: Luke 2:11-14; Romans 5:1-2, 9-11, 20-21

Two thousand years ago, an army of angelic warriors appeared to a group of humble shepherds who were watching their sheep on a cold night outside Bethlehem with a message for the Shepherds to proclaim to the world—“Peace has arrived on Earth!” (Luke 2:14)

The birth they announced meant that “Peace/Shalom” had come to a world ravaged by sin and in open hostility toward God! And the Peace that God is announcing is one that has not been seen in the world or among the nations since Genesis 1-2! But what motivated God to establish this peace (shalom)? Why would the God of Heaven announce a peace He was orchestrating to a world that was hostile to his nature, bent on rejecting his authority, and in open rebellion to His will?

The answer is in the second part of the announcement God sent through this cohort of Angelic Warriors – “Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward Men!” God is orchestrating a peace on earth that He intends to extend to all men (all nations), and He is doing so because of His favor/kindness toward men (εὐδοκίαν).

And this “shalom” and this “kindness” from God toward a world broken by sin is manifested in the arrival of a Savior who is Christ the Lord! And his name is Jesus! Through his obedient life and death, Jesus would redeem and rescue an ancient race, restore creation by reversing an ancient curse, and release men from the bondage of sin and death by defeating and removing an ancient enemy. This is the big Gospel – a gospel with God at the center and His glory as its chief end!

All of human history centers on one human being. All of God’s purposes are accomplished through one particular individual. The eternal destiny of every human being on the planet hinges on their relationship to one man. And the fullness of our Christian experience in every relationship and venue of life is shaped by our relationship to Jesus Christ. This is why Paul reminds us that everything we have received from God and the very ground we stand on before God have come to us through one person – Jesus Christ Our Lord (5:1, 11, 21)!

And so, as we end our Advent series, it is fitting that we end with a message on the beauty and power of the name of the One through whom we have received such wonderful, transformational blessings!

This morning, I want us to look at the implications of the three descriptive names Paul ascribes to Jesus in this chapter and end with one very personal application each of us must make in our lives.

I. His Personal Name, Jesus: He Redeemed an Ancient Race and Saves His People from their Sins

This is the Hebrew name “Joshua,” meaning “YHWH Saves/Delivers.”
The Angel gave Joseph the reason God wanted him to name this particular baby “Jesus on the day Joseph legally adopted him – “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins!” (Matt. 1:21).
But how can he save His people from their sins?

A. Because of Who He is Among Us

Son of Adam – “Jesus” came as the Son God promised to send through Eve. He came as the 2nd Adam and, like Adam, served as a second divinely appointed representative. Adam disobeyed, and everyone born through him was born in sin and under the penalty of death. This second Adam obeyed, and everyone born again through him is made righteous and receives eternal life.
Son of God – Joseph was also told that Jesus would be identified as “Immanuel,” fulfilling Isaiah’s ancient promise that one day God Himself would save His people by blotting out their transgressions and forgetting their sins (Isaiah 43:25; 44:22) and that He would dwell with them (Isaiah 7:14).

B. Because of What He has Done for Us

Jesus personally rendered the perfect righteousness commanded by the Law, which Adam broke. (5:18)
Jesus permanently satisfied the penalty demanded by the Law, in Adam’s place (3:23-26).

II. His Covenant Name, Christ: He is Reversing an Ancient Curse and is Restoring Creation to its Original Purpose and State

A. He fulfills all of God’s covenant promises!

Adam – I will redeem you from Sin’s penalty and rescue you from Sin’s power!
Noah – I will reverse the curse on Creation.
Abraham – I will restore “blessing” (shalom and tov) to the nations through you and your seed (descendant/descendants)
Moses – I will fulfill all of My righteousness for you through a Prophet I will send to you.
David – I will elevate my chosen people, Israel, and through them I will rule the nations in righteousness, peace, and blessing through your descendant!
Jeremiah – I will wash away your moral defilement and give you a new heart (inner man) that internally hungers and thirsts after My righteousness!

In Jesus, all of God’s promises are “Yes!” – which means they are fulfilled (2 Cor. 1:20). Jesus is God’s “yes” to you and me!

B. He accomplishes all of God’s eternal purposes!

1. To bring about the obedience of faith among the Gentiles (Romans 1:5; 15:18; 16:25-27).

Romans 1:5 . . . through whom (Christ) we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,
Romans 15:18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed,
Romans 16:25–27 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

2. To regather and restore all things to their original creation status (Ephesians 1:7-10).

Ephesians 1:7–10 In him (Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

III. His Royal Name, Lord: He Rule and Reigns over All Because He has defeated and will one day remove an Ancient Enemy (Rom 16:20)

A. Listen to what Isaiah predicted in Isaiah 9:6-7:
Isaiah 9:6–7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

B. Listen to what the Angel said to Mary in Luke 1:32-33:
Luke 1:32–33 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

C. Listen to what Paul announced in Romans 16:20:
Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

D. Listen to what God announces in Philippians 2:9-11:
Philippians 2:9–11 Therefore (in light of Christ’s humble obedience) God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

E. Listen to what John describes in Revelation 17:14 and 19:16:
Revelation 17:14 They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”
Revelation 19:16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Rome had a Savior who would deliver all those living in his empire from bondage and slavery.
Rome had a Lord – a sovereign ruler who had full and complete authority to grant life or render death to every individual.
Rome had someone they believed to be the son of their gods.
His name was Caesar, and he ruled over the nations with might and established peace (pax romana) and maintained it by the brutal, unbending force of the Roman army.
BUT … throughout the cities and countries that were part of His empire and under His authority, there lived a growing number of people who gave allegiance to a different Lord, enjoyed a much greater peace, and experienced much richer blessings than any Caesar could afford! And their Lord was Jesus Christ!

Which brings us to an important application found in the little word “our” that Paul attaches to the titles of Jesus.

Conclusion: Through Jesus Christ Our Lord

This little word changes everything because it is how we gain access to all the benefits that come through Jesus Christ. They are available to all, but they are granted only to those who belong to Him and own Him as their Lord!

Do we belong to him? Have we turned from our sins and turned to him for forgiveness and righteousness that leads to eternal life?
Do we own him as our King? Do we openly and unashamedly identify as His loyal subjects?
Do we love him with all of our heart? Do we render undivided allegiance to Him?
Do we eagerly submit to him as our Lord? Do we obey Him?
Do we live for him with all of our lives? Are we shaped by and do we live for his values, his priorities, and his purposes?
Are we being transformed into His image by reading and striving to understand His Words that renew our thinking and reshape us into His likeness?

Luke 6:46 Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?

The Power of a Name

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