Your God Given Right to Use Jesus Name Now and Forever

In today’s podcast, your God given right to using Jesus Name is our focus. Jesus Name and His works go hand in hand. Miracles can occur because of the use of Jesus Name. On this thought of miracles, I know we have hit this from multiple angles. How about we take another shot at this but from the negative point of view. Have you ever thought, Why are there so many false miracles that are claimed by almost all religions (non-Christians and pseudo-Christians)? Similarly, Why are there so many false revelations (“God spoke to me”)? Could it not be possible that there are false miracles and revelations because there is one real miracle worker (God) who does authentic miracles for His purposes? Just as there can’t be a shadow without light shining through a real object to make the shadow, there must be true miracles that are mimicked by false miracles. And there would be no “knockoff” drugs to imitate the real drugs if the real drugs didn’t exist. Could it be that there are so many false religions because there is a truer one? Therefore, we can’t conclude that there are no true miracles because there are so many false ones. On the contrary, we must say the opposite: There are true miracles because there are so many false ones.¹ I think that’s well said. The existence of the false indicates that there has to be a real. Your God Given Right to Use Jesus Name Now and Forever, is what we are covering today all on this week’s Light on Life.

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Each week’s podcast contains a call to action. The Word of God will not produce in your life unless you put it into operation.
This week’s call is:

Faith in the Name means faith in the nature and character of Jesus. Will you allow the Lord to use you to do the works of Jesus in His Name?

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Testimony is vital to a believer’s life. We overcome by it (Rev. 12:11). Each week’s podcast also contains a question designed to encourage testimony.
This week’s question is:

Question: Do you have a God story where the use of Jesus Name is concerned? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Episode Resources:

If you would like to know more about growing in faith, see the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

We are currently teaching in the Gospel of John. You can click on the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

About Emery

Emery committed his life to the Lord Jesus Christ over 47 years ago and has served as both a full-time pastor and an itinerant minister. He and his wife Sharon of 42 years emphasize personal growth and development through the Word of God. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is the focus and the hallmark of their mission. Read more about them here.

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Podcast Notes

Prayer

Well, again welcome.
Let’s pray.

Father God, thank you for the use of the Name of Jesus. We thank you for all that the Name means and for the power that’s in it. We give you the praise and glory for it in Jesus Name.

Using Jesus Name: Ananias

John 14:12–14 (ESV) — 12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

In a previous podcast, we began talking about how the early Church did the works of Jesus.
You see, that’s what John 14:12 says.
The works of Jesus are defined as preaching, teaching, and healing — that’s Matthew 4:23–24.

Matthew 4:23–24 (ESV) – 23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them.

The healing portion of the works of Jesus are blown up in Matthew eleven.

Matthew 11:1–5 (ESV) — 11:1 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. 2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.

Now picking up the thread in Acts 1:1.

Acts 1:1–2 (ESV) — 1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.

We saw that what Jesus did in the gospels was the beginning of Jesus works.
The disciples picked up the work of God and went forward.
We took that all the way up to Ananias in Acts 9.
There’s a point here that’s vital for us to get.
And, here it is.
Ananias was just a plain old, everyday disciple.
Now, that’s all said with respect.
It’s a big thing to be a Jesus follower.
There’s a lot of responsibility that goes with that.
But, it should be encouraging to you to know that Ananias was a disciple and not an apostle.
It should be uplifting for you to know that Ananias was a member of the mighty body of Christ and not an evangelist.
He was not a five fold minister — you know you find that in Ephesians four.
Ananias had no special calling — he wasn’t a minister in the sense that we understand the term.
He was just a God loving Jesus person.
That’s what Acts nine says.

Acts 9:10 (ESV) — 10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

Ananias is a disciple.
Right here there is some encouragement for all of us.
He’s not an older spiritually mature disciple from an age standpoint.
This period of time is called The Early Church for a reason.
The Church, which got a tremendous jolt on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit flooded the Upper Room is less than ten years old this point.
None of them had been walking with God very long.
Ananias knew God for only a few years.
Definitely not more than that.
That’s an estimate.
You see from Acts one to Acts ten is a period of ten years.
So, this account is in Acts nine.
But, Ananias is having visions.
Discerning of Spirits is working in him — that’s why he is hearing the Lord speak to him in a vision.

Acts 9:11 (ESV) — 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying,

Here is a second gift of the Spirit at work in Ananias — the Word of Knowledge.
Ananias receives information that no one could know.
He knows Paul is praying.
The Lord tells him what address he is at — that’s how this gift works.
The person the Lord uses in this gift will supernaturally know things about the past and the present.
Facts he or she could not know on their own.
At times, you will see multiple gifts working together — flowing together.
Did you know that God can use you this way?
That you don’t have to reach some mature spiritual level to be used?
It’s not you — it’s the Father working through you.
Jesus said it.
The Father is working and I am working.
Every person in the body of Christ can be used by God just like Ananias was.

Acts 9:12 (ESV) 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”

At the same time that Ananias is hearing this present moment fact about Paul, the Lord also shares with him that Paul is also having a vision about Ananias coming to see him!
This is marvelous — God is working both sides of the street!
Gifts of the Spirit are flowing in both locations simultaneously.
God is God — He can do these kinds of things — He’s talking to both fellas, Ananias and Paul via vision at the same time!
Think how limited you are.
You can talk to one person at one location at a time.
God can talk to millions of people in millions of locations at the same time.

Psalm 147:5 (ESV) — Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.

Bill Johnson said this and with that thought, here is the Quote of the Day.

It’s impossible for us to create a concept of what He is like that is greater than He really is. He is either greater than we can understand, perceive, describe, or imagine, or He is not God—we are.²

Ananias gets a little concerned about what the Lord wants him to do.
After all, Paul has not been kind to the saints of God.
He’s been persecuting them — hauling them off to jail.
“And Lord, you want me to do what now?’
‘Lay my hands on who?’
‘Paul? You mean that same Paul who is helping stone Jesus followers to death?
‘This is not a nice man, Lord.’

Acts 9:13–16 (ESV) — 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

More information comes forth from the Spirit of God.
The Word of Knowledge is just pouring from heaven into Ananias.
The Holy Spirit is the dispenser — after all they are correctly called the gifts of the Spirit, right?
Paul is a chosen vessel.
That must have come as a shock to Ananias.
Paul will be sent to the Gentiles — an even greater shock to the Jewish Ananias.
Ananias is a disciple.
He doesn’t have a special calling.
The Lord is using him to do the works of Jesus.
Ananias is a type and an example for you and me.

Acts 9:17 (ESV) — 17 So Ananias departed…

That in itself is marvelous.
Think about the faith of Ananias.
It’s outstanding.
Right into the lions den with no fear.Acts 9:17–19 (ESV) — 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.
Did you hear what Ananias did?
He laid hands on Saul in Jesus Name.

And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Ananias, a simple Jesus follower laid his hands on Paul at the direction of Jesus and Paul received his sight.
That’s doing the works of Jesus.
But he also did something that Jesus never did.
Through the laying on of hands, Paul received the Holy Spirit.
We do not have a record that anyone received the Holy Spirit this way by the laying on of hands in Jesus ministry.
This is because the Holy Spirit was not available in this way.
Could this be one of the greater works Jesus was talking about?
Or was it just a different work? — You decide.

Using Jesus Name: The Man at the Gate Beautiful

Acts 3:1–8 (ESV) — 1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

Now what cause this man’s legs to be restored whole?
The Bible tells us.
Drop down to verse sixteen.

Acts 3:16 (ESV) — 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

What healed this man?
His name by faith in His Name.
‘By faith’ means on the ground of faith or by the vehicle of faith.
Ask yourself this question and with that thought here is the Question of the Day.

The scripture says ‘faith in the Name’ made this man whole. Here’s the question: ‘Who had faith in the Name?’

Was it just Peter and John who had faith in the Name? or did the man who was crippled also have faith in the Name?
It’s probably both of them.
Faith in the Name means faith in the nature and character of Jesus.
And, with that thought, here is the Quote of the Day.

“The name,” of course, refers to the character and nature of Jesus as the Healer, the great Physician. The healing came on the ground of faith in Jesus for what He is. But it was not their faith as such that brought the healing. It was the Name [Name” in the Bible often means one’s nature and character], that is, the fact that Jesus is true to His nature and character. He is the Healer. Faith did have a great part, of course, but it was the faith that was “through him [Jesus].” The faith Jesus himself had imparted (not only to Peter and John, but also to the man) gave complete freedom [Gk. holoklērian, “complete freedom from defect,” is the same term used of the freedom from defect necessary for animals used in sacrifices] from defect before their very eyes. Jesus had healed cripples during His ministry. He was still healing cripples through His followers.³

Jesus healed cripples during His ministry.
He was still healing cripples through His followers — that’s doing the works of Jesus.

Using Jesus Name: Anenas

Acts 9:32–33 (ESV) — 32 Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed.

Anenas had some things in common with the man at the Beautiful Gate.
Peter was the one who ministered to both of them.
Is it possible that Peter had a special to minister to paralyzed people?
We do know that Peter was called to minister to the Jews while Paul was called to minister to the Gentiles.

Galatians 2:7–9 (ESV) — 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

So look at the different callings here.
Paul and Barnabas were to go to the Gentiles.
Peter, James, and John, the three who were part of Jesus inner circle during His ministry on earth, were called to go the Jews.
What I want you to see from this is that the works of Jesus were the same in both worlds.
Here is Anenas and the man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple.
The man at the Gate was unknown by name.
Does it amaze you that no one stopped to record what that man’s name was even after he was healed?
Similarities? — both were paralyzed and for fairly long periods of time.

34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Notice, Peter used the Name and by it did the works of Jesus.

Acts 16:16–18 (ESV) — 16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” 18 And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.

Paul used the Name and by it did the works of Jesus as well.
The point is they have different callings to entirely different groups but the Name works the same.
The Gifts of the Spirit work the same.
The works of Jesus are the same.

Using Jesus Name: The Need for Respect

Now as you study God’s Word, you will see that preaching, teaching, healing, and the Name of Jesus are intertwined throughout the Bible.
One other thing you will notice as well is the need for a deep reverence, an intense respect if you would for the Name.
This is a vital area.

Deuteronomy 28:58–59 (ESV) — “If you are not careful to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, the Lord your God, 59 then the Lord will bring on you and your offspring extraordinary afflictions, afflictions severe and lasting, and sicknesses grievous and lasting.

Listen to it again: ‘that you may fear this glorious name.’
Fear is not terror — it’s reverence — it’s respect.
Are you homing in on this?
Can you see that because of a lack of reverence for the Name, it opened the door to sickness?
Some people are not healed because they are over into areas of disrespect where the Name is concerned.

Using the Name: Communion

You know lack of reverence for the Name gets us over into this area of Communion or the Lord’s Table.
There are some things here you should know.

1 Corinthians 11:23–30 (ESV) — For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.

Some Jesus followers have opened the door to sickness.
Here is one of the few places in the New Testament where the scripture tells you why.
‘For this cause…’ — this is one reason why people are sick and remain that way.
‘For this cause’ — what’s the cause?
Listen to it now.
Whoever…

eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord.

First – partaking of communion in an unworthy manner brings about guilt.
Not guilty feelings – liability.
That means all believers are liable for their attitude towards the Body and Blood of Jesus.
What is your attitude toward the Blood of Jesus?
Is your attitude receptive toward the purpose of Jesus Blood?
His blood was shed for the forgiveness of your sins.

Hebrews 9:22 (ESV) — 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

Without the shedding of Jesus Blood, there is no forgiveness for your sins.
You are liable for that information.
Jesus followers must know and act accordingly.
‘Well, that’s easy,’ you might easy.
But, what about the body.
Believers can be guilty concerning the Body of Jesus.
Is your attitude receptive toward the purpose of Body?

1 Peter 2:24 (ESV) — 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Someone said in response to this – ‘I don’t want to be guilty so then I will never take communion.’
Are you sure you want to take that position?
You understand that the New Testament is a Blood Covenant.
A covenant is a contract or an agreement.
In ancient times, one step in ratifying a Covenant or a contract between two people was Communion or sharing a meal.
Before you take the position that you are not going to take Communion, consider these things.
Also, consider the following.

John 13:5–9 (ESV) — 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”

Jesus told Peter, ‘If you refuse to be washed, you have no part with me [that’s what the word ‘share’ means here.]

Luke 22:15–16 (ESV) — 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

‘Earnestly desired is a super intense compound word in the Greek language.
Are you sure you don’t want a part with this?

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 (ESV) – 23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Jesus took bread, broke it, and presented it as His Body.
Are you saying to Jesus that you don’t want any part of that?
Jesus took the wine and presented it and said, ‘This is my Blood.’
Are you sure you don’t want any part of that?
Now, notice what the scripture didn’t say about eating in an unworthy manner.
It didn’t say you were unworthy — it said the way you went about communion is unworthy.
Have your head and your heart in the game.

28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

If you don’t discern the body, you are not valuing — rightly esteeming it.
If you don’t value, ‘by His stripes we are healed.’
Then what?

30 [For this cause] That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.

Respect for the things of God, for the Name of God for the Covenant of God is a healthy thing spiritually and naturally.

Now, Father God thank you for making these truths available so that we might be able to adjust and enjoy long life and peace. We bless your Holy Name today.

Your God Given Right to Use Jesus Name Now and Forever.
You guys have a great God week and we will see you next time for another edition of Light on Life.

What is the Hand of the Lord?

__________
References:

Fasting for A Miracle, Elmer Towns, Appendix E ↩
Johnson, Bill. God is Good (p. 35). Destiny Image, Inc.. Kindle Edition. ↩
Stanley Horton: Acts a Logion Commentary ↩

emeryhorvath.com

Equipping people to pursue God's glory

Your God Given Right to Use Jesus Name Now and Forever

Podcast: Light on Life Season Eleven Episode Twenty-Four

by Emery Horvath

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Episode Resources:

If you would like to know more about growing in faith, see the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

We are currently teaching in the Gospel of John. You can click on the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

About Emery

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Podcast Notes

Prayer

Using Jesus Name: Ananias

Using Jesus Name: The Man at the Gate Beautiful

Using Jesus Name: Anenas

Using Jesus Name: The Need for Respect

Using the Name: Communion

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Listen to the Audio

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Episode Resources:

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We are currently teaching in the Gospel of John. You can click on the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

About Emery

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Podcast Notes

Prayer

Using Jesus Name: Ananias

Using Jesus Name: The Man at the Gate Beautiful

Using Jesus Name: Anenas

Using Jesus Name: The Need for Respect

Using the Name: Communion

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