Accessing Power In Jesus’ Name
To the ends of the earth - acts 3:11-26 (esv) - Pastor Tim Kroeker
Matthew 1:21:
“You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
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How do they do that? Perhaps you’ve asked yourself this question while watching freestyle skiers at the winter olympics. Freestyle skiing is considered the most dangerous of all the events, with injury rates reaching 28%. Competitors perform dangerous tricks, such as the switch triple cork 1980, which consists of three flips and 5½ rotations. How do they do that?
At the beginning of Acts 3, we read about the miraculous healing of a man lame from birth. Luke writes that leaping up, the man began to walk and entered the temple with Peter and John praising God. All the people were utterly astounded. How did they do that?
Peter seizes the opportunity to address the gathering crowd. He explains that it was not their own power or piety by which the man was healed. Rather, it was in the name of Jesus that he had been made well.
As Peter preaches at Solomon’s Portico, he attributes several names to Jesus. He is the Suffering Servant, the Holy and Righteous One, and the Author of Life. And it was in this name, the name of Jesus, that the lame man was healed. A name represents the essential character and authority of the one to whom it refers. There is power in Jesus’ name because of who He is.
We also see that there is power in Jesus’ name because of what He does. Peter invites his listeners to enjoy for themselves the benefits available to everyone in Jesus’ name; the forgiveness of sins, times of refreshing, and readiness for Christ’s eventual return, the restoration of all things. All in Jesus’ name.
But pronouncing Jesus’ name isn’t some sort of magical incantation. The key that unlocks access to the power in Jesus’ name is repentance. Whether it’s a sinful habit or demonic influence, the solution is the same. You unleash Jesus' power in your life when you abandon wickedness and return to God in Christ Jesus.
