Philipians 2:9-11 - Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
INTRODUCTION
The word name, as it was used in the time of Christ, implied two things:
The name is the person: - to praise the name of Jesus is to praise Jesus Himself. To love the name of Jesus is to love Jesus Himself. To dishonor the name of Jesus is to insult Jesus.
The name is the person actively present - to be gathered in Jesus' name, meant Jesus is personally present in the gathering. Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." When we act in Jesus' name, we are not acting alone, but with Jesus by our side, even though He is invisible to our eyes. Colosians 3:17 "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.
PRAYING IN JESUS NAME
To Pray In Jesus Name is Possible If Only You Are "In Jesus" If you remain in me and my word remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be given you. apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:7
Peter and John knew the power that is in that name. Passing into the temple they met a crippled beggar. He was 40 years old and had been crippled from birth. Peter commanded "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk" - Acts 3:6. The power of God like lightning struck the man, upon the command of Peter, he leaped to his feet, that power of God that came upon him instantly straighten his twisted bones and made him well.
Multitudes rushed to them. They demanded, "by what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Peter and John replied "By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead." Acts 3:11-16. The secret of power is in the name of Jesus. When they used the name, power struck. The miracle working power of God was released to give the crippled man his life back to him. The name of Jesus is a wonder working name. In that name is invested all power in heaven, on earth and under the earth. Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
To be in Jesus means to be in spiritual unity with Jesus - John 15:4-5
John 15:4 - 5 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches; He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
To be indwelled by the Holy Spirit - John 14:15-18
If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Our ability to pray effectively and for our prayers to release His wonder working power and wrought miracles like Peter and John, depends upon this "in Christ" relationship.
USING THE NAME OF JESUS IN PRAYER
Faith in His Name wrought miracle answers
Acts 3:16 - "And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, that faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all." As you pray, you must exercise your faith through belief in His name. Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly, and by faith that life is imparted to us. God manifest Himself to the person who believe in Him. I want you to know that as you receive Christ, and as He dwells in your heart by faith, there is within you a divine power, the power of limitless possibilities. John 14:12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
Make Your Prayer Request In His Name
John 14:13-15 - And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
John 15:16-17 - You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
Use the authority Of His Name to rebuke the devil
Luke 10:19 - Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Use the authority of His name to rebuke the devil and his demonic hosts. Remind the devil of Jesus victory on the Cross and of your indentity with Jesus and the authority you have been given through His name.
