Trevor
Ferguson
November
26, 2011
Philippians
2:5-13 (NKJV)
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
10 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,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
10 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,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
INTRODUCTION
In
modern societies the concept of a name has lost much of its significance. This
is in contrast to ancient societies, such as in biblical times, in which names
were rich with meaning and often carried prophetic significance. For
example, Abraham was originally called Abram, meaning ‘high father’, but God
changed his name to Abraham meaning 'father of a multitude' to indicate the
promise of the mighty nation that his offspring would become. Isaac’s name
meant ‘laughter’, indicating the joy he brought to Abraham and Sarah in their
old age. Jacob’s name meant ‘supplanter’ or ‘trickster’ but was changed to
Israel, meaning ‘he who prevails with God’, after his encounter with God at
Peniel.
Just
as the names of the Patriarchs were significant, the name of God is also
significant and rich with meaning. As we read the bible, we see a progressive
revelation of the name of God, culminating with the revelation of the name of
Jesus in the New Testament. Today, I want to share with you on the great
revelation of the name above all names, the name of Jesus.
EXPOSITION
When
God revealed himself to Abraham and the patriarchs he revealed himself as The
Lord Almighty. The Hebrew term is “El Shaddai”, the all sufficient God, indicating
His power to accomplish that which he says He will accomplish and His ability
to bless – richly, abundantly and continually. As El Shaddai, there was no
limit to His power, specifically as it relates to Abraham, God could fulfil His
promise of a son and a mighty nation, even though Abraham was then 99 years old.
In
Exodus 6, God further reveals Himself to Moses as JEHOVAH. Jehovah means The
Self-existing One or in other words ‘He is’ (or, ‘The One Who Is’). As Jehovah
He lived in the everlasting present tense, thus He was able to say to Moses
when Moses had asked for His name in Exodus 3 – ‘I AM THAT I AM’, ‘I AM’ sent
you. As “the Great I AM”, God exist from the beginning of beginnings, He is “the
First and the Last”, “The Alpha and Omega”. He is creator of all things, and
also Judge of all the earth. He called the earth into existence and will cause
this present earth to pass away. Nothing can exist without Him. He is the
Self-existing One
In
addition to the revelation of the name Jehovah, God has further revealed
aspects of His character:
In
Genesis 22:14, He revealed Himself as Jehovah-jireh,
meaning “The Lord Who provides”, when
Abraham needed a lamb for the sacrifice.
In
Exodus 15:26, He reveals himself as Jehovah-rapha
– “The Lord that heals”. Israel
would therefore not experience the plagues of Egypt.
In
Exodus 17:15, He is Jehovah-nissi – “The Lords our banner” (The Lord who
gives us Victory).
In
Judges 6:24, He is Jehovah-shalom – “The Lord our peace” (Gideon was assured
of peace in a time of conflict).
In
Psalm 23:1, He is Jehovah-raah – “the Lord our shepherd” (A revelation
of God’s care and protection to David in a time uncertainty).
The
Old Testament prophets prophesied concerning the further revelation of the name
of God. In Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah declared – behold a virgin shall conceive and
shall bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel i.e. is God with us. Isaiah
further declares in Isaiah 9:6 “for unto us a child is born, unto us a son is
given … and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the
everlasting father and the prince of peace". Despite these prophetic utterances the
precise saving name was not revealed to the Old Testament prophets. Isaiah
however prophesied in Isaiah 52:6 “therefore my people shall know my name.”
In
the fullness of time however, God did reveal his saving name. When the angel
appeared to Joseph in Matthew 1: 21, he declared: “And she shall bring forth a
son and thou shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their
sins.” This name Jesus literally means Jehovah-Saviour or Jehovah is Salvation.
It incorporates all that the name Jehovah denotes and adds to it the attribute
of salvation.
Jesus
is thus the saving name of God: Acts 4:12 – Neither is there salvation in any
other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we
must be saved.
Repentance
and remission of sins is preached in the name of Jesus (Luke 24:47)
Baptism
is correctly administered in the name of
Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38)
The
Holy Ghost comes in the name of Jesus (John 14:26)
We
are sanctified though his name (1st Corinthians 6:11)
Healing
occurs in Jesus name (Mark 16:17-18; Acts 4:10)
Deliverance
comes in Jesus name (Luke 4:18)
In
Philippians 2:9-10, Paul describes the name of Jesus as “a name which is above
every name. Note that he uses similar terminology in Ephesians 1:21 when he
writes that, God had set Jesus “Far above all principality, and power, and
might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but
also in that which is to come:” Jesus is the greatest revelation of
the name of God. Paul therefore declares … at the name of Jesus every knee
shall bow … every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
APPLICATION
Having
made the above declaration Paul now challenges the Philippians “… work out your own salvation with fear
and trembling”. It is good to know about God, but knowledge of God cannot
save. Today the appropriate response to this revelation is to make sure that we
have obeyed the word of God and are ready for his coming. Remember, every knee
shall bow! It is better to bow now than to be forced to do so when he returns.
How
does one receive salvation? The response is simple and is given in Acts 2:38 - Repent
and be baptized … in the name of Jesus Christ … and you shall receive the gift
of the Holy Ghost. Note however that after initial salvation we must live a
life of holiness and righteousness before God as we prepare for His coming.
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