“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:9-11 NIV)

Names of God 

God has many names and titles in the Bible. Each one tells us something important about Him—His character and how He relates to us. And how we must relate to Him. Here is another one of His many Names, which is Jesus.

Jesus 

The name Jesus, announced to Joseph and Mary through the angels (Matt. 1:21; Luke 1:31), means “Yahweh saves” or “Yahweh is salvation.” Transliterated from Hebrew and Aramaic, the name is Yeshua. This word is a combination of Ya, an abbreviation for Yahweh, the name of Israel’s God (Exo. 3:14); and the verb yasha, meaning “rescue,” “deliver,” or “save.”

The English spelling of the Hebrew Yeshua is Joshua. But when translated from Hebrew into Koine Greek, the original language of the New Testament, the name Yeshua becomes Iēsous. In English, Iēsous becomes Jesus. Thus, Yeshua and, correspondingly, Joshua and Jesus mean “Yahweh saves” or “the Lord is salvation.” 

Jesus – the Name that is above every name

If ever a name was packed with significance, it is the name Jesus. Scripture says Jesus has been given “the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:9–11 NIV).

The name Jesus reminds us of the power, presence, and purpose of the risen Christ. It assures us that God’s gracious intention is to save us. Our Lord Jesus brought God to humanity and now brings humans to God through the salvation He purchased. In the Bible, when people spoke or acted in the name of Jesus, they did so as the Lord’s representatives with His authority.

Therefore

The very life of the believer is to be lived in the name of Jesus and by doing so bring glory to God.

“We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thess. 1:12)

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 NKJV)

This is undoubtedly the best-known promise in the Bible. You see John 3:16 posted prominently in many places, such as on billboard signs, on the sides of buses, on bumper stickers, and even painted on people’s faces and bodies, at televised sporting events.

But, sadly, most people don’t understand what it means!

Let’s define the words within the verse

– For God (the creator, Himself)

– So loved (cared for deeply and affectionately)

– The world (the whole of human civilization)

– That He gave (He freely transferred the possession of)

– His only (the only one He had)

– begotten Son (born son)

– that whosoever (whoever, anyone, any person)

– believes (truly accepts, wholeheartedly trusts, puts confidence in)

– In Him (the Savior, Jesus Christ)

– should not perish (not destroyed, not permanently lost)

– but have everlasting (eternal, endless)

– Life (intimate relationship with the living God)

Make it your personal promise!

John 3:16 is a very wonderful and personal promise! You can personalize it and apply it to your life this way: Add YOUR NAME everywhere you see an asterisk * below.

“For God so loved * that He gave

His only begotten Son, that if *

believes in Him. *  should not perish

but * shall have everlasting life.”

Signed in His Blood, Jesus Christ

Why God did this wonderful thing

Most people have heard John 3:16, but not the very next verse, John 3:17, which explains clearly why God sent His Son into the world.

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:17 NKJV).

God sent Jesus to save the world!

You must receive Him for yourself

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12 KJV)

It changed my life!

I received Jesus Christ into my life many years ago while driving down a busy road! I had just read a little gospel booklet that I had found in a glove compartment. It explained to me how to pray a simple prayer of faith to ask Jesus for forgiveness and to be my Savior.

I prayed, “Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for me!  I believe in you and need you! Please forgive me of my sins and come into my life. I invite you to be my Savior! In Jesus Name, Amen!

That simple prayer changed my life dramatically forever that day! 

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“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” (Philemon 1:6 KJV)

Powerful resources

Have you given much thought about the many good things from Christ Jesus which are in you according to the Bible? Well, you have an amazing amount of powerful resources at your disposal. If you don’t know what they are and if you aren’t using them, you are really missing out!

The knowledge of what you have in Jesus is powerful 

“Acknowledging every good thing which is in you in Jesus” is a very powerful exercise to do, and it has the power to make “the communication of your faith effectual!” Just think about what you have as a Christian! If you have received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, your list will begin with Jesus, Himself, (Christ in you – Col. 1:27). Then, you have the Holy Spirit – (Spirit-filled – John 14:16). And then there is the Spiritual fruit which He produces in your life (the fruit of the Spirit – Gal. 5:22-23). And, of course, there are His many gifts that He gives to believers – (Spiritual gifts – Rom. 12 & 1 Cor. 12). And, don’t forget the Word of God itself, that you have hidden in your heart – (Psalm 119:11).

The devil is a liar so don’t listen to him!

The devil deceives God’s people by telling them they are helpless and powerless! Nothing could be further from the truth! “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to His own glory and excellence.” (2 Peter 1:3 ESV). Do a personal survey to discover who you are in Jesus and what you have according to what He says you have! That knowledge is empowering!

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“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." (Heb. 7:25 NIV)

Completely saved!

That means totally, entirely, wholly, thoroughly, fully, utterly, absolutely, perfectly, unconditionally, quite, altogether, downright, in every way, in every respect, one hundred percent, every inch!

How is this possible to be saved completely? Two reasons are given in the verse above.

First reason: You are saved through Jesus. The verse says, “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him…” You are saved completely because It's done through Jesus.

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6 NIV)

And because your salvation is through Him, you can have complete confidence that He will keep it completely safe!

“For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2 Tim. 1:12 KJV)

Second reason: Jesus lives to intercede for you! The verse says, “because he always lives to intercede for them.” To intercede means to mediate, intermediate, arbitrate, conciliate, negotiate, moderate, intervene, interpose, step in, act, plead, petition, and advocate. This is what Jesus does for you!

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” (1 Tim. 2:5-6 ESV)

We can have confidence in Jesus!

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 1:6 NIV)

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“He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings utter darkness into the light.” (Job 12:22)

Before I had personally prayed to commit my life to Jesus I had been attending church on Sunday mornings with the family I was living with. I wasn't interested in religious things really, and was only going to church because I felt duty bound to do so because they were committed to it.

A simple prayer changed everything!

Then, one afternoon while driving, I prayed a simple heartfelt prayer and asked Jesus to come into my life and help me. I had been struggling with alcohol and prayed the simple prayer in a fit of desperation. Afterwards, I felt a great sense of relief.

A big difference

The following Sunday I was back in the same church as usual, but something was very different! The pastor seemed to be preaching much better and clearer than before! He was interesting! I could understand what he was talking about! I enjoyed it! Afterwards, I complimented him on his “new and improved” style of preaching. I told him I was glad he changed his preaching style and hoped he continued to preach this way instead of the boring way he usually did. He just looked at me and said, “Mike! I haven't changed! I spoke exactly the same way I always do! So, if it isn't me, something obviously must have changed with you!” I then remembered that I had prayed to invite Jesus into to my life.”

The light had come on with me!

Jesus is “the light of the world” and after I had received him, he brought his light into my life. That's why I was suddenly different. I was a new creation in Jesus! I had come to see the light!

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12 NIV)

“And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.” (Acts 10:38a NLT)

And then, this happened…

“Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38b NLT)

 Therefore…

“And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him to life on the third day. Then God allowed him to appear, not to the general public, but to us whom God had chosen in advance to be his witnesses. We were those who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.” (Acts 10:39-43 NLT)

“Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (John 14:9 ESV)

According to the above passage, you can know who God is and what He is like by looking at Jesus. 

God and Jesus are one

“I and the Father are one.” (John 28:30)

Perceptions of God vary among people 

Some picture God as an impersonal white bearded old man, sitting on a cloud far away, who is out of touch with the modern world. Others see Him as a harsh judge with a strict set of rules, constantly watching to see if you break any of them, and when you do, like the evil Ming from Flash Gordon, He rains terror down on you from the sky with plagues, storms and other “acts of God” disasters. Some see Him as a mean and controlling father, teacher or drill Sargent, who sends bad things like problems,  accidents or sickness your way to teach you lessons. If your perception of God is like any of these examples, you would probably find it hard to pray. You would not want to spend time with Him, or be His close friend, or even be around Him. In fact, you would probably be afraid of Him. On the other hand, if you see God as good, loving, kind, giving and joyful — a personal, approachable God who saves, provides, protects and blesses you, then your perception of Him would be very positive and you would find prayer to be easy, because, when praying, you would be spending time with someone you are excited to be around and spend time with! 

Seeing God according to the life of Jesus… 

• He came to seek and to save the lost

 “For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.” (Luke 9:56 KJV)

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10 KJV) 

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17 NIV)

• He is joyful and wants you to be joyful, too

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11 ESV)

• He loves you and doesn’t want you to perish 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 ESV)

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” (1 John 4:9)

• He wants you to be victorious 

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:57)

•  He wants your life to be abundant

“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

• He wants you to have victory

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ( 1 Cor. 15:57) 

• He wants to have a close and personal relationship with you

“Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.” (John 14:23 NLT)

Therefore…

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Rom. 10:9)

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)