Proverbs 18:10
The name of Jesus is a strong tower where we can find hope, peace, comfort, strength, and healing in the midst of life's forces.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the power and significance of the name of Jesus amidst life's pressures and challenges. He discusses various forces that confront us, including spiritual battles, interpersonal conflicts, and the struggles of life itself, leading us to seek refuge in God's name. Smith highlights how biblical figures found strength in God's names, ultimately pointing to Jesus as the ultimate source of salvation and comfort. He reminds us that the name of Jesus is a strong tower where the righteous find safety, bringing hope, peace, and healing in times of distress.
Text
"THE NAME OF JESUS"
Intro: Life is filled with pressures. There are forces that assault us.
Sooner or later we are forced to reach out beyond ourselves.
I. SOME OF THESE FORCES THAT FACE US.
A. The Spirit forces; "We wrestle not against flesh and blood."
1. It's hard to fight something you can't see.
2. You feel out of sorts and you don't know why.
a. Discouraged.
b. Depressed.
c. Edgy.
d. Anxious, worried.
e. Each of these will lead to doubt.
B. The interpersonal relationships.
1. Strong disagreement with your spouse.
a. Maybe they have left you, and your life was built
around them.
1. What am I going to do.
2. Where shall I go?
3. How will I survive?
b. The deeper you have loved them, the more
devastating the experience can be.
2. Maybe you are on different wave lengths than your child.
a. Constant tension.
b. Meal times have become disasters.
3. It could be at work. Someone has it in for you.
a. They try to make you look bad.
b. They call attention and laugh at your mistakes.
C. Life itself.
1. Why do the ungodly prosper?
a. Some seem to get along quite well without God.
2. Why is there suffering?
3. Why must death come to someone I loved so deeply?
D. Where can we turn? The name "Jehovah."
II. HOW MEN IN THE PAST HAVE RUN INTO THAT NAME.
A. Abraham - Jehovah Jireh - The Lord sees.
B. Moses, Battle against Amalikites - Jehovah Nissi.
C. Gideon - Jehovah - Shalom - The Lord our peace.
D. Jeremiah - Jehovah Tsidkenu - Our righteousness.
E. Ezekiel - Jehovah Shammah - The Lord is there.
III. THE NAME OF JESUS.
A. So names by the angel Gabriel when he announced to Mary that she
was the one favored by God to be the human instrument.
1. Later confirmed to Joseph when he was in doubt as to what
to do. "Call His name JESUS for He shall save His people
from their sin."
B. The name Jesus is the Greek of the Hebrew name Jehoshua
(Numbers 13:16.. Later contracted to Joshua.)
C. The name means, The Lord is our Savior.
D. This name is above all names.
E. This name is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are
safe.
1. How often has this name brought me:
a. Hope.
b. Peace.
c. Comfort.
d. Strength.
e. Healing.
Sermon Outline
- Some of the Forces That Face Us
- The Spirit forces
- Interpersonal relationships
- Life itself
- Where can we turn? The name 'Jehovah'
Key Quotes
“We wrestle not against flesh and blood.” — Chuck Smith
“This name is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are safe.” — Chuck Smith
“How often has this name brought me: hope, peace, comfort, strength, and healing.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We can find hope and peace by running into the name of Jesus.
- We can apply the name of Jesus by calling on Him for hope, peace, comfort, strength, and healing.
- The name of Jesus is a strong tower where we can find safety and refuge.