God has a name and his name isn’t God. Exodus 3:13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ 15… This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. What is God’s name? “I am that I am.” Or, “I am who I am.” We use the name Yahweh. Our God is the great I am – he is perfectly God right now – he will always be perfectly God – there will never be a time he is not perfectly God – and everything that comes from God will always be perfect. Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord (Yahweh) is the beginning of knowledge… Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. When we open the pages of the New Testament we are introduced to Yahweh in the flesh. And Yahweh in the flesh is going to be given a special name. Matthew 1:20 “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Jesus. Let’s read some of the foundational truths that will make you love the name of Jesus all the more. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. Jesus is here to shine in the darkness. And he’s here to remove the darkness. And he’s here to give you eternal life. He’s here to destroy the works of the devil. And here is another pertinent passage of Scripture that points to Jesus and why the power of the name of Jesus is so important. John 3:31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. When Jesus stepped foot on this earth he came from above. The very name of Jesus captures all of the grace of Jesus – all the power of Jesus – all the glory of Jesus – all the faithfulness of Jesus – all the love of Jesus – Jesus sent out his disciples as his representatives and when they came back here’s what they said; Luke 10:17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” Jesus invited us to pray in his name. John 14:12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! Acts 4:12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. When we are baptized we are immersed in the name of not just the father, not just the Holy Spirit, but in the name of Jesus Acts 4:29 And now, Lord…you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Paul talks about the life-changing power of the name of Jesus… 1 Corinthians 6:9 Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. Phil. 2:9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.