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ACTS 3:6, 16 -- 4:10-13

"THE NAME OF JESUS"

I. THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME JESUS.
        A. First given to one of the faithful spies by Moses.
                1. He caIIed him Joshua.
                2. It stood for Yahweh Shua.
        B. Jesus is Greek form for Hebrew Joshua.
                1. He was so named by angel to Joseph.
                2. "Thou shalt call His name Jesus for..."

II. THE POWER OF THE NAME.
        A. Not some magic name like Abra Cadabra.
                1. Some brothers the sons of Sceva tried to use it that way.
        B. It takes also relationship.
        C. Disciples first to discover. Luke 10:17.
                1. "Even the devils are subject unto us..."
        D. Jesus announced this power. John 14: 16
                1. "And if ye shall ask anything...
                2. "Hitherto ye have asked nothing in My name, ask that ye might  receive..."
        E. Our text is classic example how disciples used its power.

III. THE EXCLUSIVENESS OF THE NAME TO SAVE.
        A. World today in desperate need of a Savior.
                1. Man has rebelled against God's law.
                2. Sowed to the wind and reaping the whirlwind. 
                3. World problems have become insurmountable. 
                4. Nations are in upheaval.
                5. There seems to be no workable formula for peace.
        B. Man as an individual needs salvation.
                1. How difficult to face the outside turmoil when there is so
                        much turmoil within.
                2. Man has despaired of finding a solution now just seeks to cope.
                        a. Keep mind fuzzed with drugs or booze.
                        b. Close self off from world.
                        c. Keep moving.
                3. We see the sad and pathetic efforts to free ourselves from guilt.
                        a. Maybe we've had a bad argument and we said some ugly things we are
                           sorry for, so we decide to bake cookies and give.
                        b. Rather than lessening our guilt we seem to compound it.
        C. Yet man seems to resent the exclusive claims of Jesus and Bible.
                1. They seek salvation in religion, good works, meditation, education, science.
                2. Results are always the same and predictable failure and frustration.
                3. They say, "I know this Jesus thing has worked for you, but Jesus isn't for
                   everybody." But He is!

IV. "WE MUST BE SAVED."
        A. The divine imperative.
                1. Not can or should or ought.
        B. Our only hope is salvation.
        C. Our only Savior is Jesus Christ.