Marketplace Kingdom 4.17--The Name of Jesus

More and more, it seems like we seldom hear the name of Jesus
spoken in public or in the media unless it’s a subject of ridicule
or used as an expletive or a profanity. We’re all familiar with the
commandment, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in
vain”, and yet everywhere it is used loosely, disrespectfully and
even blasphemously! But perhaps worse is the fashion in which many
who consider themselves to be Christians lay claim to it glibly on
Sunday but hide it the rest of the week. Or lay claim to the name
while considering it one among many valid religious options. One of
many paths to heaven. Nothing exclusive or offensive. Such
approaches take the Name in vain as well, “having a form of
godliness but denying the power thereof.” We talked a few weeks ago
about the increasing levels of persecution that authentic
Christians have been experiencing in the Middle East, Africa and
Asia. And many of us have encountered situations where speaking out
as a Christian in private conversation or in the public square is
met by major push back, hostility and ridicule right in our own
country. It’s sometimes OK to talk in general terms about God, but
invoking the Name of Jesus specifically has come to be viewed as a
blatant offense to civil public sensibility. And yet Jesus himself
tells us that our willingness to own his name is a key measure of
the authenticity of our faith. Our relationship with him simply can
not be a strictly private matter. There can be no disconnect! There
is coming a day when at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow! So
join us for this episode…as we discuss the reasons for the
hostility and offense…and the responsibility and power that we have
as bearers of The Name of Jesus.