The title of my sermon tonight is: Four Names For Our Savior. In our text, our Lord uses four names to describe and identify himself – "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star" In the Bible the names of Christ show us his personal character, covenant offices, mediatorial work, and divine authority. In the Scriptures everything revolves around, is built upon, and points to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1. We are Saved by Faith in His Name – (Acts 4:12; 10:43).
2. We are Baptized in the Name of The Lord Jesus – (Acts 2:38).
3. We Pray in the Name of Christ – (John 14:13-14; 16:23-26).
4. We Gather to Worship in His Name – (Matt. 18:20).
5. We Preach His Name – (Acts 9:15).
6. We Suffer The Afflictions of The Gospel for His Name's Sake (Acts 5:41).
7. We Are Preserved, Kept, and Accepted of God in His Name – (Rev. 22:4).
8. And one day soon, All The World will Know His Name – (Phil. 2:8-11).
The prophet Isaiah tells us that "His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9:6). Tonight, I want to simply show you the meaning of these four names used by our Lord to describe himself. I pray that God the Holy Spirit will graciously give you the comfort and strength to be found only in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Proposition: Our Lord's Name tells us who He Is and What He Does for us as our God and Savior. I. Our Savior's Name Is "Jesus" – (See Matt. 1:21).Though he is exalted in the glory of heaven, our Savior still wears the name of his humiliation to assure us that he is the same now as he ever was. He says, "I Jesus."
The angel said to Joseph, "Thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." The name of the incarnate Son of God is Jesus," "Savior", "Deliverer." It tells us what he came into this world to do. This angelic messenger told Joseph and us three things about this "Jesus" who is the Christ of God.
A. Jesus, Who Is The Christ, Has A People In This World.Long before he came into the world, the Son of God had a people in the world, chosen by him in eternal election and given to him in the covenant of grace – There are many today called "Jesus." But Jesus who is the Christ of God is the Jesus of Sovereign, Electing Grace (John 15:16; Matt. 11:25-27).
The Lord's choice of his people in election wasB. Jesus Christ Came Into This World On An Errand of Mercy, With A Mission To Accomplish And A Work To Perform.
The Son of God did not come into this world to start a new religion, to establish a Jewish kingdom, or to bring about a moral, social revelation. He came here to save his people from their sins – He did not come to provide salvation, but to save. He did not come to make salvation possible, but to save. He did not come to save all people in general, but his people in particular.
C. And This Jesus, Who Is The Christ, Is An Effectual, Successful Savior.
He came to save his people from their sins, and save them he does!
1. He saved all his people from the penalty of their sins by his obedience unto death (Heb. 9:12, 27).
2. He saves all his people from the power of their sins by his almighty power and sovereign grace (John 17:2).
3. He will save all his people from the presence of sin by bringing them home to heaven at last (Heb. 2:13).
The Lord Jesus Christ is so glorious a Savior that he saves his people from all sin, all punishment, all the consequences of sin, and all the sorrow of sin! Who are these people Christ Jesus came to save?
I preach a free gospel to all men. I am not afraid that some of the non-elect might get in!
Now notice this – The Lord Jesus Christ, though he is exalted to heaven's glory, is still Jesus, the friend of sinners! He says, "I Jesus" – (Heb. 13:8).
II. Our Savior, Jesus, Is "The Root Of David."That simply means that Jesus Christ, the Man, is himself Almighty God! He is the Root, the source and cause of David's existence, faith, spiritual life, and everlasting glory. David was what he was, did what he did, and is what he is in heaven today because of and by the power of Jesus Christ, our eternal God. Let us never, for a moment, lose sight of this glorious truth - Our blessed Savior, redeemer, and King is himself God (John 1:1; I Tim. 3:16; Rom. 9:4; Acts 20:28; Col. 2:9-10).
III. Our Savior, Jesus Christ Our God, Is Also "The Offspring of David."
That is to say, "Christ Jesus is a Man, born of the lineage of David, and rightful heir to the throne of Israel, the Messiah." (See – Rom. 1:1-5). "The Gospel" is…
God and man are forever united in immutable and indissolveable union in the Person of Jesus Christ. By means of his miraculous incarnation, the Son of God took into union with himself manhood. Thank God! (Gal. 4:4-6).
IV. And Our Dear Savior, The Lord Jesus Christ, Is "The Bright And Morning Star."
He is the Light by whom God is revealed and known to men. In his light we live now and shall live forever (John 1:5, 9; I John 2:5; Rev. 21:23).
The voice of prophecy announced Christ's coming as "a Star out of Jacob" who should come (Num. 24:16-17). But here our Lord calls himself "the bright and morning star." The morning star does not merely showforth light. All the stars do that. The morning star announces and ushers in the day. That is what Christ is! He is the Bright and Morning Star, who announces and ushers in the Day!
A. When Our Savior First Arose In This World, He Dispelled The Darkness of Judaism and Ushered In The Gospel Day.
Before he came, there were faint sparkles of light in the types and shadows of the law. But as soon as he began to preach the gospel, light shined into the world.
He appeared as "the Day-spring from on high" (Lk. 1:78), and "the Sun of Righteousness" with healing in his wings" – (Mal. 4:2).
B. In Conversion Christ Arises As The Day Star In The Hearts Of His People, And Drives Away Darkness – (II Pet. 1:19).
C. When The Bright And Morning Star Shall Appear At The End Of This World, He Will Introduce Eternal Day.
In that great day, he will give his elect "The Morning Star," all that the Morning Star promises (Rev. 2:28). In that great day, our great Savior will bring all things to light, and we shall see all things clearly.
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