But None Of These Things Move Me ... That I Might Finish My Course With Joy, And The Ministry, Which I Received Of the Lord Jesus - Part 2357

Jesus said to Annanias, concerning Saul -- "Go thy way, for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My Name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel, for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for My Name's sake." (Acts 9:15-16; Acts 13:2; Acts 21:11; Ephesians 3:7-8; II Corinthians 11:23-27)

For My Name's sake!

"If My people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (II Chronicles 7:14)

Throughout the scriptures, the Lord our God identified Himself by a specific name -- so that His people would know Him. From the Old Testament, we know the Lord God used over 100 different names. In the New Testament (this current dispensation of grace in which we live), the angel of the Lord gave us one Name. That is, "ye shall call His Name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us!" (Matthew 1:21-23)

This verse in context - "But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His Name JESUS: for He shall save his people from their sins.

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His Name JESUS." (Matthew 1:20-25)

So you know, this is the same Name the scriptures reference as the Cornerstone -- which (as Jesus states) the builders reject. (Isaiah 28:16) The same Name which Peter identifies as the Christ. (Acts 2:36) The same Name which is the ONLY NAME whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) The same Name which is above every other name. (Philippians 2:9) The Name which the authorities in early church days forbid the apostles from preaching. The One and Only Name given by the angel of the Lord, when declaring "peace and good will to all!" 

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord." (Ephesians 2:20)

"Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, "Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on Him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe [He is] precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the Head of the corner," (I Peter 2:6-7)

"And [Jesus] beheld them, and said, "What is this then that is written -- The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? " (Luke 20:17)

"And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:" (Mark 12:10)

"This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner." (Acts 4:11)

Jesus saith unto them, "Did ye never read in the scriptures -- "The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner." This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?" (Matthew 21:42)

But too many who profess to believe are on the outside of the body of Christ church looking in. Peering inside the windows for a glimpse of the peace and joy that comes from the Comforter, the Holy Ghost -- the Spirit of the Lord our God dwelling within --- who have decided to reject the Name of JESUS, even though the scriptures are clear that everything we do in both word or deed must be in the Name of JESUS. 

Nevertheless, those who understand the message Peter (standing with the eleven) gave on the day of Pentecost are (like apostle Paul) so thankful to "serve the Lord with all humility of mind; and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews, and how I kept back nothing that was profitable [unto you] but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ ..." (Acts 20:23)

Stand in the offering plate.