In the Name of the Lord (Psalm #20)

Text: Psalm 20

God protects His own name

  • Israel is a nation and will always be a nation because God chose to put His name there.  Notice all the references in this Psalm to God providing help solely based on His name being associated with the nation.
    • …the God of Jacob defend thee… (vs 1)
    • Remember all THY offerings… (vs 3)
    • …accept THY burnt sacrifice; (vs 3)
    • …according to THINE own heart… (vs 4)
    • …all THY counsel… (vs 4)
    • …THY salvation… (vs 5)
    • …in the name of our God we will set up our banners; (vs 5)
  • Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

God’s power is in His name

  • Great commission under the banner of the name of the Lord (Matthew 28:19)
  • Prayer in the name of the Lord (John 16:23)
  • Forgiveness and the Holy Spirit came in the name of the Lord (Acts 2:38)
  • Healing during the healing ministry came in the name of the Lord (Acts 3:6)
  • The world told the preachers not to preach in the name of the Lord (Acts 4:18)
  • Bold preaching came about in the name of the Lord (Acts 9:29)
  • Devils cast out in the name of the Lord (Acts 16:18)
  • Justified in the name of the Lord (1 Corinthians 6:11)
  • Separated from some calling themselves brethren in the name of the Lord (2 Thessalonians 3:6)
  • In Jesus name
    • The name was given by God, thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
    • Neither is there salvation in other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.
    • Wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
  • Comfort
    • Lord, I don’t bring anything to the table here.  There is no reason for you to bless me or answer this prayer or even hear me, but Lord for THY SAKE.  But Lord, IN JESUS NAME, please
    • It means for his sake.  Lord I don’t have a good reason to expect an answer to this, but to say that it affects your name and things that are associated with you.
    • In my name… (John 14:13-14)
    • The name Jesus Christ is the name that people have trouble with
  • Concern
    • 1 Corinthians 3:16 – Paul reminds us that the congregation is the temple of God and that the Spirit of God is in us – therefore, God will destroy any man that defiles the holy temple of God (congregation of believers)
    • He destroyed Ananias and Sapphira for lying to the Holy Ghost in Acts 5
    • He set the young man apart for destruction in 1 Corinthians 5 for fornication which leavened that temple
    • Paul delivered Hymenaeus and Alexander unto Satan for shipwrecking faith in 1 Timothy 1:19-20

God’s promises are in His name

  • Safety – …the name of the God of Jacob… (vs 1)
  • Sign – …the name of our God… (vs 5)
  • Strength – …the name of the LORD our God… (vs 7)
    • Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, so did you come in the name of the Lord or did you come with your own agenda?