05-31-2026 The Name of Jesus
Text: Philippians 2:5-11
We all have a name, but what is in a name? Just the mention of someone’s name sets off a chain reaction of thoughts in our minds. Someone’s name brings to our mind the person who bears it because their name reflects all that they are. At the mention of someone’s name, we think about all we’ve experiences with this person. And if we don’t know the person, everything that we’ve been told, heard, or read about them will subconsciously cross our minds.
Let’s think about the name of Jesus. Our text this morning is found in Philippians 2:5-11 where Paul wrote: “ (5) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; (7) But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. (8) And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death on the Cross. (9) Wherefore God also has highly exalted Him, and given Him a Name which is above every name; (10) that at the Name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of things in Heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth; (11) And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father.” Just as every other name, the name “Jesus” brings thoughts and feelings to everyone that hears it.
For those of us who know Jeus Christ as Lord and Savior, when we hear the name of Jesus, we think of God made human. We think of the baby born in a manger, His healing and compassion, and Him praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. We think of the Cross on Calvary, the empty tomb, and the blood He shed so that our sins could be forgiven in order that we can have an abundant earthly life followed by an eternal life in Heaven with Him.
But what does it mean for those who don’t know Him as Lord and Savior? Some may think He was a good teacher, or perhaps a good man. Some may have gone to church as a child and know some of the stories about Jesus. Most people will have an opinion of Jesus Christ, but that opinion isn’t usually formed by reading the Bible or by attending church. Most lost people form their opinions about Jesus by the words and actions of the Christians who claim His name.
Every Christian carries His name. Just by calling ourselves Christians, we are representing the name of Jesus Christ. When we call ourselves Christians, the world will identify us with Jesus. Most people have heard something about Jesus, but nothing speaks louder than the actions of those who claim His name. We’re the witness of Jesus Christ in the real world and we ae to be a positive representation of name of Jesus that lifts Him up in the glory He deserves. But we can also be a negative representative of Him that drags Him through the mud.
Christians can tear down the name of Jesus with our personal lives because while some may call themselves Christians, they live like the devil. We all know people like this and maybe in times of weakness, we may do the same thing. These so called Christians can tell you what the Bible says about a subject but follow it up with the dirtiest joke you ever heard. They tell everybody they know the Lord and go to church and then prove to the world just how they aren’t true to their convictions by living like lost people. The life of this kind of person tells the world that Jesus has no power to change anybody’s life, that Jesus has no relevance to real world living, and that Jesus can’t make any real difference in anyone’s life.
Some carry the name of Jesus but have no love. They’re the ones who, in the name of Jesus, see every problem everyone else has. They have no grace to give to others or any concept of their own faults, but they’re completely aware of everyone else’s faults. They claim the benefit of God’s forgiveness for themselves, but they don’t give anyone else the same benefit. This kind of person tells the world that Jesus offers no hope to those who need help, that Jesus has no mercy and grace for a sinner, and forgiveness can’t come from Jesus Christ.
Sadly, the church often drags the name of Jesus through the mud. Nothing has destroyed the work of the Lord more than a church where Jesus isn’t the focus. Although they call themselves Christians, everything they do has no bearing on Jesus or the will of God. These types of churches are what makes people say, “I don’t want to go to church with a bunch of hypocrites.” What hurts so bad is that many times that saying is true. Many churches ARE full of hypocrites. The word hypocrite means “a play actor” and that’s what much of the membership of churches contain – people who are acting like they are Christians. Churches like these tell the world that Jesus doesn’t really make a difference, that this Jesus stuff isn’t real so they should look somewhere else for hope because the church doesn’t offer it.
Verse 9 of our text tells us that God has highly exalted Jesus and given Him a name above every name. Christians are to treat Jesus the same way. We do this when we do our best to live like Jesus lived while on earth because it can make others want to be with us because they can see something different in us. We may not be perfect every day, but we can be as consistent as possible in our Christian walk. We must talk the talk and walk the walk. Only then will we show the world that Jesus can and will change lives for the good, that He is relevant to those living in this world today, and that Jesus can make a positive difference in people’s lives.
We can also love like Jesus loves. This happens when we call sin sin, especially in our own lives. Yes, we know that nobody is perfect and Jesus died to take away all sins – our own and everybody else’s. We know the power of grace and mercy and are graceful and merciful to others. We know the forgiveness of God and must extend it to others. When we do this, we tell the world that God is a God of grace and love and that Jesus has the power of forgiveness and can restore fallen and shattered sinners like me and you.
When churches properly lift up the name of Jesus, the people of the church realize that they’re part of something that is much bigger than themselves \that isn’t even about them. When this is the mindset of the church, a real difference can be made in the world for Jesus. This is how the church tells the world that Jesus is real, that His love for all of us is real, that our love for Him and others is real, that hope is real, and that the people of Jesus are real.
Jesus was humble and willing gave up His rights in order to obey God and serve people. Like Jesus, we should have a servant’s attitude, serving out of love for God and others, not out of guilt or fear. Remember, we can choose our attitude: we can approach life expecting to be served or we can look for opportunities to serve others. Jesus shows us everything about God’s character that can be conveyed in human terms. When we know Jesus, we also know God.
The challenge every day of our lives is to be a person that shows Jesus to the world in our actions, behavior, and words. It’s not ever going to be easy, but we can trust that it will be worth it. At the last Judgment, even those who are condemned will recognize the authority of Jesus and His right to rule. People can voluntarily choose now to commit their lives to Jesus as Lord in this life, or they will be forced to acknowledge Him as Lord when He returns then ultimately be condemned for eternity. Jesus may return at any moment, and we all need to ask ourselves if we are prepared to meet Him face to face. If not, make the needed changes in your life now and do your very best to live your life in a way that honors Him and the sacrifice He made for you.
Until we meet again, may God bless you and keep you, may He shine His light on you, show you grace, and give you peace in all the days ahead.