Our name | Mission | Vision | Leaders Ministries | Schedule | Directions | Contact Home   Gateway Church gathers for worship Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Location: 6425 Jefferson Rd. (Hwy. 129) in Athens, Georgia. For directions, click here. Ministry of the Word: Recent sermons Our quarterly e-magazine Gateway Today For the Gateway family Pastor Jerry's Weekly E-Mail A GATEWAY SERMON SUMMARY AUDIO Our weapons: The name of Jesus (Twelfth in the series, 'A Christian worldview') Jerry Varnado, pastor Gateway Church, Athens GA November 7, 2004 Main Scripture text: Philippians 2:1-11. A Christian Worldview Sermon Series Aug. 8, 2004 • The Power of Perspective Aug. 15, 2004 • The Holy Bible: Our Guide for Faith and Practice Aug. 22, 2004 • Origins Aug. 29, 2004 • Will the Real God Please Stand Up? Sept. 5, 2004 • The Spirit World Sept. 12, 2004 • A Warfare Worldview Sept. 19, 2004 • War Stories: Invasion and Liberation Oct. 10, 2004 • War Stories: At the Front Oct. 17, 2004 • The Enemy's Battle Plan Oct. 24, 2004 • Personal Defense Oct. 31, 2004 • Our Weapons: The Sword of the Spirit Nov. 7, 2004 • Our Weapons: The Name of Jesus Nov. 14, 2004 • Our Weapons: The Blood of Jesus Nov. 28, 2004 • Warfare Worldview: The Real Star Wars Spiritual weapons are for use not against people, but against demonic powers. Scripture is clear that demons fear Jesus and obey Him. We also know from Scripture -- specifically Ephesians 1:22 -- that the Father has made Jesus supreme over all things for the church. His supremacy over spiritual forces, including demonic powers, isn't just a fact of theology; it should be a practical reality in and through the ministry of the church. Preparing the disciples for His departure, Jesus taught often about the power of His name: "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father..." "I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit -- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name..." "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete..." Living in the power of Jesus' name starts with a clear understanding of who we are in Him. Paul says we are "ambassadors of Christ." The dictionary defines an ambassador as an official "appointed and accredited as the authorized messenger or representative [of another]." If you are saved, you have received your appointment -- you are an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ. But have you been accredited? Do you have the right credentials? Those credentials include: 1) True humility. Paul said we should have the same mindset we see in Jesus. His humility was in His self-forgetfulness. He submitted Himself to the will and purpose of God even when it came to laying his life on the line. 2) Spiritual power. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential to living the Christian life; it is how we are endued with spiritual power. We get this power by asking -- and then submitting. The issue in conversion is the forgiveness of sins; the issue in Spirit baptism is the Lordship of Jesus Christ. If you want to be baptized in the Holy Spirit you must submit to Jesus as Lord of your life. 3) Our actions are consistent with Jesus' interests. Ambassadors do not act independently of the one who appointed them and conferred authority on them. 4) An intimate personal relationship with Jesus. Unless and until we have this intimate, personal relationship, the other three credentials will not be consistently evident in our lives. Jesus wants an intimate relationship with us, but that won't happen without our participation. Bottom line: In the name of Jesus, God has given us all we need for successful, victorious living and victory over all the power of the enemy. Supporting texts: Mark 5:6-10 | Ephesians 1:22-23 | John 14:13 | John 15:16 | John 16:24 | Matthew 28:18-20 | Mark 16:17-18 | Acts 3:16 | 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 | Acts 19:13-16 | Acts 1:4-8 | 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 | Luke 11:13 | Acts 2:36-39 | John 14:15-17 | Acts 4:13 | James 4:8 A mp3 audio file of this sermon is here (35:00). (Download to a PC by right clicking on the link and choosing "Save Target As." Mac users: click, hold, and choose "Download Link to Disk." Depending on your connection speed, the file may take several minutes to download.) An audio tape of this sermon is available free of charge (U.S requests only). Request a tape by calling or writing the Gateway Church office. Please specify tape number 041107a: Our Weapons: The Name of Jesus. © 2004 Gerald R. Varnado To the Gateway Church home page How to contact us