Favour Has Found You: Six Rights to Use the Name of Jesus

Sermon outline

Because Jesus came, died and rose again, every believer has a blood-bought right to use His name, and He left us blessed and favoured, so this Christmas you can know that favour has found you.

1. Christmas means anointing

   Christmas marks the moment in history when God gave the world His Son, and in one transaction Jews, Gentiles, nations and ethnic groups could be reconciled to God; all they have to say is yes. Christmas celebrates how God anointed Jesus, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil. Your name has been written in the book by the blood, so there is no condemnation: you are righteous not just by doing right things but by nature.

   “In one transaction, when Christ gave up his life, people have been reconciled back to God.”

   • Acts 10:38
   • John 3:16
   • Romans 8:1
   • 2 Corinthians 5:21

2. It is your gospel right

   Some Christians are intimidated to use the name of Jesus, but it is their right. The gospel is still the power of God unto salvation, and Jesus is the way, the truth and the life; he says this without criticising anyone else's beliefs. Salvation means full deliverance from sin, sickness, failure, powerlessness and every known need of human life.

   “The word salvation here means full deliverance.”

   • Romans 1:16
   • John 14:6

3. It is your redemptive right

   Redemption means God has bought us and we are not our own; He takes care of us, watches over us and blesses us, and our names are engraved on the palm of His hand. In the kingdom of God we are not Indian, coloured, white or black but one royal priesthood, washed in the blood, so don't drag the world's caste system and tribalism into the church.

   Illustration: Over a meal, a pastor told him he was 'pure' because he was born to Christian parents. He replied that he must then be impure, since his own parents were not Christians: we are pure only because of the blood of Jesus and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

   “I'm a saint of God, washed by the blood of Jesus.”

   • 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
   • Zechariah 2:8
   • Isaiah 49:16
   • 1 Peter 2:9

4. It is your needful right

   From the standpoint of need, children of God have the right to claim full supply, not half or a portion. You don't have to be a loser; you are a winner.

   “That's your blood-bought right to get a full supply from God.”

5. It is your promise right

   All the promises of God are for those who believe; not one is promised to the unbeliever. You don't have to wonder whether something is God's will: if you can find it in the Bible, you can stake your claim, even if others don't agree with you.

   “If you can grab it out of the Bible and if it's in there, you can claim it.”

   • Philippians 4:19
   • 2 Corinthians 1:20

6. It is your family right

   Besides your natural family you belong to the family of the kingdom of God: God is your Father, Jesus is your elder brother, and the angels surround you, watch you and protect you wherever you travel, even when you can't see them.

   “The angels are your homies.”

   • Romans 8:29

7. It is your commission right

   Every child of God has been commissioned to use the name of Jesus, to whom all authority has been given. That gives you the blood-bought right to use His name against sickness, financial trouble and marriage problems; when a doctor gives a bad report about your child, you can put it in your back pocket and say, 'In Jesus' name, it's not so.'

   “I don't receive that report. I'll believe the report of the Lord.”

   • Matthew 28:18-20
   • John 14:12-15
   • Isaiah 53:1

8. He left you blessed and favoured

   When Christ came He did not leave you an orphan; He left you blessed and favoured. Favour is God's kindness and liking for you: a reward for obedience others can't see, an attitude of goodness rather than payment, a divine way to success, a gift to help you achieve your assignment and proof of His love, and it increases when you cooperate with the laws of God. Joseph's and David's dreams came to pass, and yours will too.

   Illustration: People who knew you when you had one shiny suit, 'not the glory of God, just extra pressing', will wonder what happened to you; it was the favour of God.

   “Favour is proof of the love of God.”

   • John 14:18

9. The Holy Spirit administrates the funds of God

   The Holy Spirit is the administrator of the funds of God, so be friends with Him and every need will be met on time and with more than enough. Don't be afraid to be a radical sower and giver. When storms come, keep your eyes on Jesus, who is in the boat and said you are going to the other side; no man can stop you.

   “The Holy Spirit is the administrator who administrates the funds of God.”

   • Mark 4:35