This study was first taught on September 20, 2020

Topic: Faith in the Name of Jesus Christ

(use the audio to study)

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Background
Last week, we looked at the miracle of making the man born lame to walk. We noted that his attention was required, so that when the word “rise up and walk” was spoken to him, he was helped by Peter jerking him up.

Thus we averred that:
 The church/Christian like the man born lame must need arise from her sitting position—position of ease, convenience, docility, etc.
 To achieve this, God must grab our attention which could come in different forms—looking on to Jesus, the burning bush which was not being consumed, shock treatment to effect repentance/contrition, etc.
 The way to go is by the word of God, which has power in itself to accomplish its purpose (<strong>Psalm 107:20</strong>)
 If we can do something which the word of God asks us to do, we are expected to respond appropriately; if not, the word will do it for us!

We looked at what “rise up and walk” connotes/represents and said that it means:
 Get up from your sitting condition and begin to do what you could not do before.
 Come out of obscurity and shine forth the glory of God.
 Dry bones becoming an army with the Lord at its head
 An awakening/revival from its slumber

We cautioned against a relapse into docility if we don’t work with God but go off on our own.

Scripture Text(s)
Acts 3:6, 16
When we discussed “Rise Up and Walk” last week, we did not discuss what was behind the word/command. Today, we shall look at the force behind the command.
When we get a cheque, we tend to focus on the amount on the cheque, but the payer/bank teller focuses not just on the amount but also the authorized signatory. A cheque is only as good as the authorized signatory beside the availability of funds. A miracle is only as good and effective as the authority behind the command!
There is a difference between faith in Jesus Christ and faith in the name of Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus (usually His finished work on the cross) brings salvation. Some people have been saved through faith in Jesus, who do not have faith in His name. why else would we have people praying in the name of the god of pastor so and so?
First, we shall look at faith generally, then we shall look at the name of Jesus Christ, and asking, and finally, we shall put it all together and look at faith in the name of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 11:1, 3-4; James 1:5-8; Mark 11:22-24; 1 John 5:14-15; Philippians 2:9-11; Matthew 7:21-23; Acts 19:13-17; Proverbs 18:10-11; Acts 4:12; John 14:13-14; 16:23-24, 26-27; 1 Kings 3:5-14; Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 11:5-13; 18:1-8.

Conclusion
<strong>John 11:43-44; Luke 8:35</strong>
When we talk of faith in the name of Jesus Christ, we are talking of the faith of the one asking, not necessarily the faith of the recipient, which in most cases may be nigh non-existent—as in the case of praying for an unbeliever. We who believe must be assured that whatever we ask in the name of Jesus will be answered, and we must be unwavering and resolute in our faith in that regard.

And if your prayer is yet unanswered, keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking. Note that the friend who was asleep did not open the door because of friendship but because of the importunity of the friend knocking on the door. Also, remember that when we give a command—which actually is a prayer—in the name of Jesus, events are occurring behind the scenes invisible to us—heaven, earth, and hell stand at alert awaiting the Lord’s instructions, so keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking, until you get the answer you are expecting or better!

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