Message Notes

Ministry : Bilingual Worship
Name : Mark Tan
Text : Matthew 1
Title : “And you shall call His name Jesus”

Introduction

1. Beginning our Christmas series

a. To discover wonderful aspects about the Lord Jesus

b. Through studying the story of the birth of Christ

2. To make Christmas special as we discover more about the Lord Jesus.

a. To share about the name of the Lord Jesus that was revealed to Joseph

b. To understand how special His name is.

An extraordinary revelation concerning Jesus

1. The usual naming of a son

a. The relationship between the father and son established

i. The names of the fathers and their sons listed

ii. It was the father who begets the son

b. It was the parents, usually the father who named the son

i. It was Abraham who named his son Isaac (Genesis 21:3)

ii. It was Isaac and Rebekah who named their sons Esau and Jacob
(Genesis 25:25,26)

2. An extraordinary revelation concerning the child in Mary

a. The angelic revelation of God as the Father of Jesus, His Son

i. When it came to Jesus, Joseph was not listed as the father

ii. Jesus was listed as the Son of Mary instead (Matthew 1:16)

iii. When Joseph found out that Mary was with child, he thought to divorce her. (Matthew 1:19)

iv. An angel appeared to Joseph in an extraordinary dream (Matthew 1:20)

v. Revealed that the child conceived in Mary was of the Holy Spirit.

b. It was God the Father who named His Son (Matthew 1:21)

i. The wonderful name Jesus was divinely given

ii. Through the angel, His name was revealed

iii. Joseph as the legal father named Jesus (Matthew 1:25)

An encouraging appreciation of the significance of the names of Jesus

1. The name of Jesus (Matthew 1:21)

a. The name “Jesus” has great significance

i. His name “Jesus” signifies that He came to save

ii. It would indicate that this Child would become the Saviour

b. He would be the Saviour of His people

i. The Lord would save His people from the judgment of sin

ii. He would bring about redemption to all

c. When we use the name of the Lord, it is a significant name

i. The name of Jesus is the most matchless and mighty name ever

ii. When we use the name of the Lord, there is great power involved

2. The name “Immanuel” (Matthew 1:23)

a. The name “Immanuel” also has great significance

i. Immanuel signifies “God with us”

ii. Jesus came to this earth to represent God

iii. He was the very presence of God

b. The name “Immanuel” is meant to be applied

i. The name “Immanuel”…God with us can be so much more real to us

ii. The name of Immanuel is meant to be personally applied into our life

iii. We don’t need to feel all alone in this world

iv. We can be comforted to know that God is with us.

An exciting application of the names of Jesus and Immanuel

1. Focus

a. When we use the name of Jesus, our focus should be Immanuel

b. In the Psalms, many of the Psalmists used the name of the Lord.

i. They invoked the name of the Lord

ii. In application, they were conscious that the Lord was with them.

c. When we call on the name of Jesus, we should be conscious of Immanuel

d. The focus on Immanuel is not something that people tend to be conscious of

e. The challenge to focus on the mighty name of Jesus

i. When we call upon the name of the Lord, we will be saved

ii. More than salvation and deliverance, there is the Immanuel idea

2. Foundational idea for prayer

a. Understand the revelation of the name of Jesus and Immanuel

b. The names of Jesus were foundational ideas for prayer

c. The name of the Lord Jesus should be used in our prayers.

d. The Apostle John wrote about praying in Jesus’ name. (John 14:13,14)

e. When we pray, we say “In Jesus’ name”, what do we mean?

i. It is the name of Immanuel in application.

ii. When we approach the Father, it is in the name of the Lord.

3. Faith

a. Invoking the name of the Lord is also going to take faith

b. As we pray in His name, we also must believe that God is there with us.

c. Many people use the name of the Lord but they do not really believe

d. If I do not believe that the Lord is with me, then Immanuel does not apply.

e. Praying the name of the Lord should be with faith and confidence

i. It is supposed to give a sense of certainty

ii. There should be a sense of affirmation that God is with us

Conclusion

1. Discover how the revelation of Jesus and His name was extraordinary

2. Delight in the encouraging and significant names of Jesus

a. Jesus… A powerful name to invoke

b. Immanuel… The presence of God in application

3. Determine to have an exciting experience applying the name of Jesus and Immanuel

a. As a focus

b. As the foundation of our prayers

c. In faith