Sermon, Number Three by John Matteson

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 10, 1866

Sermon, Number Three.

By John Matteson

The Name "Jesus."

BY J. MATTESON.

"THOU shalt call his name Jesus." Luke i, 31.

Names represent things and objects. Without names we should be unable to locate ourselves in space or time. They originate from God, and even the stars "he calleth . . . all by their names."

There is something truly wonderful in the fact that a few letters meeting our eyes, can bring before us a clear idea of a person who lived six thousand years ago, or events that then transpired. Or bring persons who are now living many thousand miles off, near before us. Abel, and David, and Peter, and Paul are all still speaking. And even the words of Job have been printed in a book, so that we may be instructed by the patience of that just man. The names of Abraham, Elijah, Daniel, and John bring before us faith, piety, devotedness and love. Sweet memories are connected with all these. But above every name that was ever named in Heaven or upon earth, the name Jesus connects with it everything that is sweet and lovely.

Let us consider, 1. The person to whom the name Jesus is applied. 2. The memories clustering around this name. 3. The power of the same.

1. The person to whom applied. On this we find many conflicting opinions among men. But the word of the Lord is clear and definite on this subject as well as all other subjects. It is generally and justly applied to the son of Mary, born at Bethlehem. But who is he? Is he only the son of Mary? Is he not also the only begotten Son of the living God? Did he exist before this world? Is he co-equal with the Father? Let us hear the inspired testimony, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. . . . And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. . . . John bare witness of him, . . . he was before me." John i. And the Saviour himself testifies, "Before Abraham was, I am." John viii, 58. Yet he is not the self-existing, only true God, but he is the Son of God. And it has pleased the Father to bestow upon him all power, glory, wisdom and excellency, and to send him to this lower world to redeem his fallen creatures, that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. "All power is given unto me in Heaven and in earth." Matt. xxviii. "Who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature. For by him were all things created, . . . and he is before all things. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell." Col. i. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." John xvii. This may easily be harmonized with the oneness of the Father and the Son, for this unity is not in person, but in purpose and action. This is most decidedly proved in verse 22, "That they may be one, even as we are one." "There is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things; and one Lord, Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. viii. "There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." 1 Tim. ii. Christ is truly God, for he is born of God; and truly man, for he is born of man. "Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. . . . And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, let all the angels of God worship him. . . . Unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever. . . . God, even thy God, hath anointed thee." Heb. i.

That this very person, who was born before every creature, is the same as afterward appeared unto men upon this earth, in the land of Palestine, the beloved apostle John demonstrates beyond all possible doubt. "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands handled of the Word of life. . . . That eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us, . . . declare we unto you." 1 John i. Compare John i. Again hear the word of the Lord: "The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, . . . before the hills was I brought forth. . . . When he prepared the heavens, I was there. . . . When he appointed the foundations of the earth, then I was by him as one brought up with him." Prov. viii.

Who was it that communed with Abraham about Sodom, that Joshua worshiped when he was by Jericho, that walked in the midst of the fiery furnace with the three Hebrew worthies, that helped the angel against the prince of Persia, when he withstood him one and twenty days, but the Prince of the people of God, the Son of God, "The first and the last, . . . he that liveth and was dead; and is alive forevermore"—Jesus?

The reason why this name is applied to Christ, is plainly given in Matt. i, 21. "He shall save his people from their sins." Pure and holy the earth and its inhabitants came forth from the hand of the Almighty. All was peace, order, and perfect harmony. Every living being seemed to praise the Lord, and everything created reflected his glory. But man fell. The curse came, and rested heavily upon the earth and all its inhabitants.

The Son of God looks down in tender compassion upon the poor fallen race. He says, I will save them, I will die for them, I will pay the penalty of their transgressions. Ten thousand worlds are mine, the peace and glory of Heaven I can enjoy forever; flaming seraphs and mighty angels I can command at my pleasure. On the wings of the morning I can go to the uttermost bounds of creation, escorted by a host of most lovely beings, enraptured by songs of sweetest melody, but I will leave it all. I will go to that dark far off earth; to those rebels who despise me, and my Father and his holy law. I will be poor, despised, forsaken, spit upon, scourged, crucified, and die for those who have hated me.

And he not only promised, but came, and carried out his plan of salvation, in spite of all the united opposition of devils and wicked men. And this he did for you, reader, that you through the means by him provided may be an heir of glory. Oh matchless love! And will you turn away from it? Will you be indifferent? Can you steel your heart against such love? Will you return nothing but black ingratitude? Will you continue to displease him who is now so kindly inviting you to come, who offers full and free salvation? Oh no, say no! he has come to save me, therefore his name is called Jesus. That name I will never, no never forget.

2. The memories that throng around the name Jesus, are so many and so sweet that they afford meditation enough for a poor mortal all his lifetime.

When he enters this world is a heavenly messenger sent to the most prominent kings and emperors, that they must assemble in all their royal splendor, to receive the King of kings in a becoming way? Oh no! He is sent to some poor shepherds in the field. And so interested is the heavenly host in this glorious event that soon a whole multitude is with the angel praising God.

Away, ye vain pleasures of earth, ye giddy halls of mirth, riches, honor, fairy, fleeting dreams! I must go and hear the angels sing. They sing of Jesus, Heaven, glory, good will toward men. That song is for me with the broken heart, and the wounded soul,

and the fearful debt, which I could never pay. Jesus has come. Raise high my expectations. In the very name there is a soothing balm.

There he is in the manger; the loveliest babe that was ever seen upon the earth. Now he is brought into the temple. There is old Simeon waiting for the consolation of Israel. Bold old man. What queer notions he has. He thinks he shall see the Lord's Christ before he dies. He will certainly be disappointed. So says unbelief. But faith clings to the promise. There the child comes. That is he. The Spirit bears witness in my soul. Blessed child. "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation."

We are also waiting for the consolation of Israel. Scoffers say "fools." But faith clings to the promise. And soon shall we see Jesus, and old Simeon will be there too.

But who is that little child sitting there in the temple? He looks to be about twelve years old. The beautiful ringlets flow gracefully round his neck. A halo of glory appears about his lovely head. His youthful eyes beam with wisdom, as he is both asking questions and answering those gray-haired doctors who sit around him. See the anxious crowd who are pressing near to hear. Hear his answer to his sorrowing father and mother, "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" He was already then conscious of his holy mission. Friend, be thou also about thy Father's business.

Now we see him surrounded by the multitude, teaching and healing. The blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the dead are raised, the hungry fed, and none turned away empty. But here is a poor woman from Canaan. She is not so fortunate as to be a child of Israel. But her daughter is sick. She is needy. None can help. She cries unto Jesus, "O Lord, have mercy!" But he does not answer her a word. She fears and trembles, but still she keeps on crying, even so much that it troubles the disciples, and they want to send her away. Finally, Jesus says, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." She blushes. Her heart is sinking within her. Her eyes are filling with tears. Must she go away empty? No, faith will not give up. She cries again, "Lord help me." But again Jesus looks stern. Oh hear that answer, "It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs." Poor woman, didst thou hear it? Thou art nothing but a Gentile dog! Go home, go home, he will not hear thee. She feels herself most wretched and poor. There is not the smallest merit in herself that she can point to. But faith is unconquerable. She admits that she is no better than a dog. "Yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." "Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith, be it unto thee even as thou wilt."

Thus Jesus will still hear every poor soul that comes unto him, be they ever so unworthy. His name is still Jesus. He cannot deny himself. He suffered in the garden. He died on the cross. He suffered for you and for me. He invites all and turns away none. He has power enough and love enough to save all that come unto him. Kind reader, will you stay away?

This is all very well you say, but it is an old story: things passed and gone. So they are passed, it is true. But where is Jesus now? Even now, amid the perils of the last days, while thousands are worshiping at the shrine of mammon, iniquity abounding, and the love of many waxing cold, yes, now more than ever, sweet memories cluster around our Great High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. He is like a fountain of water in the wilderness, like a cooling rock in the burning desert, to the poor, weary pilgrim. O my soul, forget not his loving kindness. He brought me out from destruction's path. He found me by the wayside, sick and wounded, and cared for me most kindly when all others failed. He soothed my pains, and healed my wounds, and even now will carry all my burdens. He is the same, yesterday, to-day, and forever. Always found by those who seek him. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me call upon his holy name.

But you must soon die, and all the enjoyment you have now is only through faith. "Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me. . . . I go to prepare a place for you. . . . I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also." Oh blessed thought! Sweetest of all the thoughts connected with Jesus' name. We have many foes, all trying to destroy us,

*Yet let nothing spoil your peace; Christ will also conquer them, Soon the joyful news will come, Child, your Father calls, come home.*

3. The power of the name Jesus is most wonderfully manifested for the good of man and the glory of God. This power did not cease when Jesus left this earth. "Lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." In Acts iii, we have a remarkable instance recorded. There is a lame man in the gate of the temple. Day after day he has been carried there these many years, to prolong a miserable existence by begging. Peter and John are coming into the temple, and Peter, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, bids him rise up and walk. Now behold the power of that name: "Immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he, leaping up, stood and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking and leaping, and praising God." Filled with joy, and trying to convince all of his perfect soundness, he not only stood up and then walked, but went on leaping, and praising God. And the apostles confess before the people, "And his (Jesus') name, through faith in his name, hath made this man strong." Neither is this the only instance of such glorious display of divine power upon poor mortals through Jesus' name. "There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits; and they were healed every one." Acts v. Nor is the remnant people left altogether without such manifestations. There are not a few in our ranks who this day can testify to the power of the name of Jesus. Jesus is still with his people. But as we hear of signs and lying wonders being multiplied about us, we feel that we need more of the power of Jesus' name. But this can only be given to such as walk in great humility before God. Oh! for a closer walk with God, that we may realize more of the power of Jesus' name, both individually and as a people.

This same power is also known by the conversion of sinners, and its sanctifying influence upon those who believe. Eighteen centuries have not darkened its glory, or diminished its power. All the blasphemy and insult heaped upon it, serves only to make it sound still sweeter in a believer's ear.

The manifestations of the power of Jesus' name shall never cease. Every soul that loves God must be saved. The last stone in the spiritual temple building must be hewed and put in its place. Then the great corner stone will finish the building. "He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." And just as powerful as Jesus' name has been in the salvation of his people, so powerful it will also be in the destruction of sinners. "As the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers." Not one of them shall escape. "For evildoers shall be cut off; but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth." "Let sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the Lord, O my soul. Praise ye the Lord." Then every creature which is in Heaven, and on the earth will be heard saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever. Then redemption will be completed, and the morning stars will again sing together, and all the sons of God shout for joy. Swelled by the happy throng of the redeemed, those songs sound still sweeter, and louder ring those shouts of joy, until the whole universe reverberates the joyful sound with not a single discord. Oh that joy unspeakable, that eternal weight of glory! Reader, will you be there?