CHAPTER 10
THE NAME ABOVE EVERY NAME
Theme Verse
"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
— Philippians 2:9–11 (KJV)
______________________________________________________________________________
Chapter Overview
Throughout this study we have traveled from Genesis to Revelation, discovering the many names through which God has chosen to reveal His character. We have seen Him as the eternal I AM, the Almighty, the Provider, the Healer, the Shepherd, the Lord of Hosts, and the God who dwells with His people.
Each name has revealed another facet of His glory.
Yet all of those revelations lead us to one magnificent conclusion.
Every name ultimately points to Jesus Christ.
The New Testament declares that the Father has highly exalted His Son and given Him "a name which is above every name." This does not diminish the names revealed throughout the Old Testament. Rather, it reveals that every one of those names finds its fullest expression and fulfillment in Christ.
He is the complete revelation of the invisible God.
He is the center of God's redemptive plan.
He is the One before whom all creation will one day bow.
______________________________________________________________________________
Why Is His Name Above Every Name?
Names throughout Scripture reveal God's character.
Jesus perfectly reveals God Himself.
When Philip asked Jesus to show the disciples the Father, Jesus answered,
"He that hath seen me hath seen the Father..."
— John 14:9 (KJV)
Jesus did not merely teach God's truth.
He is the Truth.
He did not merely show the way.
He is the Way.
He did not merely offer life.
He is the Life.
Every promise...
Every prophecy...
Every sacrifice...
Every covenant...
Every revelation...
finds its fulfillment in Him.
This is why no other name compares with His.
______________________________________________________________________________
The Name That Saves
The apostles consistently proclaimed one simple message.
Salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone.
Peter boldly declared before the rulers of Israel,
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
— Acts 4:12 (KJV)
This statement leaves no room for confusion.
No religious leader...
No prophet...
No philosophy...
No human effort...
can reconcile mankind to God.
Only Jesus Christ.
His sinless life.
His sacrificial death.
His victorious resurrection.
His finished work upon the cross.
Salvation has always been God's work from beginning to end.
The name of Jesus represents the complete provision God has made for sinners.
______________________________________________________________________________
Praying in His Name
Jesus repeatedly instructed His disciples to pray in His name.
"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do..."
— John 14:13 (KJV)
Praying in Jesus' name is not a magical formula added to the end of a prayer.
It is a declaration of faith.
It means approaching the Father on the basis of Christ's righteousness rather than our own.
We come because of who Jesus is.
We ask according to His character.
We submit ourselves to His will.
Every answered prayer ultimately glorifies Him.
______________________________________________________________________________
Living for His Name
Scripture teaches that believers are not merely saved by His name.
We are called to live for His name.
Paul wrote,
"Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus..."
— Colossians 3:17 (KJV)
Our words...
Our actions...
Our attitudes...
Our work...
Our worship...
Our relationships...
should all honor the One whose name we bear.
As Christians, we represent Christ before the world.
People often learn about Jesus by observing the lives of those who claim to follow Him.
This is both a tremendous privilege and a great responsibility.
May our lives never bring dishonor to the name that has saved us.
______________________________________________________________________________
The Name Before Which Every Knee Shall Bow
Today many reject Christ.
Some ignore Him.
Others mock Him.
Still others attempt to replace Him with human ideas or false religion.
Yet Scripture declares that one day every person will acknowledge His lordship.
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow..."
"And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord..."
— Philippians 2:10–11 (KJV)
Some will bow joyfully as redeemed children of God.
Others will bow in judgment.
But every person who has ever lived will one day recognize what believers confess today:
Jesus Christ is Lord.
His kingdom will never end.
His authority will never be challenged again.
His reign will be everlasting.
______________________________________________________________________________
The Hope of His Return
The names of Jesus not only tell us who He is.
They remind us of what is still to come.
The Lamb of God will return as the Lion of Judah.
The suffering Servant will return as the conquering King.
The Good Shepherd will gather His flock forever.
The King of Kings will establish His everlasting kingdom.
The Alpha and Omega will bring history to its glorious conclusion.
Every promise God has made will be fulfilled.
Every tear will be wiped away.
Every wrong will be made right.
Every enemy will be defeated.
Every believer will rejoice in His presence forever.
Our hope does not rest in the uncertainty of this world.
Our hope rests in the unchanging Christ.
______________________________________________________________________________
The Journey Through His Names
As we conclude this study, pause for a moment and consider everything God has revealed.
He is Elohim—the Creator.
He is El Shaddai—the Almighty.
He is Adonai—the Lord.
He is Jehovah Jireh—the Provider.
He is Jehovah Rapha—the Healer.
He is Jehovah Nissi—our Banner.
He is Jehovah Shalom—our Peace.
He is Jehovah Rohi—our Shepherd.
He is Jehovah Tsidkenu—our Righteousness.
He is Jehovah Sabaoth—the Lord of Hosts.
He is Jehovah Shammah—the God who is Present.
Each name has revealed another glimpse of His character.
Together they reveal one glorious truth.
God desires to be known.
He has not hidden Himself from humanity.
He has revealed Himself throughout history, culminating in the person of Jesus Christ.
The greatest response we can offer is not merely to admire these names.
It is to trust the One to whom they all point.
______________________________________________________________________________
Reflection
• Which name of God has most strengthened my faith during this study?
• How has my understanding of Jesus Christ grown through these chapters?
• In what ways can I better honor His name through my daily life?
• Is there someone with whom I should share the hope found in Jesus Christ?
______________________________________________________________________________
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for revealing Yourself so graciously throughout Your Word. Thank You for allowing us to know You not as an unknown or distant God, but as the Creator, the Shepherd, the Provider, the Healer, the Almighty, and above all, through Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Thank You that every promise You have made finds its fulfillment in Him. Thank You for the salvation found in His name alone. May this study never remain merely information in my mind, but become truth that transforms my heart.
Teach me to trust You more completely, worship You more deeply, and faithfully bear the name of Christ before the world. Help me to live each day in joyful anticipation of His return, when faith shall become sight and every knee shall bow before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Until that glorious day, may my life bring honor to Your holy name.
In the precious name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.
______________________________________________________________________________
Study Conclusion
The names of God are not simply words recorded in ancient history.
They are invitations.
Every name reveals another aspect of God's heart.
Every title proclaims another reason to trust Him.
Every page of Scripture points us toward Jesus Christ.
May these names encourage you when you are afraid.
Strengthen you when you are weak.
Comfort you when you are hurting.
Guide you when you are uncertain.
And continually remind you that the God who revealed Himself throughout Scripture is the same God who walks with His people today.
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."
— Revelation 22:21 (KJV)