What A Beautiful Name

As I sat down this week to prepare today’s lesson I, as I typically do, brought up my “saved” favorites on Youtube of inspirational music. The song What A Beautiful Name, from Hillsong Worship, was the first song to come up in my random playlist.

I would suggest that you click on the link above or image below and listen to this song. Listen at least 2 or three times until you’ve heard the words and felt the passion on the vocalist. I think, once you have done so, this lesson will make far more sense to you.

[embedyt]https://youtu.be/nQWFzMvCfLE[/embedyt]

That morning, I chose to sit quietly and listen deeply to the words and music of this song. They held a very powerful meaning and the singer, Brooke Ligertwood, sang them so emotionally it was all too apparent her words were sung from deep within her heart and glory to her Savior.

I listened to this song for a grand total of approximately 89 times… over and over again until the words became embedded in my mind. The powerful dedication to Christ and the recognition of the Love He brought into this world tore at my heart-strings as tears flowed from my eyes. These, of course, were not tears of sorrow but, instead, tears of great joy.

The song, as I listened repeatedly, reminded me how great the name of our Lord and Savior truly is and how much praise we should be giving Him in everything we do.

This morning, I would like to take a few moments and go over some of the words of this great tribute to Jesus and how true the words really are to me and should be to you as well.

The Beginning

“You were the Word at the beginning, One with God the Lord Most High. Your hidden glory in creation, now revealed in You our Christ.”

God, as we all know, created the Heavens and the Earth. He was before us all and made mankind in His own image. Long after the fall of Adam and Eve, Noah and the Great Flood, people began to forget of God’s great glory and lost focus on all the lessons that had been put before them.

When Christ came to us, sent by The Father, he revealed all that is good to us once more. He re-enlightened us as to all His Father’s glory as we began to understand what was told to us by Paul in…

1 Corinthians 8:6 – “Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.”

He Revealed Heaven to Us

“You didn’t want heaven without us, So Jesus You brought heaven down. My sin was great, Your love was greater. What could separate us now?”

Jesus was sent by God, The Father, to reveal the treasures in Heaven. His Love for us was so great that He wanted us to know and understand what awaits us in eternal life if we believe, and follow His teachings and those of His Father in Heaven.

He taught us, the Gentiles, as well as His own people in stories. When the Apostles asked Him why He taught in parables, He explained it to them in this way.

Matthew 13:11 – “He replied, ‘Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.’”

The Apostles heard and believed in every word Jesus spoke to them but, in their blind eyes and deaf ears, the others needed an easier way to understand… a story.

Death Could Not Defeat Him

“Death could not hold You, the veil tore before You. You silence the boast of sin and grave. The heavens are roaring the praise of Your glory for You are raised to life again.”

We all know how the veil of the temple tore right down the middle… how the Roman soldier, after seeing this, spoke out saying, “Truly, this was the Son of God.”

We should also never forget, after Christ was crucified and arose to His Father in Heaven, how every creature on Heaven and Earth glorified Him…

Revelation 5:13 – “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’”

“What a beautiful Name it is, what a beautiful Name it is, the name of Jesus Christ my King!”

Yes, it is… and I will sing His praises until the time He calls me home!

What We Need to Remember

Why does this song and these words get to me so much? It’s simple really. As you all know, I love to watch people. I love to hear their stories of woe and how life is so unfair. When I hear these words, I simply smile knowing who I am and what I truly have been given.

The sacrifice my Lord made for me, has given me riches those who haven’t heard will never understand. He Loves me and stands with me through all I do… and for you, those that believe with me, you know as well.

When We’re Sad

He gives us comfort…

John 14: 27“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

When Life Knocks Us Down

2 Corinthians 4:8-10 – “We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair, we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.”

When We Feel Alone

Matthew 28:20 – “And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Christ made this promise to us and, as we all know, He never lied, never “twisted the truth” and never said anything He didn’t truly mean.

I know He is with me always. I feel Him around me in good times and, more so, in bad. Whenever I feel I am losing my way, I always look for Him.

The Nasty Root

Some years ago, when I still owned my house, I decided to take on some landscaping chores to “pretty things up” around the yard.

I wasn’t much of a handy man and didn’t have a lot of tools at my disposal. Every task I took on was a challenge as this was clearly not my area of expertise.

One day, while I was trying to remove some ficus hedges, I came across a large root. I dug up the earth around it as much as I could and began to pull, with all my might, trying to get this thing out of the ground.

I knew, if I left it there, it would continue to grow around the plants I intended to put in their place and choke the roots, killing my new creations.

I tugged and tugged for what seemed like hours. My body became weak and my frustration level was to the point where some pretty nasty words made their way out of my mouth.

I thought of giving up. I stopped, took a drink of my water and smoked a cigarette to just sit back and survey the situation again before I completely lost my patience.

I sat down on the little bench beside the hedges and just stared. Then, I heard Him. “I am with you.”

With new encouragement in my heart, I stood once more to dig this root up once and for all for, now, I knew I had help.

I dropped to my knees, looked to my left as I felt Jesus kneeling there beside me, and said, “Okay Lord, it’s you and me now… let’s do this!” I wrapped both hands around this nasty little beast along with His and, with one last effort, succeeded in ripping the entire root from the ground.

It was about 7 feet long in total and dug a little tunnel in the yard but, nonetheless, my new plants were sure to be safe now that Jesus had helped me through my challenge.

What’s My Point?

I know. It’s a goofy little story and kind of comical at best. The point I am trying to make to you this morning is:

  • When we’re sad… He brings us comfort.
  • When we’re knocked down… He reminds us, we are not destroyed.
  • When we feel along… He is always with us.

In Conclusion

Yes, what a beautiful name it is, the name of Jesus Christ Our Lord. Let us find great comfort in knowing all the things He has promised us. Let us worship His name and remember His sacrifice for us.

We are NEVER alone! When all else is failing in your life… remember to talk with Him, to walk with Him and feel His everlasting presence surrounding you so the troubles of this world cannot consume you.

How many did He save back when He roamed the Earth? How many has He saved in today’s times? How many more will He save tomorrow.

Open your hearts and let Him in! Give Christ your sorrows and He will bring you joy! When this world knocks you down… reach out your hands and let Christ lift you from your knees!

He Loves us dearly. He sacrificed His life on this earth that we should be forgiven of our sins and be granted the gift of everlasting life.

Don’t give up on yourself and, more importantly, remember not to give up on Him… What a Beautiful Name It Is!

Amen.

Go with God; be good to one another; always stay humble; always be kind… God Bless!

Hillsong Worship
Words & Lyrics by
Ben Fielding
Brooke Ligertwood

What A Powerful Name It Is

You were the Word at the beginning
One with God the Lord Most High
Your hidden glory in creation
Now revealed in You our Christ

Chorus 1
What a beautiful Name it is
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a beautiful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

Verse 2
You didn’t want heaven without us
So Jesus You brought heaven down
My sin was great Your love was greater
What could separate us now

Chorus 2
What a wonderful Name it is
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a wonderful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

Bridge
Death could not hold You
The veil tore before You
You silence the boast of sin and grave
The heavens are roaring
The praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life again

You have no rival
You have no equal
Now and forever God You reign
Yours is the kingdom
Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name above all names

Chorus 3
What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus