Easter 2025 // Power In The Name

Easter Sunday | The Power of a Name
April 20th, 2025 | Casey Middle School

I want to begin today by reading from Matthew 1:21:

“You are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

Jesus. A name that carries power.

Intro: Names matter. Names carry weight. Do you know the meaning of your name? My name is Parker… it carries significance, my name means “Keeper of the Park”. That’s right, I am destined to take good care of trees, grass, and plants. Another name that I carry is husband and dad.

Story: Last week we had a few days of summer and my family was spending the day by Boulder Creek, and my youngest son Zion was playing in the creek by one of the waterfalls. The water was freezing cold and moving fast. He leaned over and fell into the waterfall and was swept away in the rapids. And all I could hear, echoing through the trees, was him screaming: “DAAAD! HELP!!!”

I didn’t think. I didn’t ask questions. I didn’t hesitate, I ran. I ran straight into the water after him. I had to get to him. I had to rescue him. Cory followed close behind diving head first in the water swimming for his shoes. Cory wasn’t originally going for the shoes, but once he saw that I had Zion, he immediately pivoted to rescue the Crocs.

When Zion cried out my name, I didn’t wait for the details. I didn’t ask if he slipped or jumped. I didn’t stop to count the cost. I ran. Why? Because love moves when it hears a name.

And it made me think—names carry something, don’t they?

They’re not just sounds. They hold emotion. They hold urgency. They hold meaning. Some names make us smile. Others bring up pain. Some names feel distant. But others hit close to home.

Names shape how we remember people. And how we respond to them.

That’s because names don’t just tell us who someone is—they tell us something about what they can do. What they carry. What they represent.

Think about it… some names are instantly connected to legacy, influence, or drive:

• George Washington — legacy.
• Michael Jackson — global fame.
• Kobe Bryant — competitive fire.
• Michael Scott — managerial chaos and deep commitment to “Dunder Mifflin.” (Cue the photo)

Names don’t just identify someone—they represent what they carry. Their story. Their strength. Their impact. And today, we live in a world obsessed with finding that kind of strength. We’re chasing security. And we’re desperate for success—for something strong enough to stabilize us, fix what’s broken, and carry us through the chaos.

So we reach for names we think can deliver it:

• Money – “If I make enough, I’ll finally be secure.”
• The Mountains – “If I can escape more, I’ll finally feel peace.”
• Politics – “If the right person’s in office, everything will change.”
• Spirituality – “If I align with the universe, maybe I’ll find balance.”

We’re all reaching for something that gives us power or control—but most of it leaves us more exhausted than empowered. That’s why we’re here today. Because Easter is about a name that doesn’t just promise strength, security, and success—it embodies it in the name that is above every name: Jesus.

The Global Influence of Jesus' Name:

Even among people who don’t believe in Him—Jesus is still the most globally recognized name in history.

From a purely historical and cultural standpoint:

• His name has shaped nations.
• His teachings have influenced laws, ethics, and institutions.
• His life split time in two: B.C. and A.D.

But let’s go even deeper.

From a historian’s point of view—Jesus is not just well known. The New Testament is the best-attested writing of the ancient world.

• We have more than 5,800 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, plus thousands more in Latin, Coptic, Syriac, and other languages—far more than any other ancient document.
• The earliest written accounts of Jesus’ life were recorded within just decades of His death, while the surviving biographies of Alexander the Great were written hundreds of years later.
• Non-Christian writers were not trying to validate Christianity. Yet Tacitus and Josephus both record that Jesus was executed under Pontius Pilate, and Pliny the Younger describes how quickly Christians spread and worshipped Christ as God.

So whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, the historical record is undeniable: Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most studied and best-documented figures of the ancient world.

He’s been referenced, painted, filmed, written about, and discussed more than any other person who’s ever lived. His name has transcended time, language, geography, and culture. From scholars to skeptics, from sociologists to historians—there is no serious academic debate about His impact.

No other name has shaped civilization like His.

His story is known in every language.

On every continent.

By those who follow Him—and even by those who don’t.

You can try to dismiss Him. But you can’t ignore Him.

So the question becomes: If His name is the most recognized name on earth… what will you do with it?

Jesus is not only the most well known person to ever live, He is the most well known in heaven and on earth!

“God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name. At the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” – Philippians 2:9–11

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12

His name is exalted in heaven. His name has authority on earth. His name causes darkness to tremble. His name heals, saves, delivers, restores.

Question: So what will you do with the name that changes everything?

This Easter, don’t just recognize the name of Jesus—respond to it.

Jesus' Name Is His Mission:
When the angel came to Joseph, he didn’t say, “Pick something meaningful.” He said: “You are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

Yeshua is the original Hebrew name for Jesus. It means “Yahweh saves” or “The Lord is salvation.” It's not just a name—it’s a declaration of His mission: to save us from sin and bring us eternal life. Yeshua = Jesus Saves.

From the beginning, His name declared His purpose: to save, to heal, to restore. He didn’t come with a throne or a spotlight. He came as a baby in the town of Bethlehem.

He walked with the forgotten. He fed the hungry. He healed the sick. He flipped tables. He raised the dead.

But His greatest miracle wasn’t in a crowd—it was on a cross. They mocked His name: “Jesus, King of the Jews.” They meant it as a joke. But the joke was on them—because the cross wasn’t weakness, it was the rescue plan. And on Sunday—the name they laughed at became the name that conquered the grave.

Jesus Defeated Death:
The resurrection wasn’t a metaphor. It wasn’t a myth. It was a miracle.

“I pray you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead.” – Ephesians 1:19–20

The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us.

Story: Conquering Death – Bryan Johnson Moment

There’s a guy named Bryan Johnson—a tech billionaire. His mission? Defeat aging. His slogan? “Don’t Die”. One of his quotes that speaks to his mission is “Conquering death will be humanity’s greatest achievement.”

And I get it. No one wants to die. But Scripture says: “It is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment.” – Hebrews 9:27

You can’t hack your way out of eternity. You can’t discipline yourself enough to guarantee a long life. But here’s the thing: What science is still chasing, Jesus already did.

“Death has been swallowed up in victory.” – 1 Corinthians 15:54

In Jesus, death is no longer a wall—it’s a doorway. He’s not just an escape from death—He’s the only way into life.

Transition:

Bryan Johnson believes that conquering death will be humanity’s greatest achievement. But here’s what he’s missing: Jesus didn’t come just to extend your life span—He came to give you new life. And that new life doesn’t start the day you die—it starts the day you believe.

God’s rescue plan wasn’t just about getting you into heaven. It was about getting heaven into you.

“I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” – John 10:10

See, eternal life isn’t just about forever—it’s about right now.

Because if we’re honest, most of us don’t just fear dying someday—we’re already facing forms of death today.

We Face Death Before We Die:

1. Situational Death – A relationship that feels beyond repair. A dream that’s crumbled. A season you thought would last… and it didn’t.

2. Physical Death – Chronic illness. Pain. A diagnosis that shook everything.

3. Emotional Death – Shame. Depression. Anxiety. You’re functioning—but not really living.

You don’t need a little help. You need a resurrection. You don’t need a reset. You need rescue.

Zion Screaming “Dad!”:
Just like Zion in that water—there are moments where all we can do is scream:

“God! Help!”

And the good news is—you don’t have to scream the perfect prayer. You just need to call the right name.

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 10:13

Jesus doesn’t wait for you to be strong enough. He responds when you’re desperate enough.

Invitation:
Let’s bow our heads. Two groups of people I want to pray for:

1. You need Jesus to help you. There’s something dying in your life, and you need His power.

If that’s you—lift your hand.

Prayer: Jesus, You see their pain. You know their struggle. Breathe life where there’s loss. Bring healing where there’s hurt. Step in, right now.

2. You need Jesus to save you. You don’t just need help. You need a Savior. You’re ready to call on His name.

If that’s you—raise your hand. This is your moment.

As the band begins to play, I just want to give you a couple minutes to think about the power of Jesus in your life.

2:51 seconds:

Maybe for the first time today, you’re not just hearing about Jesus—you’re actually feeling Him call your name. This whole message has been building to this truth: the name of Jesus doesn’t just carry power—it carries your rescue. He doesn’t just secure your eternity, He wants to bring you life today!

This song we’re singing? It’s not just lyrics. It’s a promise. The Bible says: ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ Not might. Not maybe. Will. So if something inside of you is saying, ‘This is for me’, it is. Call on His name. You will be saved.

Right now, with faith rising in the room… I want to invite you to pray with me. Whether you’re ready to return to Jesus or call on His name for the very first time… this is your moment.

Let’s all pray this together:

Salvation Prayer:
Jesus, I acknowledge that I need you.
I confess that I have sinned against you.
I believe that God raised you from the dead.
And right now, by faith, I say: “Jesus is Lord.”
Thank you for forgiving me.
By your grace I am saved.
And by your power I am set free.

Closing:
Can we celebrate what just happened? Lives just changed. Eternity just shifted.

If you said yes to Jesus, your next step is baptism. And we want to walk with you.

And next week—we launch a new series: Hearing the Voice of God. Bring someone with you.

Let’s stand and worship the name that saves—the name above every name—Jesus.