Teaching summary
In this sermon, Pastors Leonard and Lori Rola explore the immense power and authority found in the name of Jesus. They emphasize that prayer, healing, and supernatural acts were consistently done "in the name" throughout the New Testament. The teaching encourages believers to deepen their relationship with the Father, understand the role of prayer in grace, and reclaim the powerful use of Jesus' name in everyday faith. It is not about formula or religious routine, but about intimacy, authority, and walking in what has already been given.
Bible verses referenced
Philippians 2:9- "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name."
John 1:12- "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."
Acts 3:6- "Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise and walk."
Acts 16:18- "And this she did many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour."
1 Corinthians 6:11- "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
Colossians 3:17- "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."
Romans 8:26-27- "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."
Ephesians 3:20- "Now unto him that can do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."
Philippians 4:6- "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
James 5:14-15 (referenced)- "Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."
Hebrews 4:16-"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
John 16:23-24- "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
Teaching notes
Table of Contents
- Introduction: Gratitude and the Kingdom of God
- Relationship Over Reward
- Asking and Prayer in Grace
- Investigating the Power of the Name
- Biblical Evidence of Authority in the Name
- Early Church Use of the Name
- A Look Ahead: How to Pray in the Name
- Closing Encouragement
Introduction: Gratitude and the Kingdom of God
Pastors Leonard and Lori begin by expressing deep gratitude to their audience for ongoing support—prayers, financial giving, and encouraging messages. They reflect on how the ministry is growing, including new connections from across the U.S. This expansion is not about building a personal kingdom but advancing the kingdom of God. The pastors remind the audience that their generosity makes them God's "hand extended" to others.
Relationship Over Reward
Pastor Leonard explains that he and Pastor Lori have been pressing into a relationship with God, not to earn rewards, but to know Him intimately. They reference Ephesians 1 and 3, noting Paul's prayer that believers would receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation to "know as we're known." They relate it to a marriage: just as time deepens the bond between spouses, so does time with the Father deepen our revelation of Him. The Holy Spirit and our spirit together cry "Abba, Father"—pulling us into closer communion.
Asking and Prayer in Grace
They explore the tension many believers feel about whether we should "ask" in prayer, especially in light of teachings that all things are already given through grace. Pastor Leonard brings clarity by referencing scripture:
Philippians 4:6- "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
Ephesians 3:20-"Now unto him that can do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."
Romans 8:26 27- "Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities… the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered…"
They conclude that not only is asking allowed, but the Holy Spirit helps when we don’t even know what to ask.
Investigating the Power of the Name
This section marks a turning point. Leonard shares that God has recently been leading him to rediscover the name of Jesus, not just the person, but His name as a carrier of power.
They start with:
Philippians 2:9-"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name."Then go on to:
John 1:12- "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
The message is clear: there is authority granted simply by faith in His name.
Biblical Evidence of Authority in the Name
They walk through a series of verses that show miracles and transformation happening through the use of Jesus’ name:
Acts 3:6-"In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk."
Acts 16:18-"I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her."
1 Corinthians 6:11- "But ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
Colossians 3:17-"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…"
This repetition in scripture builds the theological point: the early church functioned in the miraculous not by long prayers or rituals—but by the name.
Early Church Use of the Name
Leonard and Lori recount that in Acts, when John and Peter healed a man born lame, they were arrested. However, the religious leaders didn’t say, “Don’t speak of Jesus,” but rather: “Don’t preach in the name.” This reveals how dangerous and powerful that name was considered, even to unbelievers. They also reference James 5:14-15, which says: "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church… anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord."
A Look Ahead: How to Pray in the Name
This sermon sets up a future teaching, but Leonard introduces questions worth pondering:
- Is there a specific way we should pray?
- Do long, eloquent, emotional prayers guarantee answers?
- Does God want us to approach Him like beggars or like children?
He answers using Hebrews 4:16-"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace…"
And finally, John 16:23-24-"Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
The conclusion is that Jesus Himself directed us to pray to the Father in His name—and that’s exactly what the early church did.
Closing Encouragement
Pastor Lori shares her excitement about this renewed understanding. The name of Jesus is the most powerful, and they believe exploring this truth will unleash transformation in the lives of believers. Leonard encourages viewers to look up scriptures themselves, use a concordance, and prepare for next week’s session on how to pray in that name.
We hope this article has blessed you. Share this teaching with someone today, and join us for the next message as we continue exploring the power of the name of Jesus.