His Name Is Wonderful

Names in the Bible are far more than casual monikers; they are meaningful indicators of identity, purpose, and character. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, Jesus is described by numerous titles—the Alpha and Omega, the Good Shepherd, the Lamb of God, and the True Vine. In this series, Chuck Swindoll explores these names to give us a special glimpse into our eternal, powerful, and personal God. By understanding the significance of each name, we can grow in our appreciation of the Savior and deepen our daily walk with the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

Message 1: We Call Him Lord

Message Overview: To call Jesus “Lord” is more than a religious formality; it is an acknowledgement of His absolute sovereignty and our total submission. This message explores the Greek word Kurios and what it means to live under the daily authority of the One who owns us by right of creation and redemption.

Key Facts:

• Sovereignty: As Lord, Christ has the final word over our decisions, our relationships, and our future.
• Submission: True lordship requires a shift from self-will to divine-will.
• Identity: Understanding Christ as Lord provides a sense of security, knowing we belong to a benevolent Master.

Scripture References: Romans 10:9–13; Philippians 2:9–11

Message 2: He Is “King of Kings, Lord of Lords”

Message Overview: While the world is full of powerful leaders and rulers, this message highlights Christ’s position as the ultimate authority over all earthly powers. He is the King who transcends time and politics, holding a kingdom that will never end and a power that is unmatched by any human institution.

Key Facts:

• Ultimate Authority: Every earthly knee will eventually bow to His supreme rank.
• Eternal Kingdom: Unlike human empires that rise and fall, Christ’s reign is everlasting.
• Justice: The King of Kings rules with perfect righteousness and will one day set all things right.

Scripture References: Revelation 19:11–16; 1 Timothy 6:13–16

Message 3: The Meaning of Messiah

Message Overview: “Messiah” (or Christos) means “The Anointed One.” This message traces the Old Testament prophecies that pointed toward a coming Deliverer and shows how Jesus perfectly fulfilled these promises, moving from the role of a suffering Servant to the reigning King.

Key Facts:

• Fulfillment: Jesus is the specific person God promised throughout the Hebrew Scriptures.
• The Anointing: He was set apart by God for the unique mission of reconciling humanity to God.
• Redemption: The Messiah didn’t just come to bring political freedom, but spiritual liberation from sin.

Scripture References: Matthew 16:13–17; Isaiah 61:1–3

Message 4: The Day God Answered, “Amen”

Message Overview: In the Bible, Jesus is referred to as “the Amen.” This title signifies that He is the “verily” or the “truth” of God. This message explores how all of God’s promises throughout history find their “Yes” and “Amen” in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Key Facts:

• Certainty: Christ is the guarantee that God’s Word is reliable and His promises are true.
• The Final Word: “Amen” signals the conclusion and the confirmation of God’s redemptive plan.
• Trust: Because He is the Amen, we can build our lives on His promises without fear of failure.

Scripture References: 2 Corinthians 1:19–20; Revelation 3:14

Message 5: He’s the Alpha and the Omega

Message Overview: As the Alpha and the Omega—the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet—Jesus Christ is the beginning and the end of all things. This message discusses His eternal nature, His presence at creation, and His role in the final consummation of history.

Key Facts:

• Eternal Nature: Christ existed before time began and will exist long after the current world passes away.
• Completeness: He is the sum total of everything we need from beginning to end.
• Security: Knowing the “End” is in His hands allows us to trust Him with our “Middle.”

Scripture References: Revelation 1:8; 22:12–13

Message 6: Four Titles—Same Savior

Message Overview: Taking a deep dive into Isaiah’s famous prophecy, this message explores four specific titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Each title offers a different perspective on how Jesus meets the deepest needs of the human heart.

Key Facts:

• Wonderful Counselor: He provides supernatural wisdom for life’s complexities.
• Mighty God: He possesses the divine strength to accomplish the impossible.
• Everlasting Father: He demonstrates the eternal, protective care of a parent.
• Prince of Peace: He is the only source of true reconciliation with God and others.

Scripture References: Isaiah 9:6–7

Message 7: “I Am the True Vine”

Message Overview: Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches to describe our relationship with Him. This message emphasizes the necessity of “abiding” in Christ, showing that apart from a vital, living connection to Him, we can do nothing of eternal value.

Key Facts:

• Connection: Our spiritual life depends entirely on our attachment to the Source (Christ).
• Fruitfulness: The purpose of the Christian life is to produce “fruit” that glorifies the Father.
• Pruning: God uses trials to trim away the dead or unproductive parts of our lives for greater growth.

Scripture References: John 15:1–8

Message 8: The Shepherd of the Sheep

Message Overview: One of the most beloved images of Christ is that of the Good Shepherd. This message explores His commitment to lead, feed, protect, and even lay down His life for His “flock,” contrasting His care with the neglect of “hired hands.”

Key Facts:

• Sacrifice: The Good Shepherd willingly gives His life for the sake of the sheep.
• Guidance: He knows His sheep by name and leads them to “green pastures.”
• Protection: No one is able to snatch the believer out of the Shepherd’s hand.

Scripture References: John 10:11–18; Psalm 23

Message 9: The Lamb of God

Message Overview: John the Baptist introduced Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” This message explains the sacrificial system of the Old Testament and how Jesus became the ultimate, final Passover Lamb, securing our forgiveness through His blood.

Key Facts:

• Substitution: Jesus took the penalty that we deserved, dying in our place.
• Purity: As the Lamb “without blemish,” His sacrifice was perfectly acceptable to God.
• Victory: The Lamb who was slain is now the Lamb who reigns on the throne.

Scripture References: John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:18–19; Revelation 5:6–13

Message 10: The Way, the Truth, the Life

Message Overview: In a world of many “paths,” Jesus made the exclusive claim that He is the only way to the Father. This message examines the radical nature of this statement and explains why His unique identity as Truth and Life makes Him the only viable bridge to God.

Key Facts:

• Exclusivity: Salvation is found in no one else; there is no other name under heaven given to men.
• The Way: He is the path; the Truth: He is the reality; the Life: He is the source of eternal vitality.
• The Bridge: He is the only one who could span the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity.

Scripture References: John 14:1–6; Acts 4:12

Message 11: Christ, Our Mediator

Message Overview: A mediator is one who stands between two parties to bring them together. This message explores how Jesus, being both fully God and fully man, is the only one qualified to mediate the new covenant between the Creator and His creation.

Key Facts:

• Full Humanity: Because He was man, He can represent us before God.
• Full Deity: Because He is God, He has the authority to satisfy divine justice.
• Reconciliation: His mediation has removed the barrier of sin and brought us into a relationship with the Father.

Scripture References: 1 Timothy 2:5–6; Hebrews 9:15

Message 12: We Have an Advocate

Message Overview: When we fail, we have an “Advocate” with the Father. This message looks at Christ’s ongoing work as our defense attorney in the court of heaven, standing against the accusations of the enemy and pleading our case based on His own righteousness.

Key Facts:

• Legal Defense: Christ does not argue our innocence; He pleads His own finished work on our behalf.
• Intercession: He is constantly praying for us and defending us.
• Standing: Because of our Advocate, we can approach the throne of grace with confidence, not fear.

Scripture References: 1 John 2:1–2; Romans 8:33–34