Podcast Summary: The Gift of Jesus’ Name | Jentezen Franklin at Free Chapel

Date: December 14, 2025
Host: Jentezen Franklin
Episode Theme: Exploring the Power, Meaning, and Gift of Jesus’ Name

Overview

In this episode, Jentezen Franklin unpacks the profound gift of Jesus' name, delving into biblical history to show how God’s identity is successively revealed through Scripture, culminating in the Incarnation. Franklin explores the significance of Christ’s name—not just as a label, but as a revelation of His deity, authority, and closeness to humanity. The message weaves together scriptural insights, personal experiences, and memorable moments to highlight why the name of Jesus holds unparalleled power and meaning for believers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Tradition of Gift-Giving and God’s Greatest Gifts

[00:33]

• Franklin opens by reflecting on the Christmas tradition of gift-giving and its origins with the wise men.
  • “Americans spend on average $900 per household at Christmas... but the greatest Christmas gifts were given by our God to us. God is a good gift giver.”
• He catalogs the spiritual gifts God bestows:
  • The Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38): “The gift of the precious Holy Ghost... It was one of the greatest gifts. I pray in the Spirit every day of my life.”
  • Ministry Gifts: “The gift of a pastor, the gift of evangelists, apostles, teachers.”
  • Mercy, Grace, Love, Blood, Word, Life, Health: “I look in my bag of gifts that have come from the Father, and I think of the gift of his love, the gift of his Word, gift of health.”

2. The Power and Meaning of Jesus' Name

[06:36] – Focus Segment

• Franklin shares a personal story about his newborn grandchild still being unnamed, using it to illustrate the importance of names and God’s direct naming of Jesus.
  • “The angel named this baby... His name shall be called Jesus. In that moment came the gift of Jesus Name to planet Earth.”
• [07:51]
  • Emphasizes that we often underestimate the authority and power in the name of Jesus.

3. Progressive Revelation: The Names of God in the Old Testament

• Franklin traces the unveiling of God’s character through His names:
  • Elohim: “I am Elohim, which means Most High God. There is none beside me.” [09:55]
  • Adonai: “I am Adonai, master and Lord in Hebrew.” [10:35]
  • Yahweh: “He said, I will reveal myself to you as Yahweh. Yahweh is his name.” [10:38]
  • Jehovah Nissi: “I fight your battles... my banner of victory.” [11:12]
  • Jehovah Rapha: “I am the Lord that heals thee.” [11:33]
  • Jehovah Shammah: “I never leave you. I never forsake you.” [11:43]
  • Jehovah Tsidkenu: “The Lord, my righteousness... my righteousness will be imputed to you.” [12:09]
  • Jehovah Jireh: “I will provide.” [12:20]
  • Jehovah Shalom: “The God of Peace.” [12:29]
• “There is no God like our God Jehovah... Satan is not equal to God.” [14:59]

4. The Fullness of God in Jesus — The Incarnation

[15:31] – [17:19]

• Franklin passionately affirms the deity of Jesus, referencing Philippians 2:
  • “He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death... therefore God has highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name.” [16:07]
  • “Jesus is not one of many or one of several. Jesus is God. Jesus is God in the Father. Jesus is God and the Son. Jesus is God and the Holy Spirit.” [17:19]
• Scriptural quotes challenge listeners to see Christ’s unique authority and identity.

5. Jesus’ Self-Identification as God

• Discusses various scriptural moments where Jesus identifies Himself with divine titles:
  • “Before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:48, [19:05])
  • “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30, [19:46])
  • “All power is given unto me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18, [19:49])
  • “He said... if you see me, you have seen the Father. I'm it. I am the manifestation of all of God.” [20:33]

6. Purpose of the Incarnation and the Humanity of Christ

• Franklin explains God's decision to become flesh:
  • “God is a Spirit. So how can a spirit bleed? How can a spirit be touched with the feeling of human infirmities?... I'm going to wrap myself in flesh and I'm going to come down to earth and I'm going to put all my power, all my glory in an 8-pound baby.” [21:39]

7. Why the Name of Jesus is a Gift

• The name as access to God’s promises and presence:
  • “The marks of the better covenant... are the marks and scars of his hands, his side, his back, his brow, his feet. One day I'm going to touch them.” [25:11]

8. Jesus Is the ‘I AM’

• Repeated confirmations from the New Testament to the burning bush (Exodus 3:14), tying Jesus' declarations to God's ancient self-revelation:
  • “I am here. I am He. I am. I am. I am. I am.” [27:11–27:23]
  • “When they came to arrest Jesus... Jesus spoke up, ‘I am,’ and when he did, the Bible said, all the Roman soldiers... fell to the ground.” [27:39]

9. Humanity’s Unique Value to God

• “We're different from all of that. We're superior. You want to know why I know? Because when Jesus came, he did not come back as a whale... He came as a human being because we're the most precious thing that he could find on this earth.” [28:19]

10. The Simplicity and Power of the Name ‘Jesus’

• The contrast between Jesus’ accessible name and complex Old Testament names:
  • “The name Jesus is mentioned 909 times in the New Testament. It's an easy name. It has five letters, two syllables... I’m so glad he didn’t name him [something complex]. There’s just something about that name.” [30:23–31:57]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Supremacy of Jesus’ Name:
  • “He has highly exalted him and given him a name above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.” — Franklin, [17:45]
• On the Power Encounter at Jesus’ Arrest:
  • “Jesus spoke up, ‘I am,’ and when he did... all the Roman soldiers... fell to the ground.” — Co-Host, [27:39]
• On the Humanity of Christ:
  • “All of God’s glory will be smashed in and put inside of that baby in Mary’s womb.” — Co-Host, [21:43]
• On the Repeated ‘I AM’ Statements:
  • “Seven times Jesus said, I am. I am the bread of life. I am the light of the world. I am the door for the sheep. I am the resurrection and the life. I am the Good Shepherd, am the true vine.” — Co-Host, [29:24–29:57]
• Personal Power of the Name:
  • “I’ve said it in the greatest crisis of my life: Jesus. There’s just something about that name.” — Co-Host, [31:57–32:18]
• On Salvation and the Deity of Christ:
  • “To strip Jesus of his deity is to put your name out of the Lamb’s book of life. Because you’ll never be worthy and good enough. It’s only the lamb who is worthy and Jesus is that lamb.” — Co-Host, [22:57]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:33] – Christmas gift-giving & God’s gifts
• [06:36] – The importance of Jesus’ name
• [09:55] – God’s Old Testament names & revelations
• [12:09] – Righteousness and prophetic significance
• [16:07] – Jesus’ exaltation (Philippians 2)
• [19:05] – Jesus as the “I AM”
• [21:39] – God becomes flesh in Christ
• [25:11] – The marks of the New Covenant
• [27:11] – Jesus as the ‘I AM’ at the well, in Gethsemane
• [29:41] – Seven “I AM” statements of Jesus
• [31:57] – The practical power of calling on Jesus’ name

Conclusion

Franklin’s message passionately affirms that the name of Jesus is not just a historical or religious title, but a divine gift given for humanity’s salvation, healing, victory, and relationship with God. The episode interweaves biblical exposition, theology, humor, and personal testimony, consistently returning to the central truth:

“There’s just something about that name.” [31:57]

Listeners are left with a renewed appreciation for the simplicity, authority, and intrinsic power of Jesus’ name—the ultimate Christmas gift, and the very center of Christian faith.