Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the founder and president of LoveWorld Incorporated, has urged Christians to show greater reverence when addressing Jesus Christ in prayer and worship. Speaking during a recent teaching, the renowned televangelist emphasized that the way many believers casually use the name “Jesus” reveals a lack of true knowledge of Him.
“How can you serve Him?” Oyakhilome asked. “Even the way many call His name would tell you they don’t know Him. The prince said ‘Jesus,’ and you think you’re actually talking to Him. There’s a difference between talking to Him and talking about Him. They are not the same.”
He explained that while it may be common in preaching to mention the name “Jesus,” addressing Him directly in prayer requires deeper recognition of His exalted status after resurrection and ascension. “After His resurrection and ascension, nobody ever addressed Him as Jesus. You couldn’t do it,” he noted. “You address Him correctly if you know Him. When you haven’t known Him, you call Him what you like—Jesus.”
The pastor drew an analogy with how respect is shown to authority figures in society. “You can’t even call your boss, your governor, or your president by name just like that. You put some respect there,” he stressed. “But because you don’t know Him, you call Him by His name. That is proof you don’t know who He is.”
He further questioned testimonies where some claim to have seen Jesus in visions, noting that such encounters should transform a person’s perception. “Sometimes, people say Jesus appeared to them. I wonder what they saw, because if they truly saw Him, I don’t think they could call Him that way,” Oyakhilome remarked. “No, there will be a change. There will be a difference. If you really had such an encounter, you wouldn’t address Him so casually. Otherwise, you only saw an imagination.”
Concluding his message, Pastor Chris highlighted that knowing Christ deeply requires reverence, honor, and an understanding of His divine authority. “You can’t talk to Him like you’re talking to your neighbor,” he insisted. “He is Lord. See, More, Here>>>>
