http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Phil%202:9-11&version=NIV1984
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+19:17&version=NIV1984
Names. We all have them. First names. Middle names. Last names. Nick names. Some people even have more than 3 names. Like my father and grandfather. And most Spanish-speaking people I know! Since there are so many people in the world, most of us need all 3 of our names in order to properly distinguish us from others. There are a few people, however, whose first name is so popular (and admittedly, distinct) that they are known by it. Elvis. Oprah. Cher. Madonna. Shaq. Kobe. Bono.
Of course, our names are important to us. Because they identify us. They define us. So others had better get them right. I remember years ago a younger couple started coming to our church from another church. One of the reasons why was that their pastor couldn’t get her name right. And it bothered her. Names are also important in that they can come to symbolize either good or bad. Billy Graham. Mother Teresa. Adolph Hitler. Jezebel. Judas. Immediately when we hear these names a mental image, either good or bad, comes to mind.
Companies also have names. Some of their names are easy to pronounce and remember. Others are more difficult. Just the same, their name is important to them. As a result many companies spend billions of dollars each year in advertising. Not just to advertise their products but to also keep their name in the public consciousness. Companies like Coke. Pepsi. IBM. Apple. Ford. Chevy. Honda. Companies also spend money on advertising in order to portray their name in a good light. One such company is CNN. Their slogan is = CNN, the most trusted name in news. Other companies seek to portray their name as being synonymous with excellence. Or care. Or being friendly to the environment.
In the Bible, we find that names are also important. Many times the name of an individual described either their character or their destiny. In Genesis we find that God changed the names of Abram, Sarai & Jacob because their relationship to Him had changed. And, of course, when speaking of names, what can we say about the name of God? In Hebrew, there are several different names that He goes by. And the 3rd of the 10 Commandments is that God’s name is holy and should not be used in vain. In fact, God said that He would punish the person who abuses His name.
Of course, our names are important to us. Because they identify us. They define us. So others had better get them right. I remember years ago a younger couple started coming to our church from another church. One of the reasons why was that their pastor couldn’t get her name right. And it bothered her. Names are also important in that they can come to symbolize either good or bad. Billy Graham. Mother Teresa. Adolph Hitler. Jezebel. Judas. Immediately when we hear these names a mental image, either good or bad, comes to mind.
Companies also have names. Some of their names are easy to pronounce and remember. Others are more difficult. Just the same, their name is important to them. As a result many companies spend billions of dollars each year in advertising. Not just to advertise their products but to also keep their name in the public consciousness. Companies like Coke. Pepsi. IBM. Apple. Ford. Chevy. Honda. Companies also spend money on advertising in order to portray their name in a good light. One such company is CNN. Their slogan is = CNN, the most trusted name in news. Other companies seek to portray their name as being synonymous with excellence. Or care. Or being friendly to the environment.
In the Bible, we find that names are also important. Many times the name of an individual described either their character or their destiny. In Genesis we find that God changed the names of Abram, Sarai & Jacob because their relationship to Him had changed. And, of course, when speaking of names, what can we say about the name of God? In Hebrew, there are several different names that He goes by. And the 3rd of the 10 Commandments is that God’s name is holy and should not be used in vain. In fact, God said that He would punish the person who abuses His name.
But there is one name that stands out above all others in the Bible. And it is the name Jesus. It was the name that the angel Gabriel gave to Mary for God’s Son before she had even conceived. Basically it is the Greek equivalent of Joshua and means “the Lord saves”. It is a symbolic name, given to describe Jesus’ future ministry, i.e., to save others. So we see in the New Testament that it is in the name of Jesus that people are saved. It is by the name of Jesus that people are healed. And it is the name of Jesus that is exalted above every other name.So let’s appreciate the name of Jesus. Let’s use it more. In our prayers. In our conversations. It is the name we can call upon. Anytime. Day or night. It is the sweetest, most wonderful, powerful name in the universe. It is a name in which we can put our trust.
Lord, I thank you for the name of Jesus. I am saved by this name. I have power in this name. I have eternal life as a result of this name. May I grow in my love and appreciation of this name. May it be on my lips for all eternity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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