The Honor of God's Name
Introduction
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
The simplest, most basic rule of thumb for living the Christian life is to do everything, whether word or deed, in the name of the Lord Jesus. To do everything in the name of Jesus is to live and act consistently with who He is and what He wants. Paul expressed the same thought in 1 Corinthians 10:31.
1 Corinthians 10:31: “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Again, Paul reminds that it is always to be done without reluctance or despair or legalistic duty, but with “giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
In Romans 13:14 Paul tells us to put on the new lifestyle by putting on Jesus Christ.
Romans 13:14: “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”
The goal of the Christian life is Christlikeness.
I. THE SCOPE OF THE HONOR OF GOD’S NAME 17
“whatever you do” – the Christian life is nothing less than the whole of the Christian life, lived “in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
A. Association
“and whatever you do in word or deed” – everything in the Christian life is related to Him.
As believers, we bear and wear His name, the name of Christ. We belong to Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.”
We are Christ’s representatives on earth (ambassadors – 2 Corinthians 5:20).
2 Corinthians 5:20: “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.”
We are to bring every word and deed to the test of the presence of Jesus Christ. Our behavior is to match our confession; this encompasses every area of our life.
In the New Testament the word Christian is found only 3 times.
Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16
* Called Christians first at Antioch (DISCIPLES).
* Paul stood before King Agrippa and Agrippa said, “you are trying to persuade me to become a Christian.”
* “If you suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed.”
a. Contempt
The name (Christian) was given originally as a term of contempt, but gradually became a name of honor.
b. Contemplation
Today, when someone says they are a Christian, it is a word of contemplation; what do you mean?
ILLUSTRATION: If you claim to be a Christian there will always be questions and statements.
1. We’ll see.
2. Does this mean you will change? No change, No Christ NOTE: 2 Corinthians 5:17
3. If he or she is a Christian, so am I.
(COMPARISON of behavior)
4. Does being a Christian make you different?
5. Did Saul of Tarsus change?
6. Did Peter change?
B. Authority
The opposite of cursing His name is honoring His name.
NOTE: No other religious figure’s name is used for cursing or cussing.
NOT BUDDAH, NOT MOHAMAD, NOT ANY OTHER.
We bless with His name only.
God bless you!
The Lord makes His face to shine upon you.
Acts 4:12: “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
a. Consecration
To be a Christian is to be saved from sin and sanctified by His Spirit.
b. Coronation
Philippians 2:9-11
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
"We Wear His Name"
A little boy hangs his head and starts to pray
His daddy's gone away to who knows where
He needs a hand to hold he needs to hear there's hope
He needs someone to tell him that Jesus cares
That's why we're here
We wear His name
The name above all names
We wear His name
In a world that's lost in hopelessness
We are called to be the light
We wear His name
A troubled man he cries what have I done
I can't lose my wife and son Lord help me please
He needs to know there's hope someone to share the load
Someone to give the love that sets men free
Someone like you and me
When we see those in desperate need
How can we pass them by
Let's not forget we represent
The name of Jesus Christ
It is in the name of the Lord Jesus that we find:
* OUR IDENTIFICATION
* OUR ASSOCIATION
* OUR PARTICIPATION
There is a lot in a name -
Judas-Jezebel-Ruth-Mark-John
II. THE SUBMISSION OF THE HONOR OF GOD’S NAME (17)
“do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” – activities should be done under the complete authority and approval of Jesus Christ. The “name” of Christ stands for all the He is and all that He has done. The Christian therefore should act in total conformity to his living Lord, as those who bear His name.
Living in accord with His name means in harmony with His Word, His revealed will, in subjection to His authority, in dependence of His power.
His name speaks of His authority. A person’s name signed to a check authorizes the withdrawal from his account.
The President’s name signed to a bill makes it into a law.
Bearing the name of Jesus is a great privilege, but it is also a tremendous responsibility.
John 14:13-14: “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
We should honor the family name. Anything in your life that cannot be associated with the name of Jesus.
III. THE SPIRIT OF THE HONOR OF GOD’S NAME 17
“giving thanks to God the Father through Him” – grateful to God for the unique privilege and responsibility to live for Him.
“giving thanks” – is associated with being filled with the Spirit, being controlled by the Word of God, and relating to the name of God.
Spiritual Checklist:
1. Anything in my life that Hinders the Peace of God?
2. Anything in my life that keeps me from Heeding the Word of Christ?
3. Anything in my life that Hurts the Name of Christ?
Another Test:
1. WORD – Can we speak it and in the same breath name the name of Jesus?
2. DEED - Can we do it, calling upon the name of Jesus?
REMEMBER: The ultimate goal of maturity is Christ-likeness.