WHAT’S IN A
NAME?
Steve W. Reeves
stevesermons.blogspopt.com
INTRODUCTION:
A. In
the famous play Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare wrote, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.”
1. What if a person’s name reflected their personality?
2. You might find names like: “Ima Mess,” “Frank Lee Bored,” “Iwana Napp “ or even
Sonny Weathers. I have a friend who is a TV meteorologist in Memphis named
Wendy Nations (her real name).
B. What comes to mind when you hear the name, “Christian?”
1. Does it have a positive or negative meaning to you?
2. As an adjective it is used to describe a Christ centered focus (i.e. Christian
publication, Christian education or Christian fellowship).
3. As a noun it means, “one who belongs to Christ.” The word Christian is a
combination of the word Christ with the Latin suffix “ian” meaning “one who is of”
or “one who belongs to.” Someone from Searcy might be called a “Searcian.” One
who belongs to a civic club might be a “Rotarian” or a “Kiwanian.” All of these
terms are indicative of possession or belonging.
4.. The word “Christian” is found just three times in the Bible.
a. Acts 11:26 – “The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” This is
significant in that Antioch was a crossroads of the ancient world for both Jews
and Gentiles.
b. Acts 26:28 – When Paul spoke to King Agrippa about righteousness,
temperance and judgment to come, Agrippa responded by saying, “almost you
persuaded me to become a Christian.”
c.1 Peter 4:16 – “If any suffer as a Christian he is not to be ashamed, but is to
glorify God in this name.”
C. What is in the name “Christian?”
I. IDENTITY
A. One of the great themes of the Bible is the identity of God’s people through the
ages.
1. The Old Testament tells the story of God’s deliverance of His people from
bondage in Egypt and the establishment of their identity as God’s people.
2. The New Testament tells the story of God’s deliverance of the world from
slavery to sin and the new identity we have through Christ.
B. The New Testament uses some of the same words found in the Old Testament to
identify God’s people and applies these terms to Christians.
1. God’s people in the Old Testament were known as Israel. In the New Testament
Christians are described as “Israel” in Galatians 6:16, “And those who will walk
by this rule (faith and obedience to Christ), peace and mercy be upon them, and
upon the Israel of God.”
2. The language of the Old Covenant regarding Israel in Exodus 19:5, “Now then, if
you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own
possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; 6 and you shall be to
Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation,” is used in 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a
chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own
possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called
you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
1.) We are a chosen race (spiritual).
2.) We are a royal priesthood (this applies to all Christians).
3.) We are a holy nation (this speaks to our character).
4.) We are chosen by God to proclaim his excellence.
3. In the Old Testament circumcision was an outward sign of God’s covenant
with Israel. Notice what Paul said when he wrote to the church in Romans
2:29, “But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of
the heart.”
C. As a Christian we are God’s people. You cannot wear the name of Christ if you are
not a person of God. During the reign of Alexander the Great a young man was
caught stealing and brought before the great military leader. “What is your name,”
asked Alexander the Great. “Alexander, sir,” replied the youth. Alexander the Great
paused for a moment before replying, “Young man, change your life or change
your name.”
II. INFLUENCE
A. Not only does the New Testament tell us the identity of a Christian as a person
of God, it also gives us a clear picture of the influence we must have on others.
1. In Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has
become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for
anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.14 You are the
light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a
lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who
are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may
see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
2. Although we sometimes think of salt as being bad do you realize it is essential
for life. Without salt our blood would not coagulate properly. Salt is a
preservative and is used in many ways to enhance the taste of food. This is the
type of influence Christians are in the world. We make a difference between
spiritual life and death because we reflect the Savior.
3. Christians reflect the light of Jesus in a dark world. Do not minimize the
importance of your light. Your influence may light the way for another who will
influence others and spread the light of God throughout an entire community.
4. “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to
convict you?”
B. Most Christians have no idea of the powerful influence they possess.
1. You were born with influence. When you came into this world you had an effect
upon others. Their schedules were changed because of you. If you have older
siblings the chances are their lives were changed by you. As you grew you
learned how to use your influence to get what you wanted.
2. Each of us has a vast network of people we influence.
a. Family and Friends
b. Students influence your classmates.
c. Parents influence your children and your children’s friends.
3. Those of us on staff have a degree of influence through our activities, ministries
and visiting. Our elders have influence through people with whom they meet.
Deacons have influence through the work they do. All of us combined cannot
hold a candle to the network of influence you possess.
C. In considering the question, “What’s in a name” think of Paul’s admonition to
Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12, “in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show
yourself an example of those who believe.”
III. INCREASE
A. As one who is “of Christ,” we should have an interest in the increase of God’s
kingdom. God’s kingdom is composed of all who are obedient to His will. In order
to know His will people must hear the word (Romans 10:17).
B. You may have heard the Parable of the Life Saving station. It is the story of a
group of swimmers who formed a life-saving operation on the east coast.
Whenever ships would capsize off the coast they would race into action to save the
passengers and sailors. Each year they saved hundreds of lives. One year
someone suggested they build a shelter for themselves so they would not have to
wait outside in the bad weather. They built a small hut just for shelter. A few years
later someone said, “Let’s enlarge the hut so we can have classes on life saving.”
They enlarged their hut. Then someone said, “Let’s put in comfortable seats
instead of these old benches.” Year by year they added comforts and amenities to
their hut which by this time had grown into a building. No one seemed concerned
that they were spending more time in the building than on the sea shore looking for
storm tossed ships. One afternoon a large passenger ship hit a reef and began to
sink. Hundreds of people drowned while nearby the lifesavers remained huddled
inside their life-station.
CONCLUSION:
A. Could I be called a Christian
If everybody knew
The secret thoughts and feelings
Of everything I do
Could they see the likeness
Of Christ in me each day
Or could they hear him speaking
In every word I say
Could I be called a Christian
If my faith I did not show
If I did not go to places Where the Lord would have me go
If I do not love His truth
If I do not guard His trust
If I cherish more than Jesus
My greatest hidden lust
To obey all He's commanded
To do all that He said
To be his true disciple
To place no confidence in the flesh
To glory in Christ Jesus
It's He who justifies
How to find your life you must lose it
To live you first must die
Let every man examine his own life
"Could I be called a Christian?”
B. What’s in a name? Everything! Are you a “Christian?” Have you come to Christ in
faith, repented of your sins and been buried with Him in baptism? Are you walking
ider the question carefully
