God’s Reputation
(topical)
1. There are some pretty funny real names out there!
a) Jed I. Knight
b) Bud Light
c) MacDonald-Berger
d) Tahra Dactyl
e) Chris P. Bacon
f) Dr. Joelle Rollo-Coster
g) Alma L. Knack
h) Brock Lee
i) Marriage announcements: Lonney-Ward, Hardy-Harr
2. While some names make us chuckle, others should fill us with reverence: Yahweh, Jesus.
3. God is protective, jealous and serious about His Name.
Malachi 1:11, For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.
The Great Commission exists to make His Name known in every nook and cranny of the earth. “Make disciples of all nations,” Jesus told us. Foreign missions.
In Romans 10, people can only be saved if they call on the Name of the Lord Jesus. To call on Him, they must hear of Him. To hear of Him, someone must get word to them.
Main Idea: God takes great pleasure when people honor His Name. His Name is directly connected to His character and His reputation.
I. God’s FAITHFULNESS Is Connected to His Good Reputation (Name).
A. God will honor His promises made to ABRAHAM, ISAAC, and JACOB.
Romans 11:28-29, “As regards the gospel, they [the Jewish leaders who opposed the Gospel] are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Ezekiel 20:44, And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I deal with you for my name's sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel, declares the Lord God.
• Some people wonder why God’s faithfulness to Israel is such a big deal to me
B. God’s faithfulness to the promise of ETERNAL life is based upon faith in His Name.
John 1:12, But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…
I John 5:11-13, And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
• Like many believers, I struggled w/ assurance; finally resolved — God’s good Name
Application: Faithfulness is tested when we choose God and His ways above the ways of our culture, family, or peer group. It shows itself in loyalty, especially when things are very good (forget God) or very bad (bitter at God). “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” — a person who helps at a difficult time is a truly reliable person. God doesn’t abandon us.
II. God’s Acts of Redemption HIGHLIGHT His Good Name.
A. The EXODUS
Exodus 19:16, But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.
• When people show-off, most of us can only enjoy it in moderation…
• Unlike us, God is uncreated; everything exists for His good pleasure; He is not arrogant when He reveals Who He is through His works…[glorify Him]
B. The ATONING Death of Jesus
Romans 3:24b-26, … Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
• We talked about propitiation last week
• But God also had to vindicate for forgiving people before Christ died
Time shows a lot, and God is never in a hurry. Luke 7:35 (NASB) “Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”
III. God is JEALOUS for His Name.
A. He demands to be the SOLE object of worship.
Joshua 24:19b-21, … he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good.” And the people said to Joshua, “No, but we will serve the Lord.”
Isaiah 48:11, For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.
B. His NAME is to be reverenced.
Exodus 20:7, You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
IV. God Specially FOCUSES Glory on the Name of the Incarnate Son, Jesus (Yeshua).
A. The Father EXALTS the Son’s Name.
Philippians 2:9-11, Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
B. We delight in JESUS’ Name.
John 15:6 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
V. Biblical Prayer Warriors APPEALED to God’s Name and Glory in Their Prayers.
A. Have you noticed the emphasis on God’s Name in the Lord’s Prayer? Hallowed
Daniel 9:19, O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”
B. We are taught to ask in Jesus’ Name
John 16:23b-24, …Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
C. When we pray, we are to seek God’s glory, not selfish desires.
D. Have you ever wrestled with God in prayer? Wrestle for His glory, His Name.
