“A Changed Name”
Revelation 2:17
INTRODUCTION: Revelation 2:17 – all turn
A name is something to be proud of. I’m proud of the name “Scott”. It was such a great name, that they named a country after us … “Scotland”!
I’ve had some strange sounding names in my congregations … Bebermeyer, Dudenhofer, Simansky, Leinonen. Some famous people even change their names (see Almanac).
Some preachers have good preaching names … Dr. Gordon Cross, Rev. Wayne Jacobs, Dr. David Jeremiah.
I’m not always going to have the same name I have now – Rev. 2:17. Someday I’ll have a new body … and a new name to fit that glorified body. 2 Cor. 5:17 – “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” We will even have a NEW NAME!
I don’t know what my NEW NAME will be … Have you ever wondered? Maybe it will be a name to match our character. How about “Daq” … the Hebrew word for “thin”! OR … “Trichinos” … the Greek word for “hairy”! OR … “Kalos” … the Greek word for “beautiful”!
I think our NEW NAME will reflect our POSITION as a Child of God. When a child gets ADOPTED, they get a new name. When we get to Heaven, our ADOPTION will be complete (Romans 8:23), and we will get a NEW NAME.
MEANWHILE, God has given us a NEW NAME to tide us over. Acts 11:26 – “And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” When they were first called “Christians”, it wasn’t said in a very nice way. It was meant to CONDEMN and DEGRADE … a name of scorn and ridicule … said with a sneer. It means “a follower of Christ” … the criminal … the executed One … the blasphemer … the imposter! Today, it would be like being called a “Judas” … a “Osama Ben Laden”.
HOWEVER … the followers of Christ were PROUD of that name and title. They later adopted it for themselves. They began to call THEMSELVES “Christians” … with PRIDE. It’s a title, a name, given to US when we’re saved.
On several occasions, God CHANGED the names of certain select people. There was a REASON, and a LESSON for us in doing so. God wants US to see that we need to CLAIM the name that He has given us … “Christian”. Are you PROUD to be called a “Christian”? Do you live up to that name?
It was a CUSTOM to change the name of a person when a great event occurred in their life. The King of Egypt changed Joseph’s name to Zaphnath-Paaneah. Nebuchadnezzar changed Daniel’s name to Belteshazaar. Hananah, Mishael & Azariah’s names were changed to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Each name had a particular meaning when it was changed.
When GOD changed a name, He had a reason. He wanted them to live up to their new name … just as He wants US to live up to OUR new name … “Christian”.
We see 4 EXAMPLES in the Bible where GOD changed a person’s name:
1.- A CHANGE OF FAITH – Genesis 17:1-5, 15-16 – all turn.
It seems like Abram & Sarai were MISNAMED from the very beginning. ABRAM = ‘exalted father’ (he had no children) … SARAI = ‘my princess’ (she had no heirs). They had no children … he was 99 … she was 89 … there was no human possibility!
THEN … one day God told Abram that He was going to change his name. I can just hear Abram say, “Thank you, Lord … I get kidded so much about my name … ‘exalted father’ … yet, no children!” “Why, just the other day a stranger came in on his camel and he asked my name. Then he asked, ‘How many children do you have?’ I said ‘None!’ He laughed all the way out of sight. Thanks for changing my name!” “What are you changing it to? ‘Aqar’, which means ‘barren’? It would be so much more appropriate.” THEN, God told Abram, “No, instead of Abram, ‘exalted father’, I’m changing it to Abraham, ‘father of a multitude’. I’m changing Sarai’s name from ‘my princess’ to Sarah, ‘Princess of many’.” I can just see Abraham say, “Oh, no, Lord, why don’t you just leave well enough alone!”
Why did God do this to Abram? Why change his name like that? God had a LESSON for him. “Abraham, I have given you a PROMISE of many children … I am Almighty God … trust in Me and I will do the impossible!” “Claim that name, Abraham … live up to your new name … and you will see that I will live up to Mine!” (see 17:1).
With their new name came a NEW COMMITMENT … a NEW TEST OF FAITH. When Abram accepted his new name from God, he displayed his trust in God. There was a NEW NEED to put his faith in Almighty God … in His power and faithfulness.
God is telling US today … “Your new name (“Christian”) will forever reflect My power and faithfulness.” NOW, we can look back and see Abraham as the “Father of the Jewish nation”.
You and I have a NEW NAME … and He is showing us in the name “Christian” that He is STILL the God of the impossible … the God of power and might. We are to CLAIM that name … we are to LIVE UP TO that name. AND … as we do, we will see God live up to His name … “I am the Almighty God”.
2. A CHANGE OF PLANS – Genesis 32:24-28 – all turn
“Jacob” = ‘trickster, schemer, conniver … to trip somebody up’. He tricked his brother into trading his birthright for a bowl of chili. He deceived his aging father Isaac into granting him his final blessing, which Isaac had meant for Esau. He lived with his Uncle Laban for 20 years and each one tried to out-trick the other … Jacob just about met his match! Jacob lived up to his name, “trickster, schemer, conniver”.
BUT … God had something else planned for Jacob. Jacob was used to doing things his own way … making his own plans … being his own boss … scheming to get what he wanted. AND … it always got him into trouble. God had better things planned for Jacob. In order to accomplish these things in his life, his life must change.
God started out with a CHANGED NAME. THEN … He said, “Claim that name … live up to that name.” JACOB = “trickster” … ISRAEL = “the prince and power of God”. “Jacob, you are now going to do things God’s way … because … you are the ‘Prince and Power of God’. No more scheming. No longer the ‘Prince and Power of Jacob’.”
Why do we always think OUR WAY is better than GOD’S WAY? Why do we plan, scheme, make decisions and direct our own life … without considering God and His plans? Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” This is the “Israel” way!
After Jacob became Israel, we see his life CHANGE. He faced up to the results of his scheming life and he got things straightened out with Esau. He fathered many sons, who are to this day known as the “Children of Israel (not Jacob)” … the “12 Tribes Of Israel”. His life was CHANGED, when he had a CHANGE of Masters … a change of plans …and let God direct his life.
WE ALSO have a NEW NAME … “Christian” … a ‘follower of Christ’. We need to CLAIM that name … LIVE UP TO that name … AND … follow Him, not our own plans and schemes. When we do, we will see God bless us. If we don’t, we will see our life in a shambles … like Jacob.
3.- A CHANGE OF CHARACTER – John 1:38-42 – all turn.
SIMON = ‘to make a noise … loudmouth’. I once knew a man who was called “Loudmouth Morgan “. Simon was like a bull in a china shop … a blow-hard … a loudmouth. Do you know some like this? He tried to talk Jesus out of going to Jerusalem. Jesus told him, “Get thee behind Me, Satan.” “Simon, you’re making too much noise … you’re full of hot air.”
Simon promised Jesus at the Last Supper that he wouldn’t forsake Him … though everybody else would. Simon made a “big noise” … YET … he denied knowing Jesus 3 times. He lived up to his name. It’s like the man who went by the name “Tex”. Somebody asked him if he was from Texas. He said that he was from Louisiana, but who wants to be called “Louise”!
We see a CHANGE in Simon when Jesus changed his name from “wind-bag” to PETER … CEPHAS … ‘a rock’ (“Rocky”). After the resurrection of Jesus, Peter took charge of the frightened and faltering Disciples. Peter fearlessly preached the news of the resurrection on the streets of Jerusalem, for all to hear. Peter was a leader in the early church … a Missionary statesman … a martyr for the cause of Christ.
This was a great CHANGE for Peter … he claimed his name … he lived up to that name. WE also, have a new name … “Christian” … a ‘follower of Christ’. Peter went from a wind-bag to a preacher of the gospel (I’ve known some preachers who are BOTH!). Simon became a ROCK, standing hard and fast for Christ.
You also have a name to claim. Let’s claim it! Let’s live up to it. Let’s plant our feet and faith on that name … the solid Rock!
4.- A CHANGE OF OPINION – Acts 13:9 – all turn.
PAUL, before he was saved, was called “Saul”. Saul persecuted the church, killing and imprisoning Christians. This was his mission when he was on the road to Damascus. “Saul” is a Jewish name, meaning “asked”. What Saul asked for and demanded, he got! He was feared and respected by the Jewish leaders. He was a man of influence and power.
BUT … God had a NEW NAME in mind for Saul … for a new job He had for him. God changed his name to “Paul”, which means “little”. That will sure humble you! Saul didn’t have any room for Jesus in his life. He thought he could live his life in his own power and strength. God had to cut him down to size for Him to use Saul. He blinded him (that will humble you!).
Saul had to see Jesus as more important than anything else in the world. His opinion about himself and Jesus had to change. Self had to be crucified … Christ had to be put on the throne. God gave him a NEW NAME to claim … “little” … PAUL. It was a name he had to live up to … and he did! Listen to what he says about himself after his name change … Ephes. 3:8 – “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;”
Jesus became foremost … Paul became insignificant. That’s why we can see the greatness of Paul … because he saw the greatness of Christ! We also have a new name … “Christian” … a ‘follower of Christ’. It should reflect our weakness … and His strength. It’s a name we must live up to … a name we must claim.
CONCLUSION:
God specifically and specially selected only a few to bear a new name in the Bible.
o Abraham & Sarah … changing their weak faith to a strong faith. Claim it … live up to it.
o Jacob to Israel … from ‘trickster’ to ‘the prince and power of God’. Changing his plans to God’s plans. Claim it … live up to it.
o Simon to Peter … from “loud-mouth’ to ‘Rocky’. Changing his instability to a ROCK. Claim it … live up to it.
o Saul to Paul … from ‘demander’ to ‘little’. Changing his exalted opinion of himself, to his exalted opinion of Christ. Claim it … live up to it.
We have a NEW NAME … “Christian” … a ‘follower of Christ’. From a vile, un-regenerated sinner, to a Child of God! God has a PURPOSE in changing your name … so you can CLAIM it … so you can LIVE UP TO it. Along with His name, comes a responsibility. Along with that name comes the power of God!
Let’s do it! Let’s be PROUD of that name. Let’s make Him proud that He gave us His name. Jesus says, “You have My name!” Let’s give honor to that name … the name which is above every name … the name of “Christ”.
STAND - PRAY
OUTLINE FOR HANDOUT:
“A Changed Name”
INTRODUCTION: Revelation 2:17
- Someday, we will have a new name – 2 Corinthians 5:17
- The Disciples were given a new name, “Christian” – Acts 11:26
- A new name was given to several in the Bible.
4 EXAMPLES OF WHEN GOD CHANGED A NAME:
1.- A CHANGE OF FAITH – Genesis 17:1-5, 15-16
o ABRAM = ‘exalted father’ … SARAI = ‘my princess’.
o ABRAHAM = ‘father of a multitude’ … SARAH = ‘princess of many’
- With their new name came a new commitment … a new test of faith … in God’s Name, “Almighty God”.
- “Christian” tells us He is still the God of the impossible.
2.- A CHANGE OF PLANS – Genesis 32:24-28
o JACOB = ‘trickster, schemer, conniver’
o ISRAEL = ‘the prince and power of God’
- Jacob was used to doing things his own way, scheming to get what he wanted.
- With his new name, he had a change of Masters.
- The “Israel way” is Proverbs 3:5-6.
3.- A CHANGE OF CHARACTER – John 1:38-42
o SIMON = ‘to make a noise, loud-mouth, wind-bag’
o PETER = ‘a rock’, “Rocky”
- Simon lived up to his name, making lots of noise.
- With his new name, he became a leader in the early church, and stood hard and fast for Christ.
- We need to plant our feet on the Rock, who is Christ.
4.- A CHANGE OF OPINION – Acts 13:9
o SAUL = ‘asked’ … he was a ‘demander’.
o PAUL = ‘little’ … a humble name.
- With his new name, Paul realized that he couldn’t live his life in his own power and strength … that self had to be crucified – Ephesians 3:8.
- Jesus became foremost … Paul became insignificant.
CONCLUSION:
- We bear the name “Christian” … a ‘follower of Christ’.
- With that name comes a responsibility.
- We need to live up to that name, and claim it.
- Let’s make Christ proud of the name He gave us!
