May 19, 2024
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name…”
~ Philippians 2:9 (NIV) ~
WHAT’S INANAME?
As we have just celebrated Mother’s Day last Sunday, and as we look forward to Father’s Day coming soon, I have been thinking about how we receive our names. I know, usually they come from our parents and that would seem to be the reasonable answer.
However, in the past week or so, I have had several unexpected conversations about people’s names especially their nicknames and how they came by them. For example, one lady who lives far away in another state who will remain nameless for our purposes came to be called “Tappy.” She did tell me her given name, but I have to admit that I soon forgot what she said it was because I was so intrigued by her nickname. She prefers to go by that!
Your name is something that belongs exclusively to you. So it would stand to reason that your parents or you yourself should be who gives it.
In thinking about that, I discovered to my surprise that several countries have had to outlaw certain names that parents have tried to inflict on their children names that various courts have determined “cause offence to a reasonable person or that make a fool a child.”
For example, in New Zealand, you can’t name your child Violence. If you have twins, you can’t name them Fish and Chips. If we would have had twins when our son was born I wanted to name them 1st and 2nd Timothy. For some reason Barbara was somewhat opposed to that idea.
In Sweden you can’t name your child Metallica.
In Portugal, UFO is a banned name.
In Japan, you’re not allowed to name your child after the devil. (Go ahead and admit it. There may have been a moment or two in your kids life when you were tempted to make that name change.)
These restrictions aren’t random or arbitrary. Each has been tried and denied at some point.Amazing, isn’t it?
In 2011, Pope Benedict issued the reminder that a name is “an indelible seal that puts a child on a journey of religious faith.” He then urged Catholics to choose names from the Christian calendar.
What names has God outlawed for you and me? By which name does he NOT permit us to call ourselves?
Some come to mind.
● Lost Cause.
● Too Late.
● WhatAWaste.
● Otta Give Up.
These are names that we sometimes attach to ourselves, based on what’s happened in the past. Maybe even as recent as yesterday?
But the Bible shows us that God calls you by a different name, not based on who you were, but based on who you can be through the power of His grace.
By which name does God call you? One brief passage of the New Testament gives three good examples.
New Creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Christ’sAmbassador. 2 Corinthians 5:20
Righteous in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21
Our challenge today is to live up to the name He has given you and me.
Blessings on your week. Take some time to consider how your new names in Christ can impact how you live today. I do look forward to seeing you this Sunday as I conclude my Sermon Series The Business of Living. We will look this weekend at The One.
Pastor Terrell
ScheduleforSunday,May19,2024:
The Saints Class @ 9:00 AM Room #201
Ruth Class @ 9:00 AM Room #202
Financial Peace University @ 9:00 AM Fellowship Hall
Prayer Room open @ 9:00 AM Room #206
Preschool Worship opens @ 10:15 AM KID CITY
Morning Worship In-Person & Online @ 10:30 AM in Worship Center
Kidz4Christ K-6th dismissed during Morning Worship
Schedulefortherestoftheweek:
Tuesday@ 10:00 AM Bible Studies Men in Room #202; Women in Fellowship Hall
Wednesday @ 6:30 PM Youth Group in Fellowship Hall
Thursday@ 6:00 PM Mid-Week Bible Study and Prayer in Fellowship Hall
STUDENTS in grades 7-12 Wednesdays 6:30 PM Fellowship Hall Tuesday 10:00 AM Fellowship Hall 10:00 AM in Room Tuesday Mornings
YOUTH GROUP
Deacon of the Week: Don Smith 928-642-2425
PRAYER ROOM (Room #206) Come early on Sundays and spend some time in prayer for the Morning Worship. OR ASSISTANCE
