What’s in A Name..?
Pastor Michael Wise
I looked up the longest name on the internet this week, here’s what came up: https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081022055524AAXVIOc
“The award for the longest name for a person belongs to a German immigrant to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The name he was given at birth, and which somehow fit on his passport was:
(First and “middle” names)
Adolph Blaine Charles David Earl Frederick Gerald Hubert Irvim John Kenneth Loyd Martin Nero Oliver Paul Quincy Randolph Sherman Thomas Uncas Victor Willian Xerxes Yancy Zeus
(Last name)
Wolfeschlegelsteinhausenbergendorgffvortschaferswesenchafewarenwholgepfleugenzenvonangereifenduchihrraubgiriigfeindtausendjahresvonandieerscheinenbanderechiffgebrauchlichtalsseinursprungvonkrrthinzwischensternartigraumaufdersuchebtbwohnbarplanetenkreisedrenhensichundstandigmenshlichkeittkonntevortpflanzeslamdichfreudeundruhemitinichteinfurchrintlligentgeschopfsvonhinzwishenster”
Came you imagine signing checks?
What Is in A Name..? that’s the title of today’s message. Matthew records that our Saviour was given a name, even before His birth.
Matthew 1:20,21 “But while he thought about these things, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
(Jesus and Joshua both mean Jehovah is salvation)
Attached with today’s message is a quiz, the answers are included in this message
Illus: Can you match the Names of God?
As more and more people were putting their full faith in Jesus as the Christ or Messiah, the Gentile communities weren’t sure what to call them. The Romans thought they were a sect of Judaism. The Jews said no. The early Christians were too varied to be considered Jews, Nazarenes, Galileans or Greek Jews.
And then, a name was ascribed to them in Antioch.
Acts 11:26 “And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch”
Christian: 5546 Cristiano, j Christianos {khris-tee-an-os’} Meaning: a follower of Christ (Messiah)
But these early disciples didn’t give themselves this name, it was a “label” given to them in ridicule by the heathen.
Emperor Julian (A.D. 361-363) noted that the people of Antioch had a tendency to come up with nicknames as a form of satire. (6 BC pg 266)
Amazing, how what began as a name of ridicule has, over time, become a title of honor. I am delighted to be a Christian, a Seventh-day Advent Christian. But even today, Christians are sometimes derided, taunted, called names.
In Jewish thought, a name was not merely an arbitrary designation, a random combination of sounds from the arrangement of consonants and vowels. The name conveyed the nature and essence of the thing named. It represented the history and reputation of what was, or was being, named.
In English, we often refer to a person’s reputation as his “good name.” When a company is sold, one thing that may be sold is the company’s “good will,” that is, the right to use the company’s name due to its positive reputation.
In Exodus 3:13-22, Moses asked God what His “name” was. And God responded that was the “I Am”. Moses was not asking what he should call God; rather, he was asking “who are you; what are you like; what have you done.”. Moses knew he would need to give a report to the Jews when they asked who sent him.
God replies that He is the eternal God that has always been, that He is the God of our ancestors, that He has seen their affliction and will redeem them from bondage. Later, when Moses again converses with God ,God says this to Moses Exodus 33:19 “Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you.
When God does pass before Moses, He doesn’t say “I Am”, He describes who He is, His character. Exodus 34:6-7 “And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, 7 “keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”
When Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he asked who He was? And Jesus responded: Acts 9:5 “And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus”.
Paul understood what jesus was saving, that He was identifying himself with a meaning -“God is Salvation, He saves”. Not just a n identifying label produced from consonants and vowels.
In many ways our modern Western culture is a reflection of Greek culture; personal names are little more than labels to distinguish one person from another. Sometimes even nicknames are ascribed which can reveal something about a person.
But in Jewish thought, because a name represented the reputation of the thing named, the name would be treated with the same respect as the thing’s reputation. And God’s Names, in all of their forms, were treated with enormous respect and reverence in Judaism.
Lets take a look, an overview of the names of God in Scripture:
(1) Elohim: The plural form of EL, meaning “strong one.” a plural of majesty and intimates the trinity. Especially used of God’s sovereignty, creative work, mighty work for Israel and in relation to His sovereignty (Isa. 54:5; Jer. 32:27; Gen. 1:1; Isa. 45:18; Deut. 5:23; 8:15; Ps. 68:7).
Compounds of El:
- El Shaddai: “God Almighty.” Some think it stresses God’s loving supply and comfort; others His power as the Almighty one standing on a mountain and who corrects and chastens (Gen. 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; Ex. 6:1; Ps. 91:1, 2).
- El Elyon: “The Most High God.” Stresses God’s strength, sovereignty, and supremacy (Gen. 14:19; Ps. 9:2; Dan. 7:18, 22, 25).
- El Olam: “The Everlasting God.” Emphasizes God’s unchangeableness and is connected with His inexhaustibleness (Gen. 16:13).
God wants to be your strength., your Almighty. In a changing world we need the stability of God’s steadfastness, His un-changing and everlasting. He is reliable forever, we can count on Him.
(2) Yahweh (YHWH): Comes from a verb which means “to exist, be.” It emphasizes God as the independent and self-existent God of revelation and redemption (Gen. 4:3; Ex. 6:3 (cf. 3:14); 3:12). No one created them, God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit have all, always been.
Compounds of Yahweh:
- Yahweh Jireh (Yireh): “The Lord will provide.” Stresses God’s provision for His people (Gen. 22:14).
Philippians 4:19 reminds us that God still promises to provide for all the needs of His followers.
- Yahweh Nissi: “The Lord is my Banner.” Stresses that God is our rallying point and our means of victory; the one who fights for His people (Ex. 17:15).
Jesus has already conquered sin, Satan, even death. He wants to give us victory. There is no need to be embarrassed to be a Christian and to politely, appropriately, let the world know. Christians are called to be a light, and a flavoring salt, to influence the world with the truth about God.
- Yahweh Shalom: “The Lord is Peace.” Points to the Lord as the means of our peace and rest (Jud. 6:24).
We are invited to enter into Jesus’ Sabbath rest. When we keep His Sabbath Holy, we are acknowledging He is our Creator and our Redeemer. We are also invited to rest in Jesus every day. Casting our cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:6,7)
- Yahweh Sabbaoth: “The Lord of Hosts.” A military figure portraying the Lord as the commander of the armies of heaven (1 Sam. 1:3; 17:45).
Joshua asked a Heavenly messenger whose side He was on, his or his enemies, Jesus reply was neither. We need to think less of whether God is on our side. Rather, we need to ask ourselves if we are on His side.
- Yahweh Maccaddeshcem: “The Lord your Sanctifier.” Portrays the Lord as our means of sanctification or as the one who sets believers apart for His purposes (Ex. 31:13).
Many Christians want a Savior. They want to be justified. But Christ wants Christians who also want to be sanctified, made Holy, by His grace. We are to be His special (peculiar) people.
- Yahweh Ro’i: “The Lord my Shepherd.” Portrays the Lord as the Shepherd who cares for His people as a shepherd cares for the sheep of his pasture (Ps. 23:1).
I think of Psalm 23 where God promises to lead us, provide for us, heal us, all that a Shepherd does and is to His flock. Jesus wants to be your Shepherd. Will you let Him?
- Yahweh Tsidkenu: “The Lord our Righteousness.” Portrays the Lord as the means of our righteousness (Jer. 23:6).
We are not saved through our works. Our righteousness is as filthy rags. Christ’s righteousness is our hope.
- Yahweh Shammah: “The Lord is there.” Portrays the Lord’s personal presence in the millennial kingdom (Ezek. 48:35).
You can hear about abandonment in the news – abandonment of spouses, children. But God has said He will never leave us or forsake us. Whatever you, my friend, may be going through, Christ is there with you.
- Yahweh Elohim Israel: “The Lord, the God of Israel.” Identifies Yahweh as the God of Israel in contrast to the false gods of the nations (Jud. 5:3.; Isa. 17:6).
God has always had a special people to represent Him, and share His gospel with the world. God still has an organized people, a body, a church. Are you an active part of it?
(3) Adonai: Like Elohim, is a plural of majesty. The singular form means “master, owner.” Stresses man’s relationship to God as his master, authority, and provider (Gen. 18:2; 40:1; 1 Sam. 1:15; Ex. 21:1-6; Josh. 5:14).
But God doesn’t leave us , or treat us, as slaves or servants. He adopts us as sons and daughters.
(4) Theos: Greek word translated “God.” Primary name for God used in the New Testament. This name is used of Christ as God in John 1:1, 18; 20:28; 1 John 5:20; Tit. 2:13; Rom. 9:5; Heb. 1:8; 2 Pet. 1:1. Its use teaches us several things: (1) He is the only true God (Matt. 23:9; Rom. 3:30); (2) He is unique (1 Tim. 1:17; John 17:3; Rev. 15:4; 16:7); (3) He is transcendent (Acts 17:24; Heb. 3:4; Rev. 10:6); (4) He is the Savior (John 3:16; 1 Tim. 1:1; 2:3; 4:10).
Jesus wants to be your unique, and only, Savior, because He is truly God.
(5) Kurios: Greek word translated “Lord.” Stresses supreme authority and supremacy. While it can mean sir (John 4:11), owner (Luke 19:33), master (Col. 3:22), or even refer to idols (1 Cor. 8:5) or husbands (1 Pet. 3:6), it is used mostly as the equivalent of Yahweh of the Old Testament. It is used of Jesus Christ meaning (1) Rabbi or Sir (Matt. 8:6); (2) God or Deity (John 20:28; Acts 2:36; Rom. 10:9; Phil. 2:11).
Lord… many want a Savior to save them, but few want a Lord. Because a Lord means we have an authority over or superior to our own. We have yielded to the counsel and instructions of another. Jesus wants to be your Lord. Your supreme Authority, so that you can walk in His narrow path and abundant plan.
(6) Despotes: Greek word translated “Master.” Carries the idea of ownership while Kurios emphasized supreme authority (Luke 2:29; Acts 4:24; Rev. 6:10; 2 Pet. 2:1; Jude 4).
(7) Pater: Greek word translated “Father”. Means a generator or male ancestor.
A distinctive New Testament revelation is that through faith in Christ, God becomes our personal Father. (Father is used of God in the Old Testament only 15 times while it is used of God 245 times in the New Testament). As a name of God, it stresses God’s loving care, provision, discipline, and the way we are to address God in prayer (Matt. 7:11; Jam. 1:17; Heb. 12:5-11; John 15:16; 16:23; Eph. 2:18; 3:15; 1 Thess. 3:11).
Malachi 2:10 “Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us?”
This was Jesus’ favorite term for God. Is it ours? Have we made God the Father our personal Father, have we accepted His adoption?
Jesus called the unrepentant, children of the devil (John 8:44)
14 times in Matthew, Jesus called God “your father”
He called Him “Our Father” in Matthew 6:9
What’s in a Name…?
Lets finish with a few more texts:
Acts 2:21 “And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved”
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”
Salvation does not come through Buddha, Confucius, Mary, or through anyone other than Jesus Christ. And when the time was right, Jesus came to this earth, as a baby so we could be adopted into the family of God.
Galatians 4:4-7 “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Romans 8:14-17 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together”
If you call on His name, and let Him be your God, He has a new name planned for you.
Revelation 2:17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”
What’s in a Name…?
Psalm 91:14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name”
Oh my friend, when Jesus returns, will He know your name, or will he say “depart from me, for I never knew you”?
Acts 2:21 “And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved”