"NOTHING IN A NAME?"

TEXT: Isaiah 62:1-5 For Zion's sake I will not hold My peace, And for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, And her salvation as a lamp that burns. The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the LORD will name. You shall also be a crown of glory In the hand of the LORD, And a royal diadem In the hand of your God. You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, Nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; But you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; For the LORD delights in you, And your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a virgin, So shall your sons marry you; And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So shall your God rejoice over you.

INTRODUCTION:
If there's nothing in a name, Then you would think it all the same.
To call Ohio "Maryland" and Missippi "Maine."
To call your baby" Fido" and your little puppy, "John."
To call your mother "father" and to call your father "mom."
I would gladly sign your checkbook and collect your hard-earned pay.
If there's nothing in a name, what could you have to say!
We know names are important, They're part of all our lives.
Let's call ourselves and churches by no other name than Christ.

1. Often hear that there is nothing in a name.
2. In the Bible names had a great significance.
2. We often read of a person starting out with one name and than changing if
after a life changing experience with God.
I. ABRAM- ABRAHAM
A. Gen.17:4-6-
B. Abram- "Exalted father"- He was already a faithful servant of God and father
figure to many. He was a leader.
C. Abraham- God had more in mind for him. "Father of a multitude"
D. A man who had made a covenant with God, changed from being one with
no children, to several children and then to the whole Jewish nation!
And eventually our spiritual ancestor as well (Gal.3:26-29).
II. SARAI-SARAH
A. Sarai- Contentious or princely; perhaps haughty.
B. Sarah- Princess, Gen. 17:15-16- "Mother of nations, kings of people shall come from
her."
C. Because she was blessed by God, she had her first child at age 99 and became the
mother of nations.
D. It is amazing at the progress one can make when he decides to give his life over
completely to God.
E. She became the mother of a people as numerous as the sands of the sea.
III. JACOB- ISRAEL
A. Jacob- Supplanter, divider, deceitful (Gen.25:26)
B. Israel - One who possesses power from God (Gen. 32:28).
C. The Israel from chapter 32 on is a changed man from the selfish, deceiving
Jacob of his earlier life!
D. A faithful relationship with God changes people from the inside out!
E. Sometimes one's life may be in such a mess that he/she has to go away and start
over, but nothing is important enough to stand in the way of serving God!
IV. SAUL-PAUL
A. Saul- "Asked of God" Popular Jewish name. The first King of Israel was Saul of Kish.
Original name of the Apostle Paul (Acts 7:58).
B. Paul- Gentile or "Greek" version of the name "Saul"
1) He started out as a "Jew of Jews" (Phil.3:3-6)
2) God sent him to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15;22:21; Rom.1:5; 11:13; Gal.2:7-9;)
3) He became all things to all men that by all means he might win some (1Cor.
9:22). Including changing his name.
V. SINNER - SAINT; LOST - FOUND; CHILD OF SATAN TO "CHRISTIAN"
A. Acts 26:27-29- Christian
B. Acts 11:26- First at Antioch
C. 1Pet.4:16- If anyone suffers as a Christian.
D. Never prefaced by anything else in the Bible!
E. Martin Luther, John Wesley, John the baptist, and Alexander Campbell all promoted
the return to calling ourselves just "Christians" but we have refused to do so.
VI. THE BODY OF THE CALLED OUT ARE CALLED:
A. The temple of God (1Cor.3:16);
B. Bride of Christ (Eph.5:22-32)
C. The body of Christ (Col.1:18,24; Eph. 1:22-23).
D. The Kingdom of God's Son (Col.1:13).
E. The house of God (1Tim.3:15).
F. The church of God (1Cor.1:2).
G. The church of the firstborn (Heb.12:23).
H. The church of the Lord (Acts 20:28).
I. The churches of Christ (Rom.10:16).

CONCLUSION:
1. Names have significance. You wouldn't like for me to call your baby "Fido"
2. Or your wife Mrs. Carmichael
3. How does Christ feel when we claim to belong to Him yet refuse to call ourselves
Just plain old Christians!
4. Also, in the Bible name changes often reflected changes in one's life.
5. Won't you change today and live your life so that you can be rightfully called
"Christian"?