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WHO ARE YOU? OR
GETTING A GODLY REPUTATION
ACTS 19:13-17
Introduction
Several times in my life I have been places where people come up to me and say “I know you.”
Has that ever happened to you?
If feels good when you are known for some positive impact that you had on folks.
Its doesn’t feel so good when folks remember something negative about your life that you would just as soon forget about.
The most important place to be known is in the Spiritual arena.
Does God know you? Knowing about God is not the same as God knowing you!
Galatians 4:9–“But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
There is a day coming when Jesus will declare some people, “Depart from me ye cursed. . .
I never knew you!” (Matthew 7:21-23)
You had better get a reputation in heaven! And my prayer is that this message will help you do just that!
Background (Acts 19:13-17)
“Vagabond Jews” were outcasts and were not accepted as Jews by the Jews - they were considered weird, or as being involved in cults - and the cults were expanding (as they are today).
“Exorcists” were hypnotists that pretended to “free people from evil spirits.” Sometimes, they tapped into some real power using different incantations, and medicines (drugs) - using powerful names, and magic-sounding sayings.
These “exorcists” tried out the name of Jesus - they had been to one of Paul’s meetings, and instead of repenting and receiving Christ, they thought to just USE Him. That still happens today - people only want to USE Jesus (as a fire escape, or a Genie service)!
The head honcho of this group of vagabond Jews was a man named Sceva - he had seven sons who together tried out this new “formulae” first on a well known demon possessed man.
“To adjure you” is to command. It is what the Lord Jesus Christ did while He was here on the earth. Its what the charismatics think they can do today.
But it all backfires (19:15,16) - God teaches the entire city some things about devils, and about messing with them:
1. The devils knew Jesus - every demon knows and fears Jesus.
James 2:19–“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
2. The devils also knew Paul - what an amazing thing!
a. Do the devils know YOUR name!?
b. Does YOUR life cause heaven and hell to take notice?
c. Remember how Job was known by God and by Satan. (Job 1 and 2)
d. Heaven and hell knew all about Simon Peter.
Luke 22:31–“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:”
Let me give you some warnings:
1. Supernatural, and almost deadly strength is associated with demon possession.
(Mark 5:1-4)
2. These 7 sons had only been dabbling in exorcism - it would be like a couple of kids trying to take on a U.S. Marine - Demons are very powerful.
3. Don’t mess around with Ouija boards, Tarot cards, Fortune tellers, Horrorscopes, etc! You will only end up wounded, and more empty (19:16)!
What kind of name do you have before God and before Satan?
I. A GOOD NAME IS A GOOD THING.
Ecclesiastes 7:1–“A good name is better than precious ointment;”
Proverbs 22:1–“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”
Probably one of the most important things to have is a good, trustworthy name – that people honor when they think of you.
II. A GOOD NAME IS A NEW NAME. (Isaiah 62:2; Revelation 2:17; 3:12)
We are all born with a name that our parents gave us. Names used to be given because of what they meant.
Sometimes the name was given as a result of some observations of the child.
(Exp. Jacob = Supplanter or heel catcher and Esau = Hairy.)
Sometimes the name was given in anticipation of what they wanted the Child to be.
We’ve noted that in our study of “People of the Bible” on Wednesday nights.
Some people were given a godly name and lived up to it while others might be given a godly name but failed to live up to their name.
Our names can come to be associated with what we do and who we are.
Tell me, when I list the following names out, whether the person had a good name or a bad name:
a. Judas Iscariot?
b. Demas?
c. Jesus?
d. Paul?
e. Thomas?
f. David?
We all pretty much start out like a Jacob – we come into the world lying, selfish, self-centered, conniving, scheming, – these are all ungodly character traits.
What we need is a new name – a better name – a name that would portray godly character traits – like the name Israel that was given to Jacob (Israel = a prince of God.)
As you read the Bible you will find that God changed the names of many people and even nations in the Bible.
We need a new name – one that comes with the new birth – being born again!
We sing the song, there’s a new name, written down in glory!
A GOOD NAME IS A GOOD THING.
A GOOD NAME IS A NEW NAME.
III. A GOOD NAME IS AN ETERNAL NAME.
Written down in heaven.
Luke 10:20–“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”
Philippians 4:3–“And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.”
It is great to be alive – to have been born into this life.
When I was born, my name was written down on a piece of paper, and recorded in several books back in Brunswick, Georgia.
I have a copy of my actual Birth Certificate!
But that name on that record, Jerry Nelson Thrower represents a life that lasts only a limited number of years on this earth.
Some people are able to live over 100 years.
Before the Flood, people actually lived up to 969 years long.
But they all died – except for Enoch.
The thing to know is that a Good Name is when your name is engraved in heaven!
A good name is one that lasts forever with you in heaven!
A GOOD NAME IS A GOOD THING.
A GOOD NAME IS A NEW NAME.
A GOOD NAME IS AN ETERNAL NAME.
IV. A GOOD NAME IS AN EARNED NAME. (Hebrews 11:39)
Some people are born with a good name they inherited from their parents –
Some carry own in the family tradition.
Some ruin the good name that was given to them.
You earn a good name by:
a. By godliness. 1 Timothy 6:6–“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
b. By good deeds. (i.e. Joseph and Daniel.)
b. By being obedient – not a rebel! Doing what you are commanded to do!
That makes you trustworthy like nothing else!
c. By courageous deeds – going beyond the call of duty.
Most people only want a hero’s name by some great effort – like a superman.
Yet, that kind of a name is so rare.
The Stephen’s and the Moses who stand up to the bad guys, already were courageous in the little things long before they rose to the challenge of facing off with a crowd of religious zealots or a Pharaoh.
V. A GOOD NAME IS SOMETHING TO PASS ON. (1 Kings 1:47)
It is called an heritage and it is more than just the possessions of a life being passed on to the kids.
It is the honour of being part of the family of someone great
Jesus passed on His name onto us – all Christians have inherited HIS name
I wonder how many people think low of the name Christian? I believe most do, and a lot of it is simply because CHRISTIANS have trodden under foot the good name Christian
1. By calling themselves Christian, and yet lying constantly.
2. By calling themselves a child of God, and yet getting their joys from a bottle at a bar somewhere.
3. By calling themselves Born Again, and yet living like the devil
4. By calling themselves Christian, and yet never making CHRIST pre-eminent in their life – barely coming to church once in a while, or even not at all!
5. What caused Christianity to spread throughout the whole world before was not just the threat of the sword, or the pressure of the government, but the shining testimonies and rock-solid trustworthiness of most Christians everywhere:
a. A Christian’s word was as good as gold – you could bank on it.
b. A Christian’s honor was worth more than life itself.
c. A Christian’s reputation told the world, we have something eternal that the whole world needs to survive!
VI. A GOOD NAME IS A DELICATE THING.
Don’t throw it away.
1. Moses was faithful – he had and held onto a good name
2. David almost threw his away by the pleasures of sin for a short season
3. King Saul did throw his away out of stubbornness and pride
4. Demas forsook his good name (Cf Col 4:14; Phile 1:24 with 2Tim 4:10)
5. Protect the good name of Christian. Protect the good name you have – even if it is only a little good – don’t lose any more of it to the devil (Rev 3:1,2)
Conclusion
How well known are you?
1. Forget how popular you may be here while on earth!
2. How well known are you to God and to Satan’s forces?
If you are saved, all of heaven heard your name shouted from one end to the other – every angel has heard of you!
If you are only living for yourself, the devil leaves you alone.
If only the devil knows you, then heaven help you! That would be the stupidest thing – to only impress the world, and the devil!
What we need is a good name in both heaven and hell!
1. One that rejoices our Father
2. One that infuriates the devil!
It comes with getting saved – being born again!
AND, it comes with living a courageous Christian life – not by being a spiritual wimp!
Home Page Contact Us Service Times Sermons Are You Going To Heaven?
NOTICE: THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!