Who here likes to be called by the wrong name?
By a show of hands, who here enjoys being called the wrong name?
Don't you raise that hand?
There's always one.
Always one.
Last time I asked this question, there was one.
And it's always the jokesters too.
My nephew, every time he'd see me for the longest time, long as he could speak, and of course he can't speak very well right now, just a few words here and there, but every time
he'd look at me, he would say, Josh.
He'd always call me Josh.
They would even show pictures of myself and my brother, two separate photos.
He would point to Josh and he'd say, Josh, and they'd point to me and he'd say, Josh.
He knew we were two different people, but he still called me Josh.
And I think it was maybe three or four days ago, my mom called me and she said, okay, you need to listen, listen, listen to this.
And he says my name.
And I'd say that that's one of the happiest moments of my life.
But you know, we joke and we laugh about people being called the wrong name.
But on a more serious note, what if the wrong name is on the D to your house?
What if the wrong name is on your registration for your vehicle?
We understand in that situation the importance of having the right name on the documentation.
The importance of a name.
Well friends, in the church it's no different.
Not just any name will do for the Christian, for the one who follows God, for the one who follows Christ.
There are those today who claim to be Christian and yet are called by the wrong name.
They go by the name of Baptist, by the name of Methodist, by the name of Pentecostal, and on and on we go, but not once are they called by the right name.
So for a few moments today, we want to consider this idea of there being only one name that is acceptable.
That we as Christians, as followers of Christ, as followers of God, can and should only be called by Christ's name.
And we'll notice why with three points.
Discussing the name of Christ.
Discussing
Number one, that Christ's name is the name of salvation.
When we look at the name Christ, the word itself is nothing special.
But the person that that word is attached to, the being that came in fulfillment of prophecy, there's importance there.
There is value and power there.
And so, but we ask the question, what is so special about Christ's name?
Why is His name the only name by which we can be called?
To set the stage.
Isaiah chapter 62 and verse 2, the prophet Isaiah in writing to Judah, he remarks to them that they are going to be called by a new name.
That at this time they were called by the name of Israel, the children of Israel.
But there is coming a day in which there would be a new name.
And that new name would not be exclusively for the Jews, but rather for all who name the name of Christ, for all who choose to follow God.
We also notice that Christ came as Galatians 4 and verse 4 says, when the fullness of time was come, when the fullness of the time was come, this specific moment that God had been
setting up throughout some 5,000 plus years of history, he sets up for this one moment in which Christ comes made of a woman made under the law and for what purpose?
Why did Christ come?
to save every single one here.
To save every single person on this earth.
To fulfill the old law and put it to rest, bringing about the new law, bringing about the new covenant, the testament under which we live today.
But we also notice that Christ's name is so important, that Christ has the right to have a monopoly on the name by which we are called because he was the only one to live perfectly
as a human being.
In 2 Peter, rather 1 Peter 2 and verse 22, Peter remarks that there was no sin, neither guile found in his mouth.
Christ did not sin.
Name another person.
that has walked this earth that did not sin, you can't.
From Adam all the way until the world stops spinning as humans, we will sin.
At least once in our lives, no one lives perfectly except Christ.
Christ is the only one who lived a human life perfectly.
and was so perfect.
His life was so without spot, without blemish, that even someone as wicked as Pilate.
When speaking of Jesus said three times, not just once, it would have been special if he had just said it once, but no, he says it three times according to John's account.
I find no fault in this man.
The wicked Roman, the idolatrous Roman, saw what the supposed God-fearing Jews couldn't see.
He saw a man who was without blame, a man who was guiltless.
Now of course Christ is more than just a man.
but he lived a perfect life on earth.
And in connection with this, Christ also serves as our sacrifice.
We are called by His name.
His name is the only one that will do.
His name is the name of salvation because He died for us.
He sacrificed Himself for us.
Look with me at Hebrews chapter 10.
Hebrews chapter 10.
The book of Hebrews discusses a contrast between the old law and the new law, showing that the old law was fit for its time, but it was meant to come to an end.
And that now under this new law, under the law of Christ, we have a better system, a better law, a better testament, a better mediator, and as we'll see here, a better
sacrifice.
starting in verse 3 of Hebrews chapter 10, but in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
This is talking about the sacrifices of the old law.
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.
under the old law, plain as day we read there wasn't remission of sin.
except in promise.
Because what happened on the cross, Christ's blood not only covered us today, it covers us today who name his name, but it also covered those who were faithful to God in years past.
But notice the point that the Hebrew's writer is making.
Go down to verse 10.
by the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ.
Notice this once for all.
Once for all.
The Hebrews and the Jews rather, they had to offer sacrifices yearly.
They had to offer sacrifices daily.
Anytime they sinned they had to offer a sacrifice.
but Christ's blood.
and one sacrifice did what some hundreds of thousands of sacrifices could not do and that's sanctify us redeem us buy us back from being lost
truly Christ's name deserves to be the name by which we are called.
but we also are called by Christ's name.
His name is the name of salvation because he established the church.
In Matthew chapter 16 and verse 18, Jesus remarks that, will build my church and the gates of hell should not prevail against it.
Death itself would not stop him.
Death itself could not stop the church being founded.
But notice the rock upon which it's founded.
After Peter confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord,
that he is the son of God, Jesus says, got it exactly right, Peter.
That is exactly the case.
And upon this rock, upon the rock, the bedrock, the firm foundation that Jesus is the Christ, is the son of God, the church was established.
The church would be established at that point.
And we see in Acts 2, it's coming into being.
the establishment of the church in Acts chapter 2.
But notice also Acts chapter 20.
at Chapter 20.
Looking at verse 28.
Paul remarks to the Ephesian elders as he's giving his farewell address to these dear brothers.
He mentions to them a message of warning, the care that they need to have over the church, but notice what he says in verse 28 specifically.
Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers.
To feed the church of God, notice this, which he hath purchased
with his own blood.
if we were to pull together all the riches in this world.
Empty out everyone's bank account.
mine all the gold, all the platinum, everything of value, if we were to offer up the earth itself as payment for our souls, as payment for the church, it wouldn't be enough.
It's not valuable enough, but Christ's blood was.
But Christ's blood is that valuable.
And when Christ saw so much value in the church that he was willing to buy it with his own blood, how can we sell it for something as menial, for something as temporary as sin, as
fulfilling our own lusts?
Brothers and sisters, don't devalue the church.
Let it not be said that the church at Collierville devalues what it means to be
the Church of Christ.
we also notice that Christ is deity.
In John chapter 8 and verse 58, he tells the Jews, before Abraham was, I am.
If you were to look back at Exodus chapter 4, in talking to God tells, or asks the Lord rather, who shall I say sent me?
Whose name should I speak when I'm talking to the Jews, when I'm talking to Pharaoh?
And God tells him,
tell them I am has sent you.
The self-existent one.
The one who has no beginning will have no end.
And so when Jesus says before Abraham was I am, he is saying I am God.
I am deity.
I am self-existent.
Of the Jews didn't like to hear that.
They took up stones for to kill him, to stone him to death.
but in it he shows his deity.
And in Philippians chapter 2, verses 6 through 9, we get a glimpse at the mind of Christ.
As Paul writes to the Philippians, let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, thought not robbery to be equal with God, but made
himself of no reputation and took upon himself the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men and being found in fashion as a man.
He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God hath also highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name.
that the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue should confess.
when we think about who Christ is, when we think about His name.
Brothers and sisters, His name is the only name suitable for salvation.
His name is the only name suitable for those who follow Him.
Number two, Christ's name is the name of marriage.
Now when we think about marriage, we think about a woman getting married, she...
does away with her old name.
It becomes her maiden name and she takes on her married name, the name of her husband.
Well, as the church, we are married to Christ.
We are the bride of Christ and as such, we take on His name.
We are called by a new name.
What a glorious name that is.
So we ask ourselves what happens
when we become God's bride or when we become the bride of Christ what happens?
Well, we're called by a new name, and that new name is told to us in Acts 11 and verse 26.
In Acts 11 verse 26, the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.
They were given that new name that was prophesied of in Isaiah chapter 62 and verse 2.
we have a new name as Christians.
As followers of God we have a name that is untarnished by the world.
A name that separates us from our old self.
Our lives of sin.
Look with me at 1 Corinthians chapter 1.
1 Corinthians chapter 1.
starting in verse two.
1 Corinthians 1-2.
Here Paul begins his letter to the church in Corinth, which had his problems.
When we think about a church that is one that is troublesome, if you will, we think about Corinth.
They were divided.
They had so many errors.
In fact, I believe when I was researching on how many problems Paul addresses, they came up to about 12 or 13 in the book of 1 Corinthians.
But in verse 2, notice what he says, uh
Not only do we get the wonderful privilege of being called Christian, but as a follower of Christ, we get the privilege of being called a saint, of being uh a name rather that shows
our relationship to God, that shows our condition within the body of Christ as being sanctified, as being set apart, saved from our sins.
We also notice that as Christians, as saints, as the body of Christ, we have a new home.
In Revelation chapter 19, verses 6 through 9, we get a glimpse into what will happen.
We get a glimpse into the throne room of heaven and the joy, the rejoicing that occurs when the bride of Christ is brought forth.
At the marriage feast of the Lamb,
when the bride of Christ, the church of Christ...
is reunited with the Lord to be ever with him for all of eternity.
The joy that exists there is waiting for us.
And Jesus would say in John chapter 14 verses 2 through 3, I go to prepare a place for you and if I go to prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto myself that
where I am there you may be also.
As Christians, we have a home waiting for us, but not just any home.
Not one of those week-long builds, not one of those uh pre-made houses.
No.
We have a place prepared by Christ.
A place prepared for us with the Lord, prepared by the one who saved us.
What a joy that is.
So we understand then that Christ's name is the name of marriage, showing our relationship to Him.
But we also notice, finally today, that Christ's name is the name of family.
To be called by Christ's name is to have a family with Him.
researching how most people view their name, about 70 % of Americans have some kind of interest in their family heritage and what their name means.
Only about 30 % or so will actually research and look into their family heritage, but all of those who researched, all of those who were mildly interested in their family heritage,
According to this poll, and you know, can take those or leave them, but according to this statistic, was about 32 % were proud.
Only 32 % were proud of their name.
There are some names that carry with them a bad connotation.
We hear names of certain people and we think, that's evil.
That's evil and carny.
But regardless of what your name is, regardless of what your last name is, regardless of what your physical family is, as Christians, we have a name that is so much better.
We have a name that we don't have to be ashamed of.
We can be proud of the name of Christ because look who He is.
Look who our Father is.
Look who our Brother is.
Look at who our fellow Christians are.
Brothers and sisters, we can be proud to wear the name of Christian, and we should be proud.
We should not be ashamed to name the name of Christ.
And one of the reasons for this is because it represents unity.
It represents a unity that cannot be had in this world.
In Galatians chapter 3 and verse 28, Paul writes that there is neither Jew nor Greek.
There is neither bond nor free.
There is neither male nor female.
For you are all one in Christ Jesus.
To be a Christian, to be a part of the family of God,
means that we don't see divisions like that.
We do not look at national differences.
We do not look at regional differences.
Yes, it's fun to pick on Yankees, sorry, but they're still our brethren.
And I'm proud to call you brethren.
because we have a unity.
have a bond that is unlike anything in this world because we share the same God.
We share the same Father.
We are all a part of the family of God if we have been added to the family of God.
Read with me in Romans.
Romans chapter 8.
Paul gives us a uh breakdown, if you will, of what the family is, of what it means to be in the family of Christ, to give us uh a glimpse at the family tree, if you will.
starting in verse 14.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father!
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.
And if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.
If so be that ye that we suffer with him.
and that we may be also glorified together.
Notice who our Father is.
Our Father is the Lord Almighty.
the one who created this world, the one who keeps it spinning, the one to whom we pray.
We don't have to look at in a fear that separates us from him.
Rather, we can call to him Abba Father.
That relationship that we can have with him as our Father in heaven.
Now yes, there is a level of fear, reverence to be had when speaking to God, when thinking about God, just as you would have a level of respect and reverence for your Father.
Of course, more so in account for God.
But don't miss the relationship there.
Don't miss the fact that we can call the Lord Abba Father.
And don't miss also who our brother is.
Sometimes we look at Christ and we almost detach ourselves from him to say, yes, he's our King, he's our Savior, and that is true.
And as such, he has the right to command us, but he's also our brother.
He is also the one who in Hebrews chapter 2 in verse 11 tells us that he is not ashamed to call us brethren.
Sometimes we look at each other and we almost don't want to tell other people, yeah, he's a brother of mine, he's a sister of mine, or she's a sister of mine.
We're almost ashamed of our family at times.
Christ isn't.
Christ would be happy and proud to say, Walker's my brother.
Michael's my brother.
Aaron's my brother.
Eric's my brother.
He's not ashamed to call us brethren, to own us as his family.
Isn't that wonderful?
Isn't that amazing?
That the one who died for us, the one who lived so perfectly,
He calls us family.
I don't know about you, but that puts a smile on my face.
but as family.
We cannot forget the fact that we do have responsibility.
Yes, Christ is our brother.
Yes, God is our Father.
And as such, they have given us commands.
They have given us orders by which we must live.
And those orders, those commands are seen here in scripture.
Among those is how to become one of his.
Sadly, is the case that there are many in this world who think they are part of the family of God when in fact they aren't.
They think that they are saved just because they said a prayer, just because they believe that Jesus is the Christ, when in fact the scripture lists more to it than that.
One must hear the word, Romans 10, 17.
Believe that Jesus is the Christ, John 8, 24.
Confess His name, Romans 10, 9, and 10.
Repent of your past sins.
Act 1730.
That's often forgotten.
A lot of people in this world want to become Christians without having to change.
They want to say, well, I'm religious.
I believe in God.
you're still living in sin, well, you know, that's fine.
As long as I believe, it's okay, right?
That's not what God said.
In Acts 17, 30, he said, times of this ignorance God winked at, but now he commands all men everywhere, regardless of your age, regardless of your standing financially,
regardless of what nation you're from, he calls all men everywhere to repent.
and then to be baptized.
Acts 22 and verse 16.
And what we find in Acts chapter 2 and verse 47 is that if we do these things, if we obey the gospel, the Lord adds us to the church.
He adds us to the family.
If you are not a part of his family today, why not?
Why not become a part of his family and receive the greatest joy, the greatest blessing that there is?
But as I look around, I see mostly those who are part of God's family.
Those who have named the name of Christ.
And so the question to all of us, myself included, is what are we doing with Christ's name?
My dad has a saying that carried over from his dad.
Whenever we were to be by ourselves without mom or dad near, dad would always say, remember who you are and remember whose you are.
Have we forgotten who we are?
As we live in this world, have we forgotten that we belong to Christ?
That we are His bride?
That we are His family?
If so, we can make that right.
You can make that right today.
Whatever your need is, if we can help you to be a part of the family of God that is on its way home, please come now as we stand and as