What's in a Name?
Off the three things in the world that God says not to love, one of them is pride of life. We know God hates pride, number one in a list of seven mentioned in Proverbs 6:16-19.
Every worldly person wants to be famous or at least have a reputation (name). The outcome of all of (worldly) man’s endeavour’s on earth is to make a name for himself, to be known and recognised.
After all, Lucifer wanted to make a name for himself even though he was already a top angel. Sadly, it is never enough for those who are self-seeking. They always want more, and eventually fall prey to their devices. Similarly man, finds himself in utter shame and loneliness after the relentless pursuit of a name.
Governments, Companies and celebrities all have Reputation Officers or handlers (Public Relations & Social Media personnel) employed to protect their identity and status. So many Churches and Pastors have fallen because of fame and name. Churches today are building themselves as a Brand and making celebrities of their pastors and youth leaders, not a great idea.
You don’t need dynamic people to attract lost souls to the Kingdom of God. You need Christ to attract lost souls to the Kingdom of God. Believers filled with the Holy Ghost. The only name that matters is, Jesus Christ. Name above all names!
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20
Christ makes us dynamic. The preaching of the gospel is not with the wisdom of words lest the cross of Christ is made of none effect (1 Corinthians 1:17). Paul further states he did not come with excellency of speech or of wisdom in 1 Corinthians 2:1. When it’s about our eloquence it stops being about God. If we aren’t Spirit-led then it will become about us. The elite Jews marvelled at the power packed conduct of Peter and John at the Temple called Beautiful. Did they heal him? No, Peter filled with the Holy Spirit, makes the most of glorifying Jesus.
There are many apostles, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and missionaries who are doing amazing work for the glory of God. They have one thing in common - a hunger and thirst to see lives transformed for the glory of God. It’s never about numbers for them. It never was! It was and will always be about the will of God. Jesus, our example, came to do the Fathers will.
What is the primary need for people who preach or teach? Preach the gospel - The blood of Jesus. Christ must be revealed, not the preacher. It’s not always possible to separate the two, but the preacher must be focused on shunning the limelight, like Peter at the Temple. Spiritual pride is most dangerous.
“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
Galatians 6:14
I’ll end with an incident a pastor once narrated. After giving the sermon and wrapping up the service, a believer approached the pastor saying, “the preaching was superb, what a great preaching!” The pastor responded saying, “Before you came someone already commended me for my preaching - the devil.” The Pastor rejected any praise lauded on him because he was only doing what God asked him to, and only God deserved the praise and glory.
HE alone is worthy.
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)