For His Name’s Sake

For His Name’s Sake

It’s Not About You

Jeremiah 29: 10-14

I Sam. 12: 22

Background

• letter from Jeremiah the prophet to the Jews when king Neb. had taken captive from Jerusalem into Babylon

• Jerusalem = city of peace Babylon = confusion of tongue

• Were told to get married, build houses, find jobs, have kids, and grandkids – gone be there for a while = 70 yrs.

• Make the best of it – I know false prophets are telling you otherwise, but….they’re lying

• Then after 70 yrs (10=gov’t, discipline, 7=day of rest, completion, perfection, maturity)

• Jeremiah 29:10-14

• Turn away your captivity (imprisonment)– I’m going to show you how powerful I am when it comes to releasing my people from punishment. When Job’s fortunes were restored, he was said to have been freed from captivity.

• Gather from all the nations – all people - those that have hurt you, tricked, used, lied on, back-stabbed, talked down, counted you out, laughed at, stepped on and over, won’t stop bringing up your past, hoped you’d fail, betrayed your trust

• All the places – (directions/situations) – dark places, cold, lonely, confused, uncomfortable, dull, stagnant, lazy, comfortable, sinking, hard, filthy, low, down, and out

• Driven – Jesus driven to wilderness (Mark 1:12)

• Drove you out so I could bring you back in

• put you in place to need miracle>perform

• made way hard to see>trust

• did it to get glory---FHNS

• I Sam.12:22

Protect you name

• name signifies reputation and character, so always protect it

• want others to say or think good things when hear your name – ever mention a name then they say “…umph” – somewhere down the line they or somebody messed up (tainted/stained) their name

• don’t let other people mess up you name – if Brod. recommends someone for a job, and they get there and slacking, not good for his name – “don’t hire nobody else he sends”

• a person’s name is so influential, on a job interview just the mention of the right name can get you the job---or Not!

• As members of this body of Christ, must be careful how we act in community (Ice club, hell, sleight, snow) cause people say, “don’t they go to NLC”? =mess up church’s /Pastor’s name

• I am careful, people know me and I don’t know them – protect Brod’s name – “Brod’s wife?”, not even knowing my name = t-shirt

• if have kids, make them protect it too (don’t be begging or acting up at school or with other people) because parents get talked about, not the kids – “them McGee Kids”

• on flipped side, we do/buy stuff for kids for our name’s sake – comb hair, barber, iron

• sounds like God

For His name’s sake

• ain’t been all good…Ezek. 36: 22-30

• I already know you gone start tripping, but I’ll turn away captivity FMNS

• thought you made all right choices and never been in any trouble or jail--->path of righteousness FHNS Ps. 23:3

• baler, letters behind/in front of name, drive comp. car, times don’t know whether going or coming--- >lead and guide Ps. 31:3

• iniquities=inabil to produce desired results, didn’t even have skills/exper. To do the job --->pardon your iniquities FHNS Ps. 25:11

• Israelites at Red Sea murmuring, nevertheless --- >make mighty power known

• Gideon – Judges 7 – 300=# of God’s remnant – God not impressed w/ #s will cause all finances to be exausted just so he can make a way – make you humble so he can exalt you in due time FHNS

• Even when we are the guilty party

• Did others wrong--- >I am he that blotteth out transgressions FHNS Is. 43:25

• Disobed. (hard headed to his will) repeatedly and thought you got away (burst bubble)--- >defer my anger Is. 48:9, …withhold my hand Ezek. 20:22

• Evil thing in sight of God--- > sins forgiven FHNS I John 2:12

• Is. 61 - Beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, garment of praise for spirit of heaviness--- >that he might be glorified

• Not trying to rain on parade, but you got house, car, bling, maid, butler, chaueffer, ministry booming, sing like bird, preach, best of bestest--- >done all these great things FHNS II Sam.7:21

• So be careful about bragging about what you have and what you can do, cause it’s not even about you

Trials FHNS

• even when things get shady in our lives, it’s FHNS

• He drives us to uncomfortable places to get some glory – it’s not even about you

• Believe me, they are going to come

• Matt. 5:11,12 – blessed are you when men shall insult you, persecute, lie on you for my sake>rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven