What is Your Name?
This morning we continue the series, “Questions?”
We have looked at the famous questions in scripture, “Did God really say…?”, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” and “Why are you laughing?”.
Today we are going to look at a question God asked that is truly about as personal as they come.
What is your Name?
More than being polite and calling a person by name, names are more important than we think
• The Chevy Nova did not sell well in Mexico because “No-Va” means No Go!
• In the 80’s there was a hunger suppressant candy for diet help that way growing in sales and turning huge profits until the AIDs epidemic hit. The candy was called AYDS
A name is a very important thing.
• It carries with it your reputation, good or bad
• Today we may just choose a name based on how it sounds or to be different
• But in Bible times, names were carefully chosen and had meaning
Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
We looked carefully at the meaning of names before we named our boys!
Jabez, for example did not like his one bit, because of what his name said his life would be
1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (NIV)
Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.
If my name was pain, I would want a change of status as well!
This morning we are going to look at the question God asked someone who also had a name he had lived up to that desperately needed a name change!
What is your Name?
If a name could describe your life up to this point what would it be? Jacob’s most definitely described him up to the point in time we are looking at this morning.
Genesis 32:24-27 (NIV)
So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." The man asked him, "What is your name?" "Jacob," he answered.
Wrestling for blessing was not a new thing to Jacob
• He wrestled to be born first by grabbing Esau’s heal as his twin was born first
• Genesis 25:26 (NIV)
After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau's heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them.
• Jacob literally means, “Trickster or Deceiver” and he continued to earn that name!
• Ch 27 – Jacob stole his brothers birth right through trickery.
• Jacob has to run for his life!
• Ch 29- Jacob falls in love but on his wedding night he ends up on the wrong end of a trick
• Ch 30- He manages the flocks in a deceiving way to grow his wealth
• Ch 31- He ends up having to flee from his father in law
• Ch 32- He is about to have to face his brother Esau and he is afraid
The stolen birthright and a life of trickery didn’t bring him the fulfillment he thought.
• Now he is about to face the brother who vowed to kill him.
• So he has a very restless night
• The Bible tells us that he prayed and asked God to help him.
Sounds like us today.
• We do something completely our fault that gets us into trouble and then we beg God to get us out of the mess that we made.
• I picture Jacob pacing, wondering, praying, thinking, feeling sorry for his self, walking through scenarios in his mind, scared and wrestling with his emotions, then somewhere in the midst of all that emotional wrestling he finds himself literally wrestling with an Angel. (All kinds of speculation)
• At some point Jacob realizes that who he is truly wrestling with is God! (spiritually)
When we wrestle with God, we lose one way or another!
• I don’t think for one moment Jacob had the angel where he wanted him. In reality, It was the other way around.
• Just like He knew full well what Jacob’s name was! He just wanted Jacob to admit his name was who he was! A trickster and deceiver!
• The only way you can get anywhere with God, is by yielding, surrendering, and holding on to Him.
• You may say, “He won a blessing!”
• I say not so. He actually lost. He lost a name and a nature that was holding him back
Genesis 32:28 (NIV)
Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."
When you get to the place you quit wrestling and you’re ready to trust God. That’s when things change!
Otherwise your life will just continue to be a struggle and you will stay the same with the same results!
• What is it they call it when you keep doing the same things, expecting different results?
• At some point the light bulb needs to come on and you try a better strategy!
One thing Jacob did have going in his favor was his persistence.
Persistence can accomplish great things if used in the right way!
• Be persistent when you are praying for that Loved one.
• Be persistent when you are praying for that New Job.
• Be persistent when it seems everything is failing and you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.
• Be persistent with your prayers, your praise, your sacrifice.
• Be persistent with God and things will change!
• But it may mean that we have to change our name.
Jacob got a new NAME.
• Jacob’s name basically meant “Cheater.”
• ISRAEL means “POWER WITH GOD”
• I’m thinking that is a much better name!
Please tell me your name?
It is a great thing to know the name of the only one that can change yours!
Genesis 32:28-29 (NIV)
Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome." Jacob said, "Please tell me your name." But he replied, "Why do you ask my name?" Then he blessed him there.
Saul asked a similar question in the new testament on the road to Damascus
• When confronted with the bright light and the question, “Why do you persecute me?” he responded with his own question, “Who are you Lord?”
• His name to was changed from Saul to Paul
For that kind of name and reputation change in us, we must truly know the name of the one who is the only name under heaven by which we may be saved!
• Calling on that name is the only hope we have!
• The name that proved His love for us
• The name whose shed blood covers all of our past mistakes
Why do you ask my name?
Why do we truly call on His name? What in our hearts is the real reason?
Genesis 32:29-30 (NIV)
Jacob said, "Please tell me your name." But he replied, "Why do you ask my name?" Then he blessed him there. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared."
When a couple marries the woman usually takes the man’s name.
• When I married my wife she became Kim Spiegel she was no longer Kim Ferguson.
• She took my name to show the depth of our relationship. Her name was changed.
• In fact, she has been a Spiegel much longer than she was a Ferguson
Some people however don’t want a name change
• Dee Zaster? Maybe think twice?
• Other than that, those that refuse want the benefits without the change!
• The ring without the covenant
• Heaven without a name change
• Fire insurance without a heart change
• Without the name change we all have the same name, “Sinner”!
The truth is Disaster is exactly what our lives are without Christ
Ephesians 5:25-27 (NIV)
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
Salvation is a covenant type relationship
• It is a blood covenant
• We are to be His pure bride
• We need a name change from Sinner to Christian
• That name above all names, must be just that…
• We must take on that name!
• We must wear that name rightly
• Our name change literally means, Christ- “The anointed one of God”!
Why ask about that name? Why do I want to know that name?
Because only blood family gets in!
We must admit who we are
We must believe in the name of the one we are wrestling with
We must confess our name change!
