Something Better Than Perfume
III John 1:4-12
Have you ever heard of the expression, “Your name will be mud?” Do you know where it originated? Samuel Alexander Mudd was the doctor who set John Wilkes Booth’s leg after Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln in Ford’s Theater in 1865. Mudd claimed he didn’t recognize Booth–didn’t really know him. But a military court thought otherwise. He was found guilty as an accessory after the fact in the assassination and was sentenced to life in a federal prison.
But that’s not the end of the story. While in prison, Mudd saved the lives of many prisoners and guards during a yellow fever epidemic. In 1869 he was pardoned by President Andrew Johnson. However, his name persists to this day as one of derision. A name is a hard thing to shake and so is the reputation that it stands for.
Ecclesiates 7:1 says, “A good name is better than fine perfume.”
Also, Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches.”
In our Scripture passage we have two men spoken of by the apostle John. For all time they have the reputation found in these few verses. It doesn’t really matter if they changed for not. Their names, and therefore, their reputations, are forever etched in history.
Diotrephes (verse 9)
• Loves to be first
• Prejudiced
• Malicious gossiper
• Inhospitable
• Evil
Demetrius (verse 12)
• Well spoken of by everyone–the world as well as the church
• Implies consistency
Which name would you like to bear? Demetrius, of course!
Each one of us carries three names:
1. The name others give us
2. The name God gives us
3. The name we give ourselves.
1. The Name Others Give Us.
• Parental name
• Nickname–given by friends and enemies
• Marital name
• Special name given by our sweetheart
• Name that describes one’s character or reputation
- negatively: “Stingy,” “Lazyhead”
- positively: “Sunshine”
- Bible examples: Demetrius, Onesimus (useful),
Onesiphorus (refreshed).
Sometimes we deserve our reputation; other times we don’t, but once given it is hard to change the image it congers up.
Illus.: “Edwin Booth Carries the Wrong Last Name”
In 1864, a train was pulling out of the station in Jersey City, New Jersey. A young man, who was late, tried to board it as it was moving out. He slipped and began to fall. A man who was on the train reached out with his hand and caught him. The young man who was trying to board the train was Robert Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s son. The man who saved him was Edwin Booth, John Wilkes Booth’s brother. When news of this reached the White House, Lincoln sent a personal note of thanks. The press picked up it and Edwin Booth became a bit of a celebrity. It really helped his career as an actor. But a year later, after the assassination, he was so ashamed of his name and fearful for his life, that he went into hiding for quite some time. Eventually he returned to the stage and was later recognized nationally for his outstanding career on the stage.
I repeat, “A good name is better than fine perfume or great riches.” The second name is...
2. The Name God gives You
This name is based on two factors: (1) our relationship with God, and (2) our inner character.
Isaiah 56:5: “I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.”
Isaiah 62:2: “The nations will see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory; you will be called by a new name.”
Revelation 3:12: “Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down our of heaven from my God; and I will write on him my new name.”
God has been in the name changing business for quite some time. He changes Abram (exalted father) to Abraham (father of many nations). He changed Sarai (contentious) to Sarah (princess). He changed Jacob (deceiver) to Israel (having power with God).
Jesus gave new names to His disciples. Simon (hearing) to Peter (rock). James and John to Boanerges (sons of thunder). He even changed the titles of his followers from servants to friends.
What name do you suppose Jesus has given you?
When Napoleon’s horse ran away, a lowly private caught him and Napoleon said, “Thank you Captain.” The soldier at once packed his belongings, moved to the officers quarters and went to mess with them. The emperor had called him Captain and he considered himself to be just that. In the same way, those who receive Christ are called the sons of God (John 1:12). Is it not appropriate for them to pack their belongs and move into the higher life to which Jesus has appointed them? We have been given a new name!
4. The Name You Give Yourself
How do we give ourselves a name? In two primary ways.
1. By an act of our will–by the choices we make. If we decide for Christ, we will receive certain names, among them...
• Christian (Acts 11:26)
• Disciple (learner)
• Apostle (witness, missionary)
• Born again believer
2. By the way we conduct ourselves
• What we do or don’t do
• Where we go
• How we treat others
A young man was asked to preach for a pastor who was on vacation. He chose as his text, “Thou shalt not steal.” The church was full with many visitors and the message was well received. The next morning this same young preacher boarded a bus and handed a dollar bill to the driver. He went to the back of the bus, took his seat and counted his change. He realized that he had been given too much. He thought, “They’ll never miss this small amount, and besides, its their fault if they can’t make change properly.” Then the Holy Spirit spoke to him and he went to the driver and said, “You gave me too much change.” The driver answered, “I know I did. I was a visitor in church yesterday. I heard your sermon. When you stepped on the bus today, I wanted to see if you lived what you preached. I watched you in the rear view mirror. I had made up my mind that if you weren’t honest, I would never enter a church again.”
How important it is that we remain consistent in our Christian witness and conduct. We never know who is watching.
Leslie B. Flynn tells a story about an incident in the life of General Robert E Lee. After the American Civil War the managers of the infamous Louisiana Lottery approached Lee and asked if he would let them use his name in their scheme. They promised that if he did, he would become rich. Astounded, Lee straightened up, buttoned his gray coat, and shouted, “Gentlemen, I lost my home in the war. I lost my fortune in the war. I lost everything except my name. And that is not for sale!”
It takes years to build a reputation and it can be lost in just a moment. King David is a case in point. He was a man after God’s own heart. He was the spiritual leader of his country, held in high esteem by all. But in a moment of weakness, he lost his reputation.
May God help us to have a good name–a name which is honored by all. May the name “Christian” be all that it implies–one who follows Christ in every aspect of his life.
You got it from your father,
it was all he had to give.
So its yours to use and cherish,
for as long as you may live.
If you lose th watch he gave you,
it can always be replaced.
But a black mark on your name, son,
can never be erased.
It was clean the day you took it,
and a worthy to bear.
When he got it from his father,
there was no dishonor there.
So make sure you guard it wisely,
after all is said and done
You’ll be glad the name is spotless,
when you give it to your son.
Source Unknown
