What's In A Name

What’s In A Name

1 John 5:1-5 (KJV)

Intro: How do we identify people? I don’t know about you but the first thing I ask and want to know from a person is their name. Granted I may not remember what you tell me but that is a problem that I deal with. Your name though, is how I and the rest of the world identifies you.

. I was going home from the church bowling league one Sunday night and a policeman pulled me over for not using my blinker. Yeah I know, I thought that with all the crime in our communities and you worry about my blinker habits? Nevertheless, I was cordial and cooperative with the policeman. The first thing he asked me for was my identification. My driver’s license. You see, that is how he identified me. How he knew who I was.

. We all have a name that identifies us.

.A young soldier was causing problems among the other soldiers was brought before Alexander the Great. Alexander the Great asked the soldier: “What’s your name?” The young soldier replied: “Alexander.” Alexander the Great then said: “Either change your name or change your conduct.”

. I have a knick name that identifies me with my brothers. My nick name is Diddle. My dad gave me that name when I was little and it has stuck through the years within my family. That is how they can identify me.

. When you hear the name Hitler, what comes to your mind? Evil, Murderer, Liar etc

. Santa Claus, happiness, children

. Names mean a lot.

. Believers in Christ have been identified by various names throughout history.

. God’s people were identified by their names.

. Believers, in Acts 1:15:

. 15During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them.

. They were first called Christians in Acts 11:26

25Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul.26When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)

. They went from being called believers to being called Christians.

. Christians have been called;

. Children Of God, Son’s Of The Kingdom, Friends Of Jesus, Sheep, Saints, Brethren, The Chosen, etc.

. We could go on and on. I counted at least 40 names that have been used to identify those who believe in Jesus Christ as the person who has made it possible for God to forgive their sin.

. Our scripture this morning gives us another way for God’s people to be identified.

. Another name for Christians.

. Lets, look at 1 John 5:1-5 (KJV)

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our[a] faith.

5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

. In this passage we see yet another name that can be used to identify God’s children.

. Overcomers.

If you are a Christian here this morning, you are an overcomer. My spell check tells me that there is no such word but I’m here to tell you this morning that if you have placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ and have committed yourself to him, you are an overcomer.

. John tells us in this scripture this morning just what an overcomer looks like.

. What should being identified as an overcomer tell others about you.

. How do you recognize an overcomer?

. John tells us that the first way to recognize an overcomer is that;

. They Will Have Faith In The Truth

. Look at vs 1a, 4-5

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God …4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

. John MacArthur writes that “ the foundational mark of an overcomer is believing that Jesus is the Christ.”

. That is the foundation of our faith. Jesus is the Christ and in him we find the truth.

. Philosophy is a tricky subject. Any of you that have taken philosophy classes can attest to that.

. I have problems in philosophical discussions. I see the world in black and white and philosophy does not work that way. They want to see grey areas.