What Will Heaven Say About You?

We’re going to begin in Proverbs, chapter 22, verse 1. “A good name- a name that is held in high regard – is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.” Notice the verse says a good name is chosen. How is it chosen? A good name is chosen by what you do, what you say, and to some degree, by your circle of friends.

For example, if a member of a notorious biker came to town and asked for you because you were best friends, what would people think about you? Or, if the president of St. Judes Hospital was in town and dropped by just to spend time with you, what would people think about you? Yes, you play a personal role in your good name but so do those around you..

Serena Williams is regarded as the best or one of the best professional female tennis players in the world today. She is known for her powerful backhand and for the speed and accuracy of her overhand serve. In the 1980s – I know I’m showing my age – Jon McEnroe was the best professional men’s tennis player in the world – hands down. But he is remembered more for his routine confrontations with the judges than for his skills on the court.

As a child, I heard about Althea Gibson, who many considered to be the best professional female tennis player of her time – the 1930s through the 1950s. She is fondly remembered as the “Jackie Robinson” of professional tennis.

Now, I mention Williams, McEnroe and Gibson as a foundation for talking about Arthur Ashe. He was the first black player selected to the US Davis Cup team and the only black man ever to win the singles title at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open. But his accomplishments on the court are not why I am talking about him.

In 1983, Ashe under went heart bypass surgery. The blood that he received during the surgery was infected with the HIV virus. At that time, blood was not tested for HIV like it is today. He died of AIDS in 1993. But before his death, he completed his memoir, Days of Grace. The first two sentences of his book are why I wanted to talk about him.

“If one’s reputation is a possession, then of all my possessions, my reputation means most to me. Nothing comes even close to it in importance.”

Ashe wanted the public to know why he was dying of AIDS. He had not been involved in a lifestyle that increased the chances of getting the HIV virus. Ashe was leaving his wife and daughter to mourn for him. He wrote his memoir for them because his reputation, for their sakes, had to remain unblemished.

Williams, Gibson, and Ashe created positive reputations. McEnroe, not so much.

Everyday, we are creating our reputations too – in heaven.

For the next few minutes, we’re going to look at three examples, from scripture, of men whose reputations are recorded in heaven.

Enoch

Turn with me to Genesis 5. We’re going to read about Enoch. We’re going to read verses 21 through 24.

(21) And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:

(22) And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:

(23) and all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:

(24) and Enoch walked with God: and he was not, for God took him.

What is Enoch’s reputation in heaven? He walked with God. There is no walking with God without being in complete agreement with Him and we know this from the record in Amos when God was upset with Israel for repeatedly disobeying Him. In verse 3 God asked “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”

Now, let’s see what else Enoch is known for in heaven. Turn to Hebrews 11. We’re going to read verses five and six.

(5) By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

(6) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

As we see in these verses, Enoch also has the reputation in heaven that he pleased God. Wow! This is so important. What pleases God? Faith! So, what these verses tell us is that Enoch had complete and unwavering faith in God.

What we have just read about Enoch – I call them signature statements.

A signature statement is usually a recognizable feature of an artist or designer, or a wearer, which appears in all of his or her work, or in everything that the person wears. In heaven, Enoch’s signature statements were that he faithfully walked with God and that he pleased God.