Having a Good Name - 7/13/08pm

Judges 6:25-32 -Gideon becomes known as Jerubbaal (“let Baal contend”)

Having a good name, a good reputation, is a great thing. And it is something we should strive for. As Gideon became known for his fight against the false god Baal, so we should all be known for our Christian conviction.

III John 12 -Demetrius has a good reputation in the church

Christians are to have a good reputation
As Christians, we should strive to have a good reputation. We should strive to have a good name among the church and among the people in the world.
Proverbs 22:1 -A good name is better
1 Timothy 3:7 -Elder must have good reputation
1 Timothy 4:12 -Timothy to have good reputation as a young man

How do we gain a good reputation?
By doing good works.
I Peter 2:12 -Behave properly so that even if they slander, they see your good works
Galatians 6:10 -Let us do good to all men

Christian reputations reflect on the church
As representatives of Christ to the world, our reputation reflects on Him and His body.
Titus 2:5 -That the word of God be not blasphemed
Romans 2:21-24 -Because of you, God’s name is blasphemed”
Galatians 2:20 -Christ lives in me
I Timothy 5:14 -Give no opportunity for slander
If our reputation is negative, that is how people will see the church. And if that is how people see the church, what are the chances of them converting?

Examples
1 Kings 21:25-26 -Ahab and Jezebel
Would you name your child Ahab or Jezebel? These two individuals ruined these names forever through their actions.

Matthew 26:14-16 -Judas Iscariot
Luke 6:12-16 -Both apostles named Judas
Catholic Church makes Judas the patron saint of lost causes because the two were constantly confused.

We must not slander the reputation of others
Just as our own good name is important, it is important to not damage the good names of others.
I Peter 2:1 -Put away slander
James 4:11-12 -Do not slander one another
Titus 3:1-2 -Do the things opposite of slander

We must make sure our good reputation is accurate
Just because we are known for having a good name, doesn’t mean that we have earned it. We must strive to ensure not only that we have a good reputation, but that it actually fits us.
Revelation 3:1-3 -Church in Sardis has a good, yet inaccurate reputation

…that our good name can be in the place we want it most:
Hebrews 11:39-40 -These obtained a good report through faith
Revelation 20:11-15 -Book of Life