Names In Scripture

Series: Stand Alone Messages - Single Sermons Worth Hearing

February 05, 2017
Terry Nichols

Guest speaker Terry Nichols shared a message titled, "Names In Scripture" and discussed the significance of names and how God often changed names to reflect a changed life. He goes further to give the back story of the name of Jesus and why His name is the only name by which we can be saved. This message was delivered at LifePointe Church in Crowley, TX on Sunday, February 5, 2017

Episode Notes

NAMES IN SCRIPTURE
Terry Nichols   -   February 5, 2017

In contemporary life, our names are little more than an identity marker. They help separate us as an individual from another person. Our names may have ‘meaning’ behind them- family name, ‘in remembrance of’ someone special to our parents, etc. - but rarely do we think about the actual meaning of our names. In English, the word “Terry” is only a name, that is, it doesn’t mean anything in the actual language. But the name “Grace” or “Joy” are female names, and also carry actual meaning in English.  

But names in the Bible portray a deeper meaning:

Abram - _____________________________________, childless without an heir

             became Abraham- ____________________________________

Sarai - likely means __________________________________, although barren,

             became Sarah - ________________________________________

Job - ___________________________________. He, of course, lost his fortune, children were killed, business destroyed, because Satan wanted to test him.

Jacob - _____________________________ or ____________________________. He was the second twin born, and came out grasping his brother’s heel. (Gen 5:26; Also stole the firstborn’s blessing Gen. 27:30)

Israel - _____________________________ or _____________________________ from Gen 32:28 after he wrestled (strove against) with God.

Samuel - _________________________________________. The Bible says that God did not let a single word Samuel spoke fall to the ground. (1 Sam. 3:19)

David - ____________________________________________________________. Acts 13:22 names David a “man after God’s own heart,” cf. 1 Sam. 13:14.

Absalom - ________________________________ who, of course, led a violent revolt against his father David, and tried to murder him. 2 Sam. 14-15.
Several Biblical passages demonstrate the deeper meaning names portray.

Hosea 1:1-9
Hosea's kids:

Jezreel- ________________________________ i.e. - you get what you deserve!

Lo-Ruhammah- ______________________________________________________

Lo-Ammi- ___________________________________________________________
- striking because Hosea’s name means  ____________________

Luke 1:11-20; 1:57-66

John 1:63 “His name is John.”

John (the Baptist) - ___________________________________________________

Why is God gracious?
John is the fore-runner- sent to prepare the way for the Lord.

Matthew 1: 18-25

Matthew 1:21 "She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

 (Jesus is the Greek form of Hebrew name Joshua.)

Joshua means ______________________________________________________.

Bringing it all together

Why is God gracious? Because YHWH saves.

Why John? Because Jesus.

Joshua conquered the land of Canaan, what would become a nation named Israel. It is the Holy Land, conquered by a man sent by God. YHWH established a nation for His people. Yet this nation did not accomplish their mission, as demonstrated by Hosea, so Jesus was sent, not to conquer the world, not to tell the world about God, but simply to conquer sin. John was sent to show that God is always gracious. Jesus came, because it was always YHWH’s intent to save us.

All this is built into the phrase that even children quote,  "And you shall call his name Jesus."

Content Copyright Belongs to LifePointe Church
5838