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“In Jesus’ name” July 20, 2008 Ken Oren Romans 8:12-17NRSV When the 1960s ended, many of San Francisco's hippies moved down the coast to Santa Cruz. They had children and got married, too, though in no particular sequence. But they didn't name their children Susan or Bob. People in the mountains around Santa Cruz grew accustomed to their children playing games with kids named Time Warp or Spring Fever. Eventually names like Moonbeam, Earth, Love and Precious Promise all ended up in the public school.
That's when the kindergarten teachers first met Fruit Stand. Every fall, according to tradition, parents bravely apply name tags to their children, kiss them good-bye and send them off to school on the bus. So it was for Fruit Stand. The teachers thought the boy's name was odd, but they tried to make the best of it. "Would you like to play with the blocks, Fruit Stand?" they offered. And later, "Fruit Stand, how about a snack?" He accepted hesitantly. By the end of the day, his name didn't seem much odder than Heather's or Sun Ray's.
At dismissal time, the teachers led the children out to the buses. "Fruit Stand, do you know which one is your bus?" He didn't answer. That wasn't strange. He hadn't answered them all day. Lots of children are shy on the first day of school. It didn't matter. The teachers had instructed the parents to write the names of their children's bus stops on the reverse side of their name tags. The teacher simply turned over the tag. There, neatly printed, was the word "Anthony." Luanne Oleas in Salinas, Calif., Reader's Digest.
I. Consider the importance of your name - especially your family name. A. Does anyone here have a story about her or his name? Whom you are named for? Where a name originated?
A. We come together here because we are all brothers and sisters - in Jesus’ name.
Romans 8:12-17NRSV
Romans 8:1-4NRSV
I. It takes the power of the Spirit in you to put to death fleshly deeds.
A. As the Spirit of Jesus grows stronger in you, your fleshly desires will lessen.
A. When I became a student in High School, I soon put aside my elementary school experiences and I did all I could to become a good High School student.
A. When I went to Manchester College, I put aside my High School life and became a college student. I enjoyed learning new things.
A. When I went to Bethany Seminary, I did it because I really wanted to be there - to absorb the atmosphere. To learn of Jesus in the midst of life.
A. Because the love and knowledge of Jesus grew in my life, other things became less and less important. It is still true today. I am still learning and growing in Jesus - just as we all are - and as I do, things I thought were important are becoming less so. It is the power of the Spirit working, leading me to a better life.
A newlywed couple hosted a family get-together at their new apartment. The apartment had a large grassy field and superb children's playground next door. The wife organized games outdoors for her eight nieces and nephews, and the laughter and activity drew other children, until about thirty kids were playing and clamoring for her attention. After three hours of fun and games, it was time for all to go home. The next morning while the young couple were getting ready for work, two boys knocked on their patio door and asked if their children could come out and play. The man told them they had no children; their nieces and nephews had just been visiting. Looking momentarily dejected, they brightened considerably as they asked, "Well, then, can your wife come out and play?" Received from Becky Day.
Children know when they experience love.
Romans 8:14-15bNRSV
I. Boldly proclaim the love of Jesus. A. Turn to your neighbor, say to him or her, “You are a child of God”
I. Look at the bigger picture A. All people are potential brothers and sisters B. We might occasionally squabble, but in 20 or twenty years, the issues of today will not even come to memory C. 100 years from now we will not care - but we will still have each other
I. The Brethren movement began in Aug. 1708, when eight Brethren believers under the leadership of Alexander Mack Sr. were baptized in the Eder River in Schwarzenau, Germany.
A. The Schwarzenau eight decided they did not like what the church of their day had done in Jesus’ name. They felt the adoptive Spirit of God and went directly to the source, Jesus, and followed him without fear.
Romans 8:15c-17NRSV
I. Abba is an Aramaic word which suffers in translation. It is an intimate form of the word father—such as “papa” or “daddy.” While we may hesitate to use such familiar English words in addressing God, the truth remains that He who is infinitely high is also intimately nigh.
I. Karen recommended a book to me entitled, “The Shack.” The book depicts the trinity of God with God as Papa in a close relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. In the book, they all have an unending love for human kind and the creation.
A. The book is a metaphor of the trinity relationship and us. Don’t take it too literally, but read it for a good perspective on God at work, and the joy of life in relationship with the trinity.
I. A grandson, Justus, age 10, and his sister Taylor, age 13, were always teasing each other. One day, Justus was getting "sensitive" about things his sister was saying to him. The kind Grandfather reminded him that he had said the same types of things many times in days past. With quiet reflection, he spoke a gospel truth: "But it doesn't hurt as much coming out of my mouth as it does going into my ears." Received from Sherry Bloom.
A. It is good to reflect on the words we choose in our relationships.
I. Taking on Jesus’ name means taking on his traits and characteristics. Like his love for others, how he encourages growth, and has compassion for the weakness of others. In Jesus’ name we consider everything we do and say - and how it affects others.
I. Many people take their family and Christian heritage for granted. Your family name is an important part of whom you are.
A. In the mid 1970's, Patty Hearst rejected her namesake. 1. Patricia Campbell Hearst is the granddaughter of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst and great-granddaughter of self-made millionaire George Hearst. She gained notoriety in 1974 when, following her kidnaping by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA), she ultimately joined her captors in furthering their cause.
A. She did not see the good in her name. When we concentrate on our own desires, we become hostile to God’s goodness.
Romans 8:5-7NRSV
I. It is easy to take the family of God for granted. Be thankful for the love of family and God and learn to put aside selfishness in order to share that love with others.
A. Kathy E. works with children that yearn for love. For one reason or the other, they do not have parents who take care of them. They are in the states care, waiting for a place to go.
I. In the musical, “Annie,” 11-year-old Annie is in an orphanage. Through a series of fortunate events, Grace Farrell, Warbucks' assistant, picks her to live in Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks' palatial home for the labor day holidays. Although initially uncomfortable with each other, Annie and Daddy Warbucks soon come to love each other.
A. Annie was thankful for all her blessings, and welcomed the love this new namesake had for her.
I. What does it mean to live and pray - in Jesus’ name, our Christian name sake? Here are some selected verses about Jesus’ name:
Luke 9:46-48NRSV
Luke 21:12-19NRSV
John 14:12-14NRSV
Acts 2:21NRSV
Philippians 2:9-11NRSV
I. Whatever happened to Patty Hearst? A. Through much compassion and care, Patricia Campbell Hearst ultimately accepted the love of her family and returned to her name sake. B. Love brought her home. C. The story is a good reminder for all of us - never give up on love.
I. According to the Guinness book of records, the record for the largest tea party is 32,681 participants and was achieved by Dainik Bhaskar (India) for the City of Indore, at Nehru Stadium, in Indore, India, on 24 February 2008.
A. As brothers and sisters in Christ, our calling in Jesus’ name is to prepare for the world’s largest family reunion. It would be best if no one was left out.
Colossians 3:16-17NRSV |
