by Dale Reeves

Story Pastor

 

When I am endorsing a check or signing at the bottom of a document, I typically sign my name “F. Dale Reeves” or “Franklin Dale Reeves,” depending on how official the document is. As a child who was very shy (yes, I know you can’t believe that), I hated the first day of school every year when the new teacher was reading the roll call and would call out, “Franklin Reeves.” I would raise my hand, listen to a few snickers in the classroom, and gently respond, “Here . . . but I go by my middle name, Dale.” As long as I can remember, I have been known as Dale, except for the few times growing up when my older brother Steve would get me riled up by calling me, “Frankie.” “Franklin” was the middle name of my dad, and “Dale” was the last name of the man who performed the wedding of my mom and dad. His name was L. Edsil Dale, and he had taught both of my parents in Bible college. That is why I was named Franklin Dale, and I can be thankful that my parents did not choose to name me “Edsil.”

 

Have you spent much time thinking about the name that your parents gave you at birth? Did they just peruse a baby name book and come up with the one they both could agree on—or was there a deeper meaning behind why they chose to put a particular name on your birth certificate? Some names are deeply connected to cultural heritage, some names immediately give out positive connotations, and some names have the opposite effect. In the Bible, naming often signified specific authority and relationship, or referred back to the conditions that were present at the time of a child’s birth.

 

For instance, Jacob was given his name because he was born holding onto the heel of his twin brother, Esau. The name comes from the Hebrew word for “heel,” and signifies his role as a “heel-catcher” or “supplanter.” Ichabod was the grandson of Eli the priest, whose name means “the glory has departed.” Ichabod was born after his mother learned that the Ark of the Covenant had been captured by the Philistines, and his father and grandfather were dead. His mother chose the name in despair, symbolizing a profound loss of God’s presence for Israel. Aren’t you glad your name is not Ichabod?!

 

Different Names, Different Gifts, Different Stories

This past week at Christ’s Church, our lead pastor Brad Wilson taught from Colossians chapter four, in which the apostle Paul gives some final words of encouragement, then takes a little time celebrating some names of faithful people who stayed the course. Those names he mentioned are Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas, Nympha, and Archippus. Why would Paul take up precious space in his last words in a parchment mentioning specific names to a church? Because there was great power and meaning behind the people whose names he mentioned. Brad said this last Sunday, “Difference Makers don’t give up—they finish well.” If you missed that teaching, you can check it out here.

 

Brad shared these words: “Churches are built by people. Too often in the church the spotlight gets stuck on a few people up front. Paul reminds us that the church has always been a team effort. Some carried letters, some opened their homes, some prayed, some gave, some encouraged, some suffered, but everyone had a part to play. . . . The people Paul mentioned all had different stories, different gifts, different backgrounds all united under the same mission—to make Jesus known. And that’s exactly how the church still works today.”

 

In my Bible reading this past week in the Old Testament books of Ezra and 1 Chronicles, there are many, many names mentioned in genealogies, and in lists of those who returned to Jerusalem from exile. In some cases, the names include specific details about what some of these people were known for, and in other places, not so much—just a name. Some are known for evil deeds, not good ones. And, if you’re looking for a great baby name for a family member, you might want to consider “Madmannah,” “Kiriath Jearim,” “Hazzelelponi,” or “Haahashtari” (see 1 Chronicles 2:48-50; 4:3, 6). In reading some of the Old Testament it’s very tempting to just quickly skip over these names, but God includes all of them for a purpose, just as he made you and me.

 

The Legacy of Your Name

One barely-mentioned name in the Old Testament became very well-known because of a best-selling book several years ago . . . “There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!’ And God granted him his request” (1 Chronicles 4:9, 10, NLT).

 

On the other hand, there is a long list of names mentioned in the last chapter of Ezra (including some priests who ministered before the Lord) who are famous for one thing—they disobeyed God by marrying foreign wives from among the nations surrounding the children of Israel (see Ezra 10:18-44). God was serious about warning them about not intermarrying with the pagan nations, but these men evidently didn’t see it as that big of a deal. And, now they are known for all posterity for this great sin.

 

Can I ask you today:

What will your name be remembered for?

What will your legacy be?

 

More than anything else you accomplish in this life, more than your career, your social status, your achievements, the accolades and rewards you receive, the most important thing will be that your name is recorded in the Lamb’s book of life. This divine registry contains the names of all those who have accepted the gift of salvation offered through Jesus by putting their faith in him, seeking to make him Lord of their lives. When describing what Heaven will be like, the apostle John writes, “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27, NIV).

 

Way back in the eighth century B.C., God sent a prophet named Joel to communicate these words, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Joel 2:32, NLT). This promise from God is repeated several times in the New Testament. At the name of Jesus demons flee. At the name of Jesus someday every knee will bow in submission, declaring that Jesus Christ is Lord. It is because of the power in the name of Jesus that we can even have our names written in the Lamb’s book of life.

 

As we sang this past Sunday in our collective worship experience at Christ’s Church, “I know a name that can empty out a grave . . . something comes out of the grave every time I call your name.”

 

Will you call on his name today?