Reputations

Popular estimation of person or thing – whether good or bad. This subject deserves some consideration on our part, although it often can become too significant.

I) As individuals

We desire to be accepted, which is part of the purpose of the church, and the strength of collective discipline –

2 Thessalonians 3:14 ESV

If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.

But we cannot let the majority set the standard for us –

Matthew 7:13–14 ESV

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

II) What makes up a reputation

What is said – many only hear what they want to hear – ; – we need to have open ears

Proverbs 20:12 ESV

The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both.

James 1:19 ESV

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

Who said it – Jesus did not have a good reputation with the leaders of the Jews – – we can be accused of being narrow-minded or liberal, depending on the accusor

Luke 7:33–34 ESV

For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’

How you got it – Jesus got His by speaking the truth –

John 10:32 ESV

Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?”

You can get a good reputation from doing, or standing, for nothing; yet that is sin – ;

James 4:17 ESV

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Jude 3 ESV

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

You can get a bad reputation from standing for truth, which is always right – – Elijah is called the “troubler of Israel”

1 Kings 18:17 ESV

When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?”

III) Making reputations

One incident

Thomas – doubter –

John 20:24–29 ESV

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Lot – foolish – – but Peter calls him “righteous”

2 Peter 2:7–8 ESV

and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);

Hard work

Paul – zealous for good deeds – ;

Titus 2:14 ESV

who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

2 Corinthians 11:22–30 ESV

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

Jezebel – worked hard at evil – ;

1 Kings 18:3–4 ESV

And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly, and when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.)

1 Kings 19:2 ESV

Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.”

Concl: We can learn from our reputation. Consider what others think of you and see if there is area for growth. But it should never be an all-encompassing passion, because the world is not our judge, or even other saints – – God is.

1 Corinthians 4:2–4 ESV

Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.