Overcoming a Family Name

There are names that are synonomous with evil. For instance, no one would want the last name Hitler or Dahmer. We also do not name girls Jezebel. While there are those who have these names, it is not their fault that the word frowns upon their name. One person messed the name up for everyone that has it. One man named Adolf disgraced the name Hitler. One man named Jeffrey made the name Dahmer infamous. And one queen ruined the name Jezebel. However, just because you share a name with someone does not mean you have to be defined by their legacy.

One example of this found in the Bible is the Sons of Korah. Psalm 42 has this heading: "To the Chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah". Psalm 84 has a similar heading, "To the Chief Musicians upon Gittith, A Psalm for the Sons of Korah". The “Sons of Korah” were choir leaders in Israel. They sang the Psalms. That is a pretty prestigious job, to be the national choir leaders. As part of the family of Levi, music became the area that they led the people of Israel in to worship God. So, what name did they have to overcome? The very name they are known by, Korah.

In Numbers 16, Korah led a rebellion against Moses. Moses had all of the people go to their tents. Then he told Korah and the two men that led the rebellion with him, “If you die a natural death, then God has not sent me” (Numbers 16:29). Then, the Bible tells us that the Earth opened up and swallowed Korah, the two other men, their tents, and everything they owned. Then it closed back up. After this, fire came down from heaven and killed the 250 men who had followed them.

This is the legacy of Korah that his descendant overcame. Korah led in a rebellion against Moses, who was doing the will of God. Therefore, his rebellion was against God. That is quite a legacy that these men had to content with. Yet, they did. The sons of Korah chose not to follow after their father and redeemed the family name. For that, God used them in a great way in that nation of Israel.

There is another name in the Bible that is known for rebellion, death and genocide, lying, and being the father of a murderer. That name is Adam.

King James Version Chapter 5

5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, vfor that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto bmany. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon eall men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall zmany be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

I. Adam the father of sin and death

EXPLAIN HOW ADAM IS:

rebellious

death and genocide

lying

father of a murderer

Consider what Paul wrote to the Romans about this:

Romans 5:12-15 (KJV) 12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13  (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14  Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15  But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead...

Adam’s sin so marred him, that it got in his DNA and passed to all of his descendants. That became his legacy, a legacy of death.

II. The need for the second Adam

Verse 15 doesn’t end there. It continues to give hope!

Romans 5:15-21 (KJV) 15  But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16  And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17  For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

The first Korah rebelled against God - The sons of Korah faithfully served God

The first Adam brought death through sin - The second Adam (Jesus) brought life and salvation.

Just like these, we too do not have to follow in the sins of those who came before us. The first step to break free from an evil legacy is to change our identity. Do we identify with those who are evil or do we identify with Christ?

Are we the sons of the first Adam or the second Adam?

Is God our Father?

Have you been born again?

If not, that is the first step in changing the legacy of your family name.

Next, is to chose a life of faithful service.

Yes, Korah rebelled, but his sons led the people in worship of God.

Chose to faithfully serve God.

Finally, know that some people are going to talk bad about you regardless of what you do. Peter wrote about this in his second letter.

1 Peter 3:14-17 14  But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16  Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17  For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

You are not who men say you are, but who God says your are. Remember that and live to please him!