The Power of a Name

Intro

Story of Booger (Alicia)

A name is not just what you’re called, it’s also what you answer to

Recap Series

Alicia decided that she was not going to let her identity be defined by one event or her physical appearance

Our identity has a way of becoming linked to our name

No one knows this more than the person from the Bible that we will be talking about today

Text

John 20:24–29 NIV

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Because of this one incident, we now have the term doubting Thomas

But what about betraying Peter?

Or corrupt Matthew?

Thomas’s identity has been formed from one statement. One act of doubt.

But they all had doubts

Luke 24:9–11 NIV

9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.

The other disciples doubted, but they don’t get the bad reputation that Thomas does

A reputation often becomes linked to a name

The name Fletcher has a reputation

Thomas did so much more than doubt.

He was willing to die with Jesus

John 11:8–16 NIV

8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” 11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” 12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Doubt was not the defining quality of Thomas’s life

He should be remembered for his loyalty, obedience to the gospel, and his faith

If there was ever someone in desperate need of a name change it was Thomas

Because you see, Thomas wasn’t really his name

Didymus and Tomas

Who we are is more than a physical description, it is a reflection of our personality and character

Practical Application

Our church has an identity and reputation

For some in the community, it is:

A dead church

An old church

Nothing going on

Crazy cult (What is a Nazarene anyway)

The reality is that we are a church that is named based on our physical denomination but that name does not reflect our personality, character, or vision

What do we want to be known for? What do we want to answer to? What do we want our identity to be?

Propose name change

A name is not just what you’re called, it’s also what you answer to

Challenge (Call up Worship Team)

Vote

Personal - How do you want to be known? What do you choose to answer to?

Recognize there is a name that is above all names

That name is Jesus

Philippians 2:9–11 NIV

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.