Talk is cheap.  Our world is full of words.  Words assault us at every waking moment.  They fly out at us from the television, newspaper and magazine.  As we speak, words come into the world, and most fly past the listener.  Some that go in one ear, go out the other.  Only a few hit their mark and are remembered.

          God's words are different.  God speaks them to us in His Holy Word.  God's words are His will for us.  Human words are often trivial, but God's Word is eternal.  His Word is alive and effective.  Hebrews 4:12 says:  "For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any two-edged sword, it penetrates, dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow.  It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

          The Word of God is living, like a tiny mustard seed that grows into the huge plant.  It's the precious treasure hidden in the common field.  It's the rain or the snow that comes down from the sky and waters the earth, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, accomplishing all that God intends.  The Word of God contains its own life within, and it grows like a plant through soil and gravel, often splitting rock until it reaches sunlight and produces its flower or fruit.

          That's not the way it is with names.  They're meaningless and they're cheap.  It used to be different.  Names had a specific purpose.  If he was the son of John or Gilbert he was named Johnson or Gilbertson.  Or they would call her Bauer or Miller depending on what her father did.  If he had a crooked leg he was called Cruikshank.  If he lived in a certain place, he was named Hill or Kufeldt.  If he was a builder, he was called Zimmerman.  If he was a teacher, they called him Schull.

          But today names have little meaning.  Some are given because we love Grandma or Aunt Mary.  But most today name their children on the basis of how a word sounds.  It's cute or popular and turns up by the thousands on our elementary rolls.  70-80 years from now our nursing homes will be filled with Ashleys and Caitlyns and Madisons.  But the noble names of Walter, Howard or George, of Helen, Rose or Florence, will have disappeared into our memories.

          In Biblical times names were closely tied with the person.  Often a name was given in the hopes the child would live out its meaning, so he was called Benjamin (son of the right hand) or Abraham (father of many).  Or she was to have a certain personality, such as Naomi (pleasant).  Or he was to be a messenger of God, so they named him Elijah (Jehovah is God) or Johanna (God is gracious).  Thus, when Joseph (May God give you children) called Him Yeshua (God saves) it was for a reason, a true and noble purpose, for He would save His people from their sins.

          Today we call Him Jesus but His family called Him Yeshua, or Joshua.  "Christ" is a title meaning "chosen one", and its Hebrew equivalent is Messiah.  Jesus Christ really means Jesus the Christ, the "Chosen Savior."  And of all names, there is no other name greater than Jesus Christ, for there is power in the name of Jesus.

          Our text says:  "God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,..."  The meaning here rests on what Jesus has done, for, "He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!"  Though He was humble, there is power in the name of Jesus.

          Jesus is the name above all names because He is our Savior.  If you and I are rescued from certain death, we will value our rescuer.  If we are saved from injury, we will be grateful.  But if we are saved and then turn our backs on our Savior, how ungrateful and foolish we are.  Yet we seem to do it every day.

          You and I have the name of God placed on us each time we worship.  We begin our worship, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."  This invocation is not merely liturgy or custom.  It is placing the name of God upon us.  God has a name, many names, and each represents what He does for us.  His names are based on what He has shown Himself to be.  When people of old saw what God did for them, they called Him by the name of His doing.

          Thus, God is our Good Shepherd, Mighty Fortress, Living Water, Bread of Life, and Deliverer.  And He is Holy, Loving, Forgiving, Almighty and Everlasting.  We pray "hallowed by Thy name."  God's name is holy, and He wants to make His name holy in the hearts of His people.  Thus, you and I worship in His name and pray in His name.  We will live and work by the power of His name.  We do that or else God is nothing to us but a curiosity, an angry judge, or a doddering old man to be humored or tolerated.

          Jesus is the name above all names and there is power in His name.  His name is love and forgiveness.  When we speak His name, the devils cringe in terror.  But too often we profane His name, using it to curse or swear.  We publicly praise His name, but privately use it for cursing.  Or we demean His name by not worshipping Him.  Jesus the Christ forgives us for that.  He is Lord and He is our Savior.

          He loves us and forgives us even when we don't love and forgive each other.  He loves us just as we are, but He won't leave us that way for long.  He forgives us but He wants us to change for the better.  There is power in the name of Jesus.  It's a name we respect and honor, a name we worship and adore.  Let us always honor the name of God by our actions and words towards others Christ has also forgiven and loved.

          There once was a bad little boy who lived by his wits in the dark alleys and back streets of the city.  He lived by stealing and tricking people into giving him handouts.  Now and then this bad boy lied and stole enough to hit the jackpot and had all the money he wanted.  But always he squandered it.  He went wherever he wanted in the streets and alleys, because people usually ignored him, thinking him to be harmless.  He found that in general life was easy pickings.

          But then the bad boy found a house, a big yellow house, that he wanted to live in.  He tried windows and doors but they were locked or guarded.  One day this bad boy decided to disguise himself to get in.  He dressed up as a boy named PRIDE, and they let him in until they became tired of his bragging, and so they asked him to leave.  He changed clothes and got in under the name of SLOTH, but these were an industrious people and insisted he wash dishes, so he left.  He dressed up as a boy named LUST, but these were a pure people who knew how to resist temptation, so he didn't even get in the door.

          He changed clothes again and got into the house under the name of GREED.  But these were a grateful people, and he found them too thankful and boring, so he left.  He went under the name of CRUELTY, but they wouldn't let him in because they were a loving people.  He attempted entrance dressed as a boy named ANGER, but they knew he was dangerous, and insisted he leave immediately.  Lastly, he went dressed as a boy named ENVY, and was almost given a room to live in there until the residents realized he was evil and destructive.

          The bad little boy wanted to get in that big yellow house.  He HAD to get in.  He always got what he wanted and would not be defeated.  The house was too nice, too big and too yellow to not be his home.  So late one afternoon he went to the house in cheerfully colored clothes, calling himself RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION.  The people inside were righteous and let the cheerfully dressed boy inside.  They were also indignant about some things in the town and were pleased he was too.  They listened to this young man who seemed to make sense.  Some living there were unsure, but most liked him, so they agreed that RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION should stay.  Soon the house which had been cheerful became bitter.  They began to argue and quarrel as to who was more righteous.  TRUST left and PRIDE came in.

          But there were three residents of the big yellow house who weren't home when RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION came.  They were TRUTH, LOVE and COMMON SENSE.  When TRUTH, LOVE and COMMON SENSE returned to the big yellow house, they were amazed at the bitterness and distrust they found.  They told the others what they saw.  The residents realized something was wrong because they trusted these three.  Together they ushered RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION out the door.  And though some had been hurt, PEACE and HARMONY were once again recognized in the big yellow house.

          There's a lot in a name, isn't there?  Jesus Christ is our Lord and there's power in His name.  Let's listen to Him and let's love all people.  And let's all listen to the voices of Truth, Love and Common Sense.  He who has ears, let him hear.  Amen

Copyright © 2002 by Pastor Bob Tasler.  All rights reserved.