What's in a name?

The Philadelphian Visits Laodicea .

Sermon based on Rev 3:11-13.

What's in a name? It's an oft quoted statement, and one that parents put considerable thought into during the weeks preceding baby's arrival.

We have at least two books of names at home that Luisa spent hours perusing before the birth of our children. Mind you, its sometimes a surprise to find out what your names mean.

When we looked up Luisa we found it meant "warrior maid". Whether that's an apt description of her character I leave to you to judge, but maybe it fits well with a husband called Victor, and an eldest child, Steven, whose name means that he wears a victor's crown. So if names mean anything we're a formidable family, balanced only by Timothy and Amy whose names mean honouring God, and beloved.

In Bible times names were far more significant than today. Today they are really just a handle to identify someone by, but in the ancient world a name was reflective of your character or an important incident in your life.

Adam's name reflected his origins as the father of mankind -- "formed of the red earth". Eve meant "life giver", and the great leader Moses was named such by the Egyptian princess because she "took him from the water".

Your name might even change if something significant happened in your life. Abram became Abraham -- father of people. Jacob, the deceiver after his night long fight with God, became Israel , literally meaning, the one who fights, or rules with God.

And we notice in Matt 1:21 Joseph is instructed to give a particular name to Mary's son, and is given the explanation of the name: "Thou shalt call His name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins."

The name literally means "Yahweh is salvation", and while Jesus was a common enough name for a Hebrew lad in those days, it was a particularly significant name for one claiming to be the Messiah. Likewise Immanuel in verse 23, meaning, "God with Us."

The name was important. This brings more significance to Peters statement when standing on trial before the Sanhedrin that "there is no other name under heaven or earth whereby we may be saved."

Salvation only in the name of Jesus! That was a very bold statement to make to those who had had Jesus put to death just weeks earlier. If it hadn't been true, it would have been blasphemy in the extreme.

No other name made him equal with "Yahweh". It substantiated Jesus claim in the Synagogue in Nazareth that I Am whom I Am. The nearest a Jew would come to saying the sacred name of God.

In our modern society it is almost impossible for us to see the significance that the ancient world, including the Jews, put on names, and therefore the importance of Peter's statement concerning the name of Jesus. The Jews held Gods name in such reverence that they would not pronounce it -- indeed we do not know how to pronounce it to this day. In common literature they would not write his name, but just leave a blank space.

They took seriously the challenge of the third commandment, that thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. It was a mystic name. A name of power. A name to hold in respect and awe.

Now all of this is by way of background to our scripture reading this morning. For in our scripture reading, Revelation 3:11-13, we read a promise to the Christians in Philadelphia , the church of brotherly love. Let's read those verses again: Revelation 3:11-13.

Notice that these Christians are going to have three names placed upon them. The very name of God will be written on them, the name of the new Jerusalem, and then also God's new name. What a tremendous blessing. When the Jews would not even pronounce the name of God, to have the promise of Gods name to be written on them. To become citizens of the New Jerusalem. And to be given a secret name, known only to God.

Secret names were important in those days. They are even important today. If you have the secret name, or the secret code, you can access to, and therefore control, computers and computer systems. If you have the secret code, you can withdraw money from a hole in the wall with your plastic card. And in ancient times, to know a secret name meant that you controlled whatever you had the name of.

Rome had a secret name. No one knows what is was, except that it was secret. The secret died. But for those who knew the name, they believed that they controlled the city.

God will give Philadelphian Christians a secret name.

So lets put the three together. A name reflects character of an experience we've been through, and the Philadelphian Christian is to be given the name of God. He is to be made a freeman of God's city, the New Jerusalem, and is to have a new name given to him.

WHY? What has he done to deserve it? What special task has he undertaken to merit such reward? The answer is in verse 8: READ.

"You have kept my word and have not denied my name."

Very simple. Something we all could do. Notice the beginning of the verse: "I know you have little strength..."

No Christian can argue with the challenge here. We sing "I am weak but thou art strong, Father keep me from all wrong." It's not what we do, but what Christ does in us.

And yet maybe it's not that simple. How often do we fail to keep God's word. Or how often do we deny his name.

The Christians in Philadelphia did more than pay lip service to God. They did more than meet for church each week. More than say, I am a Christian, but I won't let it interfere with my business or social life. It would seem Godliness had become a way of life to them.

To take the name, "Christian" or the name "Seventh-Day Adventist" on us is a serious challenge. And we blaspheme God if we take those names and don't live up to what they stand for.

If we say Sabbath morning, "I am a Christian" and go to church, but after sunset find ourselves at a party or in front of a TV set where Christian principles play no part.

If we dress as Christians for church, but as the world for our friends.

If we honour God with our tithes and offerings, but we got those tithes and offerings by sharp practise, by short changing our boss or our customer.

If any thing in our daily life detracts from the message of Christ, then we need look at the message to the Philadelphian Christians. The third commandment had become a way of life to them, and they would not dream of taking the name of the Lord in vain.

One of the excellent principles in the recent General conference publication, "Guidelines on Sabbath Keeping" is that an Adventist should endeavour to be the best worker in his place of employment. By his integrity, honesty, endeavour and commitment he should be indispensable to his boss. Then if a problem should come over Sabbath keeping his boss will work hard to find a solution because he will not want to lose him.

I would say those characteristics: integrity, honesty, endeavour and commitment should be a part of his character regardless. The Christian should stand out from the crowd because he is representing his Saviour. He is bearing his Saviours name.

He may be misunderstood for it. The Christians in Philadelphia were. They had problems from the synagogue of Satan. Those who paid lip service to God but infiltrated the church will a wrong gospel, or no gospel at all. I'm sure it made life difficult for the true Christians there.

"How come you won't take an exam on Sabbath when other Adventist students have?" Why won't you take short cuts on this contract when brother so-and-so did? Why won't you join in the gossip, maintain the status-quo? Why do you always have to speak up for the underdog, walk out on the smutty jokes... Why do you have to be different?

You have to be different because you carry the name of Jesus Christ. Because you remember the commendation of Jesus: "You have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name."

This sermon is entitled: "The Philadelphian Visits Laodicea." Why a title like that? Because our understanding of the Revelation chapters 2 & 3 tells us that we are living in the time of church history not characterised by the "brotherly love" of Philadelphia , but by the "Lukewarmness" of Laodicea .

A group of Christians who think they have arrived. Who say, I am rich and in need of nothing, but who do not realise that they are poor and blind and naked.

It doesn't have to be that way, yet as I look at the Adventist church in this country, too often I find it fits the description of Laodicea much better than that of Philadelphia . Too often I find people on the outside of the church more open and willing to talk of Christian things, more willing to study the Bible than those on the inside.

Even in our crusade, I notice the greatest enthusiasm is coming, in the main, from those who visit us from week to week. It may be natural because they are hearing new truth. Things that to us, maybe have become common place. We've heard it all before, so we don't need to come. Nothing could be further from the truth. I find myself being revived as I preach these messages week by week. Those faithful members who are coming week by week, and bringing their friends with them are also feeling revival.

And yet the picture of Laodicea is one of apathy. You are neither hot nor cold, Jesus tells them. (Shout) I wish you were one or the other. That you'd stop sitting on the fence. That you'd commit yourselves.

And so Jesus gives the remedy, to buy gold tried in the fire, and the white raiment of Christs righteousness, and an eye salve that lets us see our true condition, and so lets us come to Christ. For that is the promise that God gives to Laodicea , a beautiful promise: READ VERSES 19 & 20.

God will not force himself upon us. He never has and he never will. That's not his way. But he will knock at the door of our hearts. Can we hear that knocking? Or our we drowning it out with other sounds? Do we need to turn the music down a bit, switch the walkman off sometimes, or put a time switch on the TV.

You know, I went to visit a baptist lady a week or so ago. She has 6 children between 18 months and 15 years. And yet it was such a beautiful atmosphere sitting in her kitchen and taking with her as she did the weeks baking and organised her lively but disciplined family. The children all had their responsibilities. The 8 and 10 year old girls bathed their younger brothers and read their bedtime stories to them. They had their worships, and the TV was banned three nights a week, and the viewing restricted the other nights.

You know, there was an atmosphere of Godliness in that home that I miss in so many Adventist homes. I thought, if every home I visited was like this one! Nobody could miss the fact that Christ was the head of the house. That the family had listened to his knocking.

How are we doing? Are we letting anything distract us from Christ's knocking on our hearts. For remember, in this picture of Laodicea , it's not the non-believing heart that Christ is appealing to. It's the heart of the Christian who has got in a rut. Who is stable in his Christianity, but not moving forward. Who has seen the imperfections in his church, in other believers, and probably himself. And so who says, "I'm as good as they are, why should I bother."

Christ is knocking at such hearts. He may well be knocking at your heart today.

The good news concerning the letters to the seven churches of Revelation is that they are not exclusive. While Laodicea may be the predominant characteristic of the church at the end of time, Philadelphian Christians are very welcome, and can indeed be found.

I am glad for the philadelphian christians that I do find. I'm glad for their support and encouragement. I'm glad for their commitment to the programme of the church, despite discouragement and hardship from time to time. I'm glad that they will testify to the name of Jesus, even if others in the church may misunderstand them, or not be interested. I'm glad for the brotherly love of Christian men and women who look for opportunities of service. Who say, what can I do to help? And you may be surprised, but there are folk like that in this church!

I'm glad for those who serve the community, who are willing to help in the programme of the church, who look around for opportunities of service, for a job that could be done. Even those that will, perhaps, sacrifice a sermon from time to time, so that a mother with young children, can worship God in peace for a change.

To carry the name of God is a challenge. But what if it happened in Reading ! What if Reading was known as the church where God was worshipped in such a way that his character was imprinted on all who attended here! What if Philadelphia walked in and threw Laodicea out the window!

What an exciting place this would be! I tell you, I get excited at the very thought of it. I've already got excited over our outreach programme small as it is, and a number of others have caught the vision. What about you?

"So be earnest and repent," Jesus says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."

How about that as a challenge!

And how about the example of Philadelphia !

"I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name."

He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches.

----- The Danish theologian, Kirkegard, tells the story of a group of ducks waddling to church one Sunday morning. They waddle up the isle and sit comfortably in the pews while the preacher preaches a mighty sermon on their ability to fly and the glories of flying.

And then, last hymn sung and benediction said, the ducks waddled home for lunch. (STOP)

You are welcome to share this for your own personal devotion or to adapt it for use in your church or fellowship. However, in giving this freely to you we reserve all commercial copyright. You may not reproduce this elsewhere for commercial gain without our express written permission.