ALL IN A NAME

   Whenever people hear your name, what do you suppose they think about you, or how do they react?
   Whenever you hear the name of a person you know, what do you think or how do you react to that name?
   When you were in school, what was the name of the class clown?  Remember him?
   What about the name of the beauty queen, the girl every boy wanted to walk with to the lunchroom?
   What about the boy who dropped out of school in the ninth grade, but went on to become a millionaire.  Do you remember his name?
   Then there was the super silent kid who never talked, never smiled, never hung out with the boys or dated girls.  Do you have any memory of him or his name?
   What about the girl who was always on the goofy side, always talking, had difficulty paying attention to anything anybody else had to say?  Did you know she went on to earn a doctorate in psychology, has authored thirty books, and has a successful radio talk show?
   What about you?  What is your story from school days?  What would others say about you from that era of your life?
   You are your name and your name is you.  Everything about you is in your name.  And unless you have had a major transformation, or a life changing experience, you are probably the same person that you were a year ago, five years ago, or even twenty, thirty, or forty years ago.
   People remember you for the way you were.  Is the way you were the way you are today? 
   Whenever people see you coming, what do you suppose they are thinking about you?  Do they want you to stay and have a cup of coffee with them, or do they give you the cold shoulder, hoping that you will go somewhere else as soon as possible?
   How do you treat others?  And how do others treat you?  Do you delight in mixing with others, or are you the happiest when you are alone and busy with your personal projects away from people?
   Moving to a different arena, what is the first thought you have whenever you hear the name of Jesus?  Surely you have heard about Him, haven't you?  What does that name mean to you?
   The name of Jesus is the most recognized name in human history over the past two thousand years.  There is something about that name that is different from all names on planet earth.  What is that difference exactly?  What have you heard about the name of Jesus?
   Before Jesus was born to Mary, an angel said unto Joseph:  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS:  for he shall save his people from their sins.
   Luke wrote in the book of Acts:  Neither is there salvation in any other:  for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
   Paul the apostle wrote:  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
   Isaiah the prophet said, his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
   John said of Jesus, he is Lord of lords, and King of kings.
   The name of Jesus is the most important name you will ever hear.  His name is the most powerful name you will ever hear.  He created the universe and He also created you.  And your future beyond the grave is in His hands and in His name.
   One question, however, remains:  is the name of Jesus in you?  Have you trusted in this name for yourself and for your future?
   This fact remains, too:  you will never get away from the name of Jesus.  That name will be in your mind for the rest of your life on earth, and this name will be in your mind for all eternity beyond the grave.  And you can be with Him for all eternity by simply accepting His name.
   The most important decision you will ever make is what to do about Jesus, whom is called Christ.