A GOOD NAME (3)
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Three key factors behind a good name
a) Just as gold is tried by fire, so a name will be tested by accusation and reaction. The Pharisee sought to tarnish the name of Jesus Christ by accusing him of wrong association, breaking the Sabbath, and blasphemy. Potiphar's wife tried to destroy Joseph's name by falsely accusing him of immorality. Names that pass the test of fire give light and direction for generations to come.
i) Motives
#1) God warns that the secret motives of a man's heart will ultimately determine the quality and durability of his name. If a person's secret desires are motivated by greed, pride or sensuality, that person's thought and actions will sooner or later be influenced by them and a good name will be destroyed.
@1. 10 “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” (Jeremiah 17:10 NIV)
#2) Secret motives of wanting to get rich (love for money) he will attract people and schemes that will bring damage to his life and ruin his reputation.
@1. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. (1 Timothy 6:9 NIV)
#3) Secret motives that wishes to please the Lord and advance his kingdom, that person's name and reputation shall be preserved even though he stumbles along the way.
@1. 16 for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. (Proverbs 24:16 NIV)
#4) Having set his affections on things above rather than on the things of the earth, he is able to endure the loss of temporal things with insight and spiritual gain.
@1. 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. (Philippians 3:7-8 NIV)
ii) Conscience
#1) Right motives are the foundation of a clear conscience, and a clear conscience is the foundation of a good name. It means to be assured in our heart that no one can point a finger at us and say that we have wronged them and never tried to make it right.
@1. 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Peter 3:16 NIV)
#2) A clear conscience gives inward motivation to maintain good works when our name is under attack. It is through the perseverence of good works that God's reward is gained and a good name is established.
@1. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (1 Peter 2:12 NIV)
iii) Priorities
#1) Motives reveal our true goals, and priorities reveal our values. Motives are tested by our response to money and priorities are tested by our response to time. Our priorities let other people know whether money and possessions are more important to us than our spiritual and family responsibilities and our outreach to others.
#2) When a man's priorities are out of order, he destroys the relationships that will do the most to build and maintain a good name. Where are our priorities? To God? To family? or To others?
#3) Satan's method of destroying a man's name is by compromise. Everyday we experience temptations to compromise God's standard e.g. immorality, dishonesty, small thieving etc. A man's ability to reject compromise opens the way for God to bless both him and those who are influenced by his example.
@1. 9 For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.” (2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV)
2. How to restore a good name
a) Realize that a good name must be earned.
i) A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. (Proverbs 22:1 NIV)
b) Have genuine repentance before God.
i) 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 NIV)
c) Clear our conscience with people whom we have wronged.
d) Consistently do good to others.
3. Prayer focus
a) Pray that we will personally commit ourselves to building a good name so that the generations after us will be richly blessed by God and honored by men.
The End ...
1. Three key factors behind a good namea) Just as gold is tried by fire, so a name will be tested by accusation and reaction. The Pharisee sought to tarnish the name of Jesus Christ by accusing him of wrong association, breaking the Sabbath, and blasphemy. Potiphar's wife tried to destroy Joseph's name by falsely accusing him of immorality. Names that pass the test of fire give light and direction for generations to come.
i) Motives
#1) God warns that the secret motives of a man's heart will ultimately determine the quality and durability of his name. If a person's secret desires are motivated by greed, pride or sensuality, that person's thought and actions will sooner or later be influenced by them and a good name will be destroyed.
@1. 10 “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” (Jeremiah 17:10 NIV)
#2) Secret motives of wanting to get rich (love for money) he will attract people and schemes that will bring damage to his life and ruin his reputation.
@1. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. (1 Timothy 6:9 NIV)
#3) Secret motives that wishes to please the Lord and advance his kingdom, that person's name and reputation shall be preserved even though he stumbles along the way.
@1. 16 for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. (Proverbs 24:16 NIV)
#4) Having set his affections on things above rather than on the things of the earth, he is able to endure the loss of temporal things with insight and spiritual gain.
@1. 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. (Philippians 3:7-8 NIV)
ii) Conscience
#1) Right motives are the foundation of a clear conscience, and a clear conscience is the foundation of a good name. It means to be assured in our heart that no one can point a finger at us and say that we have wronged them and never tried to make it right.
@1. 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Peter 3:16 NIV)
#2) A clear conscience gives inward motivation to maintain good works when our name is under attack. It is through the perseverence of good works that God's reward is gained and a good name is established.
iii) Priorities
#1) Motives reveal our true goals, and priorities reveal our values. Motives are tested by our response to money and priorities are tested by our response to time. Our priorities let other people know whether money and possessions are more important to us than our spiritual and family responsibilities and our outreach to others.
#2) When a man's priorities are out of order, he destroys the relationships that will do the most to build and maintain a good name. Where are our priorities? To God? To family? or To others?
#3) Satan's method of destroying a man's name is by compromise. Everyday we experience temptations to compromise God's standard e.g. immorality, dishonesty, small thieving etc. A man's ability to reject compromise opens the way for God to bless both him and those who are influenced by his example.
@1. 9 For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.” (2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV)
2. How to restore a good name
a) Realize that a good name must be earned.
i) A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. (Proverbs 22:1 NIV)
b) Have genuine repentance before God.
i) 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 NIV)
c) Clear our conscience with people whom we have wronged.
d) Consistently do good to others.
3. Prayer focus
a) Pray that we will personally commit ourselves to building a good name so that the generations after us will be richly blessed by God and honored by men.
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