Monday - Sermon Title: WHAT’S IN A NAME (For Sunday August 6th)
There is some uncertainty how many of the August sermons I’m preaching. I think I get to preach three of the four Sundays, but that could change is Joel and the youth want to take a Sunday to report on their important mission trip to Mississippi. On August 20th The Reverend Rod Wilmoth will be preaching. He is one of the truly great preachers in our denomination and we are fortunate of have him with us the third Sunday of the month.
The sermons I preach in August will concentrate on the meaning of Jesus life and mission. I begin with the question he raised of himself as he was visiting with his disciples. He asked, “Who do men and women say that I am?” and then he asked Simon, “Who do you say that I am?”
The result of that exchange with Simon led to a change in Simon’s name. Jesus told Simon from then on his name would be “Peter”, and “upon this rock I will build my church”.
Jesus was named “Christ”, “Son of God”, “Son of Man”, and he had many other names. How he is named determines who he is permitted to be. I intend to explore this issue of the names of Jesus.
In that context I want to ask about our names. What are we called? How are we named? What difference does it make how we are addressed?
My mother and father named me Charles. The first church I served in Colorado I was an Associate Minister. The Senior Minister determined that, since the organists name was Charles, and, since Charles came to the staff before I was appointed, my name would be changed to “Chuck”. I have wondered what difference that made in my ministry.
Do you have a name that is different from the one you were given at birth? Does it matter?
What’s in your name?
If you have thoughts, please leave a comment with this post. For personal thoughts write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. I look forward to hearing from you.
- Charles
