Third, we glorify God in the name “CHRISTIAN.” To encourage disciples who were being severely persecuted for loyalty to Christ, Peter wrote, “But if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God IN THIS NAME,” 1 Peter, chapter 4, verse 16.

The apostles rejoiced for the privilege and honor of suffering for the NAME OF CHRIST. After being cast into prison for filling the city of Jerusalem with their teaching about Christ, they were beaten and eventually set free. Luke writes, “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for HIS NAME,” Acts 5, verse 41.

The name “CHRISTIAN” is the name given by the Lord. Some 700 years before Christ was born, Isaiah prophesied, “And the Gentiles shall see Thy righteousness, and all kings [shall see] Thy glory. And thou shalt be called by a NEW name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name,” Isaiah 62, verse 2. In Acts, chapter 11, verse 26, we first read about this name: “And the disciples were called CHRISTIANS first at [the city of] Antioch.”

In the long ago, under the Old Covenant, God had a special name for His people to wear. That name was “ISRAEL.” And why? Because the name “EL” is the Hebrew name for “Jehovah.” Thus, every time the name “ISRAEL” was spoken, the name of GOD was glorified. Jehovah changed the name of Jacob, and those who were the descendants of Jacob, and they were not knows as “Jacobites,” but they were known as “ISRAELITES.” God said, “And ALL the people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the Name of the Lord, and they shall be afraid of thee,” Deuteronomy 28, verse 10.

Just as God had chosen a special name for His people to wear under the Old Convenant, He likewise has a special name for His people to wear under the NEW Covenant, and that name is “CHRISTIAN.” Every time this name is spoken, the Name of CHRIST, God’s Son, is honored and glorified. Let us as Christians use our name with reverence and care, being watchful that we never use it in vain. And let us also remember that by using our family name, that is, “CHRISTIAN,” we glorify God.

Fourth, and finally: We glorify God in our lives. We bring honor and glory to the Name of Christ through our manner of living. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven,” Matthew 5, verse 16.

There is a central power source which furnishes the power and light for this room. Now, that central power source is at a remote location. It’s distant from our sight; we can’t actually see it, but we know it’s there because we see its results. In a similar manner, CHRIST is the source and center of this world’s spiritual light. Jesus said in John 8:12, “I AM the light of the world.” Just as this hotel complex [where we were meeting] is connected to the central power source, we as Christians, united to Him by the cable of spirituality and faith and obedience, receive power from HIM so that we can dispel the darkness that is around us. We must keep in mind that we are living today in an age of example. The language of “action” is the only kind of language which the world is interested in. As we talked about a couple of weeks ago in a sermon that I presented, we, therefore, should be “living epistles [letters], known and read of all men,” 2 Corinthians 3, verse 2.

The world is not interested in, and too busy to read, the Bible. But the world is ever reading your life and mine. It is not altogether what we profess that is read or watched by the world. But it is largely HOW WE LIVE which is the thing that is really considered or noticed by the world.

At a lectureship a few years ago at Harding Christian University, I heard a Professor there make this statement: (I’m not sure if this was his own statement or thought, or if he was quoting from another person, but I wrote it down and I’ve saved it.) He said, “The world is looking for a demonstration, NOT an explanation.” In other words, the world is watching where we go, what we do, how we treat others, how we talk, the things that we are interested in and that occupy our time, the things that spur our emotions, the things that we are concerned about, We cannot consistently live one way, and profess another way. Those who do, I submit to you, create perhaps one of the largest handicaps to the church and to the salvation of men’s souls that there is today. Let us live in such a way that Christ can be seen IN us, and God will be glorified.