What's in a Name?

Yesterday, in the context of our Christmas Series Navel Gazing, we talked about the power of "names." We all have one, some of us like ours, some of us don't. Most of us went through some phase as a child where we wished we were named something else.

I remember one day riding in the car with my mom. I must have been about eight or nine years old. I piped up from the back seat and said, "Mommy, I want my name to be Chris." I'm not sure why I choose this name, other than I had a friend named Chris. Sometimes, it seems, we think if only we bore the same name as another, we would instantly be like them. Interestingly, this type of thinking doesn't cease with childhood, rather it follows us into adulthood, only we graduate from names to clothing brands, car models, houses and neighborhoods.

When the angel came to Mary, he was very specific about what she was to call the child to be. "His name shall be Jesus," the angel declared. The angel had very specific instructions regarding the child's name. For in the name, was a prophetic foretelling of His destiny. It spoke of purpose, calling and substance of life. Notably, throughout all of the Story of Scripture names are significant. Names of people places, even things bear meaning and purpose beneath the surface of the speaking of the syllables.

Often, even today, in a society and culture that often thinks very little of the meaning or etymology of a given name, the meanings of those given names still bear meaning in one's life.

Do you know what your name means? Do your parents? Did they name you what they named you because they knew what your name meant and sensed it would somehow connect to the unfolding of your life?

At the risk of over-spiritualizing matters, for my wife the act of naming our children has been extremely significant. We value the Hebrew culture (and others) that see names as apart of one's make up. We spent considerable time praying for each of our children while they were in the womb. We sought to discern their temperament, their make up, as well as some of God's desires for their life. We by no means got it all nailed down, but for each of them, we gained a greater sense of understanding and insight into their general make-up, temperament, inner-drives and areas that God may very well move them into. As such, we prayerfully looked for names with etymologies that resembled those very things. These names serve to remind us to pray, how to pray and to endeavor to be intentional about raising, training and nurturing each of them uniquely as an individual.

Many of us have picked up "names" along the way. Not those known as our "first" or "last" name, but the internal names we've given ourselves based on our perception of events, circumstances, relationships and family interactions. Often these names flow counter-current to the purposes and calling God has for our lives. These names and labels attach themselves to our minds, body and souls. In these cases, like Jacob, God wants to give us "a new name."

The following is Christina Aguliera's song "Beautiful" creatively translated into ASL by D-PAN (Deaf Performing Arts Network). It powerfully and vividly demonstrates the power of names.

4-1-07 Journey to the Cross

God instructed the Children of Israel to physically travel to Jerusalem three times a year... Why? What is it about going on a journey that positions us for personal transformation. On these journeys what's the difference between being a 'tourist' and 'veterans' and how does that relate to us? This message will moves one with reflection as we enter into this awesome season of Easter. This message is given by Jerrell jobe.

Runaway Bride 2-4-07

For hundreds of years Christians have used the parables of Luke 15, specifically the parable of "the Prodigal Son" to communicate the heart of God for humanity. Interestingly, for hundreds of years Muslims have used the same parables to refute the claims of Christianity. They've used these stories to argue that Jesus was nothing more than a good Muslim, and Christians have turned Him into a Christian. They argue that the boy is saved without a savior. The prodigal returns. The father forgives him. There is no cross, no suffering and no savior. And based on many of the commentaries written in the West concerning Luke 15, their arguements seem to be in fact accurate. But are they? Can the Cross be found in these age old parables that Jesus told? If so, where? Where is the Cross, the suffering, and the savior that is central to the Christian faith. This message walks through Luke 15, following the theme of redemption, restoration, suffering and the cross. This "familiar" text takes on fresh breath and new life as we look at some of the ancient Middle Eastern cultural cues that are seemlessly woven throught this amazing story. This is message five in the sermon series "Lost."

Scavenger Hunt 1-14-07

A fresh look at the parables/stories Jesus told in Luke 15. The Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin. This is the second message of the sermon series Lost done at Calvary Temple in South Bend, IN. This message is given by Pastor Jerrell Jobe.

Smokin' Hot

Smokin’ Hot
October 19, 2006







a. Tartarus - 2 Peter 2:4.



b. Hades - 4 times in the book of Revelation.
Revelation 1:18, 6:8, 20:13, 14
Acts 2:27/Psalm 16:8-11

Jesus uses the word 4 times.
1 & 2. Matthew 11:23/Luke 10:15
3. Matthew 16:18
4. Luke 16:19-31

c. Gehenna - “The Valley of Hinnom”

2 Kings 23:10/


Jesus uses this word 11 times.

1. Matthew 5:22
2-3. Matthew 5:29, 30 (2x)
4-5. Matthew 10:28/ Luke 12:5
6-9. Matthew 18:1-9/Mark 9:43, 45, 47
10-11. Matthew 23:15, 33 (2x)

James 3:6

Pastor Jerrell's Slides for Message "Wide Angle"