Known For

Known For

Colossians 1: ³ We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you. ⁴ For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all God's people.

 

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Being “skinny”, I was not popular like the jocks, so I used humor as my strength. When I went to college, I studied various ways to make people laugh. Some of the popular people on campus labeled me as the “class clown.” I was a sophomore. How did I make anyone’s list?

 

• I was embarrassed.
• I had a reputation that I did not anticipate.
• I worried about being taken seriously.

 

Hearing about the reputation of the Colossians, Paul wrote to them with thankfulness. This faithful group of people served JESUS with vim. Paul was so excited that he prayed for them with thanksgiving, knowing there were others who were excited about CHRIST.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to give my reputation to HIM.
• GOD wants me to be “known for “ speaking about HIS SON.
• GOD wants me to have faith in CHRIST and love for all HIS people.

 

Being “known for” something is a quest humans struggle with. I mean, famous people rob and steal to obtain and keep a reputation for something. Others train all their lives to set records or have their names on a best seller. BUT GOD simply wants HIS SON known.

 

HE knows our reputations are not good for no human seek HIS ways. JESUS is known for being sinless and for letting HIS creation murder HIM after being slandered. HE is also known for being raised from the dead and for forgiving us for our sins if we believe HE did all of this for us. I gladly give my life to HIM and I don’t mind being “known for” speaking about HIM even though I am flawed.

 

Challenge

• Can you feel tie excitement of the writer?
• What would you like to be known for?
• Will you seek being known for CHRIST so others may get to know HIM through your prayers, faithfulness and love for HIM today?

Being Known

Being Known

Acts 19: ¹¹ God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, ¹² so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

¹³ Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” ¹⁴ Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. ¹⁵ One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” ¹⁶ Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

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Traveling with the top executive of the company had its perks. We had a long layover at an airport so we went to an exclusive area where we could wait and eat. When I got to the door they asked me my name. I told her and she replied “I’m sorry, we don’t have your name on our list.” “Oh, he’s with me” the executive said. They let me in. “One day…” I said to myself.

• There were times when I wanted to be known.
• There were times when I wanted to be in the club.
• There were times when I wanted to have a name for myself, not just ride on someone else’s name.

GOD did extraordinary miracles through Paul. Seven sons of Sceva saw Paul’s popularity and tried to fight demons using JESUS’ and Paul’s names. One demon replied, “JESUS I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Their desire to be known backfired.

• GOD is pleased with me because I gave my life to HIM.
• GOD knows me through my relationship with JESUS.
• GOD has written my name in HIS hand so no one can rip me away from HIS saving grace.

Being known by GOD is the single most important relationship to crave. Celebrities rise and fall, BUT GOD remains forever. Exclusive clubs where humans gather will be torn down as JESUS steps into the picture upon HIS return. Until then, GOD wants me to make HIS name known even if people do not know my name. I am glad JESUS knows me and I know HIM.

• Are you seeking to make a name for yourself?
• Do you want to be known by associating your name with a celebrity?
• Will you stop seeking the spotlight for a moment and allow JESUS to be known through you?

Recognized

Recognized

John 18: ¹⁵ And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. ¹⁶ But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. ¹⁷ Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?”

He said, “I am not.”

¹⁸ Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself.

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“Aren’t you the person in charge of the department?” someone said to me. “Thank you for helping us” were the words that made me crave more recognition. As I walked the convention floor, other people recognized me. “Is this how celebrities feel?” I wondered.

• It felt great being recognized by people who were cheering.
• It felt wonderful to be recognized by those who I helped.
• It felt nice to be recognized for something positive.

Peter and another disciple followed JESUS. One disciple was known for being with JESUS, so he went in without fear. Peter, on the other hand was sacred of being recognized, so he stayed out. A servant girl recognized Peter and pointed out his association with JESUS. Peter denied the relationship publicly.

• JESUS wants me to be recognized for my relationship with HIM.
• JESUS wants me to speak about HIM boldly without worrying about the consequence of humans.
• JESUS wants me to associate myself with HIM and go through things with HIM, versus being on the outside, leaving HIM alone.

Disassociation is easy to do with humans who have “messed up.” I mean if most people agree this person is a scoundrel, it is easy to get away from that person. BUT GOD was labeled a scoundrel. HE had only one disciple who followed HIM into the courtyard, willing to face death.

Being recognized because of JESUS is a thing of honor. I mean when I stand in front of GOD, I believe HE will ask “How many people did you tell about MY SON?” HE won’t ask about houses, cars, clothes, jewelry, phones or accumulated wealth. JESUS wants a relationship with me. I desire to be bold with JESUS.

• Does mentioning JESUS seem awkward to you?
• Do you speak about HIS death and resurrection to others regularly?
• Will you allow GOD to make you more bold about your relationship with JESUS, instead of being comfortable?

Known For

Luke 23: ²⁶ As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

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Rounding first base I advanced to second base. But on my way I tripped and skinned my knee, tearing a hole in my pants. It was kick-baseball so I made it to the base but the pants exposed a bleeding scraped leg. After gym class it was time for our homeroom to go and take pictures. I was chosen to sit in the front row. My bloody knee was immortalized on film forever.

• There are some things I did not want to be known for.
• There are memories that I did not want to keep remembering.
• There are some moments that I wish I wasn’t labeled with.

Simon from Cyrene happened to be at the wrong place at the right time, or was it wrong? He became famous for helping carry JESUS’s cross. While the guards were trying to bully the people, they did not know this simple act would forever label Simon as a helper of JESUS.

• GOD gives me small things to do so HE can be excited forever.
• GOD enables me to serve so HE will give me rewards in heaven.
• GOD wants my focus on HIM so “my” legacy will point towards HIM.

“What will you be known for?” was a question posed to me. After thinking for a while I could not think of anything I cared about that I wanted people talking about after my death. BUT GOD intervened and said “How about ME?” Then it hit me.

Perhaps if I pointed my life to GOD then people would talk about HIM rather than trying to remember me. Bringing people to truly serve GOD is what I want to be known for so GOD will be excited.

• Are you trying to be known?
• Are you seeking fame?
• Will you point your life to GOD and allow HIM to draw people to HIM through you?