Identity Theft
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless.
17:2 And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous."
17:3 Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him,
17:4 "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations.
17:5 No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations.
17:6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you.
17:7 I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.
17:15 God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.
17:16 I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her."
Identity Theft
I have know several people that have changed their names in the course of their lives. In most cases it was a struggle at first for the people around them. This is because a name is not simply a label that we possess, but an identity with personal significance. A name is representational, it embodies who we are, not just what we are.
I must admit though, I have never known anyone who had their name changed for them like Abram and Sarai. God tells them in an instant that they have new names, names the represent new realities.
Abraham - The father of many nations.
Sarah - One who strives or struggles.
While our names mostly stay the same when we decide to follow Jesus, our identity still changes. God gives us a new reality; Pick up your cross and carry it daily. Just like Abraham and Sarah, we have to accept our new identity. God has plans for your life that are different than the plans you have for yourself, and he's isn't looking for your permission to change them. It just happens, and it's in our best interest to trust Him.
-Pastor Mitch
17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless.
17:2 And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous."
17:3 Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him,
17:4 "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations.
17:5 No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations.
17:6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you.
17:7 I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.
17:15 God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.
17:16 I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her."
Identity Theft
I have know several people that have changed their names in the course of their lives. In most cases it was a struggle at first for the people around them. This is because a name is not simply a label that we possess, but an identity with personal significance. A name is representational, it embodies who we are, not just what we are.
I must admit though, I have never known anyone who had their name changed for them like Abram and Sarai. God tells them in an instant that they have new names, names the represent new realities.
Abraham - The father of many nations.
Sarah - One who strives or struggles.
While our names mostly stay the same when we decide to follow Jesus, our identity still changes. God gives us a new reality; Pick up your cross and carry it daily. Just like Abraham and Sarah, we have to accept our new identity. God has plans for your life that are different than the plans you have for yourself, and he's isn't looking for your permission to change them. It just happens, and it's in our best interest to trust Him.
-Pastor Mitch
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