One of my hobbies is making movies of our family events or vacations.
Recap: United to Magnify God's Reputation
From Pastor Chris
One of my hobbies is making movies of our family events or vacations. No one wants to sit through 3 hours’ worth of video and pictures from the beach, but if I can boil it down to 3 minutes of highlights, we can all remember the shared experiences in a brief time.
On Sunday we concluded a journey through God’s story that began with creation and ended with our call to carry Jesus’ name where it is not yet named, all under the banner “United to Magnify God’s Reputation.” I haven’t made a video of our journey, but I have highlighted the stops we made, hoping that we can all remember where we went and what we learned about what God’s passion for his name, his reputation, means for our church family.
Stop 1: Creation in God’s image
God created us in his image to reflect his character and represent his rule, then commanded us to fill the earth bearing his likeness. God loves his image and reputation so much that he acted redemptively to restore the image that our sin broke.
What this means for Groveton: We must (1) view all our neighbors as having dignity, honor, and value because they bear the image of the Almighty and (2) invite them into God’s project of restoring that image through faith in Christ.
Stop 2: The Exodus
God has a name—Yahweh, I AM WHO I AM—and he wants everyone to know it. His showdown with Pharaoh displayed his supremacy over Egypt’s gods and power. Because of his passion for his reputation, God set his people free from slavery and guided them to the Promised Land, providing for their needs each step of the way.
What this means for Groveton: We tell our redemption stories, the mighty deeds God has done for each of us so that we can make his name great in our community.
Stop 3: The Temple
God caused his presence to dwell in the temple Solomon built with such weighty power that the priests could not even stand up to minister. Solomon’s prayer anticipated that foreigners (like us) would one day seek God’s presence because of his reputation as deliverer. We are now part of the “house of prayer for all nations” Isaiah prophesied who join ourselves to Yahweh, “to love the name of Yahweh” (Isaiah 56:6).
What this means for Groveton: We must reevaluate why we come together for corporate worship each week. Is it because we love the name of Yahweh and desire to experience his glorious presence?
Stop 4: The Return from Exile and Promised Spirit
When God’s people profaned his reputation through idolatry and disobedience, God sent them into exile. Yet he promised to bring them back to the Land “for the sake of my holy name” (Ezekiel 36:22). This was accompanied by the promise to put his Spirit in them so that they might walk in his ways. We now enjoy the fulfillment in the indwelling Holy Spirit, God’s empowering presence. The Spirit enables us to live like Jesus and gives us gifts to strengthen the church.
What this means for Groveton: We must have a posture of humble expectancy on the Holy Spirit in how we read God’s word, listen and speak truth to one another, face temptation, and speak about Christ to unbelievers.
Stop 5: Call His Name Jesus
The story of God’s name continues through the ministry of Jesus, whose name means “Yahweh saves.” Jesus taught his disciples to pray to God, “Your name be honored as holy” and commissioned them to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
What this means for Groveton: We magnify God’s reputation by inviting our neighbors into God’s family through faith in Christ. This means we must represent the family “name” well, beginning with a prayer life centered on God’s reputation.
Stop 6: Suffering Dishonor for the Name
Peter, John, and the other disciples modeled a life so radically oriented around God’s reputation that they rejoiced when they were beaten and dishonored for the sake of Jesus’ name.
What this means for Groveton: Our allegiance to Jesus should put his reputation over ours as we embrace the whole Jesus—his sufferings and glory, his shame and honor. This calls us to deeper intimacy with Christ and prioritizing him above all.
Stop 7: Carrying Jesus’ Name to the Nations
We are called to carry Jesus’ name (the message that he is Savior and Lord through his death and resurrection) to the nations, calling them to trust in him for forgiveness of sins and eternal life with God. Paul’s example in Romans 15 teaches us to take the message of Jesus to both distant regions and local lives where Christ has not been named.
What this means for Groveton: Whether locally or in a distant land, we fulfill this call by word and deed. This requires both deepening our gospel familiarity through our daily trust in Christ and a willingness to take Jesus’ name to dark places of injustice, oppression, suffering, and conflict in our world.
As you review this journey, ask the Spirit to identify one next step you need to take toward a life of magnifying God’s reputation. May Groveton’s presence on Route 1 mean that our community knows more and more of our holy, loving, faithful, powerful God and come to faith in his Son, Jesus!