Guest speaker Terry Nichols shared a message titled, "Names In Scripture" and discussed the significance of names and how God often changed names to reflect a changed life. He goes further to give the back story of the name of Jesus and why His name is the only name by which we can be saved. This message was delivered at LifePointe Church in Crowley, TX on Sunday, February 5, 2017

1. IN SCRIPTURE
Terry Nichols - February 5, 2017
In contemporary life, our names are little more than an identity marker. They help
separate us as an individual from another person. Our names may have ‘meaning’
behind them- family name, ‘in remembrance of’ someone special to our parents,
etc. - but rarely do we think about the actual meaning of our names. In English, the
word “Terry” is only a name, that is, it doesn’t mean anything in the actual
language. But the name “Grace” or “Joy” are female names, and also carry actual
meaning in English.
But names in the Bible portray a deeper meaning:
Abram - _____________________________________, childless without an heir
became Abraham- ____________________________________
Sarai - likely means __________________________________, although barren,
became Sarah - ________________________________________
Job - ___________________________________. He, of course, lost his fortune,
children were killed, business destroyed, because Satan wanted to test him.
Jacob - _____________________________ or ____________________________. He
was the second twin born, and came out grasping his brother’s heel. (Gen 5:26;
Also stole the firstborn’s blessing Gen. 27:30)
Israel - _____________________________ or _____________________________
from Gen 32:28 after he wrestled (strove against) with God.
Samuel - _________________________________________. The Bible says that
God did not let a single word Samuel spoke fall to the ground. (1 Sam. 3:19)
David - ____________________________________________________________.
Acts 13:22 names David a “man after God’s own heart,” cf. 1 Sam. 13:14.
Absalom - ________________________________ who, of course, led a violent
revolt against his father David, and tried to murder him. 2 Sam. 14-15.
Several Biblical passages demonstrate the deeper meaning names portray.
Hosea 1:1-9
Hosea's kids:
Jezreel- ________________________________ i.e. - you get what you deserve!

2. Lo-Ruhammah- ______________________________________________________
Lo-Ammi- ___________________________________________________________
- striking because Hosea’s name means ____________________
Luke 1:11-20; 1:57-66
John 1:63 “His name isJohn.”
John (the Baptist) - ___________________________________________________
Why is God gracious?
John is the fore-runner- sent to prepare the way for the Lord.
Matthew 1: 18-25
Matthew 1:21 "She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because
He will save His people from their sins.”
(Jesus is the Greek form of Hebrew name Joshua.)
Joshua means ______________________________________________________.
Bringing it all together
Why is God gracious? Because YHWH saves.
Why John? Because Jesus.
Joshua conquered the land of Canaan, what would become a nation named
Israel. It is the Holy Land, conquered by a man sent by God. YHWH
established a nation for His people. Yet this nation did not accomplish their
mission, as demonstrated by Hosea, so Jesus was sent, not to conquer the
world, not to tell the world about God, but simply to conquer sin. John was
sent to show that God is always gracious. Jesus came, because it was
always YHWH’sintent to save us.
All this is built into the phrase that even children quote,
"And you shall call his name Jesus."