God changes our name, to indicate who we are to become  

Isa. 43:1-7

From a biblical perspective there is purpose, plan, and destiny in a name.

Today, people give names to children with no thought or purpose in mind, but God calls a name to indicate who you are to become.

Judges 6:12, the LORD calls Joshua, “mighty man of valor” while he is afraid to go to battle and is hiding from the Midianites. A mighty warrior is God’s will for Joshua.

The Bible calls people who are saved and living a holy life, a saint, but even if they are not living up to their name God still calls them saints because that is God’s will for the saved.

In First Corinthians they are called saints, even though they were a worldly, divided and proudful people, but God saved them to become saints.

The be a saint is to be like Christ, but many of us is not living up to our God given name, but God is faithful and committed to making us what he designed us to be, that is like Christ

Israel, like us, was not walking worthy of their calling and purpose. The prophet Jeremiah was greatly disturbed to the point that he wept over Israel’s pending captivity.

The same things are found in Isaiah’s ministry to God’s people who had forgotten their name and were living outside of God’s will for their lives.

Isa. 42:6, “I the LORD have called thee in righteousness and will hold thine hand and will keep thee and give thee a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.”

They failed and God was forced to punish Israel but not give up on her but reminded her of her name.
 
  1. Salvation comes with a new name- vs. 1a.
  2. Salvation comes with a cost- vs. 1b.
  3. The name change includes protection from the name changer- 2-5
  4. God changes our name to become like Christ- vs. 7

God is faithful to finish what he starts, he promised to deliver Israel from Egypt into the promise land and he did

God promised to send the Savior to save sinners, and He did.

God promised to make us like Jesus and He is.
 
  1. Salvation comes with a new name- vs. 1a.

“But, now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, fear not: For I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine."

  1. Because of our name our situation will change.
  • But this saith the LORD that created thee
  • Because of our fellowship with God, a turn around is on the way
  1. God created us out of nothing to make us into something special, like Jesus
  2. God gives us a new name to indicate his will for our lives
  • Isaac and Rebekka name one of their twins Jacob
  • Jacob names mean supplanter, which is to replace in this case by trickery and deceit.
  1. God wanted to use Jacob to bring the Savior to save us, therefore, he changed his name to Israel, which is prince of God.
  • Name change indicates a new life with a new destiny.
Listen, God has changed our name from sinner to saints. Our name indicates who we are to become.
 
  1. Salvation comes with a cost- vs. 1b.

“For I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine.”

  1. Redeem is to purchase something back, Adam sold us out but Jesus’ blood and life is the ransom payment.
  2. The owner has the right to name his slave.
  • We have been bought with a price
  1. God has called us by name and our name indicates who we are to become
  2. Thou art mine says the LORD, and therefore we are to reflect his character
  • Not only does He own us he also adopted us into the family
  • Children ought to look like and act like their Father.
  • Jesus, His Son shows us how to be like the Father
 
  1. The name change indicates protection from the name changer- vs. 2-5
 
  1. When you pass through the waters, I will be with thee, they shall not overflow thee.
  • Deep waters symbolize deep trouble but when your name is changed God won’t let the water drown you
  • When God changes your name from sinner to saint nothing can stop you from becoming what God called you.
  1. When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned.
  • You may go in the fire but God will take the heat out of the fire because you are becoming who God called you.
  • Not Jacob but Israel! I know there is a little Jacob in all of us, but let Jacob die and Israel shine
  1. God uses the water and the fire to make us like Christ. 

For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior, I love thee, fear not for I am with thee.

 
  1. God changes our name to become like Christ- vs. 7

“Even everyone that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”

  1. Every soul that God saves is to become like Christ
  2. To be called by His name is to be changed
  3. God says I have created thee for my glory
  • Well, how do we bring glory to God? By becoming like His Son
  • The more I become like Christ the less I am like me
  • Sinners are to become like their Savior
  1. God created every human being to reflect His glory and magnifying His greatness
  • Reflecting his glory is looking like him, morally and spiritually: Loving like Him, Serving like Him and giving like Him
  • Magnifying His greatness is displaying the great change God has made in you life: I don’t think like I used to think, I don’t do what I used to do, and I don’t go where I used to go.
What a great change God has worked in my life, I am becoming more and more like Him day by day! 

When I think about the goodness of God and all that he is to me my soul cries out, hallelujah! That makes me want to be more like Jesus.
  1. Salvation comes with a new name
  2. Salvation comes with a cost
  3. The name change includes protection from the name changer
  4. God changes our name to become like Christ

I am glad about God’s plan for my life!