The Preacher's Special
Subject: HOW IS YOUR REPUTATION?
Date: Wed, 31 January 2007
DEAR FOLKS,
I have heard people say that it does not matter what others think. That attitude does not come from the Bible and it is not to be the attitude of the Christian. Let’s look at some thoughts concerning our reputation:
Phil 4:4-6
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
The word “reputation” means, “The general estimation in which a person is held by the public.” This has to do with what people think about us. I want us to follow what Paul has to say in these verses about an ideal reputation.
WE NEED TO HAVE A REPUTATION FOR JOY
The word “joy” means, “to rejoice exceedingly.” It refers to continuous action. Paul says to rejoice exceedingly continuously. This means that we are to choose to rejoice continually. Rejoicing is a choice! We will not make this choice if we are constantly focusing on the negative. Rejoicing in the Christian life is also urgent. The reason that it is urgent is because the Lord wants to display the joy of salvation in our lives so that all those around us can see the good effects of salvation.
Salvation is not just a theory. It will bring rejoicing to the lives of those who are experiencing it.
John 15:11
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
WE NEED TO HAVE A REPUTATION FOR YIELDEDNESS
Philippians 4:5
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
The word “moderation” means, “to be fair, to be mild, to be gentle.”
Paul is saying that when others see us they should see a person with a sense of fairness and with a mild and gentle spirit.
A reputation is not gained overnight. It takes time. So this fairness and a gentle and mild spirit is something that is continually being seen in our lives.
Matthew 11:28-30
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
This is a characteristic that is impossible for the natural man but abundantly available for one who is controlled by the Holy Spirit. Christ dwelling within the believer is as meek in us as He was in His life on earth. He is the source and power of the meek and gentle Spirit.
WE NEED TO HAVE A REPUTATION FOR AN UNWORRIED LIFE
Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing…
The word “careful” means, “to be anxious, to be troubled with the cares of this world.”
Jesus teaches His disciples to trust God for our earthly needs.
Matthew 6:25
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
This is an unworried life. It is one who trusts the Lord for all his needs whether large or small.
WE NEED TO HAVE A REPUTATION FOR PRAYER
Verse 6 says, “… in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." When he said “in everything” he left nothing out. There is nothing too small for God’s interest. He loves His child and is there for him in the smallest matters.
Prayer describes an action and supplication describes how it is done. These two terms are close in their definition.
There are some things that prayer reveals about us:
1. It reveals faith; Luke 18:1-8. If we believe that God is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, we will pray.
2. It reveals patience; Luke 11:5-10.
3. It reveals one’s study of the Scriptures. We usually find what is in God’s will in the Scriptures; James 4:1-3.
4. It reveals one’s familiarity with prayer. You can tell if a person prays much when you hear him pray.
5. It reveals one’s personal victory; James 5:16-18.
Let’s begin to build the right kind of reputation. It does matter what other think.
