Read: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

                  Many Sundays I deliver a sermon that is sometimes described as a message.  It is a message from God’s Word about life and declares the love, promises, truth, salvation, and redemption of God through his Son Jesus Christ.  There are many other ways that this message can be proclaimed.  The Sunday morning sermon is not, and should not be, the only medium.

The Christian music group Mercy Me has often used the phrase “the Music is the Message” to describe how they view their gift to share music and testimony as a part of God’s ministry to people.  That became very real to me recently when I heard one of their songs on the radio. The song “Greater” is a wonderful message about who you and I are in Jesus Christ.

So often the world refers to us in negative and judgmental terms.  Perhaps you have been called a failure.  Maybe people have piled shame and guilt on your shoulders.  Sometimes the world just seems to cast us off and tell us that we will never be good enough.  The message of the song “Greater” proclaims that in Jesus your name is different. 
Here are the words,

“Bring your tired, and bring your shame.  Bring your guilt, and bring your pain.  Don’t you know that’s not your name?  You will always be much more to me.  Every day I wrestle with the voices that keep telling me I’m not right, but that’s alright.  ‘Cause I hear a voice and He calls me redeemed, when others say I’ll never be enough.  And greater is the One living inside of me, than he who is living in the world.  Bring your doubts and bring your fears.  Bring your hurt and bring your tears.  There will be no condemnation here.  You are holy, righteous and redeemed. Every time I fall there will be those who will call me a mistake, well that’s okay.  ‘Cause I hear a voice and He calls me redeemed…”

This is a message we all need to hear!  It is a truth that we all need to embrace and proclaim in our lives.  2 Corinthians 5:16-17 says, “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view… Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; The old is gone, the new is here!”  When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior you can cast off those names of the world and take hold of the voice that calls you redeemed, holy, righteous, and free.

Make it Personal:  What is the name that you are known by among your family and friends?  What false names does the world pile on you from time to time?  It’s time to take hold of your name in Jesus Christ.  You are free, redeemed, and valued in the name of Christ.