by Pastor T.D. KASUKU K.K.
Hebrews 11:2 For by faith the elders obtained a good report.
Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness (good report) that he was righteous, God testifying (good report) of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony (good report), that he pleased God.
Hebrews 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
3 John 1:12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
Acts 22:12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt [there],
- WHAT IS GOOD REPORT ?
- A person's high standing among others:
In Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.
The phrase “of good report” in this text represents a Greek word which is commonly used for “fair-sounding,” or “auspicious” and “acceptable.” It is therefore the outward expression of what is “lovely,” winning the acceptance which loveliness deserves.
- Good report comes from "euphemos" and means good language ("euphemy"), i.e. Praise (repute) -- good report.
- WEBSTER DEFINITION The Websters 1828 dictionary gives these examples:
- A good name: the credit, honor or character which is derived from a favorable public opinion or esteem.
- Character by report, in a good or bad sense; …in other words, our reputation is built on who we are, not by a one time act necessarily, but who we are consistently.
- In the case of Phil. 2:6, Jesus was emptied of His reputation…and almost all other references have to do with the value, honour, etc. given to individuals. Basically, it is an estimation of the person’s real self. We cannot escape who we really are.
- “Reputation” means “Being held in good opinion (or bad) by others.”
- Look at Gal. 2:2 (Read) Notice Paul went “privately to them which were of reputation.” These men were known by their character! I have known a few people who have boldly said, “I don’t care what people think of me.” That attitude cannot be backed up by Scripture. We are to be people of integrity and honor. Phil. 2:6-7 shows us that Jesus emptied Himself and made Himself of no reputation, meaning He gave up the reputation of equality with God…and He was still very much God, but He took upon Him the form of a servant.
- WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE A GOOD REPORT ?
Paul says in 1 Timothy 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
It means that you should not be found wanting i.e nothing found that can be held against you. Interesting verse 7 clarifies who should have this report about us. ;those without’ i.e. those that do not belong to the family of God. How careful we need to be.
SOME EXAMPLES IN SCRIPTURES
- Cornelius had a good report among all the nation of the Jews.
Acts 10:21-23
21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied
- Ananias who prayed with Saul to received his sight had a good report of all Jews.
Acts 22:11-13
11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.
12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
- Demetrius had a good report of all men.
3 John 1:11-13
11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. 12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true. 13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
- WHAT IS THE DANGER OF NOT HAVING A GOOD REPORT ?
1 Timothy 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
1 Timothy 3:7 GWV People who are not Christians must speak well of him, or he might become the victim of disgraceful insults that the devil sets as traps for him.
GWV says "he might become the victim of disgraceful insults that the devil sets as traps for him" CEV says "so that they won't be embarrassed and fall into the devil's trap." CJB so that he won't fall into disgrace and into the Adversary's trap. MSG says else the Devil will figure out a way to lure him into his trap. NCV says "so he will not be criticized by others and caught in the devil's trap
According to this text, there are 2 major dangers with numerous consequences :
- 1st danger : … lest he fall into reproach =
- You can become the victim of disgraceful insults
- It will bring embarrassment (shame, confusion, …)
- You fall into disgrace (lack of grace, lack of favor, doors are closed,
- You will be criticized
- You will lose respect as the Bible says:
1 Thessalonians 4:12 Then your way of life will win respect from those outside the church, and you won’t have to depend on anyone else for what you need.
- When you fall into reproach, you cause others to stumble and fall as well as it is written:
1 Corinthians 10:32 Don’t cause others to stumble, whether they are Jewish, Greek, ormembers of God’s church.
- You cause others to speak evil about the Word of God and even cause them not believe the Word as Paul instructs:
Titus 2:5 . . . to use good judgment, and to be morally pure. Also, tell them to teach young women to be homemakers, to be kind, and to place themselves under their husbands’ authority. Then no one can speak evil of God’s word.
- 2nd danger : … the snare of the devil =
- The devil will use it against you to destroy you
- The devil will accuse you even to God
- You give the enemy a chance to ridicule you as it is written:
1 Timothy 5:14 So I want younger widows to marry, have children, manage their homes, and not give the enemy any chance to ridicule them.
2 Corinthians 6:3 We don’t give people any opportunity to find fault with how we serve.
- HOW DOES FAITH WORK TO OBTAIN GOOD REPORT ?
1st truth: From scriptures faith is the producer of good report.
Hebrews 11:2 For by faith the elders obtained a good report.
Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness (good report) that he was righteous, God testifying (good report) of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony (good report), that he pleased God.
Hebrews 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
3 John 1:12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
Acts 22:12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt [there],
2nd truth: From scriptures good report is all about God testifying favorably about someone to others, it is all about God witnessing favorably about someone to others, it is all about God recommending favorably someone to others.
Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness (good report) that he was righteous, God testifying (good report) of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that [there is] none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? John 5:37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. Mark 1:11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Mark 9:7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. Luke 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. Luke 9:35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
3rd truth: From scriptures faith that produces good report is faith that produces living testimonies and living proofs not only mere talks and cheap speeches.
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Acts 4:14 When they saw the man who was healed standing with Peter and John, they couldn’t say anything against the two apostles. Acts 4:14 (CJB) Moreover, since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there beside them, there was nothing they could say to discredit the healing. Acts 4:14 (GNT) But there was nothing that they could say, because they saw the man who had been healed standing there with Peter and John.4th truth: Here are a few thoughts to meditate on
- People can deny what they have heard or what they have been told but people never ever deny what they see. MAY THE WORD OF GOD BECOME AN UNQUESTIONABLE EVIDENCE IN OUR LIFE IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST ! ! !
- Reputation is not what we say we are. Reputation is not what we think of ourselves, but rather what we are known to others as. “It is a predictable response to a future influence or situation.” My definition of what identifies us. In other words, our reputation is built on who we are, not by a one time act necessarily, but who we are consistently and constantly.
- Daniel was known in Babylon as a constant servant of God despite the accusation and bad report of his enemies. Even in the midst of the den of lions he was still a servant of God. That’s the good report of faith
Daniel 6:16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast [him] into the den of lions. [Now] the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.
Daniel 6:20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: [and] the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
Daniel 6:22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
- job was known as a man of integrity despite the accusation and bad report of the devil. Even in the midst of deep affliction he was still a man of integrity.That’s the good report of faith
Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that [there is] none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
Job 2:9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. 10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
- A good reputation can be spoiled by a little folly. It does not matter how good your reputation has been for how long, it can become a stink with a little folly.
Ecclesiastes 10:1 states, “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.”
- The way we defend our good reputation is by guarding our hearts above anything else and watching over ourselves before we watch over others.
Proverbs 22:1 states, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”
Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.
1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
- Reputation will follow us far beyond every victory we win in life, and the sooner we change and build a good reputation, the more lasting the good reputation will be.
What do you think of when I say: “Cain?” , “Demas?” , “Job?” “Rahab?” "Lot's Wife?"
- Our reputation always goes ahead of us either to open doors for us or to close doors against us. IN THE NAME OF JESUS, WE DESTROY AND MAKE OF NON EFFECT ANY EVIL EVIDENCE THE DEVIL WILL EVER USE AGAINST US TO MISREPRESENT US.
1 Kings 10:1 When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions. 2 And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
Acts 9:13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Revelation 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: [for] thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
- Good report is part of the terms of the Abrahamic covenant which paves the way to a personal and a transgenerational order of greatness
Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
Literally, this word means "People will bless one another using your name and would like God to bless them the way I've blessed you"
CONCLUSION
LET THE GOOD REPORT OF FAITH START SPEAKING FAVORABLY FOR US AND FOR OUR NEXT GENERATION IN THE NAME OF JESUS ! ! !
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