The Trademark of God

One warm autumn day a man sat under a walnut tree observing his pumpkin vines.  "How foolish God is!" he mused.  "He puts a heavy pumpkin on a tiny vine that has no strength, and hangs tiny walnuts on a tree whose branches can hold the weight of a man.  If I were God, I could do better than that!"  Just then a breeze dislodged a walnut and it fell on the man's head.  Gently rubbing the point of impact, a sadder and wiser gentleman remarked, "Suppose there had been a pumpkin up there instead of a walnut!  Never again will I try to plan a world for God, but I shall thank Him that He has done so well."

  Products achieve their status based on quality and popularity. Everyone wants the “brand name.”  A trademark is a name or symbol that is distinctive of a marketed product. The owner may register the mark to prevent its unauthorized use. The mark is no longer a small seal on the bottom of the product or a simple little tag sewed on the inside of the garment. The registered trademark is emblazoned all over the article. We have become walking billboards for the particular brand name item we wear.

TEXT:

Gen 1:1-2

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

I. God placed his trademark on all creation.

A. The universe (Gen. 1:1)

B. His Spirit moved upon . . . (v. 2) When he speaks:

3.  And God said, Let there be light: and there was

6. And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters

9. And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

11. And God said, Let the earth bring forth (plants),

14. And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night . . .

20. And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life,

24. And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creatures.

26. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:  and let them have dominion . . .

II. Temptation tarnished the trademark (Did Satan offer a better deal?)

A. God’s trademark on the garden, and the “tree of  knowledge of good and evil” (Gen 2:9).

B. Genesis 3

The subtle serpent

Gen 3:4   “And the serpent said unto the woman, You shall not surely die:”

C. Loss of status, removed from Eden

III. The Undeniable Trademark of God Demonstrated:   LOVE

A. God makes a way:

1. Covering for Adam and Eve from animal skin

2. Protection of the Ark of Noah

3. Providing a sacrifice for Abraham

4. Delivering His people through Moses

5. Slaying giants for David

   6. Shutting lions’ mouths for Daniel

B. His Name:     

1. Jehovah Yahweh. 

One of the most important names for God in the Old Testament is Yahweh, or Jehovah, from the verb "to be," meaning simply but profoundly, "I am who I am," and "I will be who I will be." 

2. The following are other names in honor of the Lord in the Old Testament that stem from the basic name of Yahweh:

Jehovah-jireh -- This name is translated as "The-LORD-Will-Provide," commemorating the provision of the ram in place of Isaac for Abraham's sacrifice .

Jehovah-nissi --  "The-LORD-Is-My-Banner," in honor of God's defeat of the Amalekites .

Jehovah-shalom --  "The-LORD-Is-Peace," the name Gideon gave the altar which he built in Ophrah .

Jehovah-shammah --  "The-LORD-Is-There," referring to the city which the prophet Ezekiel saw in his vision .

Jehovah-tsebaoth --  "The-LORD-of-hosts," was used in the days of David and the prophets, witnessing to God the Savior who is surrounded by His hosts of heavenly power <1 1:3="" sam.="">.

Jehovah Elohe Israel --  "LORD-God-of-Israel," and it appears in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the Psalms. Other names similar to this are Netsah Israel, "The Strength of Israel" <1 15:29="" sam.="">; and Abir Yisrael "The Mighty One of Israel" .

IV. When God Registered his Trademark:

A. John 3:16

B. The mark is LOVE.

C. Our participation in his trademark:

John 1:12-13

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

D. Authenticity: John 13:35

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Matt 5:43 . . . You shall love your neighbor . . .

Matt 5:44 . . . Love your enemies . . .

Matt 22:37 . . . You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.

Gal 5:13 . . .  by love serve one another.  

Eph 3:17. . .  being rooted and grounded in love,   Eph 5:2 . . .  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.

Eph 5:25 . . . Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

2 Tim 4:8 . . .  a crown of righteousness, . . . 

unto all them also that love his appearing.   

Titus 2:4 . . .  teach . . .  to love their husbands,      to love their children . . .   

I Jn 4:8 He that loves not knows not God; for God is love.

Eph 3:17-19

17    That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

18    May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

19    And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.

Conclusion:

Has God put his Trademark on your life?

Are you authentic or imitation? Jesus referred to the religious leaders of his day in terms of hypocrites (actors).

Are you religious or are you saved?

1. Why do we do it? Our Motivation:

Matt 6:2

2    Therefore when you do your giving, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily, I say unto you, They have their reward.

Matt 15:7-8

7    You hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

8    This people draws near unto me with their mouth, and honors me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Lets approach God with a repentant heart receiving his grace and allow our name to be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life with the Blood of the Lamb. Receiving His Trademark in our life exhibiting LOVE. Its the real thing! 

We are a product of GOD stamped with His image, marked with His Love.