Honoring God's Name: A Call to Reverence

 

Summary

In Exodus 20:7, we are reminded of the third commandment: "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God." This commandment is often associated with swearing or using God's name as an expletive, but it encompasses much more. The way we use God's name reflects our reverence for Him, and in today's society, His name is frequently misused, even among believers. This misuse is not just a matter of language but a reflection of deeper issues in our culture and personal lives.

The misuse of God's name is prevalent in various forms, from casual exclamations to more serious offenses like using His name to justify violence or empty promises. This is evident in historical events like the Crusades and in modern acts of terrorism, where individuals claim to act in God's name. Such actions have led to a growing secularism, as seen in places like France, where religious symbols are being banned to maintain social harmony.

This issue is not only societal but deeply personal. Many are spiritually confused by the conflicting claims made in God's name, leading to skepticism and a reluctance to embrace any faith. Within the church, the misuse of God's name is seen in scandals and the presumptuous use of His name to endorse personal agendas. This has caused many, especially younger generations, to view Christianity as self-serving.

The third commandment warns of a unique consequence for misusing God's name: lasting guilt. This is echoed in the New Testament, where blasphemy against the Holy Spirit and renouncing Jesus are described as unforgivable sins. These passages highlight the seriousness of detaching from the name of Jesus, as salvation and forgiveness are only possible through Him.

For those who have embraced Jesus, there is a calling to honor His name. This requires humility, integrity, and love. We must live in a way that reflects the beauty and truth of His name, inviting others to see Jesus through our actions and words. Worship plays a crucial role in cultivating this love and reverence, shaping how we speak about Him.

Key Takeaways:

- The third commandment is about more than avoiding swearing; it calls us to honor God's name in all aspects of life, reflecting our reverence for Him. Misusing His name is a reflection of deeper cultural and personal issues. [00:30]

- The misuse of God's name is prevalent in society, from casual language to justifying violence. This has led to secularism and skepticism, as people struggle with conflicting claims made in His name. [05:59]

- Within the church, the misuse of God's name is seen in scandals and presumptuous claims. This has caused many to view Christianity as self-serving, highlighting the need for integrity and humility among believers. [12:39]

- The third commandment warns of lasting guilt for misusing God's name, echoed in the New Testament's warnings about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit and renouncing Jesus. Salvation is only possible through embracing His name. [19:41]

- For believers, the calling is to honor God's name through humility, integrity, and love. Worship helps cultivate this reverence, shaping how we speak about Him and inviting others to see Jesus through our lives. [30:58]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to the Third Commandment
- [00:30] - Misuse of God's Name in Society
- [01:16] - Dictionary Definition of Jesus
- [02:15] - Challenge to Students
- [03:54] - The Ten Commandments and Life Struggles
- [04:56] - Endorsements and God's Name
- [06:17] - Misuse of God's Name in History
- [07:31] - Secularism and Religious Symbols
- [08:28] - Personal Struggles with God's Name
- [10:22] - Conflicting Claims and Truth
- [11:24] - Misuse of God's Name in the Church
- [14:05] - God's Offense at Misuse
- [16:28] - Franchise Analogy
- [19:08] - Unique Seriousness of Misusing God's Name
- [21:42] - Hebrews 6 and Blasphemy
- [24:34] - Mark 3 and Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit
- [27:02] - Salvation Through the Name of Jesus
- [30:47] - Our Calling to Honor God's Name
- [33:04] - Strategies for Honoring God's Name

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Exodus 20:7: "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name."
- Hebrews 6:4-6: Discusses the seriousness of renouncing Jesus and the impossibility of being brought back to repentance.
- Mark 3:28-29: Speaks about the unforgivable sin of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit.

#### Observation Questions
1. What are some ways the sermon describes the misuse of God's name in society today? [00:58]
2. How does the sermon illustrate the misuse of God's name in historical events like the Crusades? [07:03]
3. According to the sermon, what are some examples of how God's name is misused within the church? [11:38]
4. What unique consequence does the third commandment warn about for misusing God's name? [19:41]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the misuse of God's name reflect deeper cultural and personal issues, as discussed in the sermon? [05:59]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that secularism and skepticism are linked to the misuse of God's name? [07:31]
3. How does the sermon explain the connection between the third commandment and the New Testament warnings about blasphemy? [21:12]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the role of worship in cultivating reverence for God's name? [30:58]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily language. Are there ways you might be misusing God's name without realizing it? How can you become more mindful of this? [02:15]
2. The sermon mentions the misuse of God's name to justify personal agendas. Can you think of a time when you or someone you know might have done this? How can you ensure your actions align with God's will? [12:39]
3. How can you cultivate humility, integrity, and love in your life to honor God's name more effectively? What specific steps can you take this week? [33:04]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of community in honoring God's name. How can your small group support each other in this calling? [32:04]
5. Consider the role of worship in your life. How can you deepen your worship experience to better reflect the beauty and truth of God's name? [35:46]
6. The sermon discusses the impact of conflicting claims made in God's name. How can you discern truth in a world full of mixed messages? [10:22]
7. Identify one area in your life where you struggle to honor God's name. What practical changes can you make to address this struggle? [32:25]

Devotional

Day 1: Honoring God's Name Reflects Our Reverence
The third commandment, "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God," extends beyond avoiding swearing or using God's name as an expletive. It calls for a deep reverence for God, reflected in how we use His name in all aspects of life. Misusing God's name is not merely a linguistic issue but a reflection of deeper cultural and personal problems. In today's society, God's name is often used casually or inappropriately, even among believers, indicating a lack of true reverence and understanding of His holiness. [00:30]

Leviticus 19:12 (ESV): "You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord."

Reflection: Consider how you use God's name in your daily conversations. Are there ways you can be more intentional in honoring His name through your words and actions today?


Day 2: Misuse of God's Name Leads to Secularism and Skepticism
The misuse of God's name is prevalent in society, from casual language to justifying violence. This misuse has contributed to a rise in secularism and skepticism, as people struggle with conflicting claims made in His name. Historical events like the Crusades and modern acts of terrorism, where individuals claim to act in God's name, have led to a growing distrust of religious institutions. This skepticism is evident in places like France, where religious symbols are being banned to maintain social harmony. [05:59]

Isaiah 52:5 (ESV): "Now therefore what have I here, declares the Lord, seeing that my people are taken away for nothing? Their rulers wail, declares the Lord, and continually all the day my name is despised."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you witnessed or experienced skepticism towards faith due to the misuse of God's name. How can you be a source of clarity and truth in such situations?


Day 3: Integrity and Humility in the Church
Within the church, the misuse of God's name is seen in scandals and presumptuous claims, causing many to view Christianity as self-serving. This highlights the need for integrity and humility among believers. When God's name is used to endorse personal agendas or justify wrong actions, it damages the church's witness and alienates those seeking genuine faith. Believers are called to live with integrity, ensuring that their actions and words align with the teachings of Christ. [12:39]

1 Peter 2:12 (ESV): "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

Reflection: Think about an area in your life where you might be tempted to use God's name to justify personal actions. How can you ensure that your motives and actions reflect true integrity and humility?


Day 4: The Seriousness of Misusing God's Name
The third commandment warns of lasting guilt for misusing God's name, a seriousness echoed in the New Testament's warnings about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit and renouncing Jesus. These passages highlight the gravity of detaching from the name of Jesus, as salvation and forgiveness are only possible through Him. Misusing God's name is not just a minor offense but a significant spiritual issue with eternal consequences. [19:41]

Hebrews 10:29 (ESV): "How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?"

Reflection: Reflect on the seriousness of misusing God's name in your life. Are there areas where you need to seek forgiveness and realign your heart with the reverence due to His name?


Day 5: Our Calling to Honor God's Name
For believers, the calling is to honor God's name through humility, integrity, and love. Worship plays a crucial role in cultivating this reverence, shaping how we speak about Him and inviting others to see Jesus through our lives. By living in a way that reflects the beauty and truth of His name, believers can draw others to Christ and demonstrate the transformative power of His love. [30:58]

Colossians 3:17 (ESV): "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Reflection: Identify one practical way you can honor God's name in your daily life this week. How can your actions and words invite others to see the beauty and truth of Jesus?

Quotes

"You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God for the Lord will not hold Guiltless anyone who misuses his name. Now the first thing that comes to mind I guess when we hear the third commandment is sweating, abusing God's name by using it as an expletive, and that's appropriate because of course the way in which we use a person's name says a great deal about what we think of them." [00:00:12]

"Christian people of whatever age do not belong to this world we are God's people, we bear the name of Jesus Christ and therefore he calls us to speak about him in a way that honors his name you shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God third commandment." [00:03:29]

"Now there is obviously no bigger name in the whole of the universe than the name of almighty God and so it is not surprising that throughout history there has been this pattern of many many people in groups trying to attach the name of God to their particular cause to claim the endorsement of God for what they want to do." [00:05:36]

"Western history is littered with acts of violence that were done in the name of God, perhaps the most notorious of course were the Crusades where thousands of Muslims were slaughtered by Europeans who fought under the banner bearing the emblem of the cross, so it's hardly surprising that increasingly in our generation many people have noted that some of the most appalling acts of violence in the history of the world have been connected with the name of God." [00:06:57]

"Within the church, it's a family issue because we're confronted even in church world with so many empty claims that misuse the name of God. I mean you think of the trouble that has been done to Christian Ministry through folks who bear the name of God and have acted in a scandalous way, pedophile priests who have caused such injury while bearing the name of God." [00:11:28]

"Notice from Exodus chapter 20 and verse 7 that God puts this sin in a unique category, notice what he says you shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God for and we often forget the second bit but look at what it says we can't skip over it you shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God for the Lord will not hold anyone Guiltless who misuses his name." [00:19:14]

"The Bible speaks very clearly about one sin that cannot be forgiven and it concerns the name of God, and the third commandment points directly to it, that is why there is this unique statement at the end of the Third Commandment that should cause all of us to stop seriously and think." [00:20:32]

"The only repentance that is acceptable to God is repentance in the name of Jesus, detach yourself from the name of Jesus and you detach yourself from the possibility of repentance because repentance can only be in his name right, he is the name given by which you may come to God leave the name and you leave all that is in it." [00:23:41]

"God offers forgiveness to every person, God offers forgiveness for every sin, every sin, including denials of Jesus, blasphemies against the Holy Spirit, misuse of the name of God, including the vilest thing that you can conceive of in your mind God offers forgiveness for that too through the blood of Jesus." [00:28:17]

"Because for all those who have embraced the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in humility and by faith, we have a great calling to live for the honor of his name, and put very simply God's answer to a world that blasphemes his name is a community of people who honor his name." [00:30:55]

"Now you bear the name of God, we are the family of God, and The Impressions that many people have about God himself will come from the actions of those who bear his name, what they see in us what they hear in us and if we're to live for the honor of his name it's going to take not just humility, it's going to take the active pursuit of Integrity." [00:34:50]

"Because if you love him you will not misuse his name, and as we cultivate our love for him more we'll be more sensitive to living in a way that really honors him, that's of course the whole point of worship that's why worship centers around the name of the Lord Jesus Christ is always its focus on Earth and in heaven." [00:35:28]

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Transcript
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