Honoring God's Name Through Integrity and Love

Each Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection, a reminder that life has conquered death and that God is present with us in every circumstance—joy or sorrow. We gather not because we are all like-minded, but because we are like-hearted, united by hearts captured by God’s love. In our diversity—across age, background, and experience—we come together to seek God, to worship, to pray, to sing, and to be nourished both spiritually and physically.

Today’s focus is on the third commandment: not using the Lord’s name as if it were of no significance. Names matter deeply; they are tied to our identity and reputation. Just as our actions can give us a good or bad name, so too do our actions as people known to follow God reflect on God’s name. For many who do not know God, their understanding of God comes through us. When we act with love and integrity, we give God a good name; when we act otherwise, we risk dragging God’s name through the mud.

The heart of the third commandment is not simply about avoiding profanity or cursing, but about promise-keeping and truth-telling. In ancient times, invoking God’s name was a way to guarantee the truth of one’s word. Today, our integrity—our honesty and reliability—remains essential, not just for our own sake, but because we bear God’s name in the world. When we fail to keep our promises or speak truthfully, especially when invoking God, we misrepresent God’s character.

Moreover, we must be careful not to attribute to God things that are contrary to God’s loving nature. Statements that suggest God wills harm, sorrow, or death misrepresent who God is. God’s will is always for love, goodness, and life. As followers of Jesus, we are called to bear God’s name with reverence, ensuring our words and actions align with God’s character.

Yet, there are times when honoring God’s name and living with integrity may require difficult choices. The story of Irena Sendler, who lied and forged documents to save Jewish children during the Holocaust, challenges us to consider the deeper purpose of the commandment: to honor God and love our neighbor, even when it is costly. Ultimately, we are called to be people of integrity, to keep our promises, to speak truth, and to represent God well, so that through us, others may see God’s love.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Bearing God’s name is a sacred responsibility. Our actions and words as people known to follow God directly impact how others perceive God. When we act with love, compassion, and integrity, we give God a good name; when we act otherwise, we risk misrepresenting God to the world. [15:32]
• 2. The third commandment is fundamentally about truth-telling and promise-keeping. In a world where honesty is often compromised, our commitment to integrity—especially when invoking God’s name—sets us apart and builds trust within our communities. Our word should be reliable, reflecting the faithfulness of the God we serve. [24:30]
• 3. Misusing God’s name goes beyond profanity; it includes attributing to God things that are contrary to God’s character. When we say “God willed this tragedy” or “God needed another angel,” we risk portraying God as uncaring or even cruel. Instead, we must ensure our words about God always reflect God’s love and goodness. [31:23]
• 4. Living with integrity sometimes requires discernment and courage. The story of Irena Sendler reminds us that honoring God’s name may mean making hard choices for the sake of love and justice. True integrity is not rigid legalism, but a deep commitment to God’s purposes, even when it is costly or complex. [41:12]
• 5. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be living images of God’s grace. Our daily lives—how we speak, act, and keep our promises—are opportunities to reflect God’s love to the world. In a culture of misinformation and broken trust, our faithfulness can draw others to God and uphold the sacredness of God’s name. [55:12]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [05:23] - Gathering as a Like-Hearted Community
• [07:04] - Worship, Prayer, and the Lord’s Supper
• [08:02] - Words of Life: The Ten Commandments Series
• [11:58] - The Third Commandment: God’s Name
• [13:21] - The Power and Reputation of Names
• [15:32] - Bearing God’s Name in the World
• [19:20] - Names and Identity in Scripture
• [22:46] - The Deeper Meaning of the Third Commandment
• [24:30] - Promise-Keeping and Truth-Telling
• [28:03] - Integrity and the Price of Honesty
• [30:36] - Misusing God’s Name and God’s Character
• [34:28] - Profanity and Reverence for God’s Name
• [37:13] - Is It Ever Okay to Lie?
• [38:15] - Irena Sendler: Integrity in Action
• [41:12] - Honoring God in Difficult Choices
• [45:01] - Prayers of the People
• [47:53] - Offering and Thanksgiving
• [52:58] - The Lord’s Supper and Communion
• [56:47] - Communion Invitation and Prayer
• [61:50] - Small Groups and Community Life
• [64:14] - Upcoming Events and Announcements
• [67:59] - Closing Blessing and Sending Forth

Bible Reading

Exodus 20:7 (ESV) — > “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.”

Leviticus 19:11-12 (ESV) — > “You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another. You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.”

Matthew 5:33-37 (ESV) — > “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Exodus 20:7, what does it mean to “take the name of the LORD your God in vain”? What warning is attached to this commandment?
2. In Leviticus 19:11-12, what specific actions are connected to profaning God’s name?
3. In Matthew 5:33-37, what does Jesus say about making oaths and the importance of our words?
4. The sermon described how our actions as people known to follow God can give God a “good name” or a “bad name.” What are some examples given of how this happens? ([15:32])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God places such importance on how His name is used, both in speech and in the way we live? How does this relate to our identity as God’s people? ([19:20])
2. The sermon said that the third commandment is not just about avoiding cussing, but about promise-keeping and truth-telling. Why is integrity so closely tied to honoring God’s name? ([24:30])
3. The pastor shared that misusing God’s name can include saying things like “God willed this tragedy” or “God needed another angel.” How can these statements misrepresent God’s character? ([31:23])
4. The story of Irena Sendler was used to show that sometimes honoring God’s name and living with integrity can be complicated. What does her story teach us about the deeper purpose of the third commandment? ([41:12])

Application Questions

1. The sermon said that for many people who don’t know God, their understanding of God comes through us. Think about your daily life—what are some ways your actions might be giving God a “good name” or a “bad name” to others? ([15:32])
2. When was a time you struggled to keep a promise or to tell the truth, especially when it would have been easier to do otherwise? How did that situation reflect on your faith? ([24:30])
3. Have you ever heard or said something about God that, looking back, might not have reflected God’s love and goodness? How can you be more careful with your words about God in the future? ([31:23])
4. The pastor said, “Keeping your promises is optional for others, but it is not for you. Telling the truth is optional for others, but it is not for you.” What is one area of your life where you feel challenged to live with more integrity? ([36:28])
5. The story of Irena Sendler shows that sometimes honoring God and loving our neighbor means making hard choices. Is there a situation in your life right now where you need courage to do what is right, even if it’s costly? ([41:12])
6. The sermon mentioned that in a world full of misinformation and broken trust, our faithfulness can draw others to God. What is one practical step you can take this week to be a person of integrity in your workplace, school, or home? ([55:12])
7. The pastor talked about not mixing God’s name with “the nasty stuff” in life, even in small things like speech. Are there habits of speech or behavior you want to change so that you honor God’s name more fully? ([35:51])