Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Review

1st - Worshiping the wrong God and

2nd - Worshiping God in the wrong way

The 3rd Commandment addresses - Speaking wrongly about God

It addresses our words about God

A name carried deep significance.

It speaks of one’s character or attributes - what a person is.

When Moses asks to see God’s glory in Exodus 33, God gives Moses His name

Israel was delivered for the sake of His name

Speaking of the Red Sea crossing

“Vain” means empty or worthless

“Take the name”

literally to lift, bear, or carry God’s name wrongly

Do not carry god’s name falsely or use His name in empty or worthless ways.

Same term in Exodus 23:1

Taking the Lord’s name in vain misrepresents who God is: His character and attributes.

This is serious

Duties Required - Using His name and representing His name rightly

“That the name of God, his titles, attributes...and whatsoever else there is whereby he makes himself known, be holily and reverently used in thought, meditation, word, and writing” (WLC 112).

Praise of His name.

Worship.

Not literally never speaking the name (Modern Jews, G-d)

The OT uses Yahweh around 7,000 times.

Reverence for His name.

Using it rightly with respect.

There is a growing level of casualness with others in our culture, even those in authority.

Carry or bear His name/reputation - Rightly represent Him

God’s deeds revealed His name.

Speak honestly, truthfully, and with integrity

The Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9

Sins Forbidden

Disrespecting God or His name

Frivolous or thoughtless use - i.e., in prayer

God warned His disciples not to heap up empty phrases when they prayed (Mt.

6:7)

OMG, Jeez, Gosh, good Lord, I swear to God

Joking about Him

Angry cursing

Swearing by His name

Perjury - under oath, we swear to “tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God.”

“misinterpreting, misapplying, or any way perverting the word, or any part of it” (WLC 113)

False teachers and false prophets

Hypocrisy -

False profession

Associating God’s name with what is false or immoral.

Using His name to add weight or authority to our words.

(Claiming divine authority or Playing the God-card)

“God told me to do ...”

Molech worship broke the commandment

Touching things dedicated to God - Taking for oneself what belongs to God.

Being ashamed of the name of God or the gospel.

What is the purpose for which we use God’s name?

Application

God will judge all those who take His name in vain (7b)

God will judge us for the words we speak and even the words we think.

Though many will get away with it in this life, they will one day be judges.

Jesus fulfills this commandment

We are united to Him - We share His name.

His record is now our record

His obedience, righteousness, and beauty are ours in Christ.

Maximize others’ knowledge and honor of His name.

Christians bear His name.

We must honor it in our representation of Him and not blaspheme His character.

The world associates us with the name of Christ.

We carry his name.

Public profession of faith and baptism.

How has your bearing the name of Jesus impacted those around you? Family, friends, etc.

Live for His name’s sake and glory

Worship God

One day, His name will be rightly honored

Closing Hymn: 203 - Hark, the Herald Angels Sing

Benediction: Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.