s20050720m_TAKING GOD SERIOUSLY

TAKING GOD SERIOUSLY

"You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name. Exodus 20:7

Above all, my beloved, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “Yes” be yes and your “No” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. James 5:12

What's in a Name?                    1. Reputation                  2. Character                        3. Authority

I. WAYS GOD'S NAME CAN BE MISUSED

·         Using God's Name to [INSULT OTHERS]

But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. Matthew 5:22

·         Using God's name [IMPULSIVELY]

Never be rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be quick to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven, and you upon earth; therefore let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2

·         Using God's name to [IMPRESS]

“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. Matthew 6:5

II. HOW CAN I USE GOD'S NAME CORRECTLY?

1. [REVERE] GOD'S NAME CONTINUALLY.

11Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.12I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. 13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. Psalms 86:11-13

2. [REPRESENT] GOD'S NAME CLEARLY.

32 “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; 33 but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33

3. [RELY ON] GOD'S NAME COMPLETELY.

9Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots, and came as far as Mareshah. 10 Asa went out to meet him, and they drew up their lines of battle in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. 11 Asa cried to the Lord his God, “O Lord, there is no difference for you between helping the mighty and the weak. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O Lord, you are our God; let no mortal prevail against you.” 12 So the Lord defeated the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled. 2 Chronicles 14:9-12