Hallowed Be Thy Name

As we move into the Passover season looking at the crucifixion and celebrating the time of our Lord’s resurrection. We need to understand that this time is sacred. We should be continually examining our lives and readying ourselves to meet with God. But this time is special.

God had given the people feasts and times to meet together for a reason. This was a time of drawing people together, unifying them. A time where they would practice the presence of God as they readied themselves and drew together for corporate worship the holy God.

We are going to look at three different things these next few weeks as we draw closer to the time of Passover.

The Holiness of God

The first place to start is with the creator of all. Having a proper view of who God is.

The Sinfulness of Man

Once we have a proper view of who God is, it reveals to us who we are. Yes that means how sinful we are.

This is very important because what it reveals to us and reminds us of is our need for a savior.

A Holy People

God has called us to be different than the rest of the world. To live for Him. Not continuing in our sin but to be set apart.

Moving into the time of Passover and the Resurrection we want to remember that we are to stand apart, and to make ourselves ready to meet with the Holy God.

What is Holy?

If we desire to speak of it, we have to have some idea of what holiness is.

Otherness

How God is different from us, how He is set apart.

A word that we use is transcendent.

This means surpassing the usual limits.

Beyond the limits of all possible experience, knowledge, and comprehension.

During the medieval era the transcendence of God was emphasized. This is apparent in their architecture. High ceilings and architecture that would force your gaze upward as a reminder that we worship a God who is far above us.

Isaiah 55:8-9

The ways of God, the thoughts of God, are far greater than our own.

How else would it be that the Trinity would exist.

One God.

Three distinct persons with three distinct jobs.

Forever working together in perfect harmony.

One in essence.

When we look at bad situations in our lives, or in the world around us.

How will God use it for His overall plan?

We don’t always see it, but He does.

When speak of God’s otherness.

James 1:17

James 1:17 ESV

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

There is no change.

God doesn’t change His mind.

From the beginning of time, He has been on plan A!

We never have to worry about what kind of a mood He is in.

No Shadow

No darkness at all.

He is always good, there is no evil within Him.

Light, goodness. This is what proceeds from God.

Eastern mythology has the yin yang. A little good in the evil, and a little evil in the good.

But this isn’t correct when we speak of God. He will never change from being good.

This is the otherness we speak of. But when we speak of otherness as holiness. It is still a man centered doctrine then. For otherness describes how He is different from us.

The basic meaning of the word holy, doesn’t capture the full weight of holiness.

Isaiah 6:1-3

The holiness of God, is connected to His glory.

Glory Connected to Holiness

Because God is holy, His glory fills the earth.

1 Chronicles 16:29

1 Chronicles 16:29 ESV

29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;

Psalm 105:3

Psalm 105:3 ESV

3 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

Even the angels, who are spiritual being, who have never sinned, who are holy beings, though not to the degree of God.

Yet they cannot behold the glory of God. The holiness of God.

It cannot refer only to the Otherness,

John 17:11

John 17:11 ESV

11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

Jesus is referring to God as Holy.

Now, Jesus is one who is not different from the Father, He even says that they are one.

This means with Jesus referencing the Father as holy must be something different than other.

We see once again being pointed to the glory of God!

The all consuming majesty of God!

We see Jesus in this prayer looking to the time when He will soon be re-united with the father, being one in essence with the Father and having a intimate relationship with the Father that no mortal can comprehend.

We see in this fervent prayer of addressing the demonstrated holiness of God which is the glory of God and the way that Jesus prays that we can show that Glory, that holiness is in our unity!

That we will be one!

By doing so we will show that we are separate from the world, that we are holy; and the Glory of God will be revealed as we live for Him.

Degree of Holy

Isaiah 6:1-3

The angels have an extra 4 wings for the sole purpose of shielding themselves from the glory of God.

As they fly, they use the term holy to it’s superlative degree.

God is as holy as holy can get. Their is no more holiness that can be gained.

1 Samuel 2:2

1 Samuel 2:2 ESV

2 “There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.

No one is like the LORD!!

No person or being can ever attain to that level.

We must recognize it, and serve Him as such.

Luke 11:2

Luke 11:2 ESV

2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.

Hallowed, this means to make Holy!!

This doesn’t mean that may God become more Holy, no.

May we realize the holiness of God more and more.

May He become greater and greater in our lives.

May we always stand in AWE and never become complacent in our faith.

Hallowed, is a growth in us.

As God is hallowed, we will see the greatness of our depravity, that will drive us to the cross recognizing that it is by grace alone that we will be saved.