Today, we continue our study of 10 commandments. Reminder.
1. Not for Salvation
2. Reveals our Sin.
3. Reveals Character of God
Read Ex. 20:7 (Also in Lev. 19:12, Deut. 5:11)
Play Monty Python video clip.
What is the interpretation of this commandment in this clip???
How close is this to reality???
Look at Jewish interpretation of this verse.
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The Pharisees of Jesus’ time developed elaborate rules for oath-taking. They
carefully
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untruthful. They insisted that oaths sworn “to the Lord” must be kept, but they
welcomed the loophole of avoiding the specific mention of God’s name. Clever in
their speech, they swore by heaven, or earth but painstakingly skirted the name of
God. Their promises were impressive, but they had no intention of keeping them.
They could say, “You didn’t hear me correctly...I didn’t make a binding oath. I didn’t
use the Divine Name.”
The very name of God is sacred. The Jews took this command so strictly that they
avoided pronouncing God’s name altogether. They were so afraid of using it in vain
that it got to the point where it was pronounced only once a year, that was by the
high priest on the Day of Atonement.
When Jewish scribes would copy the Word of God
God, every time they would
encounter a name of God, they would rise from their work table, go and wash, and
often change their clothes, pick up a new quill never used before, and then proceed
to write the name of God. This they would do every time, sometimes up to three
times in a single verse. If the word merely stood for God, he washed his pen before
he continued.
The next slide is Jewish website demonstrating some of this
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Note G-D
Note about printing!
Discuss Jewish view of name = reputation
Ex 3 when Moses God what his name is? he is asking "who are you; what are you
like; what have you done.“
God says “I AM”
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Comes with warning!
Lev. 24 – Anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord will be stoned/put to death!
Appears to be very important!
Read verses.
Can any of the other commandments be broken without affecting the name of
God/the Lord???
2 main words in this verse we want to examine.
Name and Vain
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Ex. 3 “I AM” or Yahweh – describes every aspect of God – eternal
Many descriptions of his name in scripture – How majestic, glorious, great, jealous,
strong tower, good, like perfume, hallowed.
Above all His name is Holy because He is Holy.
It would do us good to gain a little more respect for the name of God
It is Holy!
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God has given Jesus the name that is above every name!
One day every knee will bow to this name!
We need to get a fresh appreciation of the name of Jesus!
It is Holy!
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Vain - Useless Worthless
In Vain – to no end – without success or result.
It appears the interpretation of this commandment could be this:
Do not take God’s name and make it useless/worthless!
How do we make God’s name worthless?
First of all and what is usually thought of with this verse.
We make his name useless/worthless through our speech!
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Oxford received criticism when their 1995 dictionary had these two points reversed.
Unfortunately, the second form is the primary form used in many persons
vocabulary. Unfortunately, this even includes Christians.
Again, we need to get a fresh appreciation of his name.
It is Holy!
But what do we, as Christians, do??? – We excuse ourselves by using other
words that make us not feel guilty.
guilty We have invented all sorts of euphemisms
for God/Jesus.
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So many of our expressions are actually taking God’s name on our lips indirectly.
In the movie "O God?" George Burns plays God himself, who
has come to earth to speak with a grocery manager named Jerry Landers. In
one of their conversations, Jerry, without thinking, says to himself, "O God!"
And God says, "Yes, Jerry? What is it?"
And Jerry says, "Huh?? Oh, it’s nothing, Lord. It’s just an expression. A
figure of speech. Nothing more."
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am not just a figure of speech. I’m more than just a phrase that people
blurt out when they get frustrated. I want you to tell people to take me
seriously. That I am the Lord!"
Example - Dr. Wham instead of Dr. Pepper
Again, we need to be careful with the name of God/Jesus.
It is Holy!
Appears to be more meaning than just not using his name profanely in our speech.
The commandment relates to taking His name.
How do we Take His Name?
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We, as Christians, have claimed his name for salvation.
Word to unsaved. May not use God’s name in profanity, but today his name is
useless/worthless to you.
I would encourage everyone to again look at the name of Christ – it saves us
eternally and gives us assurance that we have eternal life!
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We have taken his name in Baptism – we will follow him!
Called Christians (Christ-Ones or Little Christ’s)
Example - Shirley taking my name in marriage.( No longer lives with her family,
dates etc. Actions can affect my name (even make it useless!)
Some take hyphenated names as married name. We as Christians sometimes do
not want to give up our ‘old name’ – Ex. World-Christ.
We will suffer reproach for his name.
name Acts 5 – Peter and apostles before Sanhedrin
– were flogged and ordered not to speak in the Name of Jesus- they left rejoicing
because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for THE NAME.
Everyone who takes the name of Christ should depart from iniquity.
Why? – His name is holy! So we need to be Holy!
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Humble ourselves – too often filled with Pride – Self serving. Make his name
useless!
Love for other Christians – You said Jehovah! – Make his name Useless.
Use the name of God/Lord for personal gain or as an excuse.
The king of Assyria tried to get away with this in Isaiah 36:10. When he was
attacking Judah, he said, "the Lord himself told me to march against this
country and destroy itit." He was just using God as an reason/excuse to go around
conquering other countries. It was for his own personal gain.
Honey, I was going to mow the lawn, but I think God wanted me to play golf this
morning!
We need to take Col. 3:17 to heart!
If we do Everything in the name of our Lord Jesus, giving thanks we will not
make his name useless/worthless!
seless/ orthless!
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In the messages to the 7 churches in Revelation there is reference to treatment of
his name.
His name needs to be our priority in our local church at Bethany.
We need to remain true to HIS name, not our name.
Not deny his name, but hold up his name.
It is Holy!
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In conclusion: let us review proper use of God’s name.
(Ps. 145:1) I will praise your name forever!
(Luke 11:2) When you pray say Father, hallowed be your name
(Matthew 28:19-20) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
(1 Samuel 17:45) You come against me with sword and spear, but I come against
you in the name of the LORD Almighty.”
This will NOT make his name useless!
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Opposite of vain (useless, worthless) is Worth/ Honor
We will praise and Honor and give Worth to his name forever!
In the meantime may Colossians 3:17 be our goal.
‘And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17’
His Name is Holy because He is Holy!
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