RESPECTING GOD
RESPECTING GOD CMBC March 15, 2015
Exodus 20:7
I have entitled this series of messages Enjoying The Closeness Of God. What does it mean to “Know the Pleasure of Being His Friend”? Last week Ruth and I had the privilege of staying at the vacation condo of our daughter and son-in-law which they recently purchased in the Dominican Republic. We had a wonderful time. Our daughter had let the neighbours know we were coming and we were greeted by them as soon as we arrived. Our daughter is an interior designer and she has done a beautiful job of fixing up the place. The previous owner came by and told us how much she loved Trish and Greg and how amazed she was with what Trish had done to decorate the condo. She said she just wanted to tear apart her new place and start all over again. Obviously they made good friendship, but there is a different kind of relationship that Ruth and I have with Trish and Greg than do their neighbours in the Dominican. Many Christians are quick to be content with that more shallow relationship with God. Impressed with what He is doing, but missing out on enjoying that closeness with God - as a child with a loving parent. There are steps on the way to that closeness – God tells us about those steps, and we are looking at some of them through this series. We began looking at what the first four of the 10 commandments have to say to us about that relationship. The first two have been: o Make God number one in your life - in everything. o Don’t shape Him into your idea of God. You will never fully comprehend him. Just let Him be who He is and trust what He says about Himself. Today we look at the commandment that suggests, respect Him for who He is. Don’t abuse your relationship with Him. “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.” Exodus 20:7 1. WHAT IS IN A NAME? a. The identification and reputation i. A name tells you something about someone. ii. ILL. A new immigrant family from Nicaragua came to our church and the mother was embarrassed that we called her Ulanda Lopez. Her husband’s name was Hernan Lopez. Her maiden name was Ulanda Osorio, and that was her official name. Ulanda Lopez meant that she was Hernan’s daughter. Our relationship with Ulanda was improved when we understood that. iii. Names identify us and often carry with it a reputation. 1. The name Janz gets me into a lot of open acceptance. 2. Sometimes you will vote for someone, not knowing anything about their, but the name has a reputation. iv. Knowing a person by their name is an important part of a relationship. b.
The meaning of the name – Name often carry a meaning.
1
i. Names in the Bible were even more important and given with careful meaning and message. ii. Abraham was first know a Abram, but after his relationship with God grew, God changed his name to Abraham iii. Jacob changed to Israel iv. Peter’s name was Simon, but Jesus changed it to Peter, the rock v. Paul was call Saul, but after he became a believer and started his ministry, it was changed to Paul c.
When Moses asked God for His name, God said “Tell them I AM sent you”, the Eternal God, the Almighty God. That separated Him from any other God Moses and the people from Egypt had ever known. i. And this God announced a desire for a relationship with mankind. “I have seen you suffering and heard your call for help.” ii. The command adds an important phrase, “You shall not use the name of the LORD your God, in vain.”
2. THE MISUSE OF A NAME This commandment also has the meaning and is sometimes translated, “do not “misuse” the name of the LORD your God.” a.
Stolen identity i. We know about stolen identity, when someone uses your name to carry out dishonest activity, they are not your friends who are honoured to use your name. ii. There is also the “name droppers” who try to build their reputation on your name to get what they want. iii. Jesus said, “Many will say to me in that day LORD, LORD.” But Jesus will say, “I never knew you.” Matt 7:22
b.
Smearing the character – a misuse of God’s name i. We have a huge problem in the world today about people’s understanding of Christianity. They assume that everything from the west is Christian. Even in our country, people have rejected Christianity because of a wrong impression of what that means. ii. ILL. Alexander the Great felt sympathy for a young soldier who had fled the war, until he asked the boy for his name. When he said it was Alexander, the Emperor flew into a rage and said, “Change your behaviour or change your name.”
3. THE BLESSING OF GOD’S NAME There are many, many references in the Bible to the phrase, “the name of the Lord” or similar phrases. a.
The power of God’s name i. Prov 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
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ii. Isa 50:10 Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD iii. In the Old Testament and in the New, the God declares : Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; Joel 2:32 iv. Jer 3:17 At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the LORD, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the LORD. v. Matt 21:9 The people shouted as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” vi. Col 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, vii. James 5:14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. viii. Phil 2:9 – 11 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ix. That is why we are commanded not to take the Lord’s name in vain or to misuse the name of the LORD your God. b.
The gift of God’s name i. God gives His name to you – ii. Isa 56: 5 to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off. [6] And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, iii. You are my sons, my daughter – bear My Name iv. Carry my name with honour v. Know my name and the power of my name
4. LIVINING IN HONOUR OF GOD’S NAME a. This is a God who wants a close relationship with you, who gives you His name. It is a name worth honouring. b. As you live life, be aware of who you are – the honour of who you are c. Let His name shape the way you live. d. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain. e. Our Scripture reading tells us why God’s Name is so worthy Psalm 113:1 Praise the LORD. Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. [2] Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore. [3] From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised. [4] The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. [5] Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, [6] who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?
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[7] He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; [8] he seats them with princes, with the princes of their people. [9] He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD.
4
Exodus 20:7
I have entitled this series of messages Enjoying The Closeness Of God. What does it mean to “Know the Pleasure of Being His Friend”? Last week Ruth and I had the privilege of staying at the vacation condo of our daughter and son-in-law which they recently purchased in the Dominican Republic. We had a wonderful time. Our daughter had let the neighbours know we were coming and we were greeted by them as soon as we arrived. Our daughter is an interior designer and she has done a beautiful job of fixing up the place. The previous owner came by and told us how much she loved Trish and Greg and how amazed she was with what Trish had done to decorate the condo. She said she just wanted to tear apart her new place and start all over again. Obviously they made good friendship, but there is a different kind of relationship that Ruth and I have with Trish and Greg than do their neighbours in the Dominican. Many Christians are quick to be content with that more shallow relationship with God. Impressed with what He is doing, but missing out on enjoying that closeness with God - as a child with a loving parent. There are steps on the way to that closeness – God tells us about those steps, and we are looking at some of them through this series. We began looking at what the first four of the 10 commandments have to say to us about that relationship. The first two have been: o Make God number one in your life - in everything. o Don’t shape Him into your idea of God. You will never fully comprehend him. Just let Him be who He is and trust what He says about Himself. Today we look at the commandment that suggests, respect Him for who He is. Don’t abuse your relationship with Him. “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.” Exodus 20:7 1. WHAT IS IN A NAME? a. The identification and reputation i. A name tells you something about someone. ii. ILL. A new immigrant family from Nicaragua came to our church and the mother was embarrassed that we called her Ulanda Lopez. Her husband’s name was Hernan Lopez. Her maiden name was Ulanda Osorio, and that was her official name. Ulanda Lopez meant that she was Hernan’s daughter. Our relationship with Ulanda was improved when we understood that. iii. Names identify us and often carry with it a reputation. 1. The name Janz gets me into a lot of open acceptance. 2. Sometimes you will vote for someone, not knowing anything about their, but the name has a reputation. iv. Knowing a person by their name is an important part of a relationship. b.
The meaning of the name – Name often carry a meaning.
1
i. Names in the Bible were even more important and given with careful meaning and message. ii. Abraham was first know a Abram, but after his relationship with God grew, God changed his name to Abraham iii. Jacob changed to Israel iv. Peter’s name was Simon, but Jesus changed it to Peter, the rock v. Paul was call Saul, but after he became a believer and started his ministry, it was changed to Paul c.
When Moses asked God for His name, God said “Tell them I AM sent you”, the Eternal God, the Almighty God. That separated Him from any other God Moses and the people from Egypt had ever known. i. And this God announced a desire for a relationship with mankind. “I have seen you suffering and heard your call for help.” ii. The command adds an important phrase, “You shall not use the name of the LORD your God, in vain.”
2. THE MISUSE OF A NAME This commandment also has the meaning and is sometimes translated, “do not “misuse” the name of the LORD your God.” a.
Stolen identity i. We know about stolen identity, when someone uses your name to carry out dishonest activity, they are not your friends who are honoured to use your name. ii. There is also the “name droppers” who try to build their reputation on your name to get what they want. iii. Jesus said, “Many will say to me in that day LORD, LORD.” But Jesus will say, “I never knew you.” Matt 7:22
b.
Smearing the character – a misuse of God’s name i. We have a huge problem in the world today about people’s understanding of Christianity. They assume that everything from the west is Christian. Even in our country, people have rejected Christianity because of a wrong impression of what that means. ii. ILL. Alexander the Great felt sympathy for a young soldier who had fled the war, until he asked the boy for his name. When he said it was Alexander, the Emperor flew into a rage and said, “Change your behaviour or change your name.”
3. THE BLESSING OF GOD’S NAME There are many, many references in the Bible to the phrase, “the name of the Lord” or similar phrases. a.
The power of God’s name i. Prov 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
2
ii. Isa 50:10 Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD iii. In the Old Testament and in the New, the God declares : Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; Joel 2:32 iv. Jer 3:17 At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the LORD, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the LORD. v. Matt 21:9 The people shouted as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” vi. Col 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, vii. James 5:14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. viii. Phil 2:9 – 11 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ix. That is why we are commanded not to take the Lord’s name in vain or to misuse the name of the LORD your God. b.
The gift of God’s name i. God gives His name to you – ii. Isa 56: 5 to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off. [6] And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, iii. You are my sons, my daughter – bear My Name iv. Carry my name with honour v. Know my name and the power of my name
4. LIVINING IN HONOUR OF GOD’S NAME a. This is a God who wants a close relationship with you, who gives you His name. It is a name worth honouring. b. As you live life, be aware of who you are – the honour of who you are c. Let His name shape the way you live. d. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain. e. Our Scripture reading tells us why God’s Name is so worthy Psalm 113:1 Praise the LORD. Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. [2] Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore. [3] From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised. [4] The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. [5] Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, [6] who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?
3
[7] He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; [8] he seats them with princes, with the princes of their people. [9] He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD.
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