10 Commandments #3: Taking God Seriously Series

TAKING GOD SERIOUSLY

Ten Commandments That Build Strong Families - Part 3

Exodus 20:7

We're in part three on THE Ten Commandments that Build Strong Families. The third

commandment can be summarize in one sentence: God says, "Take (ME) and My name

seriously".

What's in a name? God says there's a lot in a name when it's His name. In the third command in

Exodus 20:7 He says, "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God."

Why is God so sensitive about His name? God says that your name represents three things: your

reputation, your character, and your authority.

It represents your reputation. When somebody has a good reputation they say "He's got a good

name." When he's got a bad reputation, "He's got a bad name."

If I said Donald Trump, how do you respond to that name? What does his name say about his

reputation, his character and his authority?

If I say Billy Graham, how do you respond to that name? What does his name say about his

reputation, his character and his authority?

A name represents your character. What you are cannot be separated from what your name is

once it's identified together. In the Bible they would often name children after certain character

qualities like Honest, Justice ... so that it would represent their character. Many times in the

Bible when somebody changed their character, their life was changed, God gave them a new

name. Abram became Abraham, Jacob became Israel, Simon became Peter. God would change

their names because He said it represents your new character.

Your name represents authority. When a police stops you he says, "Stop in the name of the

law." Why? Because there is authority behind that name.

If you received a call from a John Doe you might tell him call back later. But if his name were

Charles Stanley, Billy Graham, or Mother Theresa (if they were still alive) you would probably

take the call right there. Names represent authority.

We sing a song called “SAY THE NAME”

The words say:

Say the name of Jesus

Say the name so precious

No other name I Know

That can calm your fears and dry your tears and

wipe away your pain

When you don't know what else to pray

When you can't find the words to say

Say the name

God want us to take his name seriously?

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

God promises blessing when you use His name correctly. "If you honor and reverence My name I

will bless you with success, with prosperity, with health, with peace of mind, with good

relationships" and on and on. God says take his name seriously.

1. REVERENCE GOD'S NAME CONTINUALLY

Treat it with the utmost respect. Use it carefully. Use it lovingly. Use it as an act of worship.

Don't just let it slip out flippantly. When you say "God", mean it in your heart.

Ps. 29:2 "Give to the Lord the glory due His name." Honor God's name.

Father is one of God’s favorite names. While on earth, Jesus called God “Father” over two

hundred times. In his first recorded words Jesus explained, “Didn’t you know that I must be in

my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). In his final triumphant prayer he proclaims, “Father, I give you

my life” (Luke 23:46). In the Gospel of John alone, Jesus repeats this name 156 times. God loves

to be called Father. After all, didn’t Jesus teach us to begin our prayer with the phrase, “Our

Abba”?

Abba was an everyday word. It was a homely family-word. The equivalent would be Poppa,

Daddy or Dad. It is right for you to call God your Creator, indeed He is. You speak truth when

you call Him your Master, indeed he is. It is appropriate for you to call Him your King, Lord and

Sovereign God. But if you want to touch his heart, call him by the name he loves to hear. Call

Him Abba. Call him your Father.

A pastor tells the time he spent several days in the old city of Jerusalem. He says one afternoon,

while in a crowd he heard the voice of a small child. “Abba!, Abba!” He turned and looked.

There was a young girl, perhaps four or five years of age. She had become separated from her

family. As the people were rushing pass, she stopped and got afraid. “Abba! Abba!”

From out of nowhere, her father appeared. By looking at his hair and clothing, I knew, he was a

Hasidic Jew. When he heard his daughter cry Abba!, he had realized that she was separated from

the family. I watched closely; I wanted to see what an abba would do.

He hurried over to her. Nothing was going to stop him from reaching his daughter. He