Family Values - Week 3 Series

Family Values

Week 3

We're in part three today of a series called Family Values.

This series is based on the Ten Commandments.

REVIEW:

Week 1 – God First

Week 2 – God Only

Today, we're going to look at the third commandment that I can summarize in one sentence with only four words:

God says, "Take My Name seriously".

In the third command in Exodus 20:7 He says,

Exodus 20:7 (NIV)

7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

The second part of that verse is why this morning’s message is so important.

We need to be aware that the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

Names are important.

Names represent REPUTATION.

You've heard people say, "He's making a name for himself."

When somebody has a good reputation we say "He's got a good name."

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

A person’s name automatically brings to mind the person’s reputation.

Consider names like; Adolph Hitler, Martin Luther King, Elvis Presley, Billy Graham.

With just the mention of a name, your mind immediately makes the connection between the name and the reputation.

Names represent CHARACTER.

It is difficult to separate your name and your character once they are identified together.

Do you remember how God would change someone’s name because there was a change in their character?

Abram/Abraham, Jacob/Israel, and Simon/Peter would all be good examples.

Names represent AUTHORITY.

When a policeman shouts, "Stop in the name of the Law!" that is different than saying, "Stop in the name of Mickey Mouse."

There is authority in a name.

If I receive a telephone call from Mike Brown during dinner,

I might send the call to voicemail and him back later.

But if I get a call from Mike Pence, I would probably go ahead and squeeze the call in right then.

Names are definitely important.

Names represent reputation, character, and authority.

When you misuse God’s Name, you're defaming His reputation, disrespecting His character, and disregarding His authority.

And yet, so many people continually misuse God’s Name.

There are many Ways people misuse God's name:

1. Using God's Name to INSULT or express IRRITATION.

This is when you use profanity or swearing to express irritation.

I heard about an old farmer who was late getting home for dinner one evening. His wife asked if the wagon had broken down.

The farmer said, "No, but on the way home I offered the minister a ride. From that point on the mules didn't understand a thing I said."

We live in a foul-mouthed nation.

Movies, books, magazines, and television are filled with profanity these days.

Warning labels sometimes point to explicit language, profanity, or adult content.

Some of the most well-known garbage mouths in our society are the comedians (the people whose purpose is to make us laugh).

I don’t know who decided profanity is funny,

but I would like to object.

CRUISE COMEDIAN – He was really funny.

We decided to go back to a second show later that night.

We found out that this was the “adult” show.

We didn’t last five minutes.

Why do people swear anyway?

A lot of it has to do with a lack of emotional control.

But the main reason people do it is try to impress others.

We had strict standards for our kids when they were growing up. Tyler – Can I say I butt at school tomorrow?

I remember Laurie’s response.

It was so much the Christian mother reply.

She said “no, you can’t say that. You shouldn’t be trying to kick someone’s butt, I mean bottom anyway.” ?

It has been said that weak people have to use strong words to try to impress others.

Anybody can swear.

Swearing takes no emotional maturity whatsoever.

It requires no intellect.

The most uneducated person you know can swear.

You could teach a three-year-old to swear.

Let’s be honest, a parrot can swear.

A couple of weeks ago, I was sitting where I could overhear coworkers small talking on the job.

Now, I may not be the most credible representative of the English language, but these guys were interjecting 2-3 cuss words into a single sentence.

It was usually the same word.

I was tempted to record them and then ask them to listen to themselves.

What they were saying made absolutely no sense.

It was grammatically incorrect.

In fact, it was just plain ignorant.

It takes maturity to discipline your speech, especially when you're angry.

It takes discipline not to swear.

By controlling your mouth, you are demonstrating maturity and self-control.

Many people use God's name to insult and express irritation.

Another way people misuse God’s name is by…