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…
2. Using God's Name to INDULGE.
Indulgence is when we excuse ourselves and we blame God.
We say things like…
"God didn't want me to clean up the living room today."
"I didn't feel led to get out of bed."
God gets blamed for so much.
"God didn't want me to honor that commitment."
"God wants me to do this or that.”
"I've prayed about it."
“God wants me to go to a different church.”
God does speak and He does guide us if we are open.
But people often use God as a cover to indulge themselves.
Confession: Krispy Kreme
If God wants us to go, the red light will be on.
After driving around the block for a couple of hours,
sure enough, the light comes on, and we go in! ?
That’s indulgence.
I am trying to convince myself, and my wife, that He wants me to go in, even if the light is off.
I don’t have peace about that…yet.
3. Using God’s Name to INTIMIDATE.
Some people are pros at this.
They say things like…
"God told me what you should do."
"God told me what's wrong with you."
"God told me you would loan me the money."
Dishonest TV evangelists do this all the time. "God said, if you don't send in $1,000 we're going to pull the plug."
I used to wonder how they could keep saying that every week for years on end. Just go ahead and pull the plug and stop intimidating people.
Of all people, I think pastors have to be extremely careful about misusing God’s name like this.
Parents can also fall into this temptation.
.
You're frustrated. You've tried everything and nothing seems to be working. From restrictions, to withholding the allowance, to other forms of discipline.
Nothing seems to be working.
There is no progress.
So, what do you do?
Finally, you pull out the big stick and say, "God is going to get you! God is not pleased with you. You really disappointed Him this time".
You have to be very careful about using God’s name to intimidate.
4. Using God’s Name to IMPRESS.
Insecure believers do this a lot.
They often try to prove how spiritual they are by their jargon.
They constantly bombard you with a continuous stream of religious phrases and spiritual clichés.
These people must feel like the more they use the Name Jesus in a sentence then the more spiritual they must be.
"Bless God, that was a great sermon, Hallelujah, Glory to God, thank you Jesus..."
I don’t know about you, but I am not impressed by words.
I am impressed by a lifestyle.
Be careful about trying to turn God’s Name into a cliché.
Titus 1:16a (NIV)
16a They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him.
In some ways, we are taking God's name in vain, we are not taking His Name seriously, when we claim to be committed to Him and we call ourselves Christian, but we don't back up or words with our lifestyle.
Another way we misuse God’s Name.
5. Using God's Name as an IMPULSE.
There is an expression that is so commonplace in today’s culture that few people give it much thought. It is a very common figure of speech. You hear it every day.
I cringe every time I hear it.
But in light of commandment #3, I want you to think about a statement.
“Oh, my God!”
Is that not taking God’s name in vain when you use God's name as an expression of fear, anger, joy, amazement, or surprise?
Please don’t check out on me. I want to invite you to give this the careful consideration it deserves.
Can we say honestly that this kind of language is God-honoring, that it shows the proper respect, or that it is consistent with commandment #3?
“Oh my God! I got the job!"
“Oh my God, she is pregnant again!”
Instead of saying, Wow!, we use God’s Name as an exclamation point.
I know some people might think this sounds extreme.
Very few people talk about it.
But that is taking God’s Name in vain.
God’s Names should be spoken reverently.
We should take His Name seriously.
Don't speak His name flippantly or with disrespect.
Don't use God Name as a cliché, filler, or a figure of speech.
Be careful about speaking His Name without even thinking.
Unfortunately, we have heard expressions like this so often, we have become accustomed to it. We have been desensitized.
I find it hard to believe that God has been desensitized to people taking His name in vain.
I suspect most Christians are still uncomfortable when they hear someone take the name of Jesus Christ in vain.
Misusing the Name of Jesus is still not as common as misusing the name of God.
We need to be aware of commandment #3.
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.
This is not something to be taken lightly.
Whenever anything is done frequently and accepted broadly in culture, we must be careful to guard against becoming comfortable which can lead to a tendency to downplay or ignore inappropriate behavior.
Alexander Pope once said…
“Vice is a monster of so frightful mien
As to be hated needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.”
Leviticus 24 says that a person caught taking God's name in vain was to be stoned. It was a capital offense!
God wants us to know that this is serious business.
When you misuse or disrespect God's name,
you are offending the Creator of the Universe.
God wants His Name to be treated with respect.
He has promised blessings to those who respect and honor His Name.
Ways to use God's Name correctly:
1) Reverence God's name CONTINUALLY.
Use His Name carefully.
Use it lovingly.
Use God’s Name as an act of worship.
Psalm 29:2 (NIV)
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
I am concerned that Christian people are far too comfortable with hearing God’s Name being drug through the mud.
Shouldn’t Christians be offended whenever God’s Name is spoken in vain?
The problem is, we have been desensitized to what is going on. But God takes this matter seriously and so should we.
I have heard people say, "It doesn't bother me.
I hear it all the time. You should work where I work.
You live in a bubble, preacher. It is no big deal."
Don’t kid yourself. It is a big deal.
It bothers God and it should bother us to hear it and we should never do it ourselves.
Some might ask, what does this have to do with building strong families?
We’ll, we’re applying ten foundational principles to the family.
One of the number one places we need to work on our mouths is at home.
More unkind things are said at home than anywhere else.
Verbal abuse is rampant in families today causing irreparable damage to relationships.
I would challenge you to work on this in your home.
Make sure yours is a home where God’s Name is honored and respected.
Make sure the Name of Jesus is always spoken in reverence in your home.
Blessings are promised to those who reverence God’s Name.
Psalm 61:5 (TLB)
5 For you have heard my vows, O God, to praise you every day, and you have given me the blessings you reserve for those who reverence your name.
Reverence God’s Name continually.
2) Represent God's name CLEARLY.
2 Timothy 2:19 (TLB)
19 But God’s truth stands firm like a great rock, and nothing can shake it. It is a foundation stone with these words written on it: "The Lord knows those who are really his," and "A person who calls himself a Christian should not be doing things that are wrong."
One of the ways we misuse the name of God is by our lifestyle.
If you call yourself a Christian\believer act like one.
If you're going to call yourself a Christian don't drag Christ's name through the mud by your lifestyle.
Your walk needs to match your talk…even on social media.
As a believer, please don’t ever forget the fact that you represent God wherever you are.
People are watching and evaluating the things you say and do. They want to see if you're different, and if so, how?
What is there about your life to cause others to want to know more about being a Christian?
As Christians, we need to guard our mouth.
We need to guard our actions.
We need to be very careful how we speak.
We need to be careful how we live.
Another way to use God's Name correctly…
3) Rely on God's Name COMPLETELY.
Psalm 33:21 (TLB)
21 No wonder we are happy in the Lord! For we are trusting him. We trust his holy name.
God’s Name is so important.
Jesus said, "If you ask anything in My name I will do it."
Part of the reason we pray in Jesus’ Name is because we don't have any right to come to God on our own.
God is perfect and holy and we are not.
Only a perfect person can come into His presence.
On my own I don’t have any right to come to God.
But through Christ I can! Jesus is the One who can bridge the gap between sinful man and a holy God.
Praying in Jesus’ Name reminds us why we have the privilege and benefit of being able to pray in the first place.
One of these days, we will all stand before God and give an account for the life we lived while here on this earth.
Matthew 12:36 (TLB)
36 And I tell you this, that you must give account on Judgment Day for every idle word you speak.
That’s not good news for most of us.
The good news is you can be found “not guilty” on Judgement Day. The way you do that is by trusting in the name of Jesus Christ.
I have been telling you names are important.
Well check this out…
Acts 4:12 (NIV)
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
The Name of Jesus Christ is the most important Name you will ever hear or know.
The Name of Jesus is how you avoid condemnation on the day of judgment.
John 20:31 (NIV)
31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
You can pass from death to life, from judgement to forgiveness all because of Jesus.
There is Power in His Name.
How many of you have had your mouth washed out with soap for saying something you shouldn’t have said?
I had my mouth washed out with soap.
I have washed out a few mouths with soap.
My kids still talk about it.
Washing our mouths with soap really doesn't work.
Do you know why?
The problem with your mouth is not your mouth.
The problem with your mouth is in your heart.
Whatever is going on inside you is what is going to come out when the pressure is on.
It's like squeezing a tube of toothpaste.
The words that I speak are simply a reflection of what is going on in my heart.
Luke 6:45 (NIV)
45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
Ultimately the only way to clean up your language is to clean up you heart. A change of heart is needed.
And only Jesus can change a heart.
Be reminded today…
We are to speak God’s Name with awe and reverence.
Maybe you picked up a bad habit in the army, or at school, or your home, or wherever, what do you do?
• Repent. Ask for His forgiveness.
• Ask for God’s help to change.
• And don’t give up.
If God has spoken to you today, and you have made a commitment to make significant changes in the way you speak, don’t freak out and quit if you slip up.
Commit to breaking that bad habit.
• Repent.
• Ask for His help.
• Don’t give up.
With God’s help, you can change.
Make sure you respect God’s Name and be sure to honor that Name that is above every name, the Name of Jesus.
CLOSING PRAYER
