Commandment #3  Do Not Take the Name of the Lord in Vain

Exodus 20:7

Notes:

1.  Names are important.  They identify.

a.  We have many names and identities, some more important than others. But for each one, we stand for something, like the flag stands for or represents a country.

1.  Americans, women/men, etc.

2.  When someone involves in Boy Scouts does either something terrible or something wonderful, the press includes in the report that he was a Boy Scout, especially if he was an Eagle Scout or a Scout leader.

3.  When a prominent Christian falls, the first thing mentioned is that he/she is a Christian.  

                2.  In vain, misuse, take lightly, as if not important or consequence. To take God's name lightly or misuse it, means we take Him lightly, consider Him of no consequence because His name represents Him.

Consider The Name of the Lord:

1. Weeks long Bible studies just on the more than 3 dozen names of the Lord, including the names for The Triune God and each of the persons of the Godhead.  Cannot do it justice in an hour.

2. Focus: YHWH

a.  Unpronounceable. No vowels.

b.  Devout Jews refer to Him as "Ha Shem", "The Name".

c.  I AM That I AM

1. Always in the present tense, Eternal presence

2. Sovereign.  Self-existent.

3.  JN 8:57 "You are not yet fifty years old," the Jews said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!"

           JN 8:58 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

           3."The Name of the Lord"

           a.  99 times in the Bible

           b.  The NAME of the Lord is

           1.  Job 1:23  Blessed

           2.  Ps. 8:1  Majestic

           3.  Ps. 72:17 Endures forever

           4. Pr. 18:10-11 A strong tower

           5. Ps. 113:3 To be praised

           6.  Is. 57:15 Holy

           7. Ex. 34:14 Jealous

           8. Ps. 75.1 Near

           9. Is. 12:14