Series : The Ten Commandments : Road Map to a Great Life
Topic : Turn Profanity into Praise (3rd Commandment)
Speaker : SP Vincent Lun
[ note : words in italics are my intepretation of the speaker's elaboration ]
Exodus 20:7
Names are Importatnt ( Proverbs 22:1 )
THE NAME OF GOD
1. The God who revealed His name to us ( Hebrews 1:1-3 )
- For us to know God
- Made God vulnerable to the misuse of His name
2. The name of the Lord our God ( Exodus 3:13-14 )
YHWH(ancient script had no vowels) is a form of “I Am” - Translated in most English bibles as “The Lord”
- two possible pronounciations : Yehowah (a.k.a Jehovah, possibly) and Yahweh (more likely to be so)
3. The Grand Positive : Hallowed be Your Name
Hebrew word of “misuse” or “in vain” = to empty, to ruin, to make a hollow sound, to pervert
Jesus stated it so well in Mathew 6:8 “Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name”
4. Why should God’s name be honoured and reverenced?
a) Because He is good
- “God is good” : mentioned at least 700 times in the bible
- Exodus 34:6
b) Because He is powerful
c) Because He is perfect and just
HOW TO TURN PROFANITY INTO PRAISE
1. By using God’s name reverently
- Never leverage things to your favor using God’s name in vain
ie : using it to make others feel guilty
2. By testifying to God’s goodness
- King David’s Testimony ( Psalm 66:16 )
3. By worshipping God correctly
- Leviticus 26:2
- Dress decently for God (especially in His House)
- Worship with songs and prayer, praises unto God
- Have the Zeal and Passion for His Name
4. By our exemplary life
- Titus 1:16
- Christians = “Little Christ”
- We bear the name of God, therefore we have to be consistent in our words and deeds to honor His Name