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Exodus 20:7 ESV

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.”

I. The Role of the 10 Commandments in Modernity
A. The 10 Commandments are not just an ancient relic, but remain currently relevant in preventing civil chaos.
B. Lack of a moral code is a sign of devolving downward, not evolving upward.
C. Obedience to the 10 words, decalogue, or 10 Commandments are still obligatory on us all and Jesus died for our inability to keep them.

II. God’s Name is More Than a Name
A. God names Himself because no one else has the authority to name God.
B. God’s name is more than a name. It is His identity.

III. Using God’s Name Properly to Avoid Punishment
A. God does not forbid the use of His name, but the misuse.
B. Ways we are guilty of misusing God’s name:

1. Swearing: Taking oaths for instance.
2. Swearing: Using God’s name as a curse word.
3. Swindling: Attaching the name of God to things that are not of God.
4. Selling: Using the name of God almost like a mascot.
5. Superficial: Giving credit to God for the silly and shallow.

C. The misuse of God’s name is serious to God, leading to an unspecified but certain punishment.

IV. Bearing the Name of the One Who Bore Our Sin
A. Christians bear the name of Christ and have a responsibility to lift up, not shame the name of Jesus, the One who was lifted up, bearing our sin and shame.

NEXT STEPS:

1. The name of Jesus is not just to be pronounced, but possessed. (Matthew 7:21-23)
2. One day every knee will bow, and every tongue confess the name of Jesus. (Philippians 2:6-11)

Next Week: Commandments V Exodus 20:12