January 20, 2008

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 Scripture KJV

Reverend David S. Huffer

Westwood Baptist Church - 2124 Davis Road
 Waynesboro, VA

Ten Commandments #3

Exodus 20:7

No topic has been more misunderstood among Christians than the Law of Moses and its application to the NT believer today.

Beginning with Exodus 19 and continuing to the Cross of Christ (Col. 2:14), the people were under the Mosaic system.

• This is called the “Law of Moses,” “the Law,” and sometimes “the Law of God.”

For the sake of convenience, we often speak of:

•  “the Moral law” (referring to the Ten Commandments);
• “the Ceremonial Law” (relating to the types and symbols found in the sacrificial system),
•  “the Civil Law” (meaning the everyday laws that governed the lives of the people)

DEAR FRIEND – God did not give the Law to save anybody, because it is impossible to be saved by the keeping of the Law.

Galatians 3:11 – “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith.”

 Romans 3:20 – “Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

God gave the Law to Israel:

1.            To reveal His glory and holiness

2.           To Reveal man’s sinfulness

3.           To mark Israel as His chosen people, and to separate them from the other nations

4.           To give Israel a standard for godly living so that they might inherit the land and enjoy its blessings

5.           To prepare Israel for the coming of Christ

6.           To illustrate in type and ceremony the Person and work of Christ

DEAR FRIEND – It is important to note what the Law cannot do. It cannot accomplish these things:

1.            Make anything perfect (Heb. 7:11-19; 10:1-2)

2.           Justify from sin (Acts 13:38-39; Rom. 3:20-28)

3.           Give righteousness (Gal. 2:21)

4.           Give peace to the heart (Heb. 9:9)

5.           Give life (Gal. 3:21)

All of the O.T Law is an amplification and application of the Ten Commandments.

·           Nine of the Ten Commandments are repeated in the N.T. and are important principles for today

This morning we want to focus on commandment #3.READ Ex. 20:7

THE DESCRIPTION OF GOD’S NAME

A. It Describes The Character Of God

1.            The Hebrew name of God here in Exodus 20:7 is Elohim

·           Which means – God is the faithful One

·           He is the Strong One

Psalm 111:9 – “He sent redemption unto His people: He hath commanded His covenant for ever: Holy and reverend is His name.”

Psalm 8:9 – “O LORD our LORD, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth.”

Proverbs 18:10 – “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it.”

B. It Describes The Nature Of God

1.            When Moses asked God who he should say had sent him to deliver the nation of Israel.

·         God said “… Thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” (cf. Exodus 3:13-14 )

2.           The Hebrew name for God here is Jehovah – which comes from three Hebrew words:

·           “Yehhi” = future tense – He will be

·           “Hovi” = present tense – being or He that is

·           “hahyAH” = past tense; He was

3.           The beasts of Revelation 4:8 – “…holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, which is, and which is to come.”

C. There Are Over Three Hundred Names For God In The Bible

·           And each describes Who He is to us

THE DESECRATION OF HIS NAME

A. Through Profanity

Ten reasons I swear:

1.            It pleases my mother so much

2.           It is a fine mark of manliness

3.           It proves that I have self-control

4.           It indicates how clearly my mind operates

1.            It makes my conversation so pleasing to everybody.

2.           It leaves no doubt in anyone’s mind as to my good breeding

3.           It impresses people that I have more than an ordinary education

4.           It is an unmistakable sign of culture and refinement

5.           It makes me a very desirable personality among women and children and respectable society

6.           It is my way of honoring God who said: “Thou shalt not take my name in vain.”

Common Understanding Of Profanity

1.            Crude language in reference to body parts or bodily functions

2.           “Go to hell …”

3.           “Freakin” has replaced the other “F” word but means the same thing

DEAR FRIEND – These and many more are considered profane because of there crudeness.

·         One of the most profane is when the name of the Almighty God is used in a profane manner

·         God’s last name is not “DAMN”

·         Those who use profanity reveal an inner sickness within themselves

Matthew 12:34b – “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

B. Through Dishonesty

1.            The warnings in Scriptures concerning oaths and swearing have to do with attaching God’s holy name to false statements.

Leviticus 19:12 – “And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.”

2.           People say:

·         “As God is my witness”

·         “I swear to God this is the truth”

·         “So help me God”

FRIENDS – It wasn’t swearing by God’s name that was the problem – it was swearing falsely!

Deuteronomy 10:20 – “Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.”

C. Through Insincerity

1.            Using His Name When We Don’t Mean What We Say

Matthew 7:22-23 - "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”

2.           He warned about our prayers

·         When we pray instead of praying prayers -  we desecrate His name

Matthew 6:7 - "And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.”

DEAR FRIENDS – When we sing “O how I love Jesus” but we really don’t – OR – “I surrender ALL” but we really won’t.

CLOSE

THE DECLARATION OF HIS NAME

Matthew 1:21 - “And she shall bring forth a Son, and Thou shall call His Name Jesus: For He shall save His people from their sins.”

Acts 4:12 – “Neither is there salvation in any other: For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Romans 10:13 – “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Will you come today and declare the name of Jesus?

·         If you have never been saved – Come today.

Colossians 3:17 – “And whatsoever Ye do in word and deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.”

LEAVE WITH THIS QUESTION CHRISTIAN:

Are you declaring His name through what you say and do each moment of every day?

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