Sermon Text
(January 7,2007)
The Vanity of Profanity
Exo 20:7
Have you ever heard this expression, "It’s enough to make a preacher cuss." It reminds me of story about little boy trying to sell a lawn mower. The local pastor walked up, the boy persuaded him to buy the worn out lawn mower. The pastor pulled on the rope several times to make sure the mower would start, but nothing happen. Not even a spit or a sputter. The boy told the preacher that he would have to kick the mower and say a few cuss words before the mower would crank. The preacher said, "Son, I can’t do that. It’s been years since I said a cuss word." The little boy replied, "Just keep pulling and it will come back to you."
We take so many things for granted in this world. One of the more common neglect's in our society is word’s. They spew out of our mouth often without a thought of what they mean or especially what they will do to whoever hears them! God does not take any of your word’s for granted….
Matt 12:37 "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
That leads us to our 3rd Commandment, first lets review:
#1. You shall have no other god’s before me. (He is God alone)
#2. You shall not make for yourself any graven images.
#3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Every time God says “You shall not…” He is simply saying, “Don’t Hurt yourself” When the commandments are explained, we find that there is a very powerful & POSITIVE ACTION that is the reciprocal of the negative.
You shall have no other God’s…. You shall Have the one and true God.
You shall not make graven images, You will see God as HE reveals….
You shall not take His name in Vain…. You shall cherish the name.
Most often, when your away from Church people, you hear God’s name used as a cuss word. When you hear God’s name in scripture it most often includes Jehovah.One of the names God most often used to describe Himself. It means literally, “The LORD” or “THE REVEALING ONE”
God wants you & all mankind to know Him, so He shows you Himself The first name we have in Scripture for God is in Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning God” translated from the Hebrew “ELOHIM” (el-o-heem)It means God who creates, or literally, “ALMIGHTY, complete” total power
How does that translate into our daily life?
I Samuel 17 tells the story of a handsome but ruddy young boy who is going to see his brothers and comes face to face with a giant (relatives?)
Anything can be a giant! Goliath, is close to 10 ft tall, his armour weighs 126lbs, as much as David (likely), the head of his spear is 15lbs.
David has 5 smooth stones & a leather sling. That was not the battle plan
1Sam 17:45 Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
THERE IS POWER IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!
John 14:14 "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. 15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments.
Col 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
We are to do everything, in the Power and the Name of Jesus. Do your work in His Name, Do your homework in His Name.
Raise your Children in His Name, Participate in Church, in His Name.Sing your Praise in His Name, Make your complaints in His Name
THERE IS PROTECTION IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.
Prov 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
THERE IS PROVISION IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. Joh 16:23-24 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.24 "Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
THERE IS PRAISE IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.
Psalm 8:1 O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who set Your glory above the heavens!
Psalm 34:3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, & let us exalt His name together.
What’s in a NAME? Names mean something….
Albert = Man of Honor Barbra = Coming with Joy
Betty = Consecrated to God Don = Over-comer
Gary = Man of Loyalty Laura = Victorious Spirit
There is a lot in the name of the LORD.
Jehovah-Jireh = Lord who meets needs
-Nissi = banner over us -Tsidkenu = Lord of our righteousness
-Rohi = Lord my shepherd
With that in Mind, consider Let’s 2 things when teaching the 3rd command.
1. We must not take God’s name in Vanity.
2. We must learn to take His Name in Victory.
I. How NOT to take the Name of the Lord “in vain”.
A. Learn what “in vain” means?
1. The Hebrew Word means meaningless, empty of content.
2. Can you imagine anything more out of touch with God than emptiness
3. Everything about God is Love, Power, Protection, Relationship.
B. Learn to never use profanity.
1. Adrian Rogers “One of the most ignorant things a person could ever do is profane the name of God. When you use God’s name in
profanity, it shows 2 things: and empty head and a wicked heart. You see, profanity reveals a feeble mind trying to express itself. But it also reveals a widked heart truly expressing itself.”
Matt 12:34 “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”
2. Using God’s name for profanity.
profane 4) showing disrespect or contempt for sacred things; irreverent
-faned, 1) to treat (sacred things) with irreverence or contempt; desecrate
When someone speaks God’s name in profanity it in contempt God does not Damn things indiscriminately, nor is the name of Jesus
fit for some disdain or disgust.
3. Using God’s name for profanity is an insult in the face of GOD.
How can we damn someone with the name of God, when GOD gave Jesus to suffer in agony and shed His blood to save that very person.
4.PASTOR, we got that down, no one in our house uses God’s name bad
DO YOU ALLOW SECOND HAND SWEARING? (personal conviction) darn, dang, gosh, Jeez??
Pastor these are just euphemisms, substitutes….Yes they are, Gosh, a substitute for “GOD” Jeez = Jesus; darn = dam
Paul Anderson was the Olympic Gold Medalist in 1956 in weightlifting. Held many Guinness Book of Word Records—lifting more than 3 tons
One day in the Airport he heard a man use the name of Jesus Christ in Anger, he came behind the man and wrapped his arms around him
and lifted him high in the air and asked, “Where is He? Jesus is a friend of Mine? When Paul put him down, he recognized the Gold Medalist and said “Oh, My God your him” To which Paul replied, “Where’s God, He’s my friend”
Do you think that Guy learned to watch his tongue?
C. This 3rd commandment is not all about swearing. You can take God’s name in vain by careless or lightly using God’s name.
Eph 5:4 tells us to put away “foolish talking and course jesting”
1. What does Paul mean by foolish talk and course jesting?
a) little things, flippant remarks, often without meaning including God.
“God will get you for that!” “God bless your little heart”
b) If you mean it, and it’s right, good deal.
c) a careless joke putting God in a bad light, IS WRONG!
There’s one more warning:
D. Hypocrisy, when you say one thing and do another. Teenagers, spot it quickly, the little ones even faster.
It shows a life of VANITY, empty words, often for your convenience
1. What about professing the name of Jesus, that you’re Christian
AND you complain about serving & sacrifice, then He’s not Lord…..
Are you calling on Jesus as the Fire Insurance Agent?
2. If your going to claim to follow God, then live for HIM alone.
You can’t serve two God’s, The God of creation, and yourself…..
3. The only thing claiming and not living does is bring judgment.
Exod 20:7 "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.
Matt 12:37 "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
II. How to Take His name in VICTORY? Col. 3:17
What is the last name given to God in the Bible?
JESUS His name means “Jehovah Saves”
3 Simple things to Honor and take His name in VICTORY
1. WEAR the Name of Jesus.
If you call yourself “Christian” then take the name and bring it honor.
POEM: THE NAME
2 Tim 2:19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
Like we would remind our Children, remember who you are and whose you are, You belong to Jesus, your not your own. You were bought with a price.
2. SHARE the Name of Jesus
God is pleased when you think about His name.
Mal 3:16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name.
They spoke to one another about the LORD.
· What have you said about Him lately, that is sharing, and true?
· When we come together we’re to encourage & exhort. Heb 10:25
· Exalt the name of the Lord.
3. BEAR the Name of Jesus.
Recognize it won’t be easy. Jesus name is hated more than any other. It’s hard to believe, hard to serve, and change our lives to fit His Name.
Acts 5:40-42 It may be worse than not easy, it may be painful, costly...
Illustrate:George Beverly Shea
George Beverly Shea was at an Air Force Base attending a celebration. When a man came and asked him if he would be willing to sing?
George Beverly Shea said “I’d be happy too!” Could you sing, “How Great Thou Art’? He asked further.George Beverly Shea said “That will be
fine!” Then a final quiet request, “You know, we have some people here today who are not Christians. Could you just leave out that verse that
says “God His Son Not sparing”?His response was quick and sure:“Oh, no, I couldn’t leave that out. That would be to deny my Lord,. It’s alright.I
just won’t sing” What’s your response, been? What will it BE? The man replied, “Oh, well, it’s all right. You can sing about Jesus.” AND HE
DID… AGAIN….
How do you hold the name of Jesus?
Phil 2:9-11 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Invitation: 282 Living for Jesus.