The Right Use of God's Name

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Psalm 75; Lord's Day 36
Psalters: 298, 2, 206, 14
  1. God's name.
    1. God's name is His revelation of Himself to man (Psalm 75:1; 72:19; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:13).
      1. Each of God's names and all of them together are part of His special revelation in Scripture.
      2. Through God's names we are able to know Him.
      3. Jesus is God's best revelation, graciously saving a people from sin (Acts 4:12).
    2. To take is to carry, because God has put His name on and in the elect, so we carry it (II Chron. 7:14).
      1. God's names are His gifts to mankind and they are not to be treated as common.
      2. When we live improperly, we give opportunity for God to be blasphemed (Titus 2:5b,8b,10b; Isa. 48:1,2).
  2. This commandment would have us use God's name only in awe and with the greatest honor.
    1. In vain means that we empty the name of the honor He deserves.
    2. All mis-use of God's name dishonors Him: profanity, cursing, false swearing, sorcery, rash interjections, silence.
    3. God is highly insulted when His name is misused or abused.
      1. Emphatically stated: all violators are not...guiltless.
      2. The penalty is nothing less than death (Leviticus 24:15).
  3. We must use God's name with fear and reverence, honoring Him.
    1. The reason is because God is the only good, the absolute holiness.
    2. We must render to God our worship, both publicly and privately.
    3. Our chief good and enjoyment consists in glorifying Him and our chief end is to know and praise God forever.
    4. We rightly use God's name when we thank Him.