Honoring God’s Name
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 2/7/2016 AM |
Text: | Leviticus 24; Lord's Day 36 |
Psalters: | 415, 2, 294, 206 |
- His holy name.
- God’s “name” is His revelation of Himself to man.
- It is God Himself as He reveals Himself, which is to be loved and honored as we would Him: Ps. 5:11; 7:17; 116:13).
- The tabernacle and temple were where God’s name is: Deut. 16:2; I Kings 5:5).
- Jesus is God's best revelation, graciously saving a people from sin.
- Through His Name (revelations) God shows Himself so that man is able to know Him.
- God’s “name” is His revelation of Himself to man.
- The use of God’s names.
- Obviously are we to handle God's names with awe and praise befitting His awesome holiness, greatness and majesty!
- We are forbidden using His name in “vain,” i.e., emptying of the name of honor.
- It is any use of God’s name which makes Him common and obliterates the distinction between God and man.
- Any neglect or casual use of God's name is prohibited because it lowers our sensitivity to His tremendous worthiness.
- Profanity is to use God's name with total disregard to the honor and holiness due to Him.
- Also all thoughtless use of His name in prayers (vain repetitions) and any inappropriate use of His Word.
- Instead we are to use God's name with great reverence, honoring Him.
- God adds incentive to this commandment: “not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.”
- The penalty is nothing less than death (Leviticus 24:15).
- Let this lead us to great care to use His name with fear and reverence.