A strong family is a family that has strong relationships with one another and each person has a strong relationship with God That kind of family will prosper no matter what is happening around them in society. On the other hand, weak families, families with weak relationships between parents, between parents and children and weak relationships with God will ultimately fail. Human relationships will crumble and spiritual relationships will disintegrate.
Whether a family is strong or weak is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice. A family is strengthened when parents or any member of the family chooses to build their life and family on the solid foundation of God’s Word. God is there to help and to guide us in growing in our commitment to following his commands for us.
In this series, we are looking at God’s Top Ten, the ten commandments, as a road map for directing our relationships with one another and with God. Today my message is entitled “Respecting God.” We’re going to look at the 3rd commandment .
Exodus 20:7 (NIV) You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
To summarize the 3rd commandment in one sentence would be “Respect God’s name.” What’s so important about God’s name? Actually names are very important, your name is very important to you. A name is not just a word. A person’s name represents who that person is. A name represents a person’s reputation, character and authority.
If we say that someone has a good name, we mean that person has a good reputation, good character. We can trust them. If someone has a bad name, then we know he has a bad reputation and we can’t trust them. Slander is false statements about someone that injures their good name and reputation. So misusing God’s name is to slander Him, to defame His reputation, His character and His authority. God takes that seriously and so should we.
On the other hand those who honor God’s name, who use His name correctly, will be rewarded both in this life and in the life to come.
Revelation 11:18 (NIV) The time has come for rewarding those who reverence your name, both small and great.
So today we are going to look at ways God’s name can be misused, so we can avoid those. Then we will look at ways to use God’s name correctly, so we can build strong families on this foundational truth.
Listen to or watch my February 27, 2011 message Respecting God.