What’s the Big Deal with God’s Name? - I

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Pastor Greg wanted to see a special word of thanks to the harvest partners who make this ministry possible next time your online check out Pastor Greg's personal blog@blog.greglaurie.com. Joe knew the Lord's name in the numeracy in the sincere frivolous what the Bible calls you taking the Lord's name in vain.

Coming up today on a new beginning. Pastor Greg Laurie underscores the third 10 Commandments. Some people only see Lindsay see I just wait, you really need the name of most high God for your burger and beer men and women under the umbrella of his divine authority and appropriate as some kind of disrespect. Dishonored the question that doesn't need to be so many dishonorable board by using his name and appropriate father God glory points out that transgression is mentioned.she talked him in the gym the other day might come as a surprise that some of you working out and that was a rare moment because there were two other guys in the gym with me and we all happen to be named Greg. This is a rare occurrence. There's not a lot of Greg's out there and so we had a great we have a Greg will agree to pellucid. That's what it was revered from the 60s. It was Greg's stop, but we laughed for a moment here were all named Greg and nobody's named Dragon maybe because of what the name Gregory means it means rotting potato.side note, doesn't it actually means watchmen, but there's a lot of the other names more popular names, email, people will think so long and hard about what to name their children. I read the other day that the top names for girls right now are Emma Olivia Eva Isabella Sophia. The top names are boys are Liam, Noah, William James and Oliver do any of you have kids of those names so these are popular names. Here's a funny thing, a new name that's popular right now is Kyla because of the popularity of Star Wars. Kyla ran, when you want to pick a good guy instead of the bad guy. I guess he somewhere in the middle is in the and I know a new thing is people like to give their children geographical names like Austin, Dakota, Zaire, Dallas sky Ridge, Brooklyn. Very popular names I'm wondering is anyone named their kid Riverside yet. That's a good is our son, Riverside. Here's a sister pedaling maybe it's not the most feminine name we color peddling and here's our our newborn San Bernardino, but his nickname is bird do, and then there are these demented parents that decide they want to torment their children with weird names that they have to live with. These are real names.

There's a Turner family. So what are they made their daughter, Paige hi page turner.

Why would you do that 30 they did that to their kid and then there's the case family. So what else are you name your son but Justin so he has to introduce himself as just in case about this. The arm family name their boy Carl so he says hi my name is Carl arm car alarm right crazy and then the bacon family that's already a pretty unusual name bacon so they named their son Chris middle initial P hi I'm crispy bacon right crazy. The Dover family named their daughter Eileen Eileen Dover really people really a lot of people use biblical names of their children. We named our son Jonathan Christopher as well.

That's a biblical name of Jonathan is in you my name your son David or Abraham or Moses or Peter or Paul or Lima daughter Mary or Sarah does a great names greatly have a Bible name, but there's some things you probably shouldn't use for your children yellow daughter. Don't name her Jezebel just puts in the Bible you have a Jezebel's evil okay and don't name your son Judas the little boy here Judas Judas middle name is scary and it's got no not a good idea never name your boy Lucifer ever there's little blue sapphire so that's a name for the devil don't use that for your child. Names matter names the finance and God cares about his name a lot, so I want to look at now the third commandment you shall not take the Lord's name in vain. I think this is one of the most misunderstood of the commandments, and it's probably one of the most easily broken commandments because it's so misunderstood one of the obvious ways is profanity.

By the way dam is not God's last name.

A lot of people will use the Lord's name.

That way to punctuate sentences.

Ironically, some people claim to be ADS will use that phrase, and even use the name of Jesus Christ a lot and I'm curious to give your an atheist and you don't believe in God. Why would you use the name Jesus cries to make a stabile debris was a Jesus Christ fire someone say that all all react to it.

I think more than any profanity that is the one that offends me.

I note offends God I'll say something like carefully. My Nancy is sometime for all you know him. Soon he's my best friend, so glad to hear you say his name, but I think in a weird way when a person uses the name Jesus Christ there acknowledging there's power in that name, but using it even if they don't really remember this about an atheist.

CS Lewis said even atheists have moments of doubt right so I think with a username there there acknowledging there's something powerful something special in that name. In other words of the kids are dumb of a hammer they don't say hiring. Why not because there is no power in Hare Krishna or they stub their toe. They don't think Bob Boda known as the Buddha is no power in the name of Buddha, but there is power in the name of Jesus Christ because it's a name above all names. Philippians 29 since God is exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus Christ every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the then every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father. So Exodus 20 verse seven says you shall not take the name of the Lord in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain power in the name salvation in that name because the Bible tells us in Romans 1013. Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be say. Listen to this. There's healing and that name the book back to read the story of Peter and another walking into the city of Jerusalem by a gate called beautiful there sits a man who is not able to walk he's begging for money.

Peter looks at him and says will somebody please paraphrase. I don't have any money but I'll tell you what I do have in the name of Jesus Christ, rise up and walk the Peter reached down and took the member they had pulled him to his feet and the men not only walk what he was leaping in the air and praising God know you hear a story like that say will that's great for back then, but I don't know that God still heals people today.

Actually he does because over in James 514 it says are any among you sick woman. They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord Jesus said in John 1413. You can ask for anything in my name and I'll do it because the work of the son brings glory to the father.

If you ask anything in my name, I'll do it now course, that's a carte blanche meaning whatever I pray for in the name of Jesus will happen because God is so loving he won't answer all my prayers in the affirmative I've ever prayed for something you realize was a really stupid thing to pray for the leaders of Lord, thanks for not answering that prayer the Lord will overrule really needs to but were commanded and encouraged Scripture to pray for these things in the name of the Lord to Greg Laurie will have the second half of his message in just a moment whatever you send a letter, email or post a comment on social media. We read every word. I am very blessed to have rediscovered Casterbridge teachings.

I used to listen to him when I was a state trooper in South Carolina years ago, about three months ago, a local station picked up harvest messages and or Pastor Greg speak for the first time in 20 years I about lost my mind. I was so excited for whatever reason. Pastor Rick is always been able to reach me and I thank the Lord in heaven. He has made it so again since then I have found harvest.org become a harvest partner and have the app on my phone so I never miss the daily devotionals or any of Casterbridge teachings. God is great and once again he showed it to me. Thank you for your inspirational messages and reminding us that God has not abdicated his throne. He is always been there is now and always will be there if your life is changed to Pastor Greg's teaching which you let them know just drop him an email at greg@harvest.org again, that's great@harvest.org will were considering the 10 Commandments today. Specifically, commandment three. Don't take the name of the Lord in vain. Pastor Greg continues now why should I not take the Lord's name in vain of the answers given in verse seven, the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. This is no idle threat. It simply a statement of fact. God is laying down and unchanging truth like the law of gravity of I step off a 30 story building.

I will fall to my death because of the law of gravity it if I take the Lord's name in vain. I will not be held guiltless but some people go out of their way to take his name in vain they go out of their way to mock God they go out of their way to insult Christians.

Maybe you're one of those people you think it's all a big joke. Careful now the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. Reminds me of the story of that boy king Belshazzar. Silly boy.

A sense of the throne assumes all that power and the first thing he does it give the command to bring in all the goblets and the dishes and the cops that were used in the worship of God by the Jewish priest and he says bring those to me now and Souther set before the king, and he filled them with wine and he gets all of his lords together and says let's toast are false gods of Babylon.

He was went out of his way to mock God.

The Bible says what they were doing this. There was a hand scene writing on the wall just to hand in a row. The words many many tackle you Farson which means you been weighed in the balances and even found lacking list paraphrase parties over your numbers up that night Belshazzar died. Why, because the Bible says don't be deceived, God is not mocked whatsoever a man sows, that will he also reap. So we don't want to take the Lord's name in vain. But how do we do this one way we do it and we may not even realize it is when we always feel we have to square to God about everything you say men, believe me. I'm telling you the truth I swear to God it's true right or you say swear on the Bible or even more.

I swear on a stack of Bibles even just stacking you have to believe me. Why would you have to ever say I swear to God it's true, probably because you're not known to be a truthful person right so Jesus in the sermon on the Mount in Matthew 537, said you've heard that the law of Moses says don't break your valves and carry out your valves to meet the Lord listen to this. He says I say to you, don't make any valves just offer a simple yes I will, or no, I won't. That should be enough.

If you need to strengthen your statement with a bow or your promise with the bow that shows something is wrong.

If you say you're going to do it do it.

Let your yes be yes and your no be no.

So let me illustrate some goes up you want to go to dinner. This is not what your favorite people, but they did offer to treat season okay sure you pick a place and then 10 minutes before it's time to meet them.

Your best friend check to K-1 to get dinner guests see go back to that other person. Sorry bro… :-) Moji I'm not can make it because something came up in the sand. Then he got out of the restaurant to meet your friend and that person you stood up, is there they are, that awkward moment. You said you would do it. You should do it. Let your yes be yes and your no be no. When you commit to do a job, whatever business you're in, you commit to do a job doing well.

Christians should be the hardest workers. They should have the most integrity. They should be the most honest people first. Their last off the job putting in the extra work going the extra mile.

I bring this up because I've seen Christians use their faith as an excuse for laziness and where it should doing your job are just supposed to be sweeping the floor with the Lord just like directed me to pray to the Lord might be directing me to say goodbye to you in our somebody else in your place. I don't know if you get into it, do it well.

How about marriage, we commit ourselves to that man of that woman, that's a commitment for a lifetime. And if you're not willing to make a commitment for a lifetime. Do us all a favor and stay single but I see even Christians are people that claim to be followers of Jesus peeling out of the marriage when it starts to get hard, listen, every marriage is going to get heart.

Every marriage is going to have its challenges.

Yeah, you don't understand Greg we have irreconcilable differences, every couple has irreconcilable differences with the Lord can help you sort through these things. You've made a commitment to honor your commitment and single people don't rush into marriage just don't. As Benjamin Franklin said, keep your eyes wide open before marriage and have shot afterwards, but far too often it's the opposite my eyes. I have shot you say he's my project I'm going to fix her don't go to a marriage to fix somebody hate to break this to you are probably going to get worse if you can love them as they are and you want to make them into something else you need to be sorely disappointed.

Look for a spiritual person look for a godly man look for a godly girl that's even more important than how attractive they are. That I get attractiveness and I know that were drawn each other in that way, but that spiritual commitment to Christ is so important and take your time when making that choice and then what you make it keep that commitment. Another week we take the Lord's name in vain is by not mentioning it at all. You know, maybe someone will come up to us and say men, I see that you're just such a loving husband or wife I see with your kids. I still hard you work honest you are, how compassionate you are toward people in need. I admire you so much. What's your secret you say well I tell you what I drink a glass of milk every morning, Thursday, when I do drink milk. Greg, that's not why you are that way. Give God the glory. So thank you Brett saying that the Lord send this to my life right I wasn't always this way. But Jesus Christ came into my life and she's me I'm not perfect but if you see something like that in my life that you admire. That's the Lord you can take the Lord's name in vain. By not bringing his name up at all. The phrase in vain means it's empty, idle, insincere or frivolous. Don't use the Lord's name in an empty, idle, insincere or frivolous way some people will say the Lord's name over and over without any awareness that there saying it like the say hey I don't I just walking on the street, praise Lord, and then I got a burger praise Lord that I was just thinking about you. Praise the Lord that I went into business to stop. Stop. Stop saying that so much little wounding the Breslau run with Weber's okay. I'm glad you're praising the Lord what are you are you really praising him.

Are you thinking of the Lord God when you're saying that or is that just like empty cliché, you're doing it in in idle insincere manner. Another way we can take the Lord's name and dream.

I just think, oh my God all the time. It's a default expression only God, oh my God, you take OMG OMG OMG I just had the most amazing burner OMG get away with way do we have to dreadnought under this I mean you really mean to invoke the name of the most high God for your burger right so that's an empty way that sort of a frivolous way. Don't use the Lord's name in a frivolous way. Now something happens you hear bad news or something else to think all my God that's different than calling out to God, but some people just punctuate sentences with all my gutter OMG another way that we do this is by using God's name for personal gain. You know, people start businesses and they want people to know their Christians. This is my gardening services called God's gardening surface. Okay okay are you any good when it's gone yeah but are you good to do good work.

You just use the name of the Lord to get business. I use this name. I hope you back it up. Christian carpet cleaners will I don't want my carpet cleaned by nonbelievers ever. Only a Christian should be a highly great do good work. Beyond this, and sometimes you will use it the name of the Lord to get a sale. I number of years ago was again at some truck somewhere in the car salesman was cussing up a blue streak. I mean lots of profanity and then he says to me, so tell me what you do for a living. Greg Cinema pastor and then he literally said, praise the Lord, go please this time I like to better the old way, please. You're just being what you were now European fate hallelujah will you Lord spoke to me through my devotions today make a sale to the just don't use God's name. Don't use it in insincere or frivolous way for Greg Laurie is showing us the practical application of the third commandment today on a new beginning were in a series within the series sub series called 10 within our larger collection of messages on the life of Moses.

If you missed any part of pastor Greg's insight today you can catch up by listening online@harvest.org just look for the title. What's the big deal with God's name or to get a CD copy. Call 1-800-821-3300.

That's 1-800-821-3300 and were so excited to make available a gripping book called beyond valor, a World War II story of extraordinary heroism, sacrificial love in a race against time.

It's about prior friend John Irwin writes of the actions of his own grandfather, a routine mission to Coram, Japan, a bomb erupted in his face and go into the media guy grandfather that split second self or try to save the lives of his answer that call.

And the choice that make I would define his life and generations of lives and will be the fastest presentation of the Congressional know of in our nations history. The medal of honor really is synonymous with heroism, but people think of the different ways what John would be your definition of a hero. Well, I mean we are so many we have so many heroes amongst us, I mean ultimately I think heroes are those that that have the courage in the character to choose others above themselves and in moments of extreme pressure, it's a moment of self-sacrifice. It's a moment of know as Jesus said, there is no greater love than the one that would lay his life down for his friends and all of these acts there there driven by love. They are extreme acts of love is what I found and so I think that there extreme acts of love anywhere.

I love the definition of of the medal of honor in terms of of of heroism because it applies to us all.

It's it's a biblical concept, it's to go above and beyond what is required of you go further, do more. As Jesus said if someone asked you to walk a mile go to and in the idea that our nation and our faith compels us to to go beyond and that and that should be one of the marks of a Christian and is a mark of a hero is to do more than is required of them and you don't have to be. You know, the soldiers do that there there can be heroes amongst us anywhere and again I just think that it's such a statement in the sort of self-serving, narcissistic generation that I that I grew up and honestly and in my children growing up and and and and just to see that heroism is to to stupid things that are more important.

Above yourself, to serve a purpose and a cause greater than yourself and to put the needs and lives of others ahead of yourself and serve that that's something that I think we all need to be reminded of you know and that's one of the virtues that that make us American attorney that we shouldn't forget, and I was thinking the how your grandfather was humbling the didn't think of himself as a Carol and I thought of Micah 68 were the Lord says he is shown you will man what is good and what the Lord requires of you to do justly, to love mercy and walk humbly with your God and you know what is God really wanted to do. He he wants us to do justly, to do the right thing to love mercy and walk in humility and you know true hero won't go around and tell everyone there hero. They'll just do what they do and then the move on with their life and live their life in and give credit to others and and I think that even that is another mark of true character and true heroism that you're not, you know, shouting it from the rooftops, but you're just a doer it's done shown by action, not just by words yeah and so if you're moved by this story and I'm sure you are of a John Irwin's grandfather, Henry Irwin known as red because he had a thick mane of red hair read this amazing story. The book is called beyond valor. It's a story of a true American hero, but also it's a story of a man. He was motivated by his faith in the last thing he said to his grandson, or at least the last thing his grandson John remembered and their conversation was.

He quoted Jesus in John 14 63 said I am the way, the truth and the life and no man comes of the father but by me.

Because of the sacrifice of Henry Irwin.

Many people are alive today and so this is a story you need to hear and it will inspire you and encourage you as well yeah that's absolutely right, and it's a privilege to be able to make this book available to you and it's a privilege to be able to make pastor Greg's studies available to you each day as well if you can invest so these programs can continue would like to send you the new book beyond valor.

The subtitle is a World War II story of extraordinary heroism, sacrificial love in a race against time. Thanks for your donation that helps us reach even more people especially at this important time when people need hope right us today at a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300 1-800-821-3300 or go online to harvest.org and by the way the book is scheduled to be released on August 18. We have some advance copies available right now, so be the first to own a copy of beyond valor, everybody, Greg Laurie here in finding you to join me every weekend for what we call Harvest at Home.

It's a church service. It's a worship service. It's a Bible study and its wherever you wanted to be in your home in your car sitting on a beach walking down the street watching it on your phone wherever you are getting hit with you and the minister to every weekend. Join us for Harvest at Home@harvest.org next time more about the practical insight we can glean from the 10 Commandments. Join us next time a new beginning. Read more and possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God sign up for pastor grades free daily email, devotions@harvest.org