A Time to Build | Message Five

A Time to Build | Message Five

The Bible says "For everything there is a season" (Ecclesiastes 3:1).  Join us for this season, and this series, that is all about building: Building community, building a new worship center, building God's Kingdom, and building up one another.  

Scriptures | Exodus 20:7, NIV/  Exodus 20:7, KJV/

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

Exodus 20:7, NIV

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Exodus 20:7, KJV

Question 1 | You don’t have to have heard the sermon from Sunday, but if you were in church, watched online, what stuck with you?

Question 2 | We often think of “taking God’s name in vain” as using God’s name or Jesus’ name as a profanity or cure word.  But it’s much more than that.  Taking God’s name in vain is when we put God’s name (or God’s authority) on something that God has not put his name (or authority upon), usually for selfish purposes.  A playful example would be Jeremy saying: “God wants us to eat tacos” when really Jeremy wants to eat tacos!  Safe question: Have you ever considered this fuller definition of “taking God’s name in vain?”  That “taking God’s name in vain” is more than using profanities?  That it is moreso about saying “God said so” (in a self-serving way) when God never really said so?  Risky question: Where have you seen this, in your life, and in the lives of others?   

Question 3 | Humans often do selfish things and then claim “God wanted me to do that.”  We use God’s authority for our agenda.  We say “God said so!” - when God never said so.   We use moral reasoning to justify immoral behavior.  It happens all the time, it’s as Old as the Old Testament.  So how do we respond?  Jeremy suggested that we have “A little bit of wisdom.”  For example: We can expect it in others – that is, don’t be surprised or discouraged when others try to misuse or leverage God’s name to get our business, our vote, or our cooperation.  We can expect to feel tempted to do the same thing ourselves!  We can own our desires (good or bad), and be honest about when our will is different than God’s will. These are just three ways we can pray to God for wisdom (James 1:5) and act in wisdom on this topic.  Question: How about you?  Knowing how widespread “taking God’s name in vain” really is, and how much we ourselves are tempted to do it, what kind of wisdom do you need?

Question 4 | Jeremy suggested that we have “A little bit of wisdom, and a whole lot of Jesus!”  Meaning, if we keep the teachings and example of Jesus central in our lives, we will know what God really wants.  God’s will looks like Jesus!  Question: What helps you keep your eyes, and keep your focus, on Jesus Christ?  How can you, this week, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus?  Get specific!