April 6, 2016

“‘You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” Deuteronomy 5:11

“What does this mean?
We should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear, use satanic arts, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.” (Martin Luther’s explanation to the Second Commandment – Small Catechism)

“…although it is impossible to enumerate all its misuses. Yet, to tell it in a few words, all misuse of the divine name occurs, first, in worldly business and in matters which concern money, possessions, honor, whether it be publicly in court, in the market, or wherever else men make false oaths in God’s name, or pledge their souls in any matter. But, the greatest abuse occurs in spiritual matters, which pertain to the conscience, when false preachers rise up and offer their lying vanities as God’s Word.” (Martin Luther’s explanation to the Second Commandment — Large Catechism)

Taking the Lord’s name in vain, as some call it, or misusing the Lord’s name is not difficult to describe. In Luther’s explanation from the Small Catechism, he offers two angles for us to consider, the negative and the positive. The negative is to misuse the Lord’s name in cursing, in swearing oaths, or deceiving others in His name – just to name a few examples. Of course, this is not particularly easy since there are so many examples of how people do misuse the Lord’s name. It has become such a part of everyday vernacular for so many people. So I am glad that Luther offers positive ways we should use the Lord’s name – in prayer, praise and thanksgiving – exactly in the ways we use the Lord’s name in worship.

This commandment is so difficult because our society seems to have lost the inhibitions of language, of what we consider immoral, and what we consider inappropriate. When I was a kid, if you misused the Lord’s name, someone scolded you for it. Not so today. I hear so many children using the Lord’s name inappropriately, and the parent’s offer no correction. Showing honor for the Lord begins with showing honor for the Lord’s name in every aspect of our lives. As adults, we need to be examples for our children – in worship, and in our homes. And as a Pastor, I am charged to preach the Word rightly.

Pastor Dave

April 5, 2016

“‘You shall have no other gods before me.
8 “‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 9 You shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 10 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Deuteronomy 5:7-10

“What does this mean?
We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.” (Martin Luther’s explanation to the First Commandment – Small Catechism)

“Therefore it is the intent of this commandment to require true faith and trust of the heart which settles upon the only true God, and clings to Him alone. That is as much as to say: “See to it that you let Me alone be your God, and never seek another,” i.e.: Whatever you lack of good things, expect it of Me, and look to Me for it, and whenever you suffer misfortune and distress, creep and cling to Me. I, yes, I, will give you enough and help you out of every need; only let not your heart cleave to or rest in any other.” (Martin Luther’s explanation to the First Commandment — Large Catechism)

Luther says, “Whatever you lack of good things, expect it of Me (G-d).” The First Commandment is probably the most important commandment, hence it comes first. It comes first, it is the most important, and it is probably the most difficult to follow. To trust alone in G-d, to not trust in our own “understanding” or “effort” but to rely solely on G-d is something our secular society does not teach or support.

We are always being reminded that we need other G-d’s in our lives: we should try to make more money so we can have the things we deserve; we should have more things so that our lives will be complete; we should have more esteem from our friends so that we find pride in ourselves; we should have……it goes on and on. When we set other things up as G-d’s, when we bow ourselves to money, pride, or possessions, we are also breaking the first commandment.

Our G-d is a jealous G-d, saying so in verse 9… for I the Lord your God am a jealous God”. As such, G-d wants all of our attention and our loyalties. This is where the challenge to be in the world but not of the world is the greatest – but if we make G-d our sole “god”, then we will be the better for it both spiritually and emotionally.

Pastor Dave